The Handheld Camera VCT-14 Quick Release Problem (& Solutions)
In 2007 I got my first taste of shooting professionally with a handheld camera, after years of shooting with shoulder mounted cameras.
While these handheld cameras have nowhere near the same "character" of shoulder mounted cameras, modern day cameras like the Panasonic HVX200 & Sony EX1 have been able to make nice pictures & have many of the professional features of the larger cousins.
Though one major thing that I missed from shoulder mounted cameras was the VCT-14 style quick release tripod plate. The VCT-14 plate works with shoulder mounted cameras across brands (Sony, Panasonic, JVC), mounts to any tripod head, has extremely quick camera on / off action & is just a real pleasure to work with.With a handheld camera I was left to the mercy of whatever tripod head I was using. Each brand of tripod has a slightly different interface & proprietary quick release plate (none of which are as quick as a VCT-14). And even sometimes the plates or styles aren't consistent within a single brand.
A Manfrotto 503's plate slides in the front or the back & can be a little difficult if you don't have the camera / plate coming in perfectly. The knob to tighten the plate is on the right & the release button is on the left.The Manfrotto 516 has a nearly identical user interface, but uses a different sized quick release plate.
A Sachtler FSB6's the tightening knob & release button are both on the right side. The plate comes in at an angle, which is easier than sliding in, but you have to make sure the latch is in the unlocked postition.
A Vinten Vision 3AS & Vision Blue both use the same quick release plate, but the plate comes in at an angle on the 3AS & is slid into a Blue from the back of the head.
etc. etc. etc. Any & all of these work just fine, but I missed the VCT-14 action.
The posts to follow are is the solution(s) I found for myself & three short reviews of these products: The Canon TA-100, Libec AP-1 & Tilta BS-T03 baseplate.
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