FS7: Berkey System FS7 top plate now available.

J

jshbckr

Veteran
Berkey System - FS7 Top Plate

There are two options: the "horseshoe" (as I call it) and the full set.

The horseshoe is the standard top plate that is made to accommodate the stock FS7 handle, since there are a lot of people that love the native functionality (rec, zoom, GPS, Sony hot shoe) of the handle. This gives a nice mounting surface around the handle.

The second option is the "full" set. This includes the "horseshoe" as well as an extra inner plate that can fill the opening left from removing the FS7 handle and provide extra mounting points. This inner plate is removable so I think it's important to point out that the "full" version is adaptable for use with and without the stock handle. This will definitely be my pick, since I am usually using Berkey's Versa NATO handle. But if I run into a situation where I want the stock handle, I can just pop out the center plate and put the FS7 handle in its place.

Let me know what you guys think of the design, I'll be heading over to Berkey's a bit later today to take some pictures of it mounted on the FS7 (with the stock handle + "full" set w/ NATO handle) and that will give you a good idea of where it sits on top of the camera.

UPDATE:
Pictures installed on camera. Here are some photos of the two different configurations (horseshoe and full). The final fit & finish of this plate is awesome. I love how smooth the transition from plate to handle is. You can see how it sticks out a little bit from the edge, which gives you a little area to tuck the EVF cable under and makes sure the FS7 handle won't be in the way of any accessories you're mounting.

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On the last photo with the versa handle, you can see how the horizontal 15mm hole can mount the stock EVF. I'm realizing now that we could have taken the microphone mount from the FS7 handle and used it through the Versa handle, so you would retain the native mic mount. Maybe we'll try to get a picture showing that setup, too.
 
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Thanks for posting Josh! Can't wait to see pictures on. I like the idea of using the horseshoe and keeping the top handle. Although I probably won't use the top zoom too much I did like it on the EX1s so I think I'd probably not toss it away just yet.
 
RatLabProductions said:
Thanks for posting Josh! Can't wait to see pictures on. I like the idea of using the horseshoe and keeping the top handle. Although I probably won't use the top zoom too much I did like it on the EX1s so I think I'd probably not toss it away just yet.
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Yeah, I don't have any power zooms or Sony's new hot shoe lav receiver. So for me, it would be for the Rec button and GPS. I was bummed to realize that the GPS was in the handle... I don't do a ton of travel shooting but I will be tempted to use the stock handle if I'm doing a travel doc gig just to see how it ends up geotagging the clips. I love opening the Maps feature in iPhoto and seeing my photo pins all over the place.

I'll update the post when we get some pictures taken. But to describe it a bit... it sticks out a little bit from the flat area on top of the FS7, but not too far. It's enough to help give some clearance around the FS7 handle so you can *actually* use the mounting points. Some of the other top plates I've seen have such a small surface area that I wonder how you'll mount anything without hitting the handle.

As a comparison, the Vocas plate has a cutout for the FS7 handle's pin-out. So you can *mount* the FS7 handle but it doesn't connect the electronic interface, so you lose functionality. In addition, the surface area of the Vocas plate looks to be hardly any bigger than the flat area of the FS7... meaning the stock handle will probably block/obstruct usage of most of the Vocas plate's mounting points. Kind of a puzzling design if you ask me.
 
jshbckr said:
As a comparison, the Vocas plate has a cutout for the FS7 handle's pin-out. So you can *mount* the FS7 handle but it doesn't connect the electronic interface, so you lose functionality.
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I had wondered about that when I saw the product displayed. The Berkley design seems like a good compromise of added functionality with minimal impact on stock setup. I actually like that the plate extends a bit out form the sides. Does the plate interfere with the wifi transmitter?

So far this top plate is top of my list for the next accessory.
 
RatLabProductions said:
I had wondered about that when I saw the product displayed. The Berkley design seems like a good compromise of added functionality with minimal impact on stock setup. I actually like that the plate extends a bit out form the sides. Does the plate interfere with the wifi transmitter?

