William Optics DSD 210 Plate
- 210 mm total length for balancing flexibility
- Dual-profile fits both Vixen-style and Arca-Swiss clamps
- CNC-machined for a precise and secure fit
- Available in multiple anodized color finishes
The William Optics DSD 210 Plate solves the persistent gap between astronomical and photographic mounting standards with a single, elegant component. This 210 mm long plate features a unique dual-profile design, allowing it to lock securely into both Vixen-style astronomical saddles and Arca-Swiss photographic tripod heads.
This plate is engineered with two distinct dovetail profiles machined into a single bar. One side conforms to the Vixen standard common on equatorial mounts and saddles, while the other matches the Arca-Swiss standard used in high-end photography. This allows you to move a small telescope or a camera with a telephoto lens between an astro-mount and a photo tripod without ever changing the plate.
The 210 mm length provides ample room to slide your telescope or camera forward and back within its mounting rings or clamp. This is critical for achieving perfect balance, especially after adding a guide scope, camera, or heavy eyepiece. Precise balance reduces strain on your mount's drive motors, leading to more accurate tracking and sharper long-exposure images.
The primary advantage is universal compatibility. The William Optics DSD 210 plate allows you to mount the same piece of equipment—be it a small refractor or a DSLR with a lens—onto both an astronomical mount with a Vixen-style saddle and a photographic tripod with an Arca-Swiss clamp without needing to swap plates.
A 210 mm plate is ideal for small-to-medium refractors (typically up to 80-90mm aperture) and other compact optical tubes. The length provides sufficient travel to balance the telescope correctly, especially when a camera or other accessories are added to the optical train.
Yes, this is a perfect use case. You can attach the DSD 210 plate to your lens's tripod collar or a camera L-bracket (which typically use Arca-Swiss), and then mount the entire assembly directly onto a Vixen-style saddle on a star tracker or equatorial mount.
The 210 mm length allows you to slide the telescope within its tube rings along the plate's axis. This lets you find the precise center of gravity, ensuring the telescope is perfectly balanced on both the declination and right ascension axes of your mount. Proper balance is essential for accurate GoTo slewing and tracking.
No. This plate is designed for the narrower Vixen (V-style) and Arca-Swiss standards. It is not physically compatible with the wider Losmandy (D-style) saddle clamps.
| Length | 210 mm |
| Dovetail Type | Vixen & Arca-Swiss Compatible |
| Available Colors | Black, Red |
| Holes / threads | Three 1/4-20, two 3/8-20 |
| Weight | 280 g |
William Optics DSD 210 Plate
× 1