2011Camera Stage/Donkey Box forum
Camera mounting plate compatibility and rigidity for cinema rigs
15 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Baer-Bel and XCS are two alternative mounting plate options for GPI-compatible camera support systems.
- GPI-standard hole spacing is not universally compatible across all cinema camera rigs, particularly with some specialized stabilization equipment.
- Mounting plate rigidity and thickness affect system performance, with some plates offering better stiffness than others.
- Custom machining of mounting plates may be necessary when standard plate hole spacing does not align with specific camera rig requirements.
- Baer-Bel plates can accommodate unconventional hole patterns and work well with certain camera models like the Arri Alexa.
- XCS plates offer high rigidity but may increase the center of gravity of the camera system compared to other options.
Depends on
- Compatibility issues appear specific to certain models like the 3Ality TS-5 and Vistavision rigs.
- The discussion includes conflicting accounts about 3Ality TS-5 compatibility, with one participant reporting success while another reported incompatibility.
- No definitive solution was reached for achieving universal plate compatibility across all camera rigs.
- Some observations are anecdotal and based on limited personal experience with specific equipment.