Rail System for VG-10

[wkramer]

(Photos Added). I'm looking to add a 15mm Rail System to my camera. I currently use a Manfrotto 701HDV head for mounting the camera to a Feisol TriPod. The head has a capacity of 8.8 lbs.

I would be using the Sony 18-200 lens in this setup.

I want to be able to use both the D/Focus and D/Zoom attachments on the rails and nothing else. I see lots of reasonably priced systems specifically for DSLR's but not so many that have a mounting plate that runs in the right direction (for greater contact with the bottom of the VG-10 and a screw and a stabilizing pin) or a TriPod mounting plate that does not take up precious rail space (like the cavision) for camcorders.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[olindacat]

I'm using the 701 temporarily but think it isn't very good for panning. I have the VG10 atop a Beackbox which raises up up, and also have a Gini rig DSLR extreme which altogether should do nicely, but I do think a good baseplate is in order and am also looking for a follow-focus and maybe a lens support if I use a 70-200 2.8 Nikon w/o using the lens's tripod mount itself. I made a new thread called 'unofficial VG10 thread' maybe we could move there? (Trying to make a place for a VG10 Q & As).

[wkramer]

After doing much searching I have decided to try this combination of stuff to achieve my intention:

Cavision RS15IIMQR $199: for the rails
http://www.cavision.com/rods/RS15IIMQR.htm

Manfrotto 577 Rapid Connect Adapter $60: For mounting the camera to the mount on the Cavision. I have a Manfrotto 701 with a Rapid Connect already so the base of the new one will go on the Cavision RPM090 mounting plate and the Manfrotto 501PL camera plate will go to the bottom of the Cavision so I can quick connect the whole setup to my Manfrotto 701 head.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Manfrotto-577-Rapid-Connect-Adapter-w-Mounting-Plate-/180685454914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a11b13e42

D/Focus $139.99
http://jag35.com/index.php/dfocus.html

D/Zoom $199.99
http://jag35.com/index.php/dzoom.html

2 D/Gears $59.98
http://jag35.com/index.php/dgear.html

Total Cost: $658.96

This should give me what I want for a total of $658.96. After I get it all together I'll post pictures and my impressions.

[olindacat]

I feel like such an idiot. I had read where one guys was using a homemade zoom puller based on an oil filter wrench. Have you used a follow focus before? I read so many reviews I think your approach is safe b/c the outlay is so relatively small.

[wkramer]

Here's another setup:

http://cgi.ebay.com/FF-125-Follow-Focus-rod-support-whip-crank-gear-set-/130538007044?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e64abea04

This one gives you Rails, Follow Focus, Gear Rings/Belts, Speed Crank and Whip for $344. It also has a quick release mounting plate.

An alternative to the D/Zoom is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Affordable-Follow-Focus-Solution-DSLR-/280700398474?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415b0c2b8a

This is similar to the filter wrench but I think much better. $13.85 including shipping.

Since I had not yet ordered the other stuff I'm going with this new setup. If the lensstraps don't work well I can always go back and order the D/Zoom and add it on to the rig.

A total of $357.85 (with shipping) vs $658.96 (without shipping). A savings of at least $301.00. Even if I have to go back and buy the D/Zoom I'll save $100.

I've placed the order.


Thinking about adding:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/smallimages/310699.jpg (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/310699-REG/Cavision_RS15HS_RS15HS_Single_Handgrip_for.html) Cavision RS15HS Single Handgrip for 15mm Rods (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/310699-REG/Cavision_RS15HS_RS15HS_Single_Handgrip_for.html) $59.99 and

(http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=removeItem&Q=&sku=335973&is=REG) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/smallimages/335973.jpg (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/335973-REG/Cavision_RS15SP3_RS15SP_3_Shoulder_Pad.html) Cavision RS15SP-3 Shoulder Pad (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/335973-REG/Cavision_RS15SP3_RS15SP_3_Shoulder_Pad.html) $94.95

In order to give me a complete Tri Pod and Shoulder mounted setup.

[olindacat]

By jove, I think you've done it! You've just gotten more than I, with $358 than I did with $1000!!! You are a chum for sharing though :-) I will be in NYC in a matter of days and then will be able to see, tough, feel for the first time. It'll be like a seminal moment I assure you.

[wkramer]

Here are a few photos of the setup I bought. I also bought a
http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/pict/2508037097746464_2.jpg (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250803709774&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT)

Cam Caddie D-Flashner 8" DBL Flashtrak Kit Tripod Wing (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250803709774&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT)

in order to mount a Sony CLM-V55 5" Monitor (that has a built in Peaking Function) and a 60 LED light.

Added a http://thumbs4.ebaystatic.com/pict/1706498657436464_1.jpg (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170649865743&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT)

67mm Fader ND Mark 2 by Light Craft Workshop (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170649865743&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT) that has a 72mm threads for attaching a hood and a 72mm rubber expandable hood.

361333613436135361363613736138

This seems to have turned out to be the least expensive rig that I could put together. The rig is actually very high quality and the follow focus works very smoothly. I used the follow focus on the zoom and the lensstrap on the focus since the focus has very little resistance and the zoom takes much more effort to adjust.

I'm still waiting on the handgrip and shoulder mount. Once I get those I'll post more pictures.

[olindacat]

Looks fantastic. Are you able to zoom and stay in focus with the camera locked down? Is that how you're doing it? Left hand/right hand sort of thing? Is that hood attached to the filter so you can rotate? RU sticking with the stock lens then? Happy with it? Will you use a matte box at all? I am debating the wisdom of that. How many filters do I need? Can I use Lee grads if I need to go that route. How much flare is really an issue in the grand scheme? Seems like a hassle. Do you think the 5" monitor is big enough? I am getting old eyes and was thinking I might need a larger one. The on-board LED: is this like your ENG set-up?

I'm very impressed with what you've done and if you don't mind, I think I'm going to 'borrow' a lot of your thinking here :-)

[olindacat]

Do the FF and the QR/rails need to match-up in terms of height?I can see the FF adjusts. I'm just wondering if I need the rails/QR plate if I already own anyway....

[wkramer]

There are four height adjustment plates you get with the rig in order to make the height of the QR plate correct. I had to use 2 of them.

[wkramer]

I've reversed the FF and lensstrap so that now the FF is used for focus and the strap is used for the zoom. The 18-200 lens seems to have a very tight zoom ring and using the FF for zoom was creating a bit of movement from the pressure needed to adjust the zoom.

It is a right/left hand thing.

The nc filter screws into the lens and the hood into the threads on the filter so that I can adjust the filter by turning the lens hood.

The 5" monitor is good for me since I need glasses anyway. One big advantage of the Sony monitor is that it has peaking built-in and a lower price then many other monitors out there.

[olindacat]

I have terrible eyes. Did the Sony monitor's peaking feature work straight out of the box? Have you shot anything with zoom holding focus. Dying to see. What about two FFs? Is that overkill IYO?