FS7: Another Baseplate/Shoulder pad/Rig thread for FS7 thread

RatLabProductions said:
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?
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I will let you know my Z-Finder for BM camera shows up today. I need to use Matte Box on a shoot next weekend and this looked like the best solution.

Here is the Z-Finder I ordered:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ind_bm_blackmagic_pocket_camera_z_finder.html

Also ordered the Zacuto Z-mount 2
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/587992-REG/Zacuto_Z_MO_2_Z_MO_2_Z_Mount_II.html

Hopefully this will let my matte box fit and give me the same clear view of the VF. Also this should give better control of the VF on the rod, with two locking thumb screws instead of the Sony single. The single drives me nuts when I want to move it goes off level.
 
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I have a Z Finder that I used on my F3 in addition to many other cameras I've shot. The loupe not only flips up but it is removable. Very solid piece of gear.

Ned Soltz
 
Paul Cronin said:
I will let you know my Z-Finder for BM camera shows up today. I need to use Matte Box on a shoot next weekend and this looked like the best solution.

Here is the Z-Finder I ordered:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ind_bm_blackmagic_pocket_camera_z_finder.html

Also ordered the Zacuto Z-mount 2
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/587992-REG/Zacuto_Z_MO_2_Z_MO_2_Z_Mount_II.html

Hopefully this will let my matte box fit and give me the same clear view of the VF. Also this should give better control of the VF on the rod, with two locking thumb screws instead of the Sony single. The single drives me nuts when I want to move it goes off level.
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Aren't they coming out with a Z-Finder for the FS7 LCD? I would just wait for that one, personally.
 
jshbckr said:
Aren't they coming out with a Z-Finder for the FS7 LCD? I would just wait for that one, personally.
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I talked with Zacuto and they told me 4-6 weeks. I have two week long shoots where I will need my matte box set up on my wide glass. So for $180 I thought it would be worth a try. But I do not think it flips up as Ned's does?
 
BMM Z-Finder going back. I will keep using the stock one and maybe get their FS7 specific one when it comes out.
 
Jens_B said:
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. View attachment 95923View attachment 95924View attachment 95925View attachment 95926View attachment 95927 Z-Drive Tornado focusing handgrip
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These are great products. I tried the BMCC-Zacuto loupe and fastened it to the FS7 LCD frame rim with 1/8 strips of velcro. It does save almost 2 inches of the valuable balance fulcrum point the FS7 has, but now have decided to purchase the Gratical EVF as soon as I can find it in stock. The Z-Drive Tornado may be next on the list. I just have to determine the right Zacuto rod mount to go from the FS7 monitor/mic rod mount to the Gratical rosette mount for optimal balancing. The best selling point for me in determining the Gratical purchase, was that both the FS7 and my F5 have single terminal plugs on the stock EVFs so if it gets damaged in the field, it can't be replaced wheras the Gratical can easily have the interface HDMI or SDI short cable easily swapped if it gets damaged. Sony FS7, F5, PMW-500 XDCAM, Canon C300 and Panasonic HD
 
Jim, Which Kessler Kwik camera plate, exactly, did you buy? Also, I have an adaptor I've been using for years with my EX3 and Sachtler head. Would this work with the FS7?

Thanks.
 
Jim Anderson said:
Paul, I bought the Kessler Kwik System to switch back and forth from the QR to a Sachtler tripod.
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Thanks Jim,

I did not see the plate under the larger tripod plate that is why I asked. I also have the Kwik system and it is nice. But i had to replace the Zacuto dovetail with a Kessler one since the Zacuto one did not fit tight in the Kessler plate and was too flexible. The Kessler dovetail plate fits great in both.
 
Jim Anderson said:
These are great products. I tried the BMCC-Zacuto loupe and fastened it to the FS7 LCD frame rim with 1/8 strips of velcro. It does save almost 2 inches of the valuable balance fulcrum point the FS7 has, but now have decided to purchase the Gratical EVF as soon as I can find it in stock. The Z-Drive Tornado may be next on the list. I just have to determine the right Zacuto rod mount to go from the FS7 monitor/mic rod mount to the Gratical rosette mount for optimal balancing. The best selling point for me in determining the Gratical purchase, was that both the FS7 and my F5 have single terminal plugs on the stock EVFs so if it gets damaged in the field, it can't be replaced wheras the Gratical can easily have the interface HDMI or SDI short cable easily swapped if it gets damaged. Sony FS7, F5, PMW-500 XDCAM, Canon C300 and Panasonic HD
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Jim,
I agree the Gratical EVF looks like a nice addition. Be interested to hear how you like it once it has been on a job? Nothing like field testing when you have to nail the shots.
Do you own a PMW-500? I had one for two years and really loved the performance of the camera.
 
