Shape BP6000 baseplate

Egg Born Son

Egg Born Son

Veteran
I am looking for a new baseplate to build a new rig from the ground up. I'm looking for a VCT compatible baseplate so that camera is balanced on both shoulder and tripod without adjustment. Getting sick of the workarounds and being distracted from the job at hand. My gear shouldn't be getting in the way. I'm also trying to streamline my rig reduce weight and bulk. Ideally I'd like one with rosettes to attach handles to the plate rather than the 15mm rails. And if the rails were height adjustable to accommodate my MB box which is fixed height that would be perfect.

Having trouble finding one with all three features for under $1000 though. Seems I can get two out of three features.

I've been looking at the Lanparte VMS-01 (over the Tilta BS-T03, primarily because I already have a bunch of compatible Lanparte system parts like a top handle) which has a pad and adjustable rails but no rosettes. The pad is okay, same as I already have. Okay but only okay. I can add rosettes to the rails if I have to but they are already pretty cluttered, especially with shorter lenses.

I'm also looking at the Shape BP6000 which looks a little more comfortable but doesn't have adjustable rails (but can be overcome with a riser) and I can't find any reviews. Anyone had any experience with this or a similar plate they can recommend?
 
Has anyone tried the Zacuto universal plate? I'm liking it much better than the Shape on paper. Initially dismissed it because of the lack of rosettes but they are just selling them separately. I'd actually be happy with the price if it included them (first time I've said that for Zacuto!) willing to pay the extra for the design, materials, precision and reduced weight here. Gouging an extra $120 for rosettes that should have been included leaves a bad taste but it's not a bridge too far.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...KCOi5mzjMUCFdcRvQodQ4oAYg&is=REG&A=details&Q=

The pad looks quite comfy, has anyone tried it out?

Also very low profile and with the dropped front section you can potentially get your balance point further back on the plate even with short lenses. This feature has just about got me across the line, should help move the centre of balance back and reduce the need for counterweight. Best information I can find (chinese specs tend to be unclear and hard to verify) the plate looks to be 1lb lighter than the Lanparte/Tilta models which also lack rosettes (and will require 15mm rail mounted rosettes rather than attachment to the baseplate).

So far I think I'm liking this one. Any other suggestions?

At this stage I think it's between this and the Lanparte. I may still get the Lanparte but only because I already have all the other Lanparte rig parts. Well made but heavy. Although I swore I'd never give them another cent after some terrible experiences with them and a local reseller last year that cost me business and reputation. A 5 day delivery promise ended up taking over 4 months. A week or several between responses and after getting it wrong three times stopped responding altogether. Never did get the products I paid for - I don't know what they expected me to do with a V-mount pinch and an AB battery FFS!
(rant over) :)
 
I just started using the Zacuto on my C300 this week and I've had the Tilta for a few years on it before. I like them both and just ordered another Zacuto for my F55. The Zacuto bugs me a little because the platform for the camera is a little shorter than I would like it(keeps the lens too far back for my taste). I've watched their video and understand their reasoning, but it doesn't work for everyone and every camera set-up/configuration, especially people that use real batteries on the back and can balance the rig out. I also wish it had a quick release platform built-in like the Tilta. Either one will work. Just stay away from the Shape VCT shoulder plate. Ridiculously heavy. And this is coming from someone whos primary camera(P2 Vari) is over 25lbs.
 
Thanks for the insight. Yeah, I'm pretty much over the Shape plate now. It was on sale at B&H so I thought I'd look into it but I guess it's cheap because it hasn't been selling. I'm really liking the Zacuto the more I look into it, especially the lighter weight. Pricey but I'll only have to buy it once. The balancing issue won't be a problem for me, I'll be using it mainly with BMD cameras so the cameras centre of gravity will be a little forward of the shoulder pad and might even need a little counterweight, even with pro battery system on the back. Zacuto do have a quick release for sale separately (like the rosettes, grumble grumble) which looks a similar size to the Tilta but I need to find measurements to see if it will block my battery/memory card access on all the cameras I might use.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1093250-REG/zacuto_z_qrr_qr_riser.html

Doesn't slide so can't easily reposition it but for me shouldn't be a problem since I have uniform lenses so as long as my mattebox has swingaway I shouldn't have to adjust anything once it's set up. Alternatively I'll just mount a QR from another manufacturer.
 
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