Chenopup
Well-known member
In playing around for alternate options to raise a second set of rails to allow the Letus Extreme to go "snorkel up", here's what I came up with.
I haven't mastered the ideal posting image for the forum yet - I'll upload a larger one if needed -
Yes - I know the microphone of the Canon is tipping a bit up - I'm working on resolving this but since it's flexible, I'm not so worried...
Anyway - it appeared that the best way was to look at Zacuto's z-riser option or even the q-riser as a cheaper alternative (Z-Riser runs around $300 with 3.5" rails, Q-Riser runs $100-something but is not adjustable) - so roughly $400-ish dollars once you have the rod extensions you would need for the Z-riser setup to allow longer lenses, FF and Mattebox if necessary... pretty pricey
Since using the Brevis on a couple of shoots, I've been really impressed by the flexibility of the 15mm Rail Block built by Cinevate - seems pretty versitile. I figured a couple of those, with some 5/8 inch tubing / pipe / etc would actually give me something to raise a second set of rods with and for $70 for the two blocks total ($35 to ship to US) I could have for a bit over $100, a different solution to raise a second set of rails (5 3/4 from Zacuto) The Zacuto rails were $30 so about $130 total for this solution.
Once getting all of the pieces and assembling it a couple of ways, also taking into account flexiblity for hand held as well, I'm fairly happy with the inexpensive Cinevate solution - I had a buddy lop off a 4" piece of aluminum rod and buff it down and once both blocks were raised, it was a very nice, solid and inexpensive way to raise the rails.
I threw it together for pics but wanted to offer this as a solution for those looking to raise their lenses on the LEX instead of lowering them - however here are my observations between this and the Zacuto setup.
1) You'll notice I only have the Letus mount resting under the LEX, it is not screwed into the housing even in the right place... with the width of the Cinevate rail blocks and the 1/4" 20 Hex screw used to hold the 5/8 inch tube, I'm running a bit tight between the Cheno-riser and my Redrock FF - shorter screw and lopping off more of the 4" riser rod could very well solve that.
2) I should have opted for longer (shorter) rods such as 7" or longer - this would allow me a bit more room to slide the Cheno-riser back against the LEX housing thus opening up a bit more room. I am having a buddy fabricate some different size rods for me to try out.
3) With a second rail block for the Letus Mount and a longer riser, you'd kill two birds with one stone and could use Letus gear strictly to accomplish this with one less thing sitting on your rails.
4) Although pricey, the Z-Riser looks to be a little marvel of engineering as is Zacuto's stuff - may be easier to plunk down the dough then test it out as I have...
So, there ya have it - work in progress but wanted to share
Just a plug for 3 of the 4 much-mentioned companies in these threads, namely Redrock, Letus and Cinevate - all 3 have been absolute pleasures to work with - each providing stellar customer service and so far, there hasn't been any lightning or damage to my house from the different parts trying to "work together"
Happy shooting - hopefully more to post here in the next few days.
I haven't mastered the ideal posting image for the forum yet - I'll upload a larger one if needed -
Yes - I know the microphone of the Canon is tipping a bit up - I'm working on resolving this but since it's flexible, I'm not so worried...
Anyway - it appeared that the best way was to look at Zacuto's z-riser option or even the q-riser as a cheaper alternative (Z-Riser runs around $300 with 3.5" rails, Q-Riser runs $100-something but is not adjustable) - so roughly $400-ish dollars once you have the rod extensions you would need for the Z-riser setup to allow longer lenses, FF and Mattebox if necessary... pretty pricey
Since using the Brevis on a couple of shoots, I've been really impressed by the flexibility of the 15mm Rail Block built by Cinevate - seems pretty versitile. I figured a couple of those, with some 5/8 inch tubing / pipe / etc would actually give me something to raise a second set of rods with and for $70 for the two blocks total ($35 to ship to US) I could have for a bit over $100, a different solution to raise a second set of rails (5 3/4 from Zacuto) The Zacuto rails were $30 so about $130 total for this solution.
Once getting all of the pieces and assembling it a couple of ways, also taking into account flexiblity for hand held as well, I'm fairly happy with the inexpensive Cinevate solution - I had a buddy lop off a 4" piece of aluminum rod and buff it down and once both blocks were raised, it was a very nice, solid and inexpensive way to raise the rails.
I threw it together for pics but wanted to offer this as a solution for those looking to raise their lenses on the LEX instead of lowering them - however here are my observations between this and the Zacuto setup.
1) You'll notice I only have the Letus mount resting under the LEX, it is not screwed into the housing even in the right place... with the width of the Cinevate rail blocks and the 1/4" 20 Hex screw used to hold the 5/8 inch tube, I'm running a bit tight between the Cheno-riser and my Redrock FF - shorter screw and lopping off more of the 4" riser rod could very well solve that.
2) I should have opted for longer (shorter) rods such as 7" or longer - this would allow me a bit more room to slide the Cheno-riser back against the LEX housing thus opening up a bit more room. I am having a buddy fabricate some different size rods for me to try out.
3) With a second rail block for the Letus Mount and a longer riser, you'd kill two birds with one stone and could use Letus gear strictly to accomplish this with one less thing sitting on your rails.
4) Although pricey, the Z-Riser looks to be a little marvel of engineering as is Zacuto's stuff - may be easier to plunk down the dough then test it out as I have...
So, there ya have it - work in progress but wanted to share
Just a plug for 3 of the 4 much-mentioned companies in these threads, namely Redrock, Letus and Cinevate - all 3 have been absolute pleasures to work with - each providing stellar customer service and so far, there hasn't been any lightning or damage to my house from the different parts trying to "work together"
Happy shooting - hopefully more to post here in the next few days.
