Expand your camera mounting versatility with the Matthews Dovetail Cross Plate. This innovative 2-layer swiveling design provides traditional mounting plus additional 90-degree and 45-degree angles for ultimate flexibility on set.
Product Description
The Matthews Dovetail Cross Plate is a game-changing camera support tool that revolutionizes how you mount cameras to fluid and gear heads. This patent-pending innovation solves everyday set challenges while simplifying work with prime and zoom lenses where minimal balancing is required.
Revolutionary Dual-Layer Design
The unique 2-layer swiveling plate system delivers exceptional versatility, offering traditional camera mounting alongside additional 90-degree and 45-degree positioning angles. Each rotating plate features a different finish for instant visual identification, ensuring quick setup even in demanding production environments.
Built-In Safety Features
Safety is paramount in professional production. The Dovetail Cross Plate incorporates multiple safety mechanisms including a spring-loaded post and stationary stop that prevents bridge plates or sleds from sliding off. The special angle lock design and internal positioning safety spring provide additional security for your valuable equipment.
Universal Compatibility
Designed for seamless integration with existing workflows, this plate features twenty 3/8"-16 and 1/4"-20 threaded holes with Heli-coil wire inserts on the bottom for rock-solid connections. It's compatible with quick release systems on most fluid heads and supports, including the Matthews CAM Tank.
Professional-Grade Construction
Built to withstand the rigors of professional production, the Dovetail Cross Plate is engineered for reliability and longevity, making it an essential addition to any camera department's toolkit.
Key Features
- Patent-pending 2-layer swiveling plate design
- Traditional mounting plus 90° and 45° angle options
- Spring-loaded post with stationary stop for safety
- Special angle lock design with internal positioning safety spring
- Twenty 3/8"-16 and 1/4"-20 threaded holes with Heli-coil wire inserts
- Different finishes on each plate for easy identification
- Compatible with most fluid head quick release systems
- Works seamlessly with Matthews CAM Tank
- Simplifies lens changes and minimal balancing requirements
- Quick addition to existing camera support systems
Technical Specifications
- Mounting Threads: 3/8"-16 and 1/4"-20 (twenty total holes)
- Insert Type: Heli-coil wire inserts
- Rotation Angles: 0°, 45°, 90°
- Compatibility: Universal fluid heads, gear heads, Matthews CAM Tank
- Safety Features: Spring-loaded post, angle lock, positioning safety spring
What's Included
- Matthews Dovetail Cross Plate
- All mounting hardware
Applications
- Low-angle shooting
- Dutch angle setups
- Prime and zoom lens configurations
- Minimal balancing scenarios
- Multi-angle production requirements
- Fluid head and gear head mounting
- Studio and location work
Why Choose Matthews Dovetail Cross Plate?
From a 50-year legacy of manufacturing excellence comes the Dovetail Cross Plate - designed by professionals who understand the demands of modern production. Matthews Studio Equipment has been honored with two Presidential "E" Awards and recognition from both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for Technical Achievement.
Matthews Studio Equipment Black CAM Tank - Professional Low-Profile Camera Support System
The legendary CAM Tank now features a sleek black finish with red trim. This heavy-duty support system delivers extreme low shots with 360-degree pan and 30-degree tilt capabilities, perfect for achieving impossible angles on schedule.
Product Description
Proven for over a decade, the Matthews CAM Tank is the industry-standard solution for extreme low-angle and creative positioning. Now sporting a sophisticated black finish with red trim accents, this robust support system combines functionality with professional aesthetics.
Extreme Low-Angle Capability
Designed specifically for extremely low shots, the CAM Tank maintains full 360-degree pan capability and 30-degree tilt in each direction, even at its minimum height of just 4 inches. This makes it ideal for achieving dramatic dutch angles when mounted to a fluid head or pointing straight down from a tripod or jib.
Universal Camera Compatibility
The CAM Tank accepts all standard large format camera plates and can direct-mount to any large or medium format camera equipped with 3/8"-16 mounting threads. It accommodates cameras measuring 10" x 7" (254mm x 177mm), making it compatible with virtually all professional cinema and broadcast cameras.
Premium Construction and Components
CNC machined from aerospace-grade 6061 T6 aluminum, the CAM Tank utilizes only the finest stainless-steel hardware. Premium NSK deep grooved ball bearings power the smooth tilt mechanism, while the pan bearing features a machined polyoxymethylene (Delrin) disk that self-lubricates with an endurance rating 100 times greater than standard plastics.
Professional Control and Safety
Both pan and tilt functions feature premium brakes for solid lock-off shots and maximum camera safety. At 180 lbs (82kg), this substantial support provides rock-solid stability for any camera configuration.
Perfect Partner for Dovetail Cross Plate
Thanks to industry-standard threading, the CAM Tank mates perfectly with the Matthews Dovetail Cross Plate, creating a dynamic duo that supports cameras in almost any position. Together, they help produce routine shots and seemingly impossible angles, all while keeping productions on schedule.
Key Features
- Sleek black finish with red trim accents
- 360-degree pan capability
- 30-degree tilt in each direction
- Minimum height: 4" (101mm)
- Accepts all standard large format camera plates
- Direct mount capability via 3/8"-16 threads
- CNC machined from 6061 T6 aluminum
- Premium stainless-steel hardware throughout
- NSK deep grooved ball bearings for tilt mechanism
- Self-lubricating polyoxymethylene (Delrin) pan bearing
- Premium brakes on pan and tilt functions
- Compatible with Matthews Dovetail Cross Plate
- Over a decade of proven performance
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 180 lbs (82 kg)
- Minimum Height: 4" (101 mm)
- Maximum Camera Size: 10" x 7" (254mm x 177mm)
- Pan Range: 360°
- Tilt Range: 30° each direction
- Material: 6061 T6 aluminum (CNC machined)
- Hardware: Stainless steel
- Tilt Bearings: NSK deep grooved ball bearings
- Pan Bearing: Polyoxymethylene (Delrin) disk
- Mounting Thread: 3/8"-16
- Endurance Rating: 100x standard plastics
What's Included
- Matthews Black CAM Tank
- All mounting hardware
- Premium brakes for pan and tilt
Applications
- Extreme low-angle shots
- Dutch angle setups
- Overhead mounting (straight down shots)
- Jib-mounted operations
- Fluid head integration
- Tripod mounting
- Creative angle requirements
- Studio and location production
Why Choose Matthews CAM Tank?
The CAM Tank represents over a decade of refinement and real-world testing on professional productions worldwide. Matthews Studio Equipment's reputation for quality is backed by 50 years of manufacturing excellence and recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for Technical Achievement.
Matthews Camera Support Systems
Matthews Studio Equipment has been the gold standard in camera and lighting support for 50 years. Used on entertainment productions and in major studios across over 90 countries, Matthews equipment has earned recognition from both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for Technical Achievement. The Dovetail Cross Plate and Black CAM Tank represent the latest innovations in camera support technology, designed to solve real-world production challenges while maintaining the quality and reliability Matthews is known for.
Matthews Studio Equipment has been honored with two Presidential "E" Awards for outstanding contributions to growing U.S. exports. Products manufactured in Burbank, California at 4520 West Valerio Street, Burbank, CA 91505.
