AF100 Lens Support and Rods

S

scocub

New member
Hello all, I'm a forum virgin so be gentle.

For a shoulder mounted 15mm rod system, is an 18 inch rod length long enough for the AF100? I obviously don't want to have the front of the rig right in my face.

Also, any recommendations for a good, cheap lens support for a 15mm rod system? I will occasionally be using a lens that is actually heavier than the camera.
 
I have 24" rod system for shoulder mount. Allows me to counter balance heavier lens with counter weight. I can also reduce rod length if I'm not using counter weight. I'm using the rods that came with my Genus shoulder mount.
 
I have mine mounted on a 12" set with mattebox but if you want a shoulder mount and grips, go with 18". in regards to the lens support, if you'll be shooting with a lens heavier than the cam, then you need more than a "cheap" lens support. First, what mount does your lens have, PL?
 
Thanks for the responses.

Kindredmachine said:
in regards to the lens support, if you'll be shooting with a lens heavier than the cam, then you need more than a "cheap" lens support. First, what mount does your lens have, PL?
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Fair point. I guess I should have said the most inexpensive, good lens support. I want to use an Olympus 35-100mm lens which weighs about 3.5 lbs.
 
If you buy four shorter rods with screw thread connection you can combine them to your liking. Longer rods can also be helpful when you do a pan on a tripod, holding camera at front and back.

Own a Cavision adjustable lens support that seems a bit rickety but works okay, have now ordered something from Shoot35 that at least from what I've seen seems more reliable. Own some very strange lenses - Vivitar 100 - 500 and 600 - 1200 (plus 2x adaptor) - I need to rig very carefully to not to destroy my camera. Will show the rig when it's finished.

Kindredmachine is right - don't buy a cheapo. The day you have to sent your camera to Panasonic service for repair is the day you do not want to see coming.....
 
tipota said:
Own a Cavision adjustable lens support that seems a bit rickety but works okay, have now ordered something from Shoot35 that at least from what I've seen seems more reliable.
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Tipota, what lens support from shoot35 are you referring to? I have the shoot35 af100 kit but the only support I see there is the Blade bracket which I'm not sure offers the range of support necessary for the lenses you describe. I'm on the lookout for lens support too. The Blade bracket looks to be built to the same high standards as the rest of shoot35 kit and really makes the Zacuto support look very overpriced.
 
Darn - the moment I posted my last mail Albion's Royal Mail transferred the blade support to the country of the Germans and you are indeed right: it's nicely build but doesn't extend high enough for my Vivitar exoticas!

Have to build one myself out of what I already own. Maybe with some old Volkswagen or Heinkel 111 spare parts... ;-)
 
Thanks again, you have been helpful. The ability to switch out different types of lenses is new to me as my previous experience is using the DVX and HVX. This is the lens I'm buying. I am a bit of a novice so I will embarrassingly admit I don't know the name of the small support at the bottom of the lens. (the part that looks like a foot) Is there a recommended type of support for this lens that work with a 15mm rod system?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404517-REG/Olympus_261012_35_100mm_f_2_0_ED_Zuiko.html







 
This "foot" is a 1/4" tripod mount. Theoretically, one could mount the camera to your rig with this, but I would not recommend it as it will leave the camera body hanging off the back of the lens unsupported. However, I'm sure it will not be difficult to fashion a lens support on any rig that will let the "foot" rest on it. I made mine with some leftover parts from my Gini rig. Most of the rig manufacturers will sell parts that are either specific to this task, or will let you DIY.
 
scocub said:
The ability to switch out different types of lenses is new to me a...
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And therein is the problem: You can use very strange, arcane, outlandish used and new lenses which can be great fun (at times for a few bucks only) and may give you very interesting results - but those optics are not normed, have no standardized way to protect them (and, more important, to protect the camera mount!) if they are heavier. So you need to be careful and inventive at times.

Recently acquired an elephant of a lens for less than 200 bucks, a Zeiss Jena 180 mm f 2.8 build for middle format cameras. It weighs much more than the camera itself. Tested it with my GH2 - wonderful optical quality and no problem here because I can let the GH2 hang from the lens mount. Now I need to get myself a guy to fiddle with the parts I already own and build a new protection before even attempting to mount it to the AG-AF.

Ground rule: Always protect the mount whenever the lens weighs more than 1 kg/2 lbs.
 
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I find the redrock micro carbon fibre rods and lens support works well for me. The lens support is a simple curved bracket that can be quickly repositioned for a variety of lenses.
 
CineStill said:
I find the redrock micro carbon fibre rods and lens support works well for me. The lens support is a simple curved bracket that can be quickly repositioned for a variety of lenses.
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I could not decide if I should go for the Shoot35 blade support or the redrock and Zacuto seemed to expensive first. Now I see that the Shoot35 is a bit too short for my strange tele thingies (and the redrock looks as being exactly the same size) so I will have a guy building a longer extension part for vertical adjustment. What lenses do you use?
 
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