MID49 Baseline 15mm LW Baseplates for RED KOMODO, BMPCC, and Canon Cinema Line Series Introduced

Lens Accessories

by Dave KratzJuly 24^th, 2023

MID49 has released two new Baseline 15mm LW baseplates for high-end cinema cameras. These baseplates are camera specific and hold 15mm rods at the proper distance from the center of the lens. The newest models work with the RED KOMODO, Canon cinema cameras, and the BlackMagic BMPCC line. Let’s look at what sets these baseplates apart in a crowded marketplace.

Nothing is more important than a solid baseplate for mounting lens supports and accessories to your cinema camera. A poorly-connected or flimsy baseplate system can create issues for focus pulling and damage the lens mount on your camera.

Remote-follow focus systems must sit at a specific distance from the lens. Depending on the camera’s baseplate system, I’ve often struggled to mount the focus motor in the proper location for the lens. The rods might be too close to the lens or so far away that the motor doesn’t reach the gears!

MID49 Baseline 15mm LW Baseplates

MID49 is a Dallas-based company that designs and manufactures high-end products for use in film production. They offer a range of baseplates, rods, support arms, and dovetail plates.

These two new models bring their offerings to 9 baseplate models with 33 specific cameras supported. The baseplates allow cinema camera owners to customize and tune their rigs.

The MID49 Baseline 15mm LW Baseplate includes a Baseline ARRI Dovetail (lower ARRI mounting plate) and ARCA Dovetail for mounting to the camera. The ARRI plate can attach to tripod plates using 1/4-20 or 3/8-16 screws or ARRI standard bridge plates with centered or offset screw spacing.

The included ARCA Dovetail can be top-loaded or installed from the back by sliding into the ARCA dovetail slot of the baseplate. When sliding in from the back, a safety pin will engage with a pop when properly installed. Top-loading can be achieved by loosening the thumbscrew, pulling out on the ratcheting knob, and turning the thumbscrew until the ARCA clamp has opened fully. Reverse the process to tighten.

MID49 Baseline 15mm LW baseplate specs

All MID49 Baseline 15mm LW baseplates include ARCA and ARRI dovetail plates and mounting screws for the camera and lens support.

Baseline 15mm LW (RED® KOMODO™, KOMODO-X™ / Blackmagic Pocket 4K Baseplate)

Baseline 15mm LW (Canon C300mkIII, C500mkII, C200, C200B, C700 / Blackmagic Pocket 6K / Kinefinity MAVO mark2 Baseplate)

Additional cameras supported by the MID49 Baseline system include:

• Canon C100mkII
• Canon C300mkII
• Canon C100
• Canon C300
• Canon C500
• Sony FX6
• Sony FX9
• Sony FS7
• Sony FS7mkII
• Sony FS5
• Sony Venice
• Sony Venice 2
• Sony F55
• Sony F5
• Blackmagic URSA Mini
• Blackmagic Mini Pro
• Blackmagic Mini Pro 12K
• RED® V-Raptor™
• Panasonic EVA1
• Panasonic VariCam LT
• Panasonic VariCam 35 Baseplate

Visit MID49’s site for more compatibility information and select the baseplate system that works with your cinema camera.

Price and availability

MID49 Baseline 15mm LW Baseplates are available now for $495.00 through the company’s website.

What do you think about the MID49 Baseline system? Would you use it with your cinema camera? Let us know in the comments below.