any suggestions for monitor, viewfinder, rig system, matte box etc. for FS 100?

F

finaleditor

Member
I have just ordered a sony nex fs100 for an international documentary project
with
Sony - SAL-2470Z 24-70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens,
Sony - Alpha LA-EA1 Camera Mount Adapter.
I had some lenses from my sony nex vg10
(original E-mount 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS, [h=2]E-Mount SEL16F28 16mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle Alpha E-Mount Lens)[/h]and Canon FD lenses f1.4 50 mm, and 70-210 f 1.4 zoom lens.

I need suggestions to buy a matte box (sun shade), rig system ( I am planning to buy zacuto fs100 kit, or edelkrone modula 9), viewfinder (i think it will be zacuto), a field monitor ( 5-7 inches with peaking, or etc.), and a recorder.

Which items do you suggest?

I think for field monitor, I can choose as 5 inch an ikan vl5,
[h=1]Sony CLM-V55BDL[/h]or as 7 inch
Marshall Electronics 7" Field / Camera-Top LCD Monitor V-LCD70XHB-HDMIPT-SL or etc?

I think I can't use a matte box with original sony E-mount 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 lens? Probably I will need a swing away matte box that I can use with different kind of lenses that I have/

any suggestions will be helpful.
 
That zac rig looks way front heavy on the shoulder

If you ever do any interviews try and do a static hold for 60 seconds - you will die

I would suggest that in terms of a rig, go to a store and try some,

for the monitor I would consider TVLogic or SmallHD with a higher resolution than those you are considering

As for a matte box, no comment, im just slapping an ND on the lens and avoiding all the height and distance issues that you will get especially with zooms that grow

S
 
How much time do you have to put this all together and get familiar to its operation?
 
If you are carrying it on your shoulder, consider getting a Zacuto QR plate for the Zacuto kit so you can shift the shoulder pad forward and below the camera. Helps in shifting the centre of gravity so its not too front heavy.

Sony's CLM-V55 monitor: The image doesn't fill up the screen during recording. So is not very helpful in focusing.
 
How much time do you have to put this all together and get familiar to its operation?
Click to expand...

I have one month to complete the shopping for Fs-100.

I would suggest that in terms of a rig, go to a store and try some,

for the monitor I would consider TVLogic or SmallHD with a higher resolution than those you are considering
Click to expand...

Thank you for suggestions, I was trying to find an nice monitor at bhphotovideo. I didn't this brands. They seems much better than other ones. I couldn't find an online seller for Tvlogic but I will check their prices on resellers at weekdays.
If you are carrying it on your shoulder, consider getting a Zacuto QR plate for the Zacuto kit so you can shift the shoulder pad forward and below the camera. Helps in shifting the centre of gravity so its not too front heavy.
Click to expand...
I think camera will arrive at monday or tuesday. I am in Chicago than I can stop at Zacuto and try with zacuto qr.

I will get variable nd filters but do you have suggestions for matte box?
 
I bought zacuto fs100 kit with qrplate and tvlogic 5.6 monitor. That is a great monitor. As soon as battery plate arrives for monitor I can try the rig. I decided not to buy a matte box, (it doesn't work with zoom slr lenses).
 
Regarding rigs, I have bought from almost every rig player out there. Zac, gini, vate, letu, rock, jag and the best by a far margin is Berkey System in terms of cost, quality, usefulness, looks, design, and is extremely lightweight but strong. You will not find better customer service too. If i could get my money back from all those other players I'd do it in a second. I do not work for Berkey just a relieved customer in that I finally found a company that gets it. Here are some rigs that i use handheld, shoulder, and tripod. I know these may not work for everyone but the beauty of the Berkey stuff is you can create your own without breaking the bank. I can add weight to the back, attach an EVF and recorder with the Berkey stuff too, it just may not be shown in these images.

http://www.berkeysystem.com/

dsc00247wat.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]


dsc00249hw.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

dsc00245uq.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

dsc00240n.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

dsc00243l.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
 
Last edited:
Looks good! looking to get one myself.. But which system did you buy from Berkey? The one for fs100 or one of the others (direct link would be highly appreciated)?
 
tscav said:
Looks good! looking to get one myself.. But which system did you buy from Berkey? The one for fs100 or one of the others (direct link would be highly appreciated)?
Click to expand...

I started with a baseplate for tripod , mattebox use:

http://www.berkeysystem.com/store/c...ad-baseplate-assy-w-2-risers-and-cross-block/

And the topplate for handheld and accessories attachments:

http://www.berkeysystem.com/store/s...-nex-fs-100-top-mount-accessory-cheese-plate/

With those two you can build what you need with their other parts. If you're not sure what will work for you they are very helpful if you need guidance.
 
Last edited:
Mico, can you give me the list of the parts that you used for top handle and right handle. I already bought top plate from Berkey. I am planning to buy at least right handle.
 
mico, what about your red foam in eyecup, is universal? can I attach in DP4 EVF? and, a question, Im planning to purchase O grips from O connor (pricey!!)...but, Im watching your handgrips from Berkey and they appears shorter than images on its site, maybe they have different sizes or lengths? A lot of questions, sorry...Im finding right grip for F3 and future gear.
 
finaleditor said:
Mico, can you give me the list of the parts that you used for top handle and right handle. I already bought top plate from Berkey. I am planning to buy at least right handle.
Click to expand...

