How do you attach RED directly to tripod plate?

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

I've unsuccessfully looked for a picture of the bottom of the RED camera. I'm assuming that it has two offset screw holes matching the size/threads of the screws most often found on tripod quick release plates, giving the user the option of attaching the RED directly to a tripod quick release plate and bypassing the RED (or other) baseplate. I'm also assuming that these screw holes are how the RED/Arri baseplates from ET attach to the camera.

Is this correct? I'm trying to figure out my accessories and mounting options before purchase.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

There are two 3/8" holes on the bottom of the RED. But 98%% of the time, you won't be mounting a tripod plate directly to the bottom of the camera. You will be using either the RED bottom plate or either the 15mm or 19mm Arri base plates.

The RED bottom plate connects to the RED shoulder dovetail, RED cheese plate or the ALLSTAR dovetail. You fasten your tripod plate to one of these. The shoulder dovetail isn't very solid though. I recommend the RED cheese plate or ALLSTAR dovetail plate for a much more solid mount.

The Arri base plates connect to a standard Arri dovetail and this is the more common or industry-standard setup.

You have to use one of the baseplate systems out there in order to have bottom support rods on your RED.

[Raul Gonzo]

Finner has a great video on the ET setup:
http://www.finnerknowsbest.com/

And ALLSTAR has videos that show how to use their dovetail:
http://allstar-cine.myweb.hinet.net/image/dovetail/Allstar_dovetail_plate.mov

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

Thanks for confirmation, Jeff.

Yes, I knew you need the RED or Arri baseplate for rails, however I'm not certain that I will even be using bottom rails, as I'm going the Nikon route and may end up using screw on filters or a light weight screw on/clip on mattebox.

Also, Doug Underhall has come up with an interesting alternative to the heavy baseplate/long rails solution with screw on rails and a flat receiver plate that attaches to the front of the camera itself.

The way that some of the RED baseplates have cracked at the relatively thinner, side attachment points has me concerned. So I'm mulling several options, although, if I go with a RED baseplate, I will certainly also be getting the Allstar dovetail.