philip bloom
Veteran
i recently bought the zacuto rails for my letus extreme. it really is superb
Letus and Zacuto rig: Nice lookin'
- Thread starter Kholi
- Start date
Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
Philip,
As an avid reader of your blog, you also have the LEX rail system right? Which do you use more, the LEX or the Zacuto?
As an avid reader of your blog, you also have the LEX rail system right? Which do you use more, the LEX or the Zacuto?
Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
It is trust me!
Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
That's roughly 4.5 lbs. Uh... YES! My rig weights about 15lbs right now.
Tim Naylor
Veteran
I've used a myriad of rods and baseplates and the Zacuto is by far the most sturdy. It costs a bit but considering it'll last at least three cameras worth, I can't complain. It's the one piece of gear I have that works day in and day out. I worry all the time about my adaptors going down in the field. It's happened to me three times already. The lens mounts are finicky. I've dismantled and repaired several times and become a whiz at soldering small connections. At least the thing holding it together is rock solid.
Where you really notice an inferior rod baseplate system is when you pull focus. Any flex will show in you picture when you pull on a long lens. Zacuto is stiff as hell.
I'd really like to see the 2-3 grand adaptor that takes care of all the little snitty issues that plague them all. I figure another 2 g is what it'd take to get better mounts, machining, and adjustability. There is market for that too - value minded free-lancers who won't shell for a PS but find the current crop just short a few items for prime time. I've done loads of PS jobs with just one adaptor - no back up. I'm weary about doing mid budget jobs with any of the three adaptors without a back up unit.
The day I don't feel the need for a back up is the day they make a truly pro product.
Where you really notice an inferior rod baseplate system is when you pull focus. Any flex will show in you picture when you pull on a long lens. Zacuto is stiff as hell.
I'd really like to see the 2-3 grand adaptor that takes care of all the little snitty issues that plague them all. I figure another 2 g is what it'd take to get better mounts, machining, and adjustability. There is market for that too - value minded free-lancers who won't shell for a PS but find the current crop just short a few items for prime time. I've done loads of PS jobs with just one adaptor - no back up. I'm weary about doing mid budget jobs with any of the three adaptors without a back up unit.
The day I don't feel the need for a back up is the day they make a truly pro product.
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Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
Trust me when I say that the Zacuto gear quality stuff and can take a LOT of weight:
Charles Lowthian
Well-known member
- i'm impressed 
.... but no follow focus?
.... but no follow focus?
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Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
Argh. I really want a Sachtler tripod. It's pretty much killing me! There's such a noticeable difference between Manny and Sachy! ARGH!
philip bloom
Veteran
have a look at the miller ds20 solo carbon fibre. It's what I have and its amazing
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Joseph:
It's easy. Quit financing every Zacuto employees stock options and profit sharing and save your shekels for a fine Sachtler! ;-)
Dan
Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
- i'm impressed
.... but no follow focus?
It was an open house event...I was doing 100 things at once.
Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
Dan,
You crack me up man! I dunno man. What's a good tripod if you rod system breaks? I know I know... a big waste! I really do wanna decide. I have about 20lbs to support so it'd be nice to get a new tripod with some good repeatability and balance options. –J.S.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Charles Lowthian
Well-known member
lol don't worry. i am jealous regardless
philip bloom
Veteran
i have bought the full zacuto handheld rig, two weeks after getting their rails. I have spent almost as much as the full cost of this on inferior versions. Waste of money. So I have bitten the bullet and gone for it!
Steve Shovlar
DVXuser Sponsor
You will never regret it. I have been buying Zacuto for a while and nothing comes close. Plus it will still be in your bag in ten years time. Buying inferior might sound like a bargain in the short term, but paying that bit extra for the best always makes financial sense in the long term.
Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
I am thinking about trying it on my HipCam rig shoulder mounted. The largest lens I have tried,which is the one that is on there now, is the Nikon 135mm f2.0
There isn't MUCH flex, although I may have to put another support on the 135mm so that the follow focus gear stays in place.