FS7: Is there anyone who LIKES the Chrosziel LWS 401-FS baseplate?

M

Mertzwiller

Member
I bought one, and was about to order the Sony VCT-14 Quick-Release Tripod Adapter to go with it. But a consensus seems to be forming that one should steer clear of it, that it's a risky thing-- especially when you try to use it with this (or any?) VCT tripod adapter. Is anyone happy with their Chrosziel baseplate?
 
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I would just go with a Tilta or Lanparte. They are cheaper. I use a Tilta with my F3 and I love it--no problems over the past few years.
 
I just got the Vocas FS7 Baseplate. Very solid, nice shoulder mount, feels very balanced with the XDCA-FS7 and a fat Dionic brick on the back, with the 28-135mm on the front.
 
I've got the Zacuto VCT universal baseplate system on my FS7 and have been very happy with it, but WestsideAV's system looks like a nice, simple solution as well.
 
I have the Chrosziel plate. I had to have the VCT plate changed over and it took CVP & Chrosziel two and a half months to do it. In the mean time I bought the small Wooden Camera plate which has been on my camera since.

I like the Chrosziel (especially now it has been fixed). As a VCT solution I preferred it to the Zacuto as you don't need to buy another rosette mount to make it work (even if the Zacuto has a nicer shoulder pad).

Now I have the WC baseplate, I tend to find it works quicker with my Sachtler sticks than the VCT setup, so I'll probably stick to that for now.
 
I looked at the Chrosziel back in February when I purchased the FS7 with Kit lens. Big problem was it places the rig far to forward and as a result was front heavy. I purchased the Zacuto Universal Plate and Zacuto VCT tripod lock - it's solid and balances the rig well on the shoulder and has quite a lot of adjustment. The pad is comfortable and also feels easy shooting low down too. I use the strap fastening positions on the handle with the Sony strap that came with the kit to ease the weight to shoot from the waist.

The centre of the Zacuto shoulder pad arch is just about inline with the lens fixing. As a result and with the remote arm horizontal to the FS7 I have the nearest thing to a 2/3rds ENG feel on the rig when on the shoulder, so I have not had to adjust my shooting style much at all.

Been busy this week with an engineering client out on a works location and it meant I could quickly go from shoulder to tripod and the rig locked smoothly onto tripod every time. Release is by a one action lock and lever. It's well engineered and solid. The only thing that requires adjustment from shoulder to tripod is the hand grip needs rotating a couple of notches - takes about 2 or 3 seconds at the most.

Adobe After Effects Warp Stabilizer on Adobe CC takes care no problem with stabilising the shot - rock solid, losing less than 2% at the most on the stabilising crop. This has been a valuable part of my work flow for quite a while when shooting on the shoulder. My FS7 rig been a shade over 8Kg needs a little help, but I am very pleased with the results so far.

Claire
 
Mertzwiller said:
I bought one, and was about to order the Sony VCT-14 Quick-Release Tripod Adapter to go with it. But a consensus seems to be forming that one should steer clear of it, that it's a risky thing-- especially when you try to use it with this (or any?) VCT tripod adapter. Is anyone happy with their Chrosziel baseplate?
Click to expand...

I now recommend the Chrosziel plate. It works flawlessly and is very well built.

I purchased very early on and had fitment issues with the plate I received. Chrosziel has remedied the situation. They were highly responsive and sent a replacement product to me immediately upon learning of my issue. I had it within 2 days and they didn't even charge me for shipping of the replacement as some companies have been known to do. I want to compliment Rebecca from Chrosziel. She was most helpful in resolving my issue and highly professional in the way she handled things.

If I sound effusive in my praise it is because, as you have likely experienced yourself, excellent customer service and responsiveness to the customer is something that has become rare these days. Particularly with some of the fly-by-night companies selling on Ebay. A tip of the hat to Chrosziel.
 
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The plate is good. Chrosziel was unlucky to "copy" measurements from newer VCT14 - but they differ a bit from former model to newer models. I received a Preproduction model far before production (as I am an endorser too) and Chrosziel sent a replacement "V" to swap short after. As far as they told me they informed all dealers and sent them the replacement V for customers that already ordered the unit. As I heard the new 401FS has the newer (universal) V.

What I like better on the Chrosziel: Its solid made and it has exchangable rosettes - I also own the Vocas one - its good as well but the rosettes are part of the plate itself - and I am afraid that these wear out some day.

