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

I heard Zacuto is ready to release a shorter loupe to snap onto the stock FS7 VF which will have a good diopter and be about 2 inches shorter FWIW. I decided to just go with the Gratical with the Zacuto mini adapter for better balancing options and use the stock VF without the loupe mounted towards the back for setting up the camera and letting the client or director see the framing.
 
The Gratical would be on my radar if they lifted the system slightly. IMO it is not worth the cost as it is missing a couple of features.. specifically focus check at the finger tip - I only pay top dollar for perfect product.

Moving away from the onboard implies more power chargers and thought.

I look forward to the EVF clip on - it could be a great accessory

S
 
Jim Anderson said:
I heard Zacuto is ready to release a shorter loupe to snap onto the stock FS7 VF which will have a good diopter and be about 2 inches shorter FWIW. I decided to just go with the Gratical with the Zacuto mini adapter for better balancing options and use the stock VF without the loupe mounted towards the back for setting up the camera and letting the client or director see the framing.
Click to expand...

I called Zacuto about 2 days ago on the FS7 Z-Finder and they said 1 to 2 more months, which is what they told me about 1 1/2 months ago when I first called them. I wish they would hurry up as that's the 3rd party accessory that I want most.
 
morgan_moore said:
The Gratical would be on my radar if they lifted the system slightly. IMO it is not worth the cost as it is missing a couple of features.. specifically focus check at the finger tip - I only pay top dollar for perfect product.

Moving away from the onboard implies more power chargers and thought.

I look forward to the EVF clip on - it could be a great accessory

S
Click to expand...




What exactly you prefer as "focus check" that is not there on Gratical?
1:1, peaking, monochrome or any other feature is accessible by just (programmming and) pushing one of four buttons or a jog lever.... What else you would need? Just curious...
 
Activation of said focus facilities from a remote button by the operators fore-finger - there is no other way to check focus mid shot without disturbance to the shot.

This is lost if you abandon the onboard EVF.

And dont tell me you can acquire critical focus in 4k with a 720 monitor - it is mathematically impossible :)

S
 
morgan_moore said:
Activation of said focus facilities from a remote button by the operators fore-finger - there is no other way to check focus mid shot without disturbance to the shot.

This is lost if you abandon the onboard EVF.

And dont tell me you can acquire critical focus in 4k with a 720 monitor - it is mathematically impossible :)

S
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I guess, you just don't like it... That's fine. Maybe if you try it and use it, you would think different. Math or not, we are dealing with "user defined" issue. If you can't adopt all features of this particular hardware, that's fine. It is not mandatory to have it. I just find it leaps ahead or all others solutions I used before.

Cheers
 
Absolutely - clearly a great product - but at a cost and with IMO a design flaw for solo operation.

User defined? Yep I have my own definition.. 'a desire to see and hear what Im recording :)'

BTW does it have RGB wfm/histo - understanding colour is part of 'seeing' in my book.

Edit: apparently so specs say
Histogram (RGB, Luma) - excellent​

S
 
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morgan_moore said:
Activation of said focus facilities from a remote button by the operators fore-finger - there is no other way to check focus mid shot without disturbance to the shot.

This is lost if you abandon the onboard EVF.

And dont tell me you can acquire critical focus in 4k with a 720 monitor - it is mathematically impossible :)

S
Click to expand...

Funny that you would mention this feature. I was just talking with Steve Weiss on the phone the other day regarding the Gratical, and he was asking about any features I would like to see the Gratical have, mentioning that they are hoping to make a remote (which would be wired--USB, to the port on the Gratical) that you could attach to a handle, and it would have the four Function buttons as well as the little joystick. So you would have complete menu control, shortcuts, etc. of the Gratical without ever taking your hand your handle.
 
This sounds very good. My concern was that the 'architecture' was not there but if it can talk through the USB that would be superb.

Second thing they need to sort (Im not so hot on what is/nt there) is diff o/p options to another monitore - I only use EVF 75% of shots

The 'problem' being that the second monitor is unlikely to be 4:3

S
 
gene_can_sing said:
I called Zacuto about 2 days ago on the FS7 Z-Finder and they said 1 to 2 more months, which is what they told me about 1 1/2 months ago when I first called them. I wish they would hurry up as that's the 3rd party accessory that I want most.
Click to expand...
While waiting for the shorter loupe to be released, I happened to come across some great user reviews on the Gratical and went that way instead since I can use it on any camera with an HD-SDI or HDMI output and not have to worry about damaging the plug of the stock VF where it connects to the port on the side of the body.
 
