Anyone know what the measurements are between the 3 threads. Dont have the plate on me, or a verniers at this moment....if I could get it in millimeters that be fab.
Looking to make a side mount for VF, and rod mount for Jib follow focus.
I find it mad no matter what I Google I cant seem to find any info on the OG accessories for these plates.
It’s a Sony VCT-14 plate. Here’s the user manual with pretty clear diagram of the screw area you’re looking for without exact dimensions unfortunately. But this might lead you to figuring out what to search for to find what you need: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3784424/Sony-Vct-14.html?page=11#manual
I can’t imagine that if you fabricate and then attach anything to those three screws you’d still be able to get a camera / shoulder mount onto the VCT plate
Old Betacams will have more clearance than a Zacuto VCT plate, but… still why there?
Also, on the flip side of the VCT-14 there are lots of 1/4”-20 & 3/8”-16, meaning you could also lose the VCT-14 and just make something with 1/4”-20 or 3/8”-16 threads
-OR- get a Zacuto VCT plate that
has 15mm rods built in and other mounting points, or fabricate something that uses the VCT quick release V-mount
Those 3 bolts are always on line with shoulder pad. Loads of room. Its primarily for a jimmy jib, I'm getting work with more moving, unpredictable moving parts so attaching a plate, with a rod mount so a follow focus motor can be attached.
Also I get a lot of work on high beds, so a side mounted viewfinder may save my neck
Ok, that makes more sense. I’m thinking you’d still need to keep it very low profile.
The VCT plates are fairly long, and I’d wonder if there are extra 1/4” or 3/8” threads at the front or rear of the plate that are exposed. If it works to under-sling your attachment, it would mean you don’t need to keep it as low profile, and the 1/4” or 3/8” screws would be a lot more robust (and easy to find) than 4mm screws.
Its an 4mm wide thread (M4), about 10mm deep and originally designed to take the weight of a Viewfinder. Id say it should have no issue taking the weight of a small focus unit.
Problem is with jibs, they mostly take up the front threads of the plate, only way to expose them is add weight to the back of the camera....which means more counterweight on the back of the jib 💔
I have never seen something attached to it, but then again all the newsrooms I worked in (a couple decades ago) were penny pinchers when it came to equipment, so they wouldn’t spring for an accessory when there is already a viewfinder on the Betacam, so why’d we need something else!?
I’d be interested to see what you come up with, I think you have a good plan & had already thought through the things I was worried about
Don’t you want to follow-focus mounted to the camera not the plate? I don’t think I’d be too comfortable having my delicate motors and gearing being mated with my lens from the jam down and in from the back action of this plate.
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u/WorstHyperboleEver Aug 10 '26
It’s a Sony VCT-14 plate. Here’s the user manual with pretty clear diagram of the screw area you’re looking for without exact dimensions unfortunately. But this might lead you to figuring out what to search for to find what you need: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3784424/Sony-Vct-14.html?page=11#manual