C300: C300 with Zacuto Universal VCT plate issues

bluedisk

bluedisk

Active member
I'm running a C300 MK1 on a Zacuto Universal VCT baseplate. Its generally pretty good except for when I want to remove the Zacuto plate in a hurry to mount to a slider or minimise the form factor.

The big problem is getting the right sized screwdriver up through a tight gap between the covered gel shoulder mount part, then trying to carefully manipulate the two screws into the correct position for mounting the camera.
I struggled with this the other day and I wondered why on earth Zacuto didn't include a quick release component to the VCT baseplate to make it easier to get the c300 back to a minimal form?

Has anyone tried using an in-between quick release adaptor plate like a Kessler or other to overcome this issue? If so would raising the camera body by the height of the adaptor mess with the follow focus too much?
I use a Zacuto Z drive for follow focus which is generally a quick and flexible system for the one person doco crew.
 
Yeah, I've been using a Manfrotto 357 adapter. For using with a matte box and follow focus, on one shoot I use the Zacuto Gorilla Plate directly on the cam with a Manfrotto 357 plate underneath, then mounted to the adapter. This way I could slim things down some when not doing handheld, while still retaining my matte box and follow focus. Ideally I don't want the VCT plate when I'm on Steadicam since it adds weight and height, but I want to be able to transition from shoulder mount to Steadi quickly while retaining my rail setup.

(I also later removed that back weight as I was able to move the camera back further to help with my center of gravity.)

I did find this setup to not be as rigid as I would like, though. I later bought a Wooden Camera Unified Baseplate (which I love) and am planning to try attaching that to the Zacuto VCT with a Wooden Camera Dovetail plate I just bought (which hasn't arrived yet). I believe this setup should be more rigid. We'll see how it works out.

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Here are some other setups I've used the Manfrotto plate with...

13612212_878204865619444_3914184495522424138_n.jpg


13726562_883603341746263_48002170809186392_n.jpg


Wireless follow focus does reach without a second pair of rails.

13718605_883603595079571_1720444744551489656_n.jpg



And here's a stupid and excessive adapter plate setup I had a couple years ago which is one reason I don't like using the VCT on Steadicam.

IYH9eR2.jpg
 
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That's the reason I held out for the "pro VCT" they released later. It has a quick release plate to pop the camera off separately.Maybe you can contact zacuto and try to get a deal on one. I'm a big fan because you can also quickly adjust the camera forward or back to compensate lens changes or battery weight.
_1010866.jpg_1010862.jpg
 
Wow that looks like a great new development from Zacuto, but I don't see it anywhere in their online store.
 
Try calling or emailing sales. That's how I got mine. I had seen the pro-vct at Cinegear and had been waiting for a few months for it to come out. I know they did an initial production line. The person I spoke with said they were trying to design a cheaper to produce version.


I put the smallrig rosettes on after
 
jm.gardiner said:
That's the reason I held out for the "pro VCT" they released later. It has a quick release plate to pop the camera off separately.Maybe you can contact zacuto and try to get a deal on one. I'm a big fan because you can also quickly adjust the camera forward or back to compensate lens changes or battery weight.
Click to expand...

Is the plate slide all the way off? How much did you end up paying?

The Vocas USBP-15 seems like the answer to the OP's problem, but it's also $1000 at Adorama BUT it's also lighter than the Zacuto. I have been thinking about it but can't bring myself to pay $1000 for it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6bx5qKXKts
 
Yes, it slides all the way off. There's a locking switch on the other side and a button release. I don't remember how much it was. But it was well under $1k.
 
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