[John Foster]

In order to avoid this problem I bought a special plate from Precision Camera in Toronto. info@pci-canada.com You remove Sony’s so-called shoulder mount that extends from the back of the camera (one tiny screw!) and attach the new plate at three points. One large screw under the camera in the usual place, and two screws that fit into threaded holes that were under the shoulder mount. This spreads the load when the camera is subjected to stress. Your own tripod plate now attaches to the underside of the new and thicker plate. Part of the new plate will also accept a V-mount for batteries (that’s extra). The whole plate costs $450 Canadian, and you may then want to devise your own custom shoulder mount as there are lots of threaded holes along the plate. These EX cameras are very fragile — more consumer construction than professional, but deliver great images. They make an expensive noise when dropped.

John Foster