Mertzwiller said:
Jim, Which Kessler Kwik camera plate, exactly, did you buy? Also, I have an adaptor I've been using for years with my EX3 and Sachtler head. Would this work with the FS7?

Thanks.
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Mertz,
I purchased this one after trying my Really Right Stuff plates, and the Zacuto plate that comes with the QR Shoulder pad. The Kessler one fits tighter on the QR shoulder pad and the Kwik System. Still leaves room if you have to use the camera shoulder pad for any reason. And it has 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 so it is solid.
http://www.kesslercrane.com/product-p/kwik_short_plate_te.htm
 
A couple of shots of different configurations with my setup

On legs internal recording with push pull zoom

DSC07597_zps60c76082.jpg


Hand held run n gun - 5 secs to add Rail mount Zacuto QR shoulder pad

DSC07599_zps802a102e.jpg


With exention and prime lens/follow focus

DSC07605_zpsa435b7e9.jpg
 
that zacuto shoulder pad looks comfy as all get-out.

Moneywise, I think the VCT plates are the best bang for the buck and a bit of a time saver because you're not trying to throw on a shoulder pad if you switch back and forth.

Also, I'm noticing that with the XDCA and V-mount batteries, the camera almost gets a bit back-heavy relative to the tripod plate. VCT plate helps distribute that weight.
 
For me the VCT plates add weight to both the camera AND the tripod, something I'm really trying to avoid. That shoulder pad literally takes 5secs or less to put on so for me this is perfect. With the back on it is balanced perfectly and without the back the pad is adjustable on the rails and so might be a little bitfront heavy but a lot lighter and so not really an issue.
 
Ben Scott said:
For me the VCT plates add weight to both the camera AND the tripod, something I'm really trying to avoid. That shoulder pad literally takes 5secs or less to put on so for me this is perfect. With the back on it is balanced perfectly and without the back the pad is adjustable on the rails and so might be a little bitfront heavy but a lot lighter and so not really an issue.
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I fully agree with you Ben, the QR Shoulder pad is better then any VCT plate and I have owned a bunch of them. 5-10 sec and you are switched. And the Kessler Kwik is faster then a Dovetail for me since I do not have to line it up from behind and get my matte box in the way. Even though my Bright Tangerine Matte Box is clip on. You keep the FS7 arm out and handle set in shoulder position and snap it right into the plate. That makes it faster then a dovetail if you have a matte box. And weight savings is what everyone who shoots a lot handheld is looking to get.

Ben, what is the system to the Wooden base to the camera? And then you must have a dovetail on the wooden base and QR pad? Just can't see those details in the picture. Looking for options to add my follow focus on 15mm at times.
 
I just have the regular tripod baseplate for my Miller Air on the bottom of the Wooden Camera Fixed FS7 baseplate. It's wedged up against the shoulderpad in the pics and I just leave it on the whole time. I decided against a dovetail setup this time around because again, it seemed like an extra kilo to run around with
 
Mertzwiller said:
Jim, Which Kessler Kwik camera plate, exactly, did you buy? Also, I have an adaptor I've been using for years with my EX3 and Sachtler head. Would this work with the FS7? Thanks.
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I just asked my sales guy at Omega Broadcast for the Kessler Kwik System and it was shipped with the QR shoulder pad it works perfect together. I ordered an extra Sachtler wedge plate for my Video20s so I can quickly snap it on for an interview or something and be able to go back to the QR in a minute, but I opted for the Vocas base plate with rods and tail plate for bigger set-ups when I would be having the XDCA back with the Dionic clipped on along with the Shoot35 MB and Cine Gear FF using the VCT plate.
 
Paul Cronin said:
Jim, I agree the Gratical EVF looks like a nice addition. Be interested to hear how you like it once it has been on a job? Nothing like field testing when you have to nail the shots. Do you own a PMW-500? I had one for two years and really loved the performance of the camera.
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Paul, I still use my PMW-500 several times a week for network news assignments using mainly my Fuji 18x long lens and sometimes the Fuji 4.5 wide angle for RnG or b-roll stuff. I actually have a Sony color EVF on it which works well, but I'm looking forward to using the Gratical EVF on the F5 and FS7, maybe even the C300. Interesting times.
 
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