Frequently Asked Questions – Support Systems
Welcome to the frequently asked questions about ARRI Pro Camera Accessories (PCA).
This FAQ pertains to support systems. Directions given are always from the operator’s point of view. This FAQ supersedes any earlier versions. For questions, suggestions or comments regarding this FAQ, send an email to.
1. Mini Base Plate MBP-3
The Mini Bridge Plate MBP-3 was designed as a universal base plate, fitting to as many cameras as possible through specific adapter plates. The MBP-3 without adapter plate happened to match the plate for Canon C100/300/500 standard for lightweight rods, so it was made back-compatible to the Canon C100/300/500 cameras.
The Plate for Canon C100/300/500 was designed specifically for the Canon C100/300/500 cameras.The length of the plate fits exactly the base of the camera and the plate is compatible with BP-12 and BP-13 studio bridge plates, as well as BP-8 and BP-9 with the Bridge Plate Adapter BPA-2 included in any Plate for Canon C100/300/500 set.
The ARRI Cage System I fits to both solutions
Mini Bridge Plate MBP-3
- Universal design, compatible with many cameras via camera-specific adapter plates
- Released after the Plate for Canon C100/300/500, made back-compatible to fit the Canon cameras without adapter
- Shorter than the Plate for Canon C100/300/500
- Compatible with studio Bridge Plates BP-8 and BP-9
- Not compatible with Bridge Plates BP-12 and BP-13
- Compatible with ARRI Cage System I
- MBP-3 can be used with other cameras through a series of adapter plates
Plate for C100/C300/C500
- Specifically designed for Canon C100/300/500
- Custom fits the base of the camera, offering optically centered 15 mm lightweight support rods
- Compatible with studio Bridge Plates BP-12 and BP-13 via Bridge Plate Adapter BPA-2 (included with every Plate for C100/300/500 set)
- Compatible with studio Bridge Plates BP-8 and BP-9 (without bridge plate adapter)
- Compatible with the ARRI Cage System I
No. The MBP-1 and MBP-2 have a different system and their adapter plates cannot be used with the MBP-3.
No. The MBP-3 has a different system and its adapter plates cannot be used with the MBP-1 and MBP-2.
The MBP-3 is a 15 mm lightweight plate. You can mount ARRI studio bridge plates like the BP-8 or BP-9 directly underneath the MBP-3, giving you full studio support.
Please see Configuration Overview.
2. Adapter Plate for Canon C 100 / 300 / 500
The Plate for Canon C100/300/500 was designed specifically for the Canon C100/300/500 cameras. The length of the plate fits exactly the base of the camera and the plate is compatible with BP-12 and BP-13 studio bridge plates, as well as BP-8 and BP-9 with the Bridge Plate Adapter BPA-2 included in any Plate for Canon C100/300/500 set.
The Mini Bridge Plate MBP-3 was designed as a universal base plate, fitting to as many cameras as possible though specific adapter plates. The MBP-3 without adapter plate happened to match the plate for Canon C 100 / 300 / 500 standard for lightweight rods, so it was made back-compatible to the Canon C 100 / 300 / 500 cameras.
The ARRI Cage System I fits to both solutions
Plate for Canon C100/300/500:
- Specifically designed for Canon C100/300/500
- Custom fits the base of the camera, offering optically centered 15 mm lightweight support rods
- Compatible with studio Bridge Plates BP-12 and BP-13 via Bridge Plate Adapter BPA-2 (included with every Plate for Canon C100/300/500 set)
- Compatible with studio Bridge Plates BP-8 and BP-9 (without bridge plate adapter)
- Compatible with ARRI Cage System I
Mini Bridge Plate MBP-3:
- Universal design, compatible with many cameras via camera-specific adapter plates
- Released after plate for Canon C100/300/500, made back compatible to fit the Canon cameras without adapter
- Shorter than the Plate for Canon C100/300/500.
- Compatible with studio Bridge Plates BP-8 and BP-9
- Not compatible with Bridge Plates BP-12 and BP-13
- Compatible with ARRI Cage System I
- MBP-3 can be used with other cameras through a series of adapter plates.
The Plate for Canon C100/300/500 is a 15 mm lightweight support plate. You have the possibility to mount studio bridge plates such as the BP-8 and BP-9 (with BPA-2 adapter) or BP-12 and BP-13 (without BPA-2) underneath the Plate for Canon Canon C100/300/500.
The position of the interface from the Plate for Canon C100/300/500 is different from that of the MBP-3. Therefore you have to re-position the top part of the Cage Arm right (with screws) while using the plate with the ARRI Cage System I.
No. The positions and sizes of screws and pins from the Plate for Canon C100/300/500 are not compatible with MBP-3 adapters.
1/4-20 UNC or 3/8-16 UNC screws.
3. Adapter Plate for Canon 1DX/1DC
No. MBP-3 adapters are only compatible with the MBP-3.
4. Cage System I and II
Configuration Overview – Cage System I
The ARRI Cage System II has a console arm and can be mounted in front of the Plates for Canon 1DX/1DC and RED Epic/Scarlet.
Configuration Overview – Cage System II
Please note that the arms from the different systems are NOT cross-compatible. However, accessories such as the cage cable safe, accessory shoes or handles are compatible with both systems.
The Cage Hot Shoe prevents cameras from turning on the base plate and provides further stability by attaching the top of the camera to a Cage Arm.
The CHS-2 is compatible with the following cameras: Blackmagic, RED Epic/Scarlet and Ikonoskop A-Cam DII. The CHS-1 is compatible with DSLR cameras. Both Cage Hot Shoes fit on all existing Cage Arms (System I & II).
