maximpactphotography

I found this baseplate for $99 (no tax) last weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center, while attending a Big Photo Show. The Hoodman rep was at the Samys section and I was intrigued by the prospect of using a compact, lightweight ‘rail’ to add or remove my 3″ Hoodman loupe to a DSLR monitor. This would make use in bright sunlight much easier.

After a short demo I decided to buy it, and I assembled it this afternoon (see images). The box has excellent schematic images showing the location and names of all of the parts. This is a modular design with 3 components: the onboard 1/8″ hex Allen wrench, the rail which accepts the loupe, and the baseplate which attaches to the camera base.

I’m pleased with the very lightweight of this unit, its build quality, and the ease of attachment and removal of the loupe assembly. The fit to the 3″ Nikon D600 monitor is excellent. Controls are positive and smooth. And it’s in Nikon colors- the main set screw is gold….[sorry, non-Nikonians]. I can easily reach the LiveView and other camera controls, because none of the baseplate extends over them.

This unit also adjusts for a 3.2″ monitor such as the D4, and all hex screws are of the same caliber so that the entire apparatus can be completely adjusted in the field with no additional tools.

SUMMARY: I highly recommend this item for DSLR videographers and still photographers, especially if you do a lot of field work and/or do not use a matte box. You won’t notice it until you need it.

baseplate (L), rail (R)

baseplate from below

attacheing the baseplate to the grip for Nikon D600

The bracket also fits 3.2″ loupes

microadjustments to fit the 3″ loupe to the bracket

the lower left portion of the vertical adjustment rail contains the 1/8″ hex wrench

no interference with battery swapout from Nikon grip

lateral view of complete assembly on tripod, with D600

closeup of main setscrew to adjust rail (gold) and QR plate from baseplate to tripod mount

Arca-Swiss compatible (Acratech) tripod quick-release plate attached

This entry was posted on May 6, 2013 at 10:10 pm and is filed under Photography, Photojournalism, Reviews, Studio Portraiture, Travel, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.