F3 Baseplate: Berkey vs Zacuto

C

C.A.Magid

Active member
As a new F3 user my first goal was to equip the camera with the most flexible accessories as possible. My desire was to find a way to support a matte box, external recorder, external battery, handgrip, follow focus and shoulder pad. Anything which could push the F3 towards the easy to use, fast to configure and physical arrangement of classic 16mm film or full size ENG video cameras would be very welcome.

I tried two baseplates as an F3 foundation. Zacuto and Berkey Systems

The Berkey was a superior option for the following reasons.

1. Securing to camera bottom does not require tools. Giant thumb screws get the job done easily. The Berkey plate is very easily mounted and connection to the camera is not obstructed by the mount points for the tripod interface.

2. Better and more solid custom to fit to bottom of F3 allowing use of all camera mounting points, not just the forward two. The F3 can actually get askew a little on the Zacuto plate. Rubber "no skid" areas seem to be more friendly to the bottom of the camera.

3. Berkey puts the rod mounts on vertical posts that allow the rod height to be adjusted easily and independent of the fixed camera height. This means adjusting the vertical position of a matte box and forward accessories like follow focus requires just raising or lowering the front rods by loosening a single allen bolt. This is very similar to way this is done with front rod mounts on broadcast cameras or matte box systems like Chrosziel.

With the Zacuto you move the camera to match the matte box or lens height so you are adjusting a lot of weight and doing so in a clumsy fashion, espeically if you have rear rods supporting recorders, batteries and etc. Requires loosening a forward and rear allen bolt.

This is a big difference if you swap lenses with different front diameters. Even matched sets like Panchros go from 110mm diameter on the wide 18mm lens to 87mm diameter on the rest. If you like to mix in a zoom, you may have to accommodate 114mm fronts quickly. I want swaps to be as easy as possible. A lot of rail mounted matte boxes do not have adjustable vertical travel or adjustment to this degree. Moving the front rods separately is a nice option.

4. Berkey plate is very simple and ready to use with no additional parts needed and is one solid piece which does not have a lot of little of little parts clanking around. Seems like there is less to break. Although the Zacuto seems solid, it is a collection of elements. Installation of additional fastener hardware is need to make it F3 friendly and compatible with some tripod plates.

5. The Berkey plate was easier to slide on and off of our Vinten tripod since it is shorter. Seems better balanced from the "get go" too.

Of course the Zacuto solution is sold as universal and can be configured to work with a lot of different cameras. Perhaps it is the jack of all trades.

The Berkey Systems solution seems to be a custom solution which is a better more exact fit for F3/AF100.

Berkey and Zacuto were both had great customer service. The above is just my opinion.

There are few things the Zacuto does which I do not have a use for. Perhaps some users like those features.

For me the Berkey plate was the better choice.

If anyone is interested in an used Zacuto baseplate...contact me off list.
 
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Excellent review.

I started out with a Zacuto plate, too, then bought the Berkey after I saw it at a local dealer a few months ago. My Zacuto is now also gathering dust.

Just one point: you mentioned that the Berkey Systems baseplate is a "custom" solution, whereas the Zacuto is "universal". Actually, the only part of the Berkey rig that's "custom" is the plate that mates to the camera. (And that's why it fits so perfectly....) The rest of the parts are completely modular--they interchange with dozens of other Berkey parts. And you can build a lot of rigs with those parts.
 
I have been using Berkey System for over a year and his stuff keeps getting better and better... While the F3 Baseplate might be camera specific, one can remove the top plate of the baseplate and swap it with a different camera system top plate, the rest of the Berkey System Baseplate and components will accommodate various set-up. This is a perfect marriage of Camera Specific and Universal without the exorbitant cost involved.
 
I just bought a Berkey rig and the F3 baseplate is probably the most versatile and rigid one I have seen so far. They also are very responsive to customers inquiries and offer excellent service. Last but not least, their prices are very reasonnable.

Thierry.
 
the berkey looks nice, but every time i see these rigs i wonder why they have to put the weight so high. i have this vfgadgets plate for my ex3;

EX3-Baseplate-OZX1103.jpg

i've been very happy with it and hoped they would do something along those lines for the f3. but in corresponding with them i've been told that they're heading down the universal/modular path. i'm still anxious to see what they come up with, but then i saw this at dm accessories;

http://shop.dm-accessories.com/collections/f3-products/products/f3-shoulder-kit


i'm not sure if this approach would work as well with the f3, but i find it pretty comfortable on the ex3.
 
I had the DM on my EX-3. I was only able really to balance the camera with the addition of the DV Tec ENG rig: http://dvtec.tv/engrig1.html The camera was front-heavy to begin with. I assure you that model couldn't hold that EX-3 steady without some other support.

I should be able to order my F3 soon and at least intend to attempt to use a combination of the ENG rig with my Zacuto baseplate, adding the Zacuto Q-Mount and Shoulder pad to position shoulder pad directly under camera. I'll use either a Zacuto EVF or SmallHD (still undecided) on an Israeli arm mounted to Berkey top plate adjusted to viewing comfort. I'll give this a try since it does save a little money inasmuch as I already have the Zacuto plate.

