VCT Comparison: Zacuto VCT Pro vs Smallrig VCT-14

[@fitguy49]

I’ve own thousands of dollars worth of Zacuto gear over the years and then one day I realized I had more invested in Zacuto than I did in the Canon DSLR camera and lenses I owned. I sold it all and bought the Sony FS5 camera and have been so happy for the change. The problem with companies like Zacuto is they sell you stuff to correct the basic flaws in trying to turn a still camera into a film camera. Now I use a mixture of SmallRig, LanParte and others at far more reasonable prices to outfit my Sony. Zacuto looks good but it’s WAY overpriced.

[@brendonw3178]

Story of my life. SmallRig may have its limitations but I'm completely fine with them. Its not like a client will ever gear shame you because you didn't buy a fucking Zacuto

[@SquareDealProd]

Zacuto parts are impeccable quality. LanParte is poor and will let you down sooner or later. Small Rig, really nice. Customer service at Zacuto is stellar, whatever it is they take care of you and easy to reach. They stand behind their lifetime guarantee. They will offer parts at attractive discounted prices if you by a package if you buy from them directly. Zacuto sells off older designs, which are still amazing almost at cost, for those that do not have the bucks. All the above still applies. I like the 2nd Rossette on the Small Rig plate, and it was a mistake for Zacuto to get rid of it. There is no issue of it digging into your face. For some handheld shots, you just cannot hold the camera with one arm and are forced to buy a rosette to clutter the rails to add a second arm. I also use the second arm to steady the rig with my forearm/palm while operating the follow-focus. I am using heavier rigs than small mirrorless which the Zacuto seems to have opted to better support with its plate. For that reason, I would get the Small Rig plate, There are also so many brilliant design innovations with Zacuto products. Mini-Axis is second to none. Their EVF's are stellar, same with the new extension arms etc. Their small pieces are way too expensive, and there is lots of the same stuff I rather buy from Small Rig along those lines. I find my self mixing Small Rig and Zacuto and taking the best of both. But make no mistake about when it comes to quality Zacuto is king. Shape is somewhere in between Zacuto and Small Rig but with many parts rivals Zacuto quality for a more modest price.

[@Ajidam]

@@SquareDealProd zacuto sucks

[@davidp158]

Thanks for the review. I just ordered the SmallRig shoulder system, as the Manfrotto compatible plate is a huge plus for me. I generally like SmallRig products and own a LOT of them. My primary complaint is that they use undersized screws, which have minimal surface grip and are prone to stripping threads. It's such an inexpensive part, and yet a crucial one for the performance of camera products, that I just don't understand why they don't use better screws and bolts. Otherwise, I think their products are a good value.

[@TerenceKearns]

Smallrig does sell their own plate now. They are also good value.

[@Emiliano-Oseguera]

what's the viewfinder your're using?

[@bwest6275]

Glad I found this review.May I ask the Sony model number for their VCT tripod plate? Will try and find one used!

[@baltskeburt3223]

Hi, great, clear review, thanks a lot! Was wondering if you have tried the original Zacuto VCT-baseplate as well and how it compares. I have the option of buying one used quite cheaply, probably around the price of a new smallrig baseplate new or even a bit lower.

[@travisGOOO]

what does VCT stand for?

[@MTG776]

Good video, really helps with the decision making...

[@Takeshi007Fukushima]

I was using a Zacuto VCT plate and shoulder base plate, but thought the Smallrig was better design with a Manfrotto plate and removable Arri rosettes, narrower form, etc. However I was shocked to find the Smallrig Shoulder plate was not compatible to the Zacuto VCT plate. The plate would not go in with a click, something gets caught midway. Could this mean the Zacuto VCT is not a VCT-14? I also found the Smallrig shoulder plate cushion too big, and pressing down on the VCT plate. I had to press the camera down to get to the hinge in the back. Though,

[@marcswadel]

Hi TAKESHI! Good to see you here mate :) Am looking for a shoulder option for my GH5s/Ninja V/Arri FF/Arri MB set up..tossing up between the SmallRig and the Tilta BS T03. Have got an original Sony VCT-14. What other bad things did you find regards the Smallrig? any good things?

[@tvenergyproductions1]

Are both of them compatible with the VCT-U14 tripod plate?

[@lucernafilms4190]

Thank you SO much for this video! Cheers buddies!

[@watchingaccount1097]

Great review and quaality man, keep it up!

[@alexalexis7899]

Mate, one question: at 9:28 it looks like the lens' center is not aligned with the rods' center... is this an illusion on the video, or did you not screw the cage at the center thread or what exactly is going on there? Thank you!

[@alexalexis7899]

Understood. Thanks!

[@alexalexis7899]

One more question, if I may: if you attach the camera with the cage to the smallrig camera plate WITHOUT your Zacuto Gorilla plate, are you able to open the battery compartment to swap out memory cards and batteries without any issues?

[@王若恒-d4l]

Is both the plate ok for a RED RAVEN or SCARLET W set up?

[@robertniessner554]

I had the first SmallRig VCT shoulder mount and it was a complete engineering fail. I've had a 5 year education as a mechanical engineer and to me it looked like they have little knowledge about how to design mechanical parts and do a lot of cloning the work of other companies. Especially they were unable to figure out how a VCT plate really works. So I gave SmallRig lots of feedback (like others) which went into the design of the new VCT-14. They promised me a free copy of the new plate and really kept their promise. Unfortunately the new version has a lot of flaws too. And again they messed up the VCT design by using wrong distances. This kinda works on standard VCT plates (but doesn't sit right - try it) and it killed the spring mechanism of my high-end Chrosziel VCT plate (a special plate with zero wiggle). Another weak point is the design of the front rod clamps which makes it easy to bend - just try it. The placing of the clamp levers behind the rosettes makes it quite impractical to tighten - especially if you had turned the rod clamps upside down like I have for my large cinema lenses. Their clamps itself are not well thought through, too small area for applying clamping pressure, so it happens that rods begin to turn. The Manfrotto compatible plate is not really compatible because of design errors. I got it stuck in a Manfrotto 509HD head and had to use a lot of force to get it out. Couldn't unmount the camera anymore in the middle of a shoot. And the padding looks good on first sight, but when it sits on your shoulder it is annoying as hell because it tends to slip and not sitting right. I really cannot recommend it over the Zacuto.

[@robertniessner554]

My camera rigs weighs between 7 and 12 kg - so I really won't go cheap again as the plate and mount are the things which keep my camera on the tripod.

[@blackhorsearsenal9164]

Great response! I've been debating over the Small Rig or Zacuto and you're replies have been helpful. I've got a Lanparte rig dedicated to another camera and it's really China cheap compared to Zacuto. If Small Rig is just another knock off company in China like Lanparte, I'll go for the Zacuto plate and accessory attachments on my new rig!

[@tomgosy]

Tons of crap reviews for the smallrig...

[@TheTechnoPilot]

As someone who uses a lot of their gear and both this VCT shoulder unit and their VCT baseplate every day, please share what you feel it's "crap" reviews are, personally both have worked very well.

[@Ajidam]

Where are these crap reviews? I have researched smallrig rather obsessively over the last few months, and have only found your one single comment that denotes any type of negativity towards their products. So I call you out, and I am also calling you a liar. I fucking hate liars, especially when they do so under the cover of their keyboard at home. Bitch.