FS7: Balancing an FS7 - a year down the line

Are you talking about the plate that sits on top of your tripod to accept the VCT vocas baseplate?

You can buy a cheap one and get away with it. I've not experienced the one you're talking about but after the TSA opened my tripod case and lost mine (grrr) I had the production I was working on reimburse me for one and they got me a cheap https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876,92051677682,&Q=&A=details E image one from BH. It works just as well. The rear screw could probably use a little adjusting to seat completely proper, but it's been doing the job just fine.
 
Thanks - I realize most of the cheap replacements would work (for some time at least, and with some play, sticking release lever etc.), but not liking to cut corners I went with the original Sony VCT-14 :)

Piotr
 
OK guys - I'm extremely pleased to inform those interested that for from-shoulder work, the Vocas baseplate MK ii plus Shape's arm relocator and left handle with wooden grip work like a charm! I was rather nervous, waiting for my Order to arrive - but once I put it all together I am relieved; it's so nice to have both handles (and with grips of similar shape, too - pun unintended :)). Recommended!

Piotr
 
Here's what I did to trick the FS7 into a quasi-ENG camera. Zacuto recoil, Zacuto axis mini viewfinder bracket, Zacuto Z-Finder (much shorter that the Sony finder that comes with the camera) and Shooting Machine replacement for the FS7 control arm. All the Zacuto kit helps get the body of the camera back on your shoulder. I use V-mount camera batteries that help balance the camera weight front to back. The Shooting Machine replacement arm was the last piece of the puzzle that allows the FS7 remote control module to twist approximately 15 degrees. This allows you to tuck your arm tight against your side. While not exactly like the old Betacam days with a universal arm and zoom controller, it's not bad. I can hand hold for much longer than before the modifications and it's much more comfortable.
 
dhart1949 said:
Here's what I did to trick the FS7 into a quasi-ENG camera. Zacuto recoil, Zacuto axis mini viewfinder bracket, Zacuto Z-Finder (much shorter that the Sony finder that comes with the camera) and Shooting Machine replacement for the FS7 control arm. All the Zacuto kit helps get the body of the camera back on your shoulder. I use V-mount camera batteries that help balance the camera weight front to back. The Shooting Machine replacement arm was the last piece of the puzzle that allows the FS7 remote control module to twist approximately 15 degrees. This allows you to tuck your arm tight against your side. While not exactly like the old Betacam days with a universal arm and zoom controller, it's not bad. I can hand hold for much longer than before the modifications and it's much more comfortable.
Click to expand...


No one here believes any of that unless we are presented with photo evidence. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Post a rig-pic!!
 
Thanks Piotr

Thanks Piotr

moldcad said:
OK guys - I'm extremely pleased to inform those interested that for from-shoulder work, the Vocas baseplate MK ii plus Shape's arm relocator and left handle with wooden grip work like a charm! I was rather nervous, waiting for my Order to arrive - but once I put it all together I am relieved; it's so nice to have both handles (and with grips of similar shape, too - pun unintended :)). Recommended

Many thanks I was already waiting for your experience as this is exactely the setup I am heading too. In specific if I will add the 18-110 to my FS7 (when there is some money in my pocket :-(()
Click to expand...
 
Here's how I've got mine set up. I have been thinking of ditching the sony handle and getting a generic wooden handle with ball mount on the left hand side, but still undecided.

This is the sony VCT FS7 - most comfortable shoulder pad I found at NAB before I bought the Camera in 2015. The one design flaw it has is that it's two separate pieces, and held on by 7 tiny screws in addition to the one classic tripod screw. The front rosette block is held on only by four baby screws, and shimmies left to right the tiniest bit, I wish I could weld the front and rear block together but I know I'd get it wrong by a millimeter and it would never line up again. Oh well. I don't remove the baseplate too often, but sometimes I like to. I need replacement screws to mount it as they are not holding up to removal and reinstallation well. Anybody have any ideas how to get them? hail mary, I know...

The REDROCK micro 15mm VF mount has been a lifesaver, having both axis adjustable instead of just the singular knob for both axis as provided by sony is way more ideal. I highly recommend this easy little upgrade.

The rods need to be swapped out for carbon fiber - that's on my short list, These are not the original rods that came with the camera. I rented my gear to a friend one day and he returned it with different rods, that's what I get I suppose. But these are good for bigger longer lenses so it's not the words. I leave the universal cover on the lens donut section loose so that it spins with the focus wheel on my 24-105, provides a TINY bit of resistance, which is nice for DSLR lenses. I don't often use filters with this lens, but I prefer shooting with the rods/mattebox as it gives my left hand somewhere to hold onto and keep my rig steadier.

Lastly, the wonderful little sony doodad that I mount wireless video, wireless mics, any accessory really, that came included with the camera. What a great little thing.


