Alpha Beta Omega
Veteran
I managed to make good use of a FF on my rig. All to make it comfortable to operate.
FS7: Another Baseplate/Shoulder pad/Rig thread for FS7 thread
- Thread starter Ben Scott
- Start date
I managed to make good use of a FF on my rig. All to make it comfortable to operate.
Lenilenapi
Carbonite Member
2nd vote for shoot. 35 ff but a switch to change focus direction sounds hella sweet
Erik Wittbusch
Well-known member
I use follow focus for narrative work with my cinemodded Canon FD primes
and when I use rental cine lenses.
My Canon zooms are focused by jand as I come from stills photography and have
a good feel for the throw of these lenses. I don't like extra long focus throws for
doco work where I need to be fast sometimes. I like throws around 120 degrees.
A follow focus always needs rails, which need some form of support under the camera...
I liked my FS100 without any form of rig, because it was so lightweight and small that
I carried it all day long incl. 2nd lens, 2 batteries and my small Sachtler FSB6 for several
weeks.
This will be more of a pain with the FS7 though, but I'll keep it as small as possible.
No additional frankenrig, no extra back, no support for rails, mattebox or ff for my
doco work.
I think I add some form of lightweight support for ff, mattebox and better shoulder support
for controlled circumstances but like to keep it simple as possible.
and when I use rental cine lenses.
My Canon zooms are focused by jand as I come from stills photography and have
a good feel for the throw of these lenses. I don't like extra long focus throws for
doco work where I need to be fast sometimes. I like throws around 120 degrees.
A follow focus always needs rails, which need some form of support under the camera...
I liked my FS100 without any form of rig, because it was so lightweight and small that
I carried it all day long incl. 2nd lens, 2 batteries and my small Sachtler FSB6 for several
weeks.
This will be more of a pain with the FS7 though, but I'll keep it as small as possible.
No additional frankenrig, no extra back, no support for rails, mattebox or ff for my
doco work.
I think I add some form of lightweight support for ff, mattebox and better shoulder support
for controlled circumstances but like to keep it simple as possible.
Definitely a FF fan here. Like to put gear rings on my still glass. Just like the feel, as Josh said, of focusing in the direction I'm moving. So accustomed to it now that it just feels "normal" to me. Have a kludged together kit with an old Petroff FF and OConnor OBox mattebox. This was how I shot my F3. Whenever I get the FS7 and then put the kit together will determine which is the most comfortable way of shooting for me. Right now, kind of tending toward the Tilta baseplate simply due to low price.
Ned Soltz
Ned Soltz
Paul Cronin
Well-known member
I own a Edelkrone Follow Focus Plus and have used it on the last two cameras. I have had great success with this setup. Lots of different options.
http://www.edelkrone.com/us/p/104/follow-focus
http://www.edelkrone.com/us/p/104/follow-focus
Andrew Stone
Veteran
You are one of a growing number of professionals that I have heard good reports on the Edelkrone Follow Focus.
Alpha Beta Omega
Veteran
I use a Swedish Chameleon FF which I find to be great. You can either use a belt or a gear. Its also a one rod design and can be angled up and down in any angle. No play either and just well made.
AndreyBlanco
Active member
IMHO For most people the only thing need it is a suitable shoulder pad (I personally used the Zacuto QR Shoulder Pad) and the original Sony EVF loupe that comes with the camera. the other day I shooted for a few hours and I was totally fine with it using the 24-70mm VC and Speedbooster it was slightly from heavy but totally manageable
Keep it simple guys, The good thing about this camera is that it doesn't need a lot to make it work.
Because my Dominant eye is the left I need to flip the EVF I also used my left hand to manually focus the lens and I think is a breeze
Keep it simple guys, The good thing about this camera is that it doesn't need a lot to make it work.
Because my Dominant eye is the left I need to flip the EVF I also used my left hand to manually focus the lens and I think is a breeze
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Paul Cronin
Well-known member
Andrey,
Like your setup with the Zacuto QR mine shows up today. But for the original VF loupe I can not use it with my Bright Tangerine clip on Matte Box. And I need the Matte box with most of my PL glass so I am going to try the BMM Z-Finder this week and see if that helps.
Agree simple is good but we all have different requirements. Such as a extension unit is great for balance and V-Lock which I prefer and power for my wireless with just a slim cable. Nice we can all adjust the build to suit our needs.
Paul Cronin
Well-known member
Zacuto QR showed up today and it is a nice pad and great balance with Extension unit. This will move enough for pretty much any lens, currently it is on with GL Optics 18-35 PL.
A bit disappointed in their Zacuto QR plate and how bad it fits on my Kessler Kiwik Release plate, and how poor the build quality is. I can flex the plate in my hands, not good. So I have a Kessler plate coming. My RRS plates fit great but are only two 1/4-20 fasteners, ugh.