So far this top plate is top of my list for the next accessory.
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It does not interfere with the Wi-Fi dongle (I have mine installed and made sure to point it out to Brian when he was making some designs). It also has proper clearance for the XDCA-FS7 extension unit.
 
Osslund said:
Brian makes the best parts and I highly recommend them! I have a full case of Berkey stuff and they'll outlast everything else I have. While your at it get some add on blocks, rods and things. I just made use of a few parts on my FS7.

https://cameradoe.wordpress.com/2014/12/02/sony-pxw-fs7-super-camera-or-chinese-toy/
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Agreed. The tolerances are so precise on his stuff that it takes less effort to tighten down blocks and they hold better than anything else I've used. Over the last couple years, I've accumulated a lot of rods, blocks, spuds, you name it. They are like camera legos for me, at this point. Guys I know will be like "hmm.. how could we do this?" and I just reach into my bins and rig up a solution with Berkey bits!

FlacaProductions said:
Ordered....along with a versa handle - you should get a cut, Josh!
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Haha, no cut for me, I'm just happy to help. I think it's great that they are located right here in the Minneapolis area. Everything from design to machining and anodizing all done locally. Brian has helped me rig up a lot of stuff and has even gone out of his way to customize parts for my weird little setups. The least I can do in return is make sure other operators are aware that his gear is out on the market. I hope you enjoy your top plate and versa handle! They are really built like a tank.

We took some photos of the FS7 rigged up tonight, in a couple configurations, should be able to have photos by morning.
 
Can you use just the center piece? I'm just looking for a way to take off the stock top handle and add a Nato rail going straight down the middle. Does the full version obstruct the EVF cable keeper?
 
meauounji said:
Can you use just the center piece? I'm just looking for a way to take off the stock top handle and add a Nato rail going straight down the middle. Does the full version obstruct the EVF cable keeper?
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You could use just the center piece, not sure if Berkey will sell that piece alone, I'm sure you could ask him (might be available as an "upgrade" for people who buy only the outer plate first).

The outer "horseshoe" plate does require you to remove the cable clip for the EVF. However, since the plate overhangs the edge a bit, it creates a nice little channel that the cable can run along on the underside of the plate. This helps keep it out of the way of the handle, any accessories you have mounted, etc.

If you decided to only use the center plate, it has the same footprint as the stock handle. This means you don't have to remove the EVF cable clip.
 
jshbckr said:
You could use just the center piece, not sure if Berkey will sell that piece alone, I'm sure you could ask him (might be available as an "upgrade" for people who buy only the outer plate first).
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They do. Ordered. Really need something to take off the top handle. Just for transportation purposes. The default handle takes up so much dead space in the case.
 
meauounji said:
They do. Ordered. Really need something to take off the top handle. Just for transportation purposes. The default handle takes up so much dead space in the case.
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Oh, nice. I see that he does have it on there now.

And I hear you loud and clear. I'm the same way. I tend to densely pack my F-Stop bag or Pelican case... there is just too much dead space with the stock handle bolted on. But I also tend to cram about 9 lenses into my kit! For the guys that stick to a zoom lens or two for doc work, they've got a little more room.
 
Updated the original post with images. More pictures on Berkey's site, too.

Oh, for any guys that run top rails, the "full" version of the plate (can't use FS7 handle) can use one of Berkey System's low-profile ultra light blocks mounted to the top plate to give you centered 15mm rods exactly 85mm above your lens. The height was dead-on for my fixed-height matte box. In the photo, we also have the NATO rail running front to back. This is great for lens changes where you need the handle balanced, only slight tweak you need to make for the EVF is to add a short spud block onto the front of the Versa handle. I think you can see why I call these parts "camera legos".

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I ordered the horsehoe top plate from Berkley. Can't wait to get it on there. I also ordered an extension piece to try and rig up the EVF with more right to left adjustment.
 
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