[Metal] I'll never use another shoulder pad with my FS7. Most other setups don't let you slide the pad into any spot you want which is crucial for achieving the right balance. Most other pads are fixed below the center of the body, forcing you into a front-heavy build unless you have a tiny, super lightweight lens.

8Sinn's sliding baseplate lets me center the shoulder pad underneath the sensor & lens mount for much better balance. I love the magnetized pad too and how you can move that around a little after you place the sliding baseplate. Contrary to what others have said I actually like the Allen key front rod setup because I tend to put accessories that will shift on top-mounted rods with quick releases and accessories that are more fixed (like lens supports) on the bottom rods.

[Metal] I wanted to have a rig that can be a shoulder mount when needed but can be mounted back to the tripod without having too many steps in between. I ultimately decided to go to the VCT-14 route. So far, that’s the setup I’ve seen that can give you that tripod-to-shoulder flexibility.

The best pair that I’ve seen that will do the job is the Axler VCT-14 mount and this 8Sinn Universal Shoulder Base Plate. There are a lot of VCT base plates out there, some camera specific, but are either too expensive or if not, the quality is sub par.

The 8Sinn being universal means that I am not limited to just one camera and is transferable if I’m upgrading.

The product looks very sturdy and seems like it will outlive any camera that you will attach it to.

[Metal] I already have a Kirk L-Bracket for the K1 but it is a bit bulky and after few few years I became aware that I would very seldom use a vertical frame. So I bought this to replace the L-Bracket and also shed a few grams. Since I have added a Pentax 50mm f1.4 (a beast) a Sigma Art 35mm f1.4 and a Rokinon 85mm f1.4 (light weight) it became necessary to shed as many grams as possible. The only negative is anti-twist lip does interfere with closing the LCD screen. A minor issue.

[Metal] Maybe the perfect shoulder pad. To have a manfrotto 501 style plate offers the option, to switch between tripod and shoulder configuration very quickly - withhout an VCT tripodplate. This plate is very well made and feels good on the shoulder, even with a heavy set up.

[Metal] 8Sinn makes high quality and attractive gear. It's nice to have an alternative to the mega-expensive brands that's still a step up from the cheap stuff. 8Sinn is a very happy medium.

[Metal] Fits tight on my Smallrig VCT plate

[Metal] It's well build and well thought through piece of gear. It's one of the smallest and lightest VCT shoulder plates I've tried. The only drawback for me is the design of front rods adapter. You have to take the plate off the VCT adapter and then use allen wrench to tight them in. I guess it's the sacrifice for being so small (locking levers don't stick out, which is the benefit compare to other brands).

[Metal] Kirk makes quality plates. No need for a cage

[Metal] First it has correctly machined dovetails that fit into the better Kirk and RRS clamps perfectly, unlike the Chinesium copies. Second it is made in the USA by a small business. And third, the design allows it to work on almost all 35mm and digital bodies outside of a few large and medium format rigs. It's compact and gets out of your way unlike the custom made for your xyz brick so you can be using this for decades not just a product generation.