A bit disappointed in their Zacuto QR plate and how bad it fits on my Kessler Kiwik Release plate, and how poor the build quality is. I can flex the plate in my hands, not good. So I have a Kessler plate coming. My RRS plates fit great but are only two 1/4-20 fasteners, ugh.
Jim Anderson
Well-known member
Paul Cronin
Well-known member
Jim, how are you going from the shoulder pad to the tripod setup you have?
Hello,
This is Jens from Zacuto. I've read most of this long thread on the various VCT plate option for the FS7 being considered and felt it was time to chime in.
The biggest problem with every single VCT plate option out there is that they are designed sexy and all but none can get the camera in a position where the camera is properly balanced. If your camera is even a little front heavy in time you will fatigue and you are working to support the camera rather than operate it. We've tested 12 of the most popular cameras out there including the FS7 with our friend Rodney Charters ASC, and we have found that give or take a half inch it an inch, the balance point just about always ends up right at the lens mount. See our Rodney Rig configure video that will go live on our site on the 7th of Jan. at Zacuto.com. That means you need to get the shoulder pad directly under that point for proper balance. Our VCT Universal is the only plate that can do that and with all cameras. It can do it because we have moved up the pad as close as possible to the front were the wedge is and were the rods start. Our plate has 7" of travel for were you can mount the camera and over 3" more rod real estate under the lens for mounting FF's and lens supports. It seems strange but when balanced properly, that puts the camera almost behind you. See pix. For the FS7, the pad on the camera is hard and too far back plus has no rod capability. The Sony control grip arm is too short used in a stock config mounted to the body. Its way to short if you balance the camera by moving it back. So you need to attach the grip arm to the rods up front using our rod mounted Rosette Mini Mount. The other thing to consider is that the Sony EVF is too long and wide and is seen in wider angle lenses. So consider our shorter Z-Finder on the Sony monitor with our Axis Mini or the Gratical on the Axis Mini. Much more pro and stable than their rod. Last, if you want to focus with out reaching back to the lens, consider our Z-Drive Tornado. Its a focusing hand grip. So you never have to let go to focus. Please contact us if you have more questions and check out the video. Its eye opening.
Z-Drive Tornado focusing handgrip
This is Jens from Zacuto. I've read most of this long thread on the various VCT plate option for the FS7 being considered and felt it was time to chime in.
The biggest problem with every single VCT plate option out there is that they are designed sexy and all but none can get the camera in a position where the camera is properly balanced. If your camera is even a little front heavy in time you will fatigue and you are working to support the camera rather than operate it. We've tested 12 of the most popular cameras out there including the FS7 with our friend Rodney Charters ASC, and we have found that give or take a half inch it an inch, the balance point just about always ends up right at the lens mount. See our Rodney Rig configure video that will go live on our site on the 7th of Jan. at Zacuto.com. That means you need to get the shoulder pad directly under that point for proper balance. Our VCT Universal is the only plate that can do that and with all cameras. It can do it because we have moved up the pad as close as possible to the front were the wedge is and were the rods start. Our plate has 7" of travel for were you can mount the camera and over 3" more rod real estate under the lens for mounting FF's and lens supports. It seems strange but when balanced properly, that puts the camera almost behind you. See pix. For the FS7, the pad on the camera is hard and too far back plus has no rod capability. The Sony control grip arm is too short used in a stock config mounted to the body. Its way to short if you balance the camera by moving it back. So you need to attach the grip arm to the rods up front using our rod mounted Rosette Mini Mount. The other thing to consider is that the Sony EVF is too long and wide and is seen in wider angle lenses. So consider our shorter Z-Finder on the Sony monitor with our Axis Mini or the Gratical on the Axis Mini. Much more pro and stable than their rod. Last, if you want to focus with out reaching back to the lens, consider our Z-Drive Tornado. Its a focusing hand grip. So you never have to let go to focus. Please contact us if you have more questions and check out the video. Its eye opening.
Z-Drive Tornado focusing handgrip
morgan_moore
Major Contributor
Jens - your thing on the sony EVF - it is floating there by magic or what - is it available?
S
S
Alpha Beta Omega
Veteran
Does the Z-finder provide the same view as with the stock Sony eye piece or do you have to move around to see the whole frame?
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
I would like to know this one also. I find the stock evf fine for all but my wider lenses but something shorter would be nice.
Also does the z finder loupe flip up if I want to switch low or high angle from shoulder?
S.Blanchardon
Well-known member
Hi Jens,
I wonder what is this rosette relocator you have on the vct baseplate and if/when it will be available ? I think it's a better solution than a rod monted rosette.
Thanks.
I wonder what is this rosette relocator you have on the vct baseplate and if/when it will be available ? I think it's a better solution than a rod monted rosette.
Thanks.