Camera Base plate

anatusa

anatusa

Veteran
Hello

i am looking to build a shoulder rig - more like a self made one because of the price for that equipment cant afford to spend 1000-2000 usd for it , especially when companies asking 100-300 usd just for the rods, and i have it available in local hardware stores for like 3 usd for 1m.

but for now i think i will have to buy the base plate as its probably the most important part in the rig, so i wonder if some one can suggest something inexpensive ?

personally i like that one with 4 holes for rods to go throw it , but its still expansive one, plus i dont know what is under it - if i ll be able to mount a tripod plate under it...?
http://www.letus35.com/cart/Letus-Pro-Camera-Base.html

any other suggestions? may be some real cheap china products?

i also was thinking to build one from metal, but 1 thing stops me from it - the distance between the rods, its probably the industry standard that i dont know, and if ill made a mistake with it ill not be able to install the follow focus...
 
http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/product.php?productid=271&cat=291&page=1

I bought this Indian baseplate for my AF100 as I had the same financial constraints. I had an aluminium plate made for the under side of it and screwed on. Had to get 4 holes machines into the baseplate at same shop. With with matching thread holes for the AF undercarriage I bolted it on. The top side is now screwed to a Manfrotto quick release that click into my hand held rig and tripod. Took an hour at a precision shop and cost me $30. the reason I had to flip it upside down is the baseplate nuts could not clear the AF body as it was sitting to low. Now it sits just fine for my rods and FF. Buy two pairs of Zacuto rods diffrent sizes so you can adapt later if needed. Cinecity also sell a cheap shoulder pad that slips onto the rails. Handles of your choice and you are done. My rig is on the show rig thread with Hot Rod handles and a Cineroid viewfinder that in my opnion is essential for handheld use.
 
Check out ginicinema.net too. CNC'd aluminum and the guy ships from
Korea super fast.

jeff
ps: The Zacuto universal base is good too .. but 'spensive.
 
GM_HP_Camera_Hot_Plate_2-269-600-400-80.jpg


I just took delivery of the new Genus Hotplate. Designed for the new Panasonic and Sony cameras. Distributed by Manfrotto. List price is $425, but you should bea able to find it for around $369.

GM_HP_Camera_Hot_Plate_4-270-90-90-80-c.jpg


Comes with 2, 2-section 15mm rods, each section is 8 inches long:

GM_HP_Camera_Hot_Plate_1-268-600-400-80__94426_zoom.jpg


Here's how it works:

http://player.vimeo.com/video/23625014?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ff9933" width="601" height="338" frameborder="0"
 
yes i know about that one, seems like its very good , but its actually is 2 times more in price then previous suggestion.... by cheap i mean real cheap not 600 usd lol
 
Cheap is a relative term. If you buy something that costs more, is better quality and only buy it once, it's a lot cheaper than buying something cheap of a lesser quality and having to buy it a few times.
 
Matthew B said:
Cheap is a relative term. If you buy something that costs more, is better quality and only buy it once, it's a lot cheaper than buying something cheap of a lesser quality and having to buy it a few times.
Click to expand...



Amen, brother!

To anatusa, I can only say, I've been there, done that, throwing good money after bad. A waste of money, time, and effort.

1) Bought a CineCity follow focus, it broke! Replaced with a good Cavision unit.
2) Bought cheap Cavision baseplate, too flexy and insecure of a mount. Replaced with Genus Hotplate.

I would have saved money, time, and effort by buying better gear in the first place.
 
Point to consider.

Baseplates are not just simple bits of flat steel with some holes to poke some bars into.

One needs to ensure that it has lateral, vertical and horizontal adjustment and positioning so everything aligns with lenses and fittings eg supports, rods, matte boxes, Follow focus etc...