ULi
 
I ordered mine from CVP (I live in the U.S.) on January 11, 2015. Before I order the Sony VCT-14 Quick-Release Tripod Adapter, is there any way to determine ahead of time whether my Chrosziel is an "older" model which does not fit with the VCT-14, or is a "newer" model which does fit with it?
 
It's hard to say, the original email I received from Chrosziel (which made me send the plate back to CVP) was on the 19th January and said this:

"Actually, we found out after shipment of the first batch that the Sony VCT-14 has large tolerances between different batches of this plate.

We have adapted our V-mount plate and already shipped them to our UK- dealers. Please contact the dealer where you purchased it and they will send you this plate."

I had bought mine back in December, so you might be lucky but, again, it is hard to say.
 
I just put in my order at B&H for the Sony VCT-14, so I guess we'll see if it works. Hope not to have to return the Chrosziel to CVP.
 
I received my Sony VCT 14 tripod adapter today, and it fits well with the Chrosziel baseplate, so I lucked out in that regard.

But now that I’ve had a little time to try out the Chrosziel as a shoulder rig, I’m finding it to be very uncomfortable, regardless of where I slide the shoulder pad. I understand that the extension or a heavy battery in the rear would help balance it all out, but the shoulder pad itself is so uncomfortable it’s hard to imagine it ever being something you’d want on your shoulder for hours at a time. It’s such a scrawny thing, not much better than the kit shoulder pad, IMO.

The Zacuto VCT universal baseplate, on the other hand, seems to be getting good reviews, at least as far as comfort and balance are concerned; one drawback seems to be that it slides the camera’s side buttons back behind the side of one’s face, effectively putting them out of reach. These include some hugely important buttons if you need to run and gun, such as auto focus and iris. I’m guessing one needs to assign those important buttons to the handgrip?

Also, does the Zacuto universal shoulder plate fit the Sony VCT 14 quick release tripod adapter as snuggly as it fits the Zacuto’s own VCT? Or does it not fit at all, and requires the Zacuto VCT?

Finally, it has occurred to me that the kit shoulder pad might be comfortable enough if one attached an additional, larger piece of foam rubber, either directly to the kit pad somehow, or wore it separately— under, or over, your shirt or jacket, for example. That would take 3 or 5 pounds off your shoulder, making handheld shooting much easier to deal with, especially for a short guy such as myself.
 
FWIW, I saw the Arri plate on display at NAB.

Having used the Chrosziel plate for a while, I have decided I am not at all happy with the camera position. I know it is a re-hash, but the Zacuto plate balances the camera well. But the camera is then too far back for easy access to controls.

My Chrosziel fits nicely on my ancient beat-up Sony VCT-14. However, it would not fit on a Panasonic equivalent wedge plate.
 
Hi!
I can see that you have experienced some issues with the camera position related to the product. I would like to help you further in the matter if the problem is still current? Could you please provide the model number of the Panasonic plate? For further guidance please contact us on our customer support via Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/chrosziel/ or directly on rebecca@chrosziel.com and we are happy to help you!
Best, Rebecca from Chrosziel
 
Hi Claire,
I am Rebecca, working for Chrosziel and I would like to help you with further guidance on the issue.
The prior problem of design causing unstable mounting on the product, has now been resolved and all the feedback has been taken into consideration for current and new releases. You can feel confident that the fit is balanced today and if there would be any experienced issues please don’t hesitate to contact us. I am available for guidance and feedback directly on rebecca@chrosziel.com or via our customer support on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/chrosziel/.
Best, Rebecca from Chrosziel
 
I can confirm that the plate now available from Chrosziel works flawlessly. Excellent fitment and rock solid. I've been using it in the field for several months now and I am most pleased with it. I highly recommend not only Chrosziel's Fs7 shoulder plate but their products in general. Chrosziel is a first class company.

Chrosziel's Fs7 plate is one of the most low profile and sleek plates available. In my opinion it is one of the best looking shoulder plates for the Fs7. I mates so well with the Fs7 that many people think it is just part of the camera and do not realize that it is an accessory.
 
I used a Chrosziel plate for a year with V-Locks on the back. Very solid on the VCT-14. No issues with VCT compatibility/fit etc. Bought in Jan 2015.

But, I just couldn't get comfortable with it - I think the weight distribution, as others have mentioned, was the issue. It wasn't heavier than an old digibeta-esque ENG unit, but it just didn't balance like they did, even with a weighty V-Lock on the back. It was heavy, but cramped.

I gave up, sold the Chrosziel, ditched the V-Locks and stripped everything back to vanilla Sony.

I'm getting steadier shots and considerably less fatigue.
 
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