Difference Between Dovetail & Bolt-On Quick Release Platform

[Brian Iannone]

What are the differences between RED's Dovetail and Bolt-on quick release platforms?

 

[SeanBrown]

Looks like one has a dovetail base for sliding on a dovetail and one is a bolt on that stays on the tripod or what ever you mount it to. Just the plate would come off and leave the mount.

 

[Brian Iannone]

Okay, I see. What exactly is a dovetail...?

 

[Ryan Lalonde]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/696964-REG/Element_Technica_EL_DTA_1220B_12_Arri_Dovetail.html

Generally mounts directly into the tripod head or on top using the heads quick release plate. A bridge plate slides on it to balance the camera

 

[Brian Iannone]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/696964-REG/Element_Technica_EL_DTA_1220B_12_Arri_Dovetail.html

Generally mounts directly into the tripod head or on top using the heads quick release plate. A bridge plate slides on it to balance the camera

Okay, so the camera is on RED's Dovetail Quick Release Platform, which is on something like the Element Technica 12" Arri Dovetail, which is on the fluid head's quick release plate?

 

[SeanBrown]

Correct..

 

[Terry VerHaar]

This video on the RED site explains a lot:

http://www.red.com/learn/product_demos/quick-release-system

 

[Brian Iannone]

This video on the RED site explains a lot:

http://www.red.com/learn/product_demos/quick-release-system

I already seen the video. What I'm trying to understand now is the concept of a dovetail.

 

[Brian Iannone]

Regarding the dovetail, I noticed that there's a list of compatible heads on the product page. So, when you buy a fluid head, is it necessary to ensure that it's compatible with this dovetail system?

 

[Kevin Wild]

One great thing: The Epic is so small & lightweight now, that I put it on a Cartoni Focus with just a normal tripod plate...no dovetail, no quick release, nothing else, etc. It is a VERY small configuration and easy to move around while on the tripod. Granted, it doesn't have rails so it is limited, but I LOVE how small it can be. In this configuration, it's no bigger than our EX1 or EX3 when on the tripod. Granted, we need to hang audio, LCD or EVF, and add screw-on ND's if necessary, but still...awesomely small.

Kevin

 

[Terry VerHaar]

The concept of a dovetail is not unique to camera mount systems. Basically, it refers to the angled edges of the dovetail mounting plate which slide into a correspondingly inverse slot on your tripod (or intermediary mounting device).

 

[Brian Iannone]

The concept of a dovetail is not unique to camera mount systems. Basically, it refers to the angled edges of the dovetail mounting plate which slide into a correspondingly inverse slot on your tripod (or intermediary mounting device).

Ah, okay. I see.

 

[Jason Comparetto]

The more sophisticated dovetail designs do not even need to be "slid" in. They're own weight forces a lever to close, and then a secondary safety mechanism locks everything in place. My O'Connor 2060 does it this way, and for heavy setups I can't imagine doing it any other way. Although, I lived with ordinary dovetails for about 10 years so I guess it all depends.

 

[James McLellan]

I would agree with Kevin. The Scarlet and Epic are light enough that they can be mounted directly to a tripod quick release in many configurations. With a lightweight 15mm setup mounted to either the wooden camera or viewfactor baseplate you have a lot of options. The extra dovetail also adds a lot of extra weight.

 

[Brian Iannone]

Just to recap, I'm currently looking for a fluid head. Should I get one with a dovetail plate?

 

[Johnny Friday]

Just to recap, I'm currently looking for a fluid head. Should I get one with a dovetail plate?

you can add on to your tripod head later

 

[Brian Iannone]

you can add on to your tripod head later

Okay. So, the dovetail plate bolts on to the top of the fluid head's quick release plate? I'm looking at the photo of the Element Technica one and it looks like it does, but I just want to be sure.

Also, why are dovetail plates so long?

 

[Robert Cauble]

Brian, this setup requires a long dovetail plate (or hard-mounted offset) to balance the camera on the head. Imagine changing to a superspeed from here.

 

[Ryan Flesher]

I don't see the list of compatible heads on the product page , just "non-arri".

I am trying to see if the dovetail plates will work with my head.
Anyone have the list and or the dimensions of the long and short plates?
Ryan

 

[Brian Iannone]

Brian, this setup requires a long dovetail plate (or hard-mounted offset) to balance the camera on the head. Imagine changing to a superspeed from here.

Thanks for showing that photo, Robert! Now I understand why those plates are so long. It makes sense now.