If you are shooting video with one of the recent crop of video-capable DSLRs, such as the Canon 5D Mark II, one thing you should invest in, without question, if you don’t already have one, is a good baseplate. Having your DSLR (or any other camera, for that matter) mounted to a baseplate unlocks a whole new world of possibilities, such as the ability to be able to control your focus with more precision, accuracy and repeatability via a follow focus, the ability to control and prevent unwanted light from entering your lens via a matte-box (something a lens hood can’t compete with), the option of adding shoulder pads, battery mounts, hand-grips, LCD screens… The list goes on! All of these things make your camera more capable, and as a result, make you more efficient at your job, and it all comes down to having a good baseplate.