The Berkey Systems top handle for use with Berkey's top plate parts list is:

One flange mount 1/2-13 with counter bored mounting. (this you mount where you want on your Berkey top plate)

One 6 inch threaded 15mm rod

One 3 inch rod extension

One corner block (Berkey modified this for me. Even though the single allen screw of the corner block holds the rods extremely tight and has never loosened I needed more mental security than one allen screw holding the the rods together. They put two tapped very small allen screws on the side of the corner block and cut a groove in the rod extension for the screws to dig into for my asked for added security) So even if the allen screw loosens nothing falls because you have 3 screws holding the rods together.

The 3 inch rod extension screws into the flange mount. The Sony top handle that came with the camera broke the first week I had it. I didn't like it anyway. The thing about this handle is that its adjustable in all directions. It safe and strong. The rods slide back and forth so you can adjust for any front or back heavy load. You can set the handle in a side to side position instead of front to back.You can make it as large as you like by getting longer rods. This configuration is for my need to be low profile . You can also attach hand grips, as you can see in the pic, which were also modified by Berkey. They are smaller 3 inch ones.

The side right hand grip parts are :

One Accessory Mounting block , 1/4 inch counter bored with knob

One Threaded 15mm 3 inch rod

One modified (to 3 inches) handgrip
 
Last edited:
arturrito said:
mico, what about your red foam in eyecup, is universal? can I attach in DP4 EVF? and, a question, Im planning to purchase O grips from O connor (pricey!!)...but, Im watching your handgrips from Berkey and they appears shorter than images on its site, maybe they have different sizes or lengths? A lot of questions, sorry...Im finding right grip for F3 and future gear.
Click to expand...

The red eyepiece is from bluestar and I think for the DP4 you would need the larger one called the large oval, as I've read that the eyepiece on the dp4 is huge. They also make leather chamois eyepieces the red one is fleece.

http://www.bluestarproducts.ca/

Yes, you noticed right about the handgrips. I asked Berkey if they could make 3 inch grips for me and like the great company they are they did and I love them. The grips fit any 15mm rods.

Here are some pics of my run and gun handheld no shoulder support rig that uses those 3 inch handgrips. Its as low profile as I could get the camera and still control and steady it. In the previous pictures I posted you can see in some shots a right angle rod configuration that is attached from the underside of the camera that runs along the side of the lens. This rod sits on my wrist supporting the camera weight on the left side if I need to have my hand on lens and manually focus like in this pic:

dsc00272o.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]


The camera is so light this way I have never gotten fatigued. Here are the pics but without the underside wrist support.

dsc00257j.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]


dsc00259qk.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

dsc00260zn.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]


dsc00264ws.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]


dsc00263yq.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

dsc00262wl.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
 
Last edited:
And just for the hell of it because I love to come up with new low profile rigs with the Berkey stuff. I made a lightweight atatchment rig if I want some shoulder support without having to take too much time to attach it and that won't take up hardly any space in a transport bag. This is the offset version for use without an external EVF but you can adjust the setup and make the rod run down the center of the camera for use with an EVF that is rigged off to the side of the camera.

Probably can fit the camera and all the pieces in a paper sandwich bag. It is fully adjustable in any direction. It works surprisingly well and if you use small primes or sony e lenses it won't become too front heavy. Believe it or not the rod on your shoulder as the support rest is comfortable because the camera is so light. The shoulder rod can be made any length and dissembled so it doesn't take up alot of room because its made up of threaded rods of different lengths. I also like the grips close to my body for less arm fatigue but I also have made a hand grip setup that is able to be extended wider and further away from my body as much as I want.


dsc00267jg.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

dsc00268tn.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
 
Last edited:
How did you attach to right handle instead of original handle with start/stop button. I tried to attach a different handle but, It is keep loosening when I carry from handle because weight of the camera (I rigged too heavily). I decided to attach to top right side of berkey's top plate.
 
finaleditor said:
How did you attach to right handle instead of original handle with start/stop button. I tried to attach a different handle but, It is keep loosening when I carry from handle because weight of the camera (I rigged too heavily). I decided to attach to top right side of berkey's top plate.
Click to expand...

1/4" Accessory block must be counter bored model. Very solid, as you can crank down as much as you want. If you use the tapped accessory block model it will never get tight enough because of the threads.
 
Thank you Mico, Berkey Systems helped a lot. Now my rig is much more balanced. We tried something different with berkey because I had some parts from zacuto. We used their top plate, cross clamp and ultra light rail block with my zacuto handles. But you can use berkey's one too.
















 
Thats why I like this camera design more than any other. Build what you want and aren't locked in to anything. I just don't understand some negative comments about the design. Its a building block for any situation. Like I said in a previous post i can make a shoulder rig that can fit into a sandwich paper bag when traveling if room to pack is scarce.

The only thing I would have changed is I would have put the hinge of the lcd on the back of the camera near where the on off switch is. You could then have the ability to flip it or tilt it so it faces down while the camera is higher than your head so you can view it.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top