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

If you are unfamiliar with Bern, he is our obsessive minimalist. Much beloved obsessive minimalist, that is. His rig is so lightweight that he has to tie it down in between shots to keep it from floating away. :grin:
 
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.

Z-Drive Tornado focusing handgrip
Click to expand...

It's all very nice, but I'm not convinced about the need of shorter EVF loupe - if you have a wide angle lens which is usually short, there is no need to slide the camera so far backwards on your plate. Consequently there shouldn't be a need for shorter loupe, and replacing the stock FS7 one with the most expensive part of your rig (Gratical). Do I have a point here?
 
You can accomplish the same thing (shorter loupe, sliding camera back on the baseplate) with the Zacuto Z-Finder for the FS7. It is under $500 and gives you a lot more freedom with your rig than the stock loupe. I just got mine and can honestly say it was the most valuable addition to my set up for the cost. It just makes the camera feel tighter if that makes any sense. And the image is great.

I've experimented w a bunch of different setups and modifications but I think I've finally got the camera to a nice, comfy, fairly well balanced spot for hand held shooting. It has added another 2k or so to the camera, but most are universal accessories I can use with other cameras. Will post pics when I get home.
 
Thanks Ryan - do you find operating camera controls problematic when it's sled back on this plate?

Generally speaking, we have 2 options for balancing the rig: the Zacuto way of repositioning the camera backwards, or adding some counterbalance at the back (like a brick battery attached to the rear raills - Olof solution). Personally, I'm afraid the second scenario will be prone to rocking movement, and your supporting arm - instead of supporting a nose-heavy rig - will be laboring anyway in order to "dump" this rocking. But sliding the camera backwards as far as reaching the balance without anything heavy attached behind it will create another problem - all controls access made difficult... Really difficult to chose which is the "less evil" w/o having the camera and actually trying out several solutions!
 
I have the camera far back - but I don't use any camera controls when shooting - or only the wb togge and sq button - they become easy to find

for a menu dig I have to place the camera off my shoulder

poor control access is the lesser evil vs poor rig balance
 
I'm still able to use the 1,2,3 programmable buttons and the iris wheel with the camera set back, though it's right next to my cheek. I am fine with that setup in exchange for a balanced rig. And adding weight in the back seems counterproductive to me. Hard to tell where the eye/shoulder lands but here's a shot of my rig...

12747648_1683244048622297_880323307_n.jpg

The best of both worlds is having the sony smart grip on the rig instead of having to reach the side buttons. We are closer to that thanks to some mods discussed here....

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?344636-FS7-Handgrip-MOD-to-ARRI-Standard-now-available
 
+1 for the Zacuto universal plate.. shifting the camera back is the best way.. just get the balance point above your shoulder.. simple.. who is needing to use the side buttons when your shooting HH..? .. set and shoot.. thats how its been done for years..
 
Mertzwiller said:
What brand and model of VF is that, Ryan?
Click to expand...

That's Zacuto's FS7 Z-Finder.

http://store.zacuto.com/fs7-z-finder/

If you already own the Blackmagic Pocket Camera Z-Finder you can buy just the flip-up frame.

http://store.zacuto.com/fs7-z-finder-flip-up-frame/

When using wide-angle lenses the shorter loupe helps keep the EVF out of frame in a couple of ways. Not only is the EVF pushed less far forward, but when it is flipped open the loupe's shorter length helps keep it clear of the len's FOV too.

I've also replaced the OEM viewfinder bracket with Vocas'. These two items make the EVF feel much higher quality.

http://www.vocas.com/accessories/viewfinder-bracket-for-sony-fs7-kit
 
I like that.
Make the top metal black and sell it for 950 euro.

Are you happy with that lens? Does it work good (2K centercrop?)
 
Publimix said:
I like that.
Make the top metal black and sell it for 950 euro.

Are you happy with that lens? Does it work good (2K centercrop?)
Click to expand...

I pretty much do! This bit could be repurposed! http://halfinchrails.com/rigs-and-kits/hir-handlebar

The lens..

More will follow. Dont know if you can see this.. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=840051029462749&set=p.840051029462749&type=3&theater

in summary Id say meh to the digital crop (excluding HFR) and suggest doubler + 4k .. cropped to about 3k looked best.

S
 
I dont know if monitors are relevant to this thread but here is a snap of the DP502 in scopes mode clearly showing highlight clip in slog3 (on purpose!).. so much better than the onboard scopes..

The monitor is in my custom cut ply housing!

scopes.jpg
 
Bern Caughey said:
I've also replaced the OEM viewfinder bracket with Vocas'. These two items make the EVF feel much higher quality.

http://www.vocas.com/accessories/viewfinder-bracket-for-sony-fs7-kit
Click to expand...

That looks like something I need! The only thing I need is a way to mount the mic, because the Sony mount is so flimsy that I feel like it's going to break at any moment. I like the mount they have in the photos on Vocas' website here:http://www.vocas.com/kits/sony-pxw-fs7-compact-kit

Do you know what part that is? You can see it best in the third picture. It looks like a 15mm rod to Nato rail to a Rycote INV?
 
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