Ned
 
The Abel base plate / shoulder pad is coming within a couple of weeks and they have got all of this solved. (love the Berkley stuff though) But with Berkley you can't go from tripod to shoulder.There is that extra pad underneath is like the Zacuto. Also if you want the VCT-14 path Shape has a very good system as well.

Ya that DvTec mono pole is a life saver for the EX-3.
 
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Any time I call a business, and the owner answers the phone, then e-mails me detailed pics of his product configured the way I need it to be, I become a fan.

Took the guess-work out of my rig. As we all know, getting all the gear( lens,matte-box , ff, , dovetail ect.. ) to play together can be a challenge.

Needless to say Mr. Berkley is awesome, and so are his products. Made in USA.
 
Berkey Systems Sample Configuration

Berkey Systems Sample Configuration

Here is a sample of my Berkey System DSLR Rig with an Easom Solo...With a little tweek, It maybe an applicable configuration for a different flatform. It will go from a shoulder mount by switching 3 knobs.

berkeysystems-Rig-2.jpg

berkeysystems-5.jpg
berkeysystems-4.jpg
 
I just received my Berkey shoulder Rig for the F3. Baseplate, handles and shoulder mount. I'm a very happy customer. Brian was great at helping out with what I needed. The machining is top quality, the whole product appears to be great and the pricing is extremely competitive with the Zacuto. For me, the plain black finish with classy white logo trumps and blue or red knobs handsdown.

I would disagree that the baseplate is easy to mount to the camera. Its a fiddly matter to get your fingers and thumbs in there and mount the camera. The front bolt is helped by the presence of a hole in the baseplate which lines up with the bolt so a driver can be used to tighten it up. Once on, its rock solid.

I've only been using it for three days so a lot can go wrong from here but initial impressions are that the Berkey System stuff should be highly recommended.
 
JDDalllas said:
But with Berkley you can't go from tripod to shoulder.
Click to expand...

I've been going from tripod to shoulder without any issues. I keep the Berkey lightweight mount for the shoulder pad on rear rods just aft of the camera between it and an external recorder. I let the actual shoulder pad ride "backwards", meaning the shoulder pad is behind the camera not under. This is a good position for operating hand held if you are attempting to use the on board LCD as your viewfinder. Proper hand grips in the right spot are essential. Not anything you would want to do all day, but it is very workable. It seems lighter yet more solid than the Zacuto quick release shoulder pad mount.

However, in this configuration the center of gravity is upset. Once a suitable 3rd party viewfinder is available you can simply flip the shoulder pad from its rear "parking space" to other side of the mount when off tripod and get to a rig with good balance.

So, in either case the Berkey shoulder pad can be left on when mounting to a tripod. Takes a few seconds to flip when off sticks.

I was intrigued by the the Abel / Element Technica but after deep thought I came to the following conclusions. Keep in mind, I have not used one as they are not available yet.

-The front rod mount does not appear to be vertically adjustable and camera height is not adjustable via the base plate in relation to forward accessories. I think having one is important but not a deal killer. Depends on how well made and flexible your bits are.

-Shoulder pad placement mandates use of 3rd party viewfinder or forward mounted external monitor as it cannot be positioned rear enough for viewing the on board LCD (AT LEAST WITH MY EYES). I find my eyes need to be even with the back of the camera to get a decent look. Also wonder if placing and external viewfinder too far forward would get in the way of lens swaps.

-I am concerned about reducing the contact patch between rig, tripod interface and tripod to just a few inches near the front of the camera. I think having the bulk of the camera float on a lever of sorts behind the riser/rod mount could be an issue, especially with external recorder and battery. May get a little floppy and depending of your tripod mount, it seems that you could easily skew, torque or un-torque the base-plate to tripod plate fasteners via unintended rotation by bumping any accessories on rear rods. If you go the VCT-14 route, I wonder about putting vertical pressure on the forward adapter plate parts.

I noticed this to a degree on the Zacuto where the camera mounts to their universal plate. I also tried to use the Zeddie Wedgie which allows mounting to a VCT-14 type tripod adapter. HOWEVER, it also just uses the forward mount point and floats the rest of the camera. For a fully tricked out F3 rigs, this makes me uncomfortable.

Those wishing to use the F3 with VCT-14 adapters should consider the Shape or Griptech. The VCT-14 system is really designed to secure a camera at its front and rear.

One of my goals was to trim as much weight as possible. I assume the true VCT-14 compatible solutions are a bit heavier but have not seen specifications, so do not know for sure.

-Element Technica rear rod mount is additional purchase.

Everyone's application in different and is some cases the Abel base plate could be just what the doctor ordered. It is very neat. At the moment it does not seem as flexible or solid as other options. With a good external viewfinder, it could be just the ticket for those doing a lot of handled. However, in studio configuration I wonder how good I would feel about.

All these opinions are sight unseen. Pretty close to random speculation, which is good to avoid. But since the topic came up, thought I would speak up. We can only buy and use what is available.

Abel certainly has my respect as an organization. They are a great resource for the entire industry. Their inventory is vast, their staff is knowledgeable and their web presence is an invaluable library of information on new tools and their use. Vendors do not have to be this way but Abel is and they score major points for being so involved with the production community.
 
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