The ARRI Cage System I fits to the MBP-3 and the Plate for Canon C100/300/C500.
With an additional adapter plate which has to be mounted in between the camera and MBP-3, the following cameras are supported:
- Nikon D4 (fits directly onto MBP-3 and no additional adapter plate needed)
- Nikon D800
- Nikon D600
- Canon 5D MkIII
- Canon 5D MkII
- Canon 7D
- Phantom Miro
- Blackmagic
- Olympus i-speed
- Sony FS-700
- Ikonoskop a-cam
The ARRI Cage System II fits to:
- Plate for Canon 1DX/1DC
- Plate for RED Epic/Scarlet.
No. The arms of the cage will mount directly to the plates by using the ARRI 3/8″ pin registration interface.
The ARRI Cage System offers a non-obstructive solution for the mounting of accessories through industry-standard 3/8-16″ and 1/4-20″ interfaces.
The ARRI Cage System II has a console arm and can be mounted in front of the Plates for Canon 1DX/1DC and RED Epic/Scarlet.
The position of the interface from the Plate for Canon C100/300/500 is different from that of the MBP-3. Therefore you have to re-position the top part of the Cage Arm right (with screws) while using the plate with the ARRI Cage System I.
Yes. For handgrips with ARRI rosettes you need either Rosette Adapter RA-1 or RA-2 to adapt from ARRI-standard registration pin to rosettes. It does not matter if you are using System I or II.
The Cage System I fits only to the MBP-3 or the Plate for Canon C100/300/500, while the Cage System II fits to the Plates for Canon 1DX/1DC and RED Epic/Scarlet.
There are no known competitor’s plates with the interface to fit the Cage System.
5. Support for Sony PMW F5/F55
The Plate for Sony PMW F5/F55 benefits from an integrated “Touch and Go 35” plate that can be used to rest the camera on a head or any standard quick-release-plate between handheld shots, even with the Shoulder Pad attached.
The Plate for Sony PMW F5/F55 is a 15 mm lightweight support plate. For studio support you can mount 35 mm studio bridge plates such as the BP-8 or BP-9 directly underneath the Plate for Sony PMW F5/F55. Please note that 16 mm bridge plates such as the BP-6 are not compatible, due to them being off-centered.
The Plate for Sony PMW F5/F55 has integrated ARRI standard rosettes at each side of the plate to allow handles to be mounted.
No. The Shoulder Pad is independent from the base plate and can be used directly on the camera without any other accessories fitted.
Yes. You can mount the original Sony handle in one position. The ARRI ALEXA M handle (CCH-2) can be mounted in three different positions.
Besides the original Sony handle or ARRI ALEXA M handle, you can mount a rod console to the front of the Top Plate. In addition, the original Focus Pin delivered on top of the Sony camera can be repositioned on the Top Plate.
No, the Viewfinder Adapter can be mounted to the front or the back of the handle and in several other positions.
The Viewfinder Plug Protection is designed to be mounted onto the right side of the Top Plate for Sony PMW F5/F55. There is no other mounting possibility.
A dedicated rosette bracket set (1x pair) is available, and an optional rear mounted 15 mm LWS rod console.
The ARRI Top Plate for F5/F55, Camera Center Handle CCH-2, Viewfinder Adapter VFA-1 and Viewfinder Plug Protector are fully compatible with the Broadcast Plate for F5/F55.
Yes. With the special designed 15/19 mm adapters for Sony F5/F55. The 15/19 mm Studio adapters are a substitution to the existing parts between the 15/19 mm studio rod bracket of the Bridge Plate Sled BPS-1 (The optional sliding baseplate of the Quick Release HD plate QRHD-1) in order to allow the 15/19 mm studio rod bracket to comply with cameras’ optical center.
If you already have our handgrip with 3 pin Hirose cable (K2.47862.0) it is possible to exchange the 3 pin cable for the 4 pin cable (spare cable: K2.66279.0)
6. Support for Sony PXW-FS7
ARRI PCA accessories help third-party cameras blend in to a high-end camera rental environment. Strong base plates and handles are designed to sustain PL or EF lens configurations, and the system is directly compatible with studio bridge plates such as the ARRI BP-8 or BP-9. Furthermore, the ARRI shoulder pad is a heavy-duty upgrade designed to remain comfortable even with a studio bridge plate attached.
The ARRI AMIRA camera body is designed around its sliding base plate and remains solid under load. The Sony FS7 is a lightweight camera with a short base that has not been designed to sustain the stress of a sliding base plate, so flexing of the rods could occur. The ARRI PCA for FS7 includes a strong, camera-specific base plate that ensures rods do not flex under heavy use.
With the Extension Unit XDCA-FS7 and a V-lock battery, we find the FS7 with a short PL zoom (e.g. ARRI ALURA 15.5-45) balances well on the shoulder.
The ARRI Top Plate for FS7 and CCH-2 handle do not support GPS or wireless microphone. These functions are seldom used on film sets. The CCH-2 handle and top plate are designed to sustain the abuse of a substantial PL-configured camera rig with the third-party accessories typically encountered on film set, such as wireless lens systems, wireless transmitters, ultrasonic measure devices, etc.
The LAS-1 features in every PCA set for FS7. Unless native E-mount lenses are used, a lens adapter will have to be fitted (e.g. E-mount to PL, E-mount to EF, Metabones Speedbooster, etc.) and physically supported. The LAS-1 offers support for most third-party lens adapters that feature a 1/4-20” thread at the bottom (ID/E, 16/9 inc, Metabones, etc.)
This is perfectly possible, as the ARRI PCA for FS7 offers direct compatibility with studio bridge plate configurations and the LAS-1 supports the necessary third-party E-mount to PL lens adapter.