I haven't posted to this (or any other) video forum for a long time, as - due to unsuccessful series of surgeries on my neck spine - I'm partially disabled with my arms and spine weakened seriously, which makes shooting with my HD rig virtually impossible. This way, all my effort and money, spent on putting together various rigs (mainly shoulder supports) for my FS100 and/or EX1 cameras has been wasted... I'm now trying to sell all this stuff, and got interested recently in the FS7 being future-proof thanks for its internal 4k recording capabilities while at the same time touted as the first truly ergonomic camera possible to be used straight out of the box. But after having read all 30+ pages of this thread, I understood the latter is not the case at all - just like the previous "semi-shoulder-mount" camera from Sony, the EX3 - FS7 also needs additional rig to be truly usable. On the one hand it's great the aftermarket manufacturers already offer so many useful add-ons to the FS7, but on the other hand I feel a bit disappointed that what was supposed to be ergonomic enough out of the box still seem to require those add-ons that we put on other cameras of this size like the FS700 or EX1/3...


I only recently started following the FS7 threads on the fora and was enthusiastic (up till now, that is) about it being so ergonomic it wouldn't need any costly add-ons for shoulder-mount shooting (especially with my weakened neck spine and arms)... I mean - with the E-mount definitely needing a support for long lenses (not to mention some means of fixing a matte-box and/or follow-focus), couldn't Sony include - as a very minimum - some rails fixing holes in the front, and a simple (i.e. not necessarily as function-packed and expensive as the XDCA) battery pack mount at the rear?!!


It almost looks like Sony has a secret agreement with those companies that prevents their products from becoming obsolete :) Good for them, but a serious stuff like Zacuto is definitely too expensive for me at the moment. Westside AV (Olof) offers everything much cheaper, but with Fedex to Poland and cumbersome clearance procedures (not to mention costs) it's still a lot of money.

So please tell me guys:
Is there anyone on this forum who is using the FS7 "as is", and can do it for a reasonable time without serious fatigue?
 
In my humble opinion and experience I think it is perfectly useable out of the box, it's just not a camera that will sit on your shoulder but into it (much like the EX1). You have three points of contact (hand grip, eye piece and shoulder) which makes it much more stable. I think using it with shorter lenses and stabilised lenses would be fine, perhaps just a little front heavy.

The problem comes if you need matte boxes and heavier lenses, then it becomes too front heavy that you need your shoulder to help out with the weight. So that means (in most ways) pushing the camera back equalising the weight distribution. Which the camera "out of the box" isn't ready for.
 
So - assuming I'd only use it on the tripod when there is a need for fully-blown setup (mattebox, follow focus etc) - you're saying that for run&gun with just a modest lens the FS7 is OK "as is"? I'd think so just looking at the pics (haven't had an opportunity to actually try it yet), but would you say it's "more OK" than say the EX3 has been (the best example of what you describe as "sitting into the shoulder")?
 
For Run 'n' gun, I think it is fine as is. It's better than the EX3 because you can bring the handgrip down which makes it easier to hold for longer.
If you need to bolt on accessories that's when it becomes more problematic for hand-held and additional accessories could make the difference.
 
Everyone has different needs.. in fact many shoots have different needs. Sometimes I might use it naked - because you can hold a 5second bit of broll with or without a rig - but next friday Im gonna shoot a pop gig handheld and that will be most likely a 45 minute take with my 50-300 on the shoulder.. rig required.

I have two rigs, my minimal one and the cine rig with Vlock on the back and DP6..

S
 
I did a full day on the shoulder when I bought it with no rig and it killed. Fine for the odd hour but not a whole day. I think my current setup is the best balance of speed/weight/ease of use I can come up with.
 
Another couple of options from Vocas, announced at BVE here in the UK this week. A short plate, a bit like the Denz and Wooden camera options. Also, a NATO rail EVF holder and top plate. Not on their website when I looked, so here are some snaps:

IMAG0493.jpgIMAG0492.jpg
 
Ordered the Arri Plate, over here in Germany its cheaper than the Vocas, Chrosziel and Sony Plates. Will be posting when tested...
 
Does the Tilta v mount adapter interface through the slot/plug on top, or does it require a wire to the single pole power port?
 
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