Cameras and lenses are nice, but it is sometimes the small and affordable accessories that truly make a difference as you work. The Sony a7 IV, as good of a camera as it is, is certainly no exception to this rule. Sony makes good cameras, but they aren’t perfect. Though, with one little addition you can get it that much closer to an ideal setup.
Henry Media Group wants to talk about this must-have accessory: a SmallRig Baseplate. I can confirm that a well-designed plate can transform the ergonomics of a camera and its compatibility with other systems.
A baseplate sound boring but it is one of my first upgrades alongside a new camera. Sony’s cameras presented a common issue where the grip height actually isn’t high enough to comfortably fit all your fingers.
Adding a full baseplate will add that needed height so your pinky can make the team. A little comfort goes a long way.
Image Credit: SmallRig
This extra height is also practical as SmallRig made it Arca-type compatible. Many standard clamps and tripods feature Arca support and it will save you from needing to add yet another plate to your camera.
Also, the baseplate is compatible with the DJI RS 2 gimbal so that you can quickly slide your camera on and off. This saves a lot of headache and is very secure as it won’t slide all the way off.
One potential complaint is that the Arca lock slides off in the opposite direction than what is convenient. This is due to the camera design with the grip and battery on the right side. The plate does allow you to replace the battery without removing it which not all baseplates allow.
Image Credit: Sony
There is an attachment point for using a hand strap or wrist strap if you prefer these types of setups over the usual neck strap.
A nice, or maybe just interesting, addition is on the bottom of the plate where there is an array of 1/4”-20 threads and a cold shoe mount. It’s a bit weird and maybe not that useful except for handheld use but hey, why not. There is also a magnetic screwdriver for attaching or removing the plate securely.
Finally, the baseplate will protect the bottom of the camera if that is important to you. The bottom isn’t exactly the part you need to keep looking the nicest but it is nice to keep your camera scratch free.
What other accessories do you think are mandatory for the a7 IV?
[source: Henry Media Group]
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