New DVX100 base plate (photo)

ulisses

ulisses

Well-known member
Hello,

We finished our first version of laser cutted .DVX base plate in stainless steel. Now we will do minor adjustments to best fit the DVX original screws (under base plate) and round the corners a little more.
We are using it in our camera and it is strong, it's thiner than the original ABS plate:

base1.jpg


Thats it, comments are welcome.

Ulisses
 
that looks pretty good! how thick is that plate?
nice work, no more cracked bases...
t :grin:
 
It looks great.

And now for an obvious question- Why? What is the benifit?

(Sorry, I just don't get it, the bottom of both my DVX's have been holding up great, and don't seem any worse for the wear.)

Oh, and is this something you'll be making available?
 
waltind said:
It looks great.

And now for an obvious question- Why? What is the benifit?

(Sorry, I just don't get it, the bottom of both my DVX's have been holding up great, and don't seem any worse for the wear.)

Oh, and is this something you'll be making available?
Click to expand...

he did that because his stock base was damaged and posted previously here...
damaged DVX base
t :laugh:
 
This base is stronger than the original.
I used the DVX in devices that needed a little more pressure than usual (steadycam, plus mattebox, etc) and I found my ABS base damaged.
Removing the ABS base from camera you can see how weak it is (mainly in the joins, since it is made from two welded ABS parts)
Maybe I'll get another original base (for future when selling the camera), but for all my jobs I'll be using this stainless steel base, it will be always new and solid.
Soon the second version will be ready and available for anyone interested.

Thanks,
Ulisses
 
Let me know when you get that second version available... I don't feel like looking up my old thread, but trust me the damage can/does occur. I was at a shoot using a Bogen/Manfrotto monopod... and in case you don't use one, the Manfrotto monopods have a dual screw which is a 3/8" screw surrounding a 1/4" screw. The idea is that if you need the 3/8" then it goes directly in... and if you need the 1/4" then the 3/8" pushes down out of the way as the 1/4" is allowed to secure the camera. Well after using this monopod dozens of times the 3/8" screw started to bevel the edges of the hole (in the ABS bottom plate)... finally this situation resulted in a broken nut (the one inside the DVX which tripod plates and monopods screw into)... and a frustrating day.

This plate would prevent that from happening... and if you saw just how little "meat" is holding your cam from being tossed to the ground you'd really see the value in this plate. I'd be willing to get one and just turn my DVX back to stock when/if I wanted to sell it.
 
Yes, please let me know too. Most people that I know who have this camera have had the tripod mount cracked at some point (some as many as 4 times!). I've had it happen once too, and the repair guy said it is the most common problem he gets with these cameras and so he has the part in stock all the time.

So I'd be more than willing to get those plates for my cameras, and I know plenty of others that would as well.
 
Hey,

Are these for sale ? I have not broken mine, but with 6lbs of MB, FF, Radio Mics, wires, lights ... knocking into stuff on a steadicam I would be WAY Happy to do it Now. My camera clocks in at over 10 lbs. 7 cents of plastic is not good enough to my Pookie baby. ( wow, how gross was that ?)


Let me know ...

Steve
steve@birdboypictures.com
 
Ulisses is working on a 2nd gen design now and yes, he'll be selling them. I'll be doing a review as soon as he's finished, but I agree--the tripod socket/bottom plate is the weakest part of the camera. I think this is going to be a a really nice mod for the DVX.
 
Would the base plate be under 100 dollars? If so, I too would be interested in one. My base hasn't cracked, but I would take comfort in a stronger plate. Does taking off the existing plate expose any electronics inside the camera?
 
Hi,

This week we are finishing the 2nd gen and soon it will be available for sale. I can say it will cost under 50 dollars.
Also, we are working in tripod screws enhancement for the DVX, but I can't say more right now.

Thanks,
Ulisses
 
Of course, Panasonic may very well consider this (rightly) as a user modification, and consider any warranty to be void as a result.

I would have thought this would have been looked into by now, as it would require "official" approval by Panasonic (a modification to the warranty wording), before it would be advisable for anyone to modify their camera.

A $50.00 fix may cost big $$$ in the end if your warranty is voided.
 
Whether you could get away with that is unlikely, but possible.

But if you're going to sell the thing, you need to make it very clear that replacing the baseplate is likely to void your warrenty for future repairs, as it's a user modification (no matter how good an idea it may seem).

Take a chance with your warranty?

Now, there is a Panasonic rep here from time to time, who may say no problem, but unless Panasonic approves the mod officially, on paper, only do it "after" your warranty exipres.
 
In the U.S., there are laws that cover product warranties and unless a user added product modification is responsible for a problem, the manufacturer is still obligated to honor the terms of a warranty. The baseplate replacement is such a superficial modification, I don't see how it would affect your warranty. As others have mentioned--If you're nervous, just put on the original plate when you send in the camera.
 
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