IDSworks Sony series modular base plate and L-bracket attachment

This SONY series modular base plate and L-bracket attachment is an extended design from our previous SL3 / SL2 / X2D and GFX100II product with some changes catered particular to the following Sony models:

a1 / a9m3 / a7Rm5 / a7Rm4 / a7m4 / a7m3 / a7s3

These are the models we have tested and fit perfectly no matter if the back screen is articulate or not.

Older camera version such as a7m2 will also work but since those older models is not as wide as the newer models the gap between the vertical L- bracket is larger.

Since the launch of these modular design base plate and L-brackets we have received many feedbacks asking us to do this for Sony / Canon / Nikon and many other brands. Since we are a small company we decided to give this more common brand a try and we started with Sony as we managed to design this to work with multiple Sony models and to achieve a better economy of scale in the production.

In general the Sony alpha series base plate and L-bracket attachment follows the same design concept of our previous SL3 / SL2 / X2D and GFX100II product with the following same advantages:

1. It has to be light weight
2. It allows optional functions to be adapted
3. It has to be unique among competition
4. Design concept isn’t too dependable on certain camera model and allow us to make it for other cameras

Introducing SONY double deck base plate and L-bracket attachment from IDSworks

Keeping it light

The base plate only weights 24 gram

Base plate with L-bracket attached only weight 100 grams

Our camera base plate only has 5mm increase in thickness. It only weight 24g. It provides the following basic function:

 

 

1. Allowing quick ARCA style tripod mounting (38mm standard)
2. Allow the use of our improved Lens Down Bracket for lens down over the body carrying
3. Quick battery access
4. 1/4-20 screw thread for other tripod mounting (when your tripod thread does not exceed 5mm in height)
5. No blockage flipping up your screen 
6. Compatible with Peak Design Capture Clip V2

 

Instead of what you have already seen on the market for similar products with a L-plate, we designed the L-plate as a separate module that slide into our bottom plate seamlessly with minimum increase in height and weight. The L-plate module is only 77 gram. This patent exoskeleton slide in design allows the total height when stacked at only 11mm yet it provides a really sturdy plate that can take a loading.

Traditionally similar L-plate product have a slide out vertical support while the slider itself is only a thin piece of metal. If the access port cable does not have enough room you might need to use the L-plate with it locked at slide out position. Our L-plate module however carry much stronger weight as it is thicker and closely linked with the bottom plate to provide greatest loading.

Note：No need to hide a hex wrench just to tighten the L-plate! Our design maximized the contact surface even when L-plate is fully extended, all we need is a locking screw with handle. 

 

Accessing camera ports easily

L-bracket are designed to have minimum interference

With the additional of this L-plate module more accessories can be applied without the need of considering different camera bottom layout for different camera models that we will be making down the road. Additional accessories you may add to it includes but not limited to the following:

 

Working with QD lock strap

Working with our Lens Down bracket (Optional)

1. QD lock shoulder strap to the bottom
2. Our new version of Lens Down bracket to the bottom / on the side
3. 3^rd party left hand grip for video shooting or acting as a flash holder
4. Power bank attachment for long time video shooting

In general, as long as your other 3^rd party accessories support standard 1/4-20 screw hold standard with center-to-center distance at 9mm your existing accessories will work on our product.

Here is a set up which I would like to share as I find it very convenient

Switching between on camera fill flash and off shoe flash quickly

Important notice on Left hand grip installation:

Note: that port door on the left takes a lot of space so we need to plan the attachment of the left hand grip on the outer rim of the vertical plate. Since the attaching 1/4-20 thread site below the ARCA rail not all left hand grip can be attached due to space. We recommend this one from TILTA.

In this set up I am using the left-hand grip as a flash holder. It has a much better balance when operate compare to having the flash placed directly on the camera hot shoe, not to mention it will be less likely to destroy your hot shoe if you bump your flash while the flash is on the hot shoe.

Further, with this set up I can quickly switch between on camera fill flash and off camera lighting set up. You can quickly set the detachable L-plate module (with the flash and wireless receiver) on the tripod and reposition your lights instead of going through off-loading your flash, attach the flash and receiver to the tripod connection plate and reposition your lights. Also, since the top of the L-plate module is standard 38mm ARCA standard you may also use a slide in an ARCA connection plate and install an umbrella on it as well.

Example of external power pack set up (Illustration pictures from SL series with the same functions):

On the bottom with left hand 3rd party grip and QD lock strap

On the side with our lens down bracket attached

 

Note:

- Complete package include camera base plate and L-plate attachment

- Lens down bracket is sold separately

- 3rd party items not included

 

THIS IS A MUST READ If you are mixing maker of accessories from different brands please read the following:

 

ARCA SWISS cross brand compatibility

- Although the above have explained how ARCA SWISS may differs between brands we found the brand RRS is really popular in the North America market and are widely used for professionals. Therefore we have brought one of their product "BH-55" and have adjusted our product based on this. For Peak Design quick release tripod is different from the other brands (The taller slap on tripod clip is really design for their own connecting plate). As this L-bracket and base plate product main design concept is to keep the height as thin as possible you may need to add a connection plate that transfer any tripod to standard ARCA standard in order to use this. This connecting plate is really inexpensive and can purchase directly here as well.

RRS plate is just slightly bigger (by 0.1) and clamp height is slightly taller (by 0.2mm) compare to other ARCA SWISS standard. In most cases it doesn't matter but as our product really minimized the thickness of the product this little difference does matter especially for those who uses quick release type clamp from different makers. 

 

Purchase Click Here

 

Same baseplate + L-bracket on different Sony camera models below: