GH2 The GH2 and baseplates: Anti-twist products or solutions without paying a fortune?

Y

yoclay

Veteran
Hi,
I have been mostly using the Redrock DSLR Baseplate for my Canon's up to now, but also standard Manfrottos of course. The thing is of course with the GH2 there is no anti-twist hole and when I use a follow focus...well you know the story. Looking for other alternatives to my Sachtler DSLR plate. It is simply too long for my little GH2 sometimes.

To date I have only seen really expensive possibilities, Really Right Stuff, Chroziel, Zacuto, etc. All of these are great, but they are closed system solutions, meaning they work well within their own system but not very universal. Besides, I am not interested in spending another $300-$400, between the baseplate and a new platform acceptor. Tack onto that international shipping and customs charges and it borders on absurd. The L-plate from RRS seems terrific, even being able to take into account an HDMI out cable locking position, but the problem is that it is well adapted for photo work, but not video fluid heads. (I love too that it can go vertical properly, because I am shooting more and more vids that way these days for fashion). It would need to be mounted on top of manfrotto plate with two set screws for instance to be decently functional.

What I am looking for is a way to use my existing plates and simply add an anti-twist element to the equation for the time being. An L-plate style solution for video would eventually be great too.

The only solution I have seen is a very generalized one. The Stroboframe adapting method. Basically a flash bracket AT concept for baseplates. However, all of them seem to have a more conventional Canon or Nikon footprint. Not sure which one might work with the GH2. If anyone else has done this it would be good to know which plate you used for it.

http://oliviatech.com/how-to-make-a-dslr-anti-twist-plate

Any other possibilities I have missed?
 
i simply put a few small strips of grip tape on the bottom of my gh2, it grabs whatever baseplate the cameras mounted on, eliminating any twisting or unwanted movement.
 
Actually I have even used velcro in the past, which works better than even tape. But these kind of solutions can be problematic when the camera is moving amongst several different kinds of rigs and baseplates (steadicam, shoulder rig, barefluid head, etc.)
 
I've got gaffer's tape on mine, on the quick release part.

Works for me, helps prevent slipping and helps lift the 14-140 off the tripod enough to turn the zoom, but your setup is likely different.
 
Ah, ois klar!

Ah, got it! :)

Thanks

Edit: I just looked and realized that this costs almost nothing compared to the qr plate, which I maybe will order also for fixing up my battery grip, if grip tape won´t work. Awesome tip!
 
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Rug gripper works well between the GH2 and baseplate. (as used for keeping rugs from slipping underfoot) Available at Home Depot or most hardware stores
 
A good portion of my work is still based, & I have RRS L-Plates on my all my Canons, but opted for a Kirk "Universal" on the GH2 in order to not interfere with the LCD's pivot. The plate is very firmly attached, & doubt it could be torqued by a follow focus. More likely the lens mount would break first.

http://www.kirkphoto.com/1_3_4in_x_2_7_8in_Universal_fit_Camera_Plate_1_4in_Thread.html

The RRS', Kirk's, & numerous others', quick release is based on the industry standard Arca Swiss design, which is widely used in photography.

If your using Manfrotto heads Kirk has an elegant solution.

http://www.kirkphoto.com/Specialty-Quick-Release-Clamp-List.html

And if your using 15mm lightweight rails, RedRock has a nice adapter, but the QR itself must be purchased separately.

http://store.redrockmicro.com/Catalog/DSLRClamps/reallyrightstuff
 
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Here's another relatively inexpensive solution that I found at Express35, but you wouldn't be able to use the QR plates you already have: http://express35.com/blog/dslr-quick-release/

Note that they specifically mention and picture a GH2 working well with it. It really does look like a very nice size/shape combination for the GH2. I'm going to try it eventually.

I did some searching and discovered that this is the QR system that they're selling: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/250362-REG/Velbon_QRA_635L_QRA_635L_Quick_Release_Adapter.html

Good luck!

Shenan
 
Shenan said:
Here's another relatively inexpensive solution that I found at Express35, but you wouldn't be able to use the QR plates you already have: http://express35.com/blog/dslr-quick-release/

Note that they specifically mention and picture a GH2 working well with it. It really does look like a very nice size/shape combination for the GH2. I'm going to try it eventually.

I did some searching and discovered that this is the QR system that they're selling: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/250362-REG/Velbon_QRA_635L_QRA_635L_Quick_Release_Adapter.html

Good luck!

Shenan
Click to expand...

This seems interesting. Keep us posted on your findings.
 
Phoenixone: Will do.

Tuprware: I had seen those or something similar on B&H when researching this stuff but couldn't find out if those plates were compatible with Manfrotto 577/501PL adapters. Are they? That would be ideal, because then it would be a simple fix for those who are trying to standardize on those widely-used QR plates. Thanks!
 
I have an old flash bracket, it's a Stilta that I bought at a boot ( garage ) sale. It works really well, as the notches on the camera base align perfectly with base plate. But, it's fine for some handheld until you need to mount that to a tripod, then you need to find a way to stop twisting the bracket on the tripod. As the OP says, if there are a few components in your system, then stabilising all of them is a challenge.
 
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