VF | Brook $149 Top Plate, anyone?

[Jon Carr]

Looks great, any preorders soon?

[Brook Willard]

Will a cheaper Bottom plate /15 kit be around as well?

+1 on that!

+ 2. Big time.

+ 3. Nice!

I hear you guys, don't worry! We're going to keep the FMJ-Bottom and 15mm bracket the same in the interest of never sacrificing performance on the most important part of the camera system... the part that actually holds it! That said, increased volumes let us lower the prices, as we've just done a few weeks ago. As volume increases we'll certainly do what we can to lower the prices further without ever sacrificing functionality for price or style.

These appear to be neither, but rather 2-piece sheet-steel units bent on a brake.

Bingo! It's pressed out of sheet aluminum with steel threaded inserts, made in the USA.

Brook, will it also work with the Epic-M?

Not in its current state. The Epic-M will eventually have the same mounting holes as the Epic-X, so designing new products for the Epic-M is designing products with a very limited lifespan and value to the user. That said, if there's enough demand to justify it, we'll absolutely do it. Our original Epic-M FMJ-Top is still available, of course.

Brook, I'm very interested in what you guys are drawing up for affordable accessories. Good to see VF is listening to the needs of Scarlet owners without compromising the higher-end line. Next, you guys should start developing some handles!

Just wait until you see what else is cooking... :)

If these are bent sheet aluminium then presumably they may be lighter than the more expensive original top plate?

Like Curt said, the aluminum sheet is lighter but the steel inserts are heavier... it weighs approximately the same as a result.

In order to be compatible with the FMJ Cage Kit the threaded holes on the sides would have to be moved in line with the RED "ribs" on the brain, correct?
And great news on the backfocus, thanks!

I love how much direct communication with the manufacturers Reduser offers us.

You're correct - this rendering is a few generations old. The final design will have the side 1/4-20s lined up with the "ribs" on the Epic body, making it fully compatible with the FMJ system.

Looks great, any preorders soon?

As soon as we have the first production batch underway we'll put it up in the store for you guys. I'll post the store link in this thread as soon as it's up. If you subscribe to this thread, you'll know when it's ready.

Thanks for all the kind words everybody!

[vincent kardasik]

in its current state. The Epic-M will eventually have the same mounting holes as the Epic-X, so designing new products for the Epic-M is designing products with a very limited lifespan and value to the user. That said, if there's enough demand to justify it, we'll absolutely do it. Our original Epic-M FMJ-Top is still available, of course.

Thanks for your answer Brook. Hopefully the Epic-M will have the same mounting points and I will dig this top plate!

[Peter Matthes]

Just wait until you see what else is cooking... :)

Look forward to more amazing stuff.

The best products are imagined on set, and the FMJ cage is a great example of that.

Feel free to post random images.

[SeanBrown]

This still ship on the 22nd?
Also will it only be 1/4 20 no 3/8?

[Jeff J Daniels]

Any update on this Top Plate?

[Brook Willard]

Hey folks,

Sorry for the delay! It's been a busy few weeks.

Here's the final design of the Top Plate. We've been toying around with different ideas for colors, I'm curious to hear what you guys think.

We made some changes to our prototypes based on feedback, I'll be able to post pictures our final prototypes once we have them for approval!

Here's a look at the updated Top Plate. More soon...

[Martin Weiss]

When it comes to camera gear, I'm conservative and vote for the dark grey option in the last picture. When are you expecting to ship?

Edit: I must say I also like the ribs better without the white writing on them - I always found them visually distracting. Would love to get a cage like that within the next fortnight.

Great work, Brook & Curt!

[SeanBrown]

Dark grey is good some it blends in.

[Nick Noev]

+1 for dark grey.