Any remorse? (pot. FS100 buyer reconsidering)

I have a Cineroid for which I built a simple bracket (pic attached), and it (the bracket) works great. As for the Cineroid, it had some issues, which aren't totally resolved. I will probably get one of the new versions when available - the Cineroid has VERY prominent red peaking which makes following focus while handholding very possible - unfortunately the Zacuto does not - I haven't seen the other options yet. For me, this camera would be nearly worthless without a side finder.

I haven't had the opportunity to try out the Sony, but it's really too bad they put that silly LCD where they did. The box-version (don't recall #s) is the one I'd consider.

But I have the AF100, and personally, I'm not seeing all that much difference in the images.. except, of course, the difference in the quality of the people using them.. Unfortunately, that quality doesn't come in the box.
 

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Mac,

Your handheld rig looks especially light and mobile. Would you mind sharing where you got it from or what pieces make up your rig?

KShaw
Aspiring DP - Chicago
 
I've attached another picture, since the previous one is from several months ago before the Anton Bauer Gold mount was available. The lens on the camera is a 28mm Emarit-R, which I interchange with the Canon 20 and the 50mm Summicron-R. Almost all of the stuff is made from parts I had... cheese plate and two 15mm blocks from RedRock make up the plate - Risers are Nylon spacers from any hardware store, I think a 1/2" and 1/4" together. Grip, obviously, from my Aaton. Grip bracket from Abel Cine (I got it originally for my HPX500).

The shoulder mount is from an old Birns and Sawyer unit that I cut way down (you can see it's had some use), but it could be made out of aluminum strap. It mounts to the back of the 15mm rods with an old block I had from somewhere, which has one secure knob for quick removal. A piece of 1"x1/4" aluminum attaches to the block and a knob holds the shoulder mount so it can also be quickly removed for tripod use leaving the strap and battery mount in place.

Another chunk of aluminum strap attaches to the Gold Mount, which is mounted sideways. It also has a 1/4-20 knob so it can be removed to use stock batteries, which makes the outfit more compact and lighter.

However, with the Gold Mount it balances prefectly.

By the way, I've given up on matte boxes, even though I have 3 of them (as well as over 40 Tiffen filters). It's too awkward changing lenses quickly. I am trying to redesign a swing away that is single-handed, but haven't perfected it yet.
 

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For those of you who have seen the first episode of the new Zacuto Camera Shootout 2011, the AF100 held up very well in the tests. It was the only camera in the lineup that wasn't a DSLR but didn't cost $10,000 or more and I think that alone made its results pretty great. There's still other episodes to go, but just in the basic testing it held up good. I don't now how the FS100 would've done, since it wasn't included, but the AF100 still to me is one of the best options out there for the smaller DSLR size/weight, performance, and features...along with that sweet-spot price tag.

What was said many times during the shootout video? The camera isn't the deciding factor, because any of the cameras tested in the hands of an experienced DP who understands the camera's abilities could make it look beautiful.
 
Mac,

Does your Aaton handgrip turn the camera record function on and off? Great rig. I feel the best rigs out there are customized ones, ones that work well specifically for the operator because it's been operator-designed, not mass-marketed as some of these others out there. Kudos!
 
Does your Aaton handgrip turn the camera record function on and off?
Click to expand...

Yeah, plug from Radio Shack... However you have to click it to the right to start, then immediately click it back left. Then click it right and left again to stop. I got used to it with the HPX500, so it's no big deal now. Forgot to mention, by the way, that the shoulder rest and battery unit are designed the way they are so the camera can be pulled from the case, shoulder mount attached, battery snapped in - all in less that a minute. I really hate fooling around with assembly.
 
How did you attach the cineroid to the camera
Click to expand...

If you look at the photo at the top of the page, you'll see the aluminum bracket that attaches to the handle There is a similar one, mirror image, attached to the bottom of the Cineroid. Both brackets have a 1/4" hole drilled at the extreme end of the bracket. A 2" (or maybe 2 2/2", don't remember) stainless hex-head 14-20 with a locking nut attaches the two... Between the two brackets there is a compression spring that the 1/4-20 passes through, with a nylon washer at each end.

You simply tighten the 1/4-20 until the spring provides just the right tension - then you have a rotating Eyepiece that stays in place where you set it.

All of this is available at any hardware store, like Orchard Supply... total investment, maybe about $25. The aluminum angle is the big cost, but there's a lot of it left over for other projects.
 
Forgot to add... There are several advantages of mounting the EVF this way - first, you're not dicking around with a setscrew to adjust the finder, trying to keep it level, as you would with a Noga. Second, since it mounts to the handle, it leaves open space to adjust iris while shooting, AND makes it a lot easier to change lenses because, as you know, the release pin is right behind where a low-mounted bracket would be.

I actually thought of patenting this thing, but I'm a filmmaker, not an entrepreneur, and it would be a very small market anyway - so have at it.


Also... What has happened to the new model Cineroid? It was supposed to be available in May, if memory serves. I will ask this on another thread, just thought someone here might know.
 
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Mac- Your hand-Held rig is right up my alley. I am a big guy and was wondering if this configuration feels cramped to you? Can you get the viewfinder far enough from the camera body to be comfortable for long hours? Do you have any snaps with the rig up on your shoulder?

Also, I see in another post that you switched to the Zacuto Z-Finder. How do you like it compared to the Cineroid? Do you miss the red peaking for focus?

And what mattebox do you have on your rig now? What have you tried out in the past?
 
Why does someone always have to pop up espousing the importance of storytelling when clearly the OP concerns technical performance. It is absolutely okay for a DP/operator to gather the best tools, as he sees, for the job at hand. If this were an audio forum and someone had issues regarding mics it would be just as silly to bring up storytelling.
 
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