That's my very "OEM" build of my fs7 rig. Love to see others, icarusfilm's new rig with the 18-55 is where I got my inspiration for the wooden handle/ball setup up front, I think that and some carbon rods will be in my future. Love this camera though. It stays build exactly as is in my camera bag, an ENG portabrace bag. I loosen the VF and turn in sideways towards the body of the camera. It's been really good to me and really quick to pull out of the bag, slap a battery on and some cards in - good to go.


rig2 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

rig1 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
 
Yep - the Sony's own plate looks nice, the shoulderpad in particular... But it's a tad higher CoG than witht he Vocas Mk2, plus i wonder if the shoulderpad is usable when the operator's wearing a really puffy arctic jacket :) And, for the price of the Sony plate I've just got the Vocas plate, plus 2 excellent Shape arms...

So here is my current rig's pic (sorry for the quality). It all makes up for a superbly balanced and stiff package; the plate is bolted to the camera with as many as 5 screws, plus the one in the Vocas lens support made especially for the 28-135mm kit lens (pity the lens supporting foot doesn't leave room for an FF, though). One the shoulder, even with the XDCA/battery/Shogun as depicted it's almost perfectly balanced even with the 28-135, even better with any of my Canon zooms w/SB. And those Shape handles - joy to use! When I need to pick the rig from the tripod quickly, it's just 2 presses of Shape's patented rosette de-coupler and both arms are facing forward... Want to put it back on the tripod? No problem, I can either leave the handles were they were while on the shoulder - or equally easily swing them back so that I can use the control grip with all its buttons....

Of course, with all the recent additions, the rig is quite heavy now so I had to start using it on my Manfrotto 526 head (the 509HD on CF legs was enough for naked camera only). Oh, and before you ask: I went with the original Sony VCT-14; a rig like this deserves it... Rock solid does it feels - it really does.

If only that Sony kit lens was wider and faster .......

Piotr

PS. As depicted, the rig is in a perfectly balanced position on the tripod; see how the shoulder pad is almost atop the tripod head. This means that when put on the shoulder, it will only slightly become front-heavy (after I swing the arms forward) - just enough to get the required stability when supported with both my hands (and I prefer to support some weight rather then pull down on it, you know:)). So the "sliding camera" plates as touted by Zacuto are much over-rated in my books...
 

Attachments

  • rig1.JPG
    rig1.JPG
    152.7 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
Looks good Piotr.

Yes the sony shoulder pad is great, great with jackets, wearing backpacks, all of it. It has a very classic ENG feel to it, wraps around the shoulder nicely, slides back and forth (the actual foam pad does) to allow for different configurations of lenses to balance nicely on the shoulder.
 
This is pretty much the heaviest the camera gets, but it is balanced really nicely so is not too terrible handheld for short amounts of time. I have taken to pushing for monopods in most cases when appropriate if a producer asks for "handheld."

I have to say, the Zacuto universal baseplate (though a bit heavy) and the Z finder are the two things that really allow proper shoulder placement especially with the Cabrio lens. I have a set of Ergocine grips, but generally use Caleb's modified smart grip and an ergocine ball grip. Love the ball grip with a follow focus, really minimizes shake when moving your left hand from grip to ff. The smart grip is mounted as close to the lens I can get it with an angled ergocine arri rosette rod bridge.

Took a lot of trial and error to get it to this point but man I absolutely love using this camera with this set up.

Oh, when I don't need TC (I don't own an extension unit, I rent it) I use this gold mount adapter. Allows for long life of AB batteries and keeps a bit of weight on the back for balance.

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/hawk-woods_ab-fs7

fs7.jpg
 
I would like shooting that set up. I like weight because it settles/dampens extraneous movement. But not for several hours true.
 
Killick said:
This is pretty much the heaviest the camera gets, but it is balanced really nicely so is not too terrible handheld for short amounts of time. I have taken to pushing for monopods in most cases when appropriate if a producer asks for "handheld."

I have to say, the Zacuto universal baseplate (though a bit heavy) and the Z finder are the two things that really allow proper shoulder placement especially with the Cabrio lens. I have a set of Ergocine grips, but generally use Caleb's modified smart grip and an ergocine ball grip. Love the ball grip with a follow focus, really minimizes shake when moving your left hand from grip to ff. The smart grip is mounted as close to the lens I can get it with an angled ergocine arri rosette rod bridge.

Took a lot of trial and error to get it to this point but man I absolutely love using this camera with this set up.

Oh, when I don't need TC (I don't own an extension unit, I rent it) I use this gold mount adapter. Allows for long life of AB batteries and keeps a bit of weight on the back for balance.

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/hawk-woods_ab-fs7

View attachment 122045
Click to expand...


Questions for you, Ryan- With that Cabrio zoom the thumb-wheel cannot control the iris. Which means you are riding the iris with your left hand, with the same hand that you use on the follow focus. Are you able to reach the iris while your left hand is on the FF? Or are you doing a left-hand dance between the follow focus and the iris? One thing I like about riding focus on the lens directly is that the same hand can simultaneously ride the iris. It seems that the follow focus prevents the left hand from being able to perform both operations simultaneously.

Also, how are you powering the servