FS5: Lightweight Baseplate
- Thread starter banicos
- Start date
Cynthia Webster
Active member
I've become a great fan of SmallRig accessories as they're well designed and very affordable.
Check out their SmallRig "Baseplate with Dual 15mm Rod Clamp 1674" for $16.90 USD.
http://www.smallrig.com
Search for part number 1674.
Price is pretty hard to beat. I keep it on my FS7 all the time and simply lower the camera vertically
into a large Pelican case with viewfinder, mic, and a pair of rods attached.
(I never mess with the fragile viewfinder plug and I flipped the microphone holder upside down so the
mic is underslung allowing the case to close properly). I believe the baseplate would work great with
your FS5. Using such a small baseplate hasn't been an issue - even when the camera is built-out with
a ton of accessories. I purposely stayed away from the large Sonly style V-Lock camera plate in order
to keep the camera as light as possible when switching to a Fig Rig for hand-held. I rarely shoulder mount
the camera preferring to adjust camera-to-subject height on the fly with the fig rig.
(I'm very tall, and being at eye level with talent is super important to me so that I'm not looking down all the time).
Check out their SmallRig "Baseplate with Dual 15mm Rod Clamp 1674" for $16.90 USD.
http://www.smallrig.com
Search for part number 1674.
Price is pretty hard to beat. I keep it on my FS7 all the time and simply lower the camera vertically
into a large Pelican case with viewfinder, mic, and a pair of rods attached.
(I never mess with the fragile viewfinder plug and I flipped the microphone holder upside down so the
mic is underslung allowing the case to close properly). I believe the baseplate would work great with
your FS5. Using such a small baseplate hasn't been an issue - even when the camera is built-out with
a ton of accessories. I purposely stayed away from the large Sonly style V-Lock camera plate in order
to keep the camera as light as possible when switching to a Fig Rig for hand-held. I rarely shoulder mount
the camera preferring to adjust camera-to-subject height on the fly with the fig rig.
(I'm very tall, and being at eye level with talent is super important to me so that I'm not looking down all the time).
patrickbaldwin
Well-known member
I use this one from Smallrig on my FS5.
https://www.smallrig.com/smallrig-baseplate-with-arri-rosette-mount-for-sony-fs5-camera-1827.html
I use the rosettes for a grip extension and handle for shoulder use and this pad on my shoulder so the tripod plate just sits on this cushion.
https://www.panastoreonline.co.uk/camera-comfort-cushion-psc-camcom-os-n-a-cama-1
https://www.smallrig.com/smallrig-baseplate-with-arri-rosette-mount-for-sony-fs5-camera-1827.html
I use the rosettes for a grip extension and handle for shoulder use and this pad on my shoulder so the tripod plate just sits on this cushion.
https://www.panastoreonline.co.uk/camera-comfort-cushion-psc-camcom-os-n-a-cama-1
I'm a big fan of the "SmallRig Drop-In Baseplate (Manfrotto 501PL QR Plate Compatible) 2006".
Manfrotto plates are used all over the p[lace including on a Ronin S or the Small Rig VCT-14 shoulder pad so its easy to shift the camera to different support choices without changing the basic plate . Get a long base plate and you have a lot of room to adjust balance. Very flexible.
2 caveats - Different manufacturers make Manfrotto plates that are slightly different and require slightly different adjustments in the base plate. . I had to experiment around to get one that worked with all my stuff. also Watch out for the screw that tightens the lock, I use lock tight on it.
Manfrotto plates are used all over the p[lace including on a Ronin S or the Small Rig VCT-14 shoulder pad so its easy to shift the camera to different support choices without changing the basic plate . Get a long base plate and you have a lot of room to adjust balance. Very flexible.
2 caveats - Different manufacturers make Manfrotto plates that are slightly different and require slightly different adjustments in the base plate. . I had to experiment around to get one that worked with all my stuff. also Watch out for the screw that tightens the lock, I use lock tight on it.
Cynthia Webster
Active member
Yes, I took use a bunch of Manfrotto Quick Release plates and receivers. I use the slightly larger #357 Manfrotto plate to match the top of my 100mm Manfrotto ART 526 fluid head.
I have a spare sets of plates in both my camera cases, and one in my tripod case, as well as one on each camera.
(Years ago I showed up at a shoot with no quick release plate and couldn't use a tripod all day... THAT will Never happen to me again I can tell you, lol!)
I also have the matching quick release Receivers on three auxiliary tripods, a Fig Rig, a camera prep table, a car mount, and a jib arm.
This way the cameras can seamlessly swap from set-up to set-up quickly without the use of tools.
I have a spare sets of plates in both my camera cases, and one in my tripod case, as well as one on each camera.
(Years ago I showed up at a shoot with no quick release plate and couldn't use a tripod all day... THAT will Never happen to me again I can tell you, lol!)
