Premium Members Matt Petrosky Posted January 17, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 As much as I love all things XCS, I still think the best choice is the Baer-Bel/Cam-Tech plate: http://www.baer-bel....Highlights.html You can remove the quick release part if you wish via four screws and then screw it to the little adapter wedge we all use. This plate drops right into a PRO D-Box so there are no extra pates. I have not used it with a Codex unit yet but I don't see why it would not work. Anyone know for sure? If not, it is very light and you can still screw a PRO plate to it. Yeah Alec, the current version of the Baer-Bel plate will handle the back heavy Codex-laden Alexa. see this post for more details: http://www.steadicam...indpost&p=71440 In my photos I had to screw a PRO plate under the Baer-Bel plate, because the Baer-Bel plate I had at the time was not dovetailed far enough back. The current version is dovetailed far enough, doesn't raise the camera, mounts at two points, and works well. Only drawback is that it requires having the Alexa WA-1 Wedge Adapter. The Wedge Adapter is free from the rental house, but a lot of people don't know about it so it's not always there when you show up on set. -Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted January 17, 2012 Moderators Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Matt, Since most jobs I've been on don't carry the wedge adapter, I removed the entire quick release from my BAer-Bel plate (I think its safer this way anyway) via the four screws (could easily be put back on). Now you insert that threaded adapter that everyone has and then screw the Baer-Bel plate to it. Same profile - just more secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matt Petrosky Posted January 19, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Alec, I'm looking at the plate right now, I've had the thing disassembled for a couple weeks for an unrelated reason... and again Mr. Jarnagin, YOU'RE A GENIUS!!! Now I just need that threaded adapter! Forgive me, but who makes/sells those simple adapters? Those are the one's with the holes NOT offset like the normal BPA right? Thanks, Matt Matt, Since most jobs I've been on don't carry the wedge adapter, I removed the entire quick release from my BAer-Bel plate (I think its safer this way anyway) via the four screws (could easily be put back on). Now you insert that threaded adapter that everyone has and then screw the Baer-Bel plate to it. Same profile - just more secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted January 19, 2012 Moderators Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Matt, Contact operator Matthias Biber. He is a member of this forum and does a great job with these plates. Nicely anodized, etc. shipped from Germany for under $100. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members James Davis Posted January 30, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Thanks to everyone that chimed in with excellent advice. It looks like there are a lot of great options for back-heavy Alexa’s. I’m looking specifically at Greg Bubb’s because I own quite a few of his products and have had terrific luck with them. His bracket can be purchased as a one piece design (utilizing Arri’s BPA-1), or by buying both his bracket and his BPA. While it is a bit more expensive to go this route, I know I’d always be covered. The other thing I know is that this bracket will be extremely rigid and flex-free, and will allow great flexibility in mounting a dovetail plate, for many balancing options. I’m also looking at something Jason Ellson turned me on to: camera accessory solutions Alexa bracket This bracket allows you to attach your dovetail plate to multiple mounting points and is a one piece design (which is nice). Jason says it is very rigid, and he has been very happy with it on multiple jobs. Again, thank you to everyone who responded for taking the time to express your thoughts, and give the steadicam community a sense of what is available. Brooks Has anyone got any pictures of this all mounted up to an Alexa? Does it drop straight into the topstage like the baer bel one does? Although it seems I have done nothing but Red camera jobs lately I may well come across the Alexa sooner rather than later so figure it's time to start getting prepared! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard James Lewis Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I just got this bracket from Optical Support here in London. Nice and light. Totally solid with two screws at the front, and a tie down screw at the back. Plenty of holes along the full length, with room side to side. £395 + VAT I think. Not cheap, but I think this is the best option out there. Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Premium Members Mark Karavite Posted March 19, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 I just bought the Alexa plate from Optical Support for a TV pilot. It's made very well. With the exchange rate, I paid about $675 USD + shipping from London. Sal (former machinist at Otto) just came out with an Alexa plate for $475. Sal makes great stuff. I used this plate on an Alexa / Codex job at Otto last year. Sal's is $200 cheaper, but I believe it's a bit heavier than the Optical Support plate. Sal's plate can be seen at: http://www.cinematicprecision.com/camera-assistants Optical Support: http://opticalsupport.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Benjamin Treplin Posted March 21, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 One thing that should be considered is that Sal's plate fits the Alexa Studio as well. The Studio has a flat surface like the 35mm cameras and the rear mounting point is not on the same level so can't be utilized with regular v-lock plates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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