As of recent I have been trying to perfect my F35 and F23 baseplate options. I know there are 2 schools of thought on the F35 baseplate, and I agree with both depending on the setup of the camera and lenses being used. I know most of this info isn't new, I just wanted to share the cheaper options I have found that still seem to be a solid system.
Option #1 Arri Dovetail/ 19mm rods
This camera system was designed to work with Arri standard film accessories. Arri BP-5 is the plate to use on the bottom of the F35 riser plate. From this you can purchase a shoulder system that works off the arri dovetail plate.
Here is a nice movcam option for arri sliding dovetail system http://www.ebay.com/itm/Movcam-Dual...047952?hash=item3f40bcb290:g:hxQAAOSwn51UZdp5
There are also special F23/35 riser plates that were modified to mount light weight 15mm rods on the front of the plate for smaller accessories. In a perfect world, you would have both 15mm light weight and 19mm studio from the BP5 plate. These plates are hard to find now and are expensive due to the rare nature. The problem going without 15mm rods is that you will need to buy or rent all accessories for 19mm rods which can be more $$ than the 15mm parts. Or you can get 19mm to 15mm adapters for around $80 on eBay which should move a set of 15mm rods up to the correct height from the 19mm rods.
What is great about this system: It is rock solid, 19mm just feel right for a fully rigged F35, you are at the cinema standard so it is easy to interface with everything. For nearly any zoom lens over a few pounds, this is the system you should use.
What isn't so great: It's a lot of height, the camera sensor sit's way above the eyeline. It's a lot of weight.
A question about a possible great deal: http://www.ebay.com/itm/191579821911?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Does anyone know if this is the correct height for the F35? It seems to have the mounting holes that would line up with the riser plate. Something like this would be cheaper than the Arri BP5.
Option #2 Sony VTC with light weight 15mm
I think this is the option that appeals to the crowd that has also pursued the nikon mount modification and also ditched the bigger recorders for a 7Q or Blade. I personally fell in love with the Zacuto VTC shoulder plate for handheld operating my F35 with Nikon primes. I have DSLR size accessories and matte box and Zacuto shoulder pad is able to get rods to correct height without the F23/35 riser plate which ditches more weight. Pad is closest to the bottom of the camera out of any options I found. I also like the VTC plates with built in pads by Shape and Vocas. Lanparte seems to add unnecessary height and requires modifications depending on which model.
The real secret to getting this combo solid has been the Arri-made quick release plate. I tried one of these out and was surprised it was a completely solid connection unlike the wobble of the Sony version. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arri-Panaso...adcast-cameras-Arri-K9-00212-0-/271511700009? I will post a photo once mine arrives in the mail.
If you are using Sony VTC 14 quick release type pads, I highly recommend getting the Arri plate over one with the little quick release lever. I don't think the camera will fall off these plates, they are used across the industry, but anyone who works with them can tell you, they all have play in them. Arri solved the problem and made the system solid for mounting this combo to tripod, jib or steadicam.
I believe having a system based around light weight 15mm for small run and gun setup and also a 2nd system that builds camera up to 19mm rig is the best option for the F35.
Option #1 Arri Dovetail/ 19mm rods
This camera system was designed to work with Arri standard film accessories. Arri BP-5 is the plate to use on the bottom of the F35 riser plate. From this you can purchase a shoulder system that works off the arri dovetail plate.
Here is a nice movcam option for arri sliding dovetail system http://www.ebay.com/itm/Movcam-Dual...047952?hash=item3f40bcb290:g:hxQAAOSwn51UZdp5
There are also special F23/35 riser plates that were modified to mount light weight 15mm rods on the front of the plate for smaller accessories. In a perfect world, you would have both 15mm light weight and 19mm studio from the BP5 plate. These plates are hard to find now and are expensive due to the rare nature. The problem going without 15mm rods is that you will need to buy or rent all accessories for 19mm rods which can be more $$ than the 15mm parts. Or you can get 19mm to 15mm adapters for around $80 on eBay which should move a set of 15mm rods up to the correct height from the 19mm rods.
What is great about this system: It is rock solid, 19mm just feel right for a fully rigged F35, you are at the cinema standard so it is easy to interface with everything. For nearly any zoom lens over a few pounds, this is the system you should use.
What isn't so great: It's a lot of height, the camera sensor sit's way above the eyeline. It's a lot of weight.
A question about a possible great deal: http://www.ebay.com/itm/191579821911?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Does anyone know if this is the correct height for the F35? It seems to have the mounting holes that would line up with the riser plate. Something like this would be cheaper than the Arri BP5.
Option #2 Sony VTC with light weight 15mm
I think this is the option that appeals to the crowd that has also pursued the nikon mount modification and also ditched the bigger recorders for a 7Q or Blade. I personally fell in love with the Zacuto VTC shoulder plate for handheld operating my F35 with Nikon primes. I have DSLR size accessories and matte box and Zacuto shoulder pad is able to get rods to correct height without the F23/35 riser plate which ditches more weight. Pad is closest to the bottom of the camera out of any options I found. I also like the VTC plates with built in pads by Shape and Vocas. Lanparte seems to add unnecessary height and requires modifications depending on which model.
The real secret to getting this combo solid has been the Arri-made quick release plate. I tried one of these out and was surprised it was a completely solid connection unlike the wobble of the Sony version. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arri-Panaso...adcast-cameras-Arri-K9-00212-0-/271511700009? I will post a photo once mine arrives in the mail.
If you are using Sony VTC 14 quick release type pads, I highly recommend getting the Arri plate over one with the little quick release lever. I don't think the camera will fall off these plates, they are used across the industry, but anyone who works with them can tell you, they all have play in them. Arri solved the problem and made the system solid for mounting this combo to tripod, jib or steadicam.
I believe having a system based around light weight 15mm for small run and gun setup and also a 2nd system that builds camera up to 19mm rig is the best option for the F35.
