Ordering a run of cnc machined 19mm baseplates

[Richard Lackey]

Does anyone have standard dimensions for a baseplate to mount 19mm rods like the ET unit? I want to order a run of cnc machined units to use while waiting for either the Red or ET unit. I have a friend with a cnc mill who is willing to do the CAD work and machine a small run of these.

 

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

Are you going to sell these? I would love to get in on it.

I was thinking of designing my own baseplate (and detachable shoulder mount rig). But I'm a 3D novice and it would take me forever. Of course I won't receive my camera until mid-summer (or until audio and PC workflow issues are resolved), so I'm in no rush for hardware. The base production pack, though economical, leaves a lot to be desired, and the ET stuff is way out of my budget.

 

[chuck colburn]

Are you asking just for the 19mm rod spacing or the whole sliding baseplate configuration? Get your hands on an Arri for whatever it is you want and give that to your mechanical engineer or your machinist and they will know how to take proper measurements from the parts to duplicate them. Why I say to use an Arriflex made unit is that the fit and finish of it will be right as Arri does not sell parts out of specification.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

In addition to copying dimensions from an Arri baseplate, you will need access to a RED One and /or its dimensions to get the proper spacing for the rod placement. Currently, the ET baseplates and the RED bottom plate are the only solutions that fit RED and set the rods at the right distance from optical center. Or round up an ET baseplate (15mm base plates are readily available) and work from that.

 

[Richard Lackey]

In addition to copying dimensions from an Arri baseplate, you will need access to a RED One and /or its dimensions to get the proper spacing for the rod placement. Currently, the ET baseplates and the RED bottom plate are the only solutions that fit RED and set the rods at the right distance from optical center. Or round up an ET baseplate (15mm base plates are readily available) and work from that.

There is currently one Red in South Africa as far as I know. I know the guy who owns it, so I will take your advice and take some measurements. I am sure I can get hold of an Arri plate too. Thanks for the advice, I'll post some drawings and CAD files in the next couple weeks, but only after I've got one made and working, I don't want anyone downloading the CAD files, and getting something made up that doesn't work.

Is there anyone here that has a Red One and the ET unit or Red bottom plate that could maybe take some measurements?

 

[Greg M]

why dont you just order the ET base?

 

[Richard Lackey]

why dont you just order the ET base?

I'm impatient and don't want to wait for it, it's not only me, there are a couple other Reds arriving in the next couple weeks, and they want a solution immediately also.

 

[Greg M]

making your own is hardly immediate. I cant imagine the backorders not delivering before you can actually design and build one....just my .02

 

[chuck colburn]

In addition to copying dimensions from an Arri baseplate, you will need access to a RED One and /or its dimensions to get the proper spacing for the rod placement. Currently, the ET baseplates and the RED bottom plate are the only solutions that fit RED and set the rods at the right distance from optical center. Or round up an ET baseplate (15mm base plates are readily available) and work from that.

Jeff,

I thought the various center lines and heights were a given standard for a given rod diameter.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Jeff,

I thought the various center lines and heights were a given standard for a given rod diameter.

They are standard. But camera sizes are not standard. So to get the rods at the proper vertical distance from optical center, you need to know the dimensions of the RED One. ...Sorry if I was too cryptic.

making your own is hardly immediate. I cant imagine the backorders not delivering before you can actually design and build one....just my .02

This is what I'm wondering too.. My 19mm ET baseplate is just a week or two out on the orders (and I literally just paid for the order today). I'd be surprised if you could get something designed, machined and finished in that amount of time and do it cheaper than the ET plate that is already seeing significant production.

Sure, it could be done, but you may just be re-inventing the wheel to only save a few days time.

 

[Richard Lackey]

Jeff, good point. I was unaware of how short the delay would be for ET, I thought it was a longer wait. I was also only going to get a few out of the guy with the mill anyway, so it was never a mass production thing.

In light of this, perhaps it's not worth doing, but I'll see how long it takes to get the critical dimensions from the Red.

 

[Damien Molineaux]

They are standard. But camera sizes are not standard. So to get the rods at the proper vertical distance from optical center, you need to know the dimensions of the RED One. ...Sorry if I was too cryptic.

This is what I'm wondering too.. My 19mm ET baseplate is just a week or two out on the orders (and I literally just paid for the order today). I'd be surprised if you could get something designed, machined and finished in that amount of time and do it cheaper than the ET plate that is already seeing significant production.

Sure, it could be done, but you may just be re-inventing the wheel to only save a few days time.

I'm sure it could be donne cheaper. The ET 19mm bridge plate is $900 while the 15mm is $600, but they must cost about the same to produce. This is Red pricing because they have their own 19mm base plate at $600. As I've mentioned before, I wish Red would just abandon their 19mm base plate and sell the ET plate standard, and people could choose wether they want 19mm or 15mm !

Cheers,
Damien