It needs to be strong and well built and be able to be locked off and absolutely secure. The camera is carried and supported by it

I would agree. Invest wisely and well the first time and it will last a long time and be versatile enough to use with the next camera.
 
i understand it but if u dont have the funds u dont have it, there is nothing u can do(especially when i have to do savings for birger & canons), but if u need something to work with for a month or so , its should be fine....., plus here locally we have nothing for sale at all, so ill be able to sell all what i bought for temporally use
 
kenwilx1016 said:
um, maybe this isn't what you're looking for but I'm pretty sure it is... you're not going to find better quality, and its pretty damn cheap,

http://store.redrockmicro.com/Catalog/microSupport-Bundles/microSupport-baseplate-15mm-low-riser

I wouldn't buy some chinsy chinese/korean when you can buy this beast which was specifically made for the AF100 for $250
Click to expand...

the only thing about it that i dont like is - it has only 2 hols for rods - its just dont seems to be stable enough - nothing will hold the back end seems wrong...
 
anatusa said:
the only thing about it that i dont like is - it has only 2 hols for rods - its just dont seems to be stable enough - nothing will hold the back end seems wrong...
Click to expand...

Your are correct, will not work with the AF100 as the rods do not extend through.

Believe me when I said I scoured the planet for an under $2/300 base plate. The modified Indian plate I mentioned is locked and left on my AF, not going anywhere for years. If one of the wing nuts, the only possible weak point break, I can just replace the nut. This is not rocket science, all the top range baseplates do is allow you to slide the plate sideways and with a riser to align a FF or Mattbox.
I aligned my Red Rock FF ( dont use a MatteBox) just fine with this simple setup and saved $400.

.http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/product.php?productid=271&cat=291&page=1
 
biginvegas said:
Your are correct, will not work with the AF100 as the rods do not extend through.

Believe me when I said I scoured the planet for an under $2/300 base plate. The modified Indian plate I mentioned is locked and left on my AF, not going anywhere for years. If one of the wing nuts, the only possible weak point break, I can just replace the nut. This is not rocket science, all the top range baseplates do is allow you to slide the plate sideways and with a riser to align a FF or Mattbox.
I aligned my Red Rock FF ( dont use a MatteBox) just fine with this simple setup and saved $400.

.http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/product.php?productid=271&cat=291&page=1
Click to expand...

How do you mount this baseplate to your tripod?
 
the only thing about it that i dont like is - it has only 2 hols for rods - its just dont seems to be stable enough - nothing will hold the back end seems wrong...
Click to expand...

You have champagne taste on a beer budget. :-)


If you dont have your lenses and mounts why are you prioritising a base plate and rods. What are you going to hang on the rods?
 
Shooter said:
You have champagne taste on a beer budget. :-)


If you dont have your lenses and mounts why are you prioritising a base plate and rods. What are you going to hang on the rods?
Click to expand...

1. your 1st comment really is wrong, seems like u did not read my 1st post in that treat - i need a cheap base plate with 4 holes for rods & option to mount a tripod plate under it. and if anyone seen something like that i would like to hear about it. The options i was suggested are away too expansive for me, if i ll not find anything for around 200$ , ill just buy a peace of metal and will go to any car service and ask to drill holes for rods and few smaller holes for screws.... peace of metal is a peace of metal , no metter how fancy it is , its just cant coast 600$.....just for base plate, if aluminum 15mm pipe coast 3-5 usd for 1m , why would i pay 100-200 usd for 20-30cm, yes looks nice , but it does the same, or paying 300 usd for the handles, when i can buy it in any local hardware store for like 20-30 usd, or even take it from old drill. if i would have extra funds available i probably would not think and just buy the fanciest thing i could find, but sorry if i am not a millionaire.... when i ll have more funds i am sure i ll buy something better , but for now i need something to work with...

2. i believe i wrote about it - i need a shoulder rig, the only thing i need to buy - base plate - the rest i can make my self, well maybe a shoulder pad too, but ill start from cheap china shoulder pad from ebay that i believe is 30 usd...
 
i have the RedRock baseplate posted and is a really solid piece. I was worried too with the rods only connecting on the front part but so far it's been super stable and rock solid, and for the price i don't think there are any comparable options.

+1 for the RedRock.

It has various mounting holes in the bottom part btw.
 
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