I also have the matching quick release Receivers on three auxiliary tripods, a Fig Rig, a camera prep table, a car mount, and a jib arm.
This way the cameras can seamlessly swap from set-up to set-up quickly without the use of tools.
I've found that although the sliding plate that comes with the Ronin-S has works fine for me in every Manfrotto-style quick release adapter I've tried, almost none of the Manfrotto plates will fit properly in the Ronin-S. So if the Ronin-S is part of your system I'd recommend getting extra plates from DJI to maximize compatibility...
Cynthia Webster
Active member
I got a private request for more info on my FS7 & camera case set-up, so here goes...
The Case is a Pelican 1650 with foam interior which I laid out so the camera with lightweight baseplate and rods can lower down vertically into the case without interfering with the lid.
A Manfrotto 357 quick release plate is permanently mounted under the baseplate. Reversing the Microphone clip allowed me to under-sling the microphone which works great, even when using a large matte-box (JTZ 4x5.65 DP30 matte box & highly recommended). There is also a SmallRig top plate mounted to the camera around the top handle.
I started out with Sony Mirrorless auto-focus primes, but left room for a future zoom in front, and the expansion unit in back. Since then I've added a set of Xeen Cinema primes and really should expand the width of the lens area as they're presently a tight fit. I've lengthened the rear of camera area to accommodate a Wooden Camera FS7 v-Mount Battery Slide.
I never unplug the viewfinder (fragile proprietary connector) and prefer to use it as far back toward the rear of the camera as possible. Guess I miss having an extension finder and leveling-rod from the film days, which I'd love for the FS7). Anyway, I left a large flat landing platform in the case for the viewfinder. I simply turn it flat and slip a thick plastic bag with the microphone dead cat windscreen over it for protection. So far so good - five years or so later, and the dual slabs of foam inside the case allow for a secret compartment under the viewfinder pad for owner's manuals, and USB brackets, plastic covers, port caps, (spare quick release plate, lol) and such.
The upper left cutout is for batteries, the upper right for the power supply & cable. The lower right cutout holds the charger. In the center storage zone there are two XQD Card Wallets labels "Blank" & "Save" for keeping track of the workflow, and a pair of XQD Card Readers & cables along with the infrared remote (which has way too limited range).
Caleb at shootingmachine.net did a great conversion of my handgrip to Arri rosette, and I like it short ala' Aaton style using a SmallRig Dogbone.
I found a tactical holster company's nylon pouch with vecro closure that fits through the carrying handle of the tripod and it really works great for storing a water bottle next to camera, or as a place to put the viewfinder stovepipe when not in use.
That's about it, I'm very happy with this set-up and plan on duplicating it if and when I move to an FX9.
View attachment 138425View attachment 138431View attachment 138431
The Case is a Pelican 1650 with foam interior which I laid out so the camera with lightweight baseplate and rods can lower down vertically into the case without interfering with the lid.
A Manfrotto 357 quick release plate is permanently mounted under the baseplate. Reversing the Microphone clip allowed me to under-sling the microphone which works great, even when using a large matte-box (JTZ 4x5.65 DP30 matte box & highly recommended). There is also a SmallRig top plate mounted to the camera around the top handle.
I started out with Sony Mirrorless auto-focus primes, but left room for a future zoom in front, and the expansion unit in back. Since then I've added a set of Xeen Cinema primes and really should expand the width of the lens area as they're presently a tight fit. I've lengthened the rear of camera area to accommodate a Wooden Camera FS7 v-Mount Battery Slide.
I never unplug the viewfinder (fragile proprietary connector) and prefer to use it as far back toward the rear of the camera as possible. Guess I miss having an extension finder and leveling-rod from the film days, which I'd love for the FS7). Anyway, I left a large flat landing platform in the case for the viewfinder. I simply turn it flat and slip a thick plastic bag with the microphone dead cat windscreen over it for protection. So far so good - five years or so later, and the dual slabs of foam inside the case allow for a secret compartment under the viewfinder pad for owner's manuals, and USB brackets, plastic covers, port caps, (spare quick release plate, lol) and such.
The upper left cutout is for batteries, the upper right for the power supply & cable. The lower right cutout holds the charger. In the center storage zone there are two XQD Card Wallets labels "Blank" & "Save" for keeping track of the workflow, and a pair of XQD Card Readers & cables along with the infrared remote (which has way too limited range).
Caleb at shootingmachine.net did a great conversion of my handgrip to Arri rosette, and I like it short ala' Aaton style using a SmallRig Dogbone.
I found a tactical holster company's nylon pouch with vecro closure that fits through the carrying handle of the tripod and it really works great for storing a water bottle next to camera, or as a place to put the viewfinder stovepipe when not in use.
That's about it, I'm very happy with this set-up and plan on duplicating it if and when I move to an FX9.
View attachment 138425View attachment 138431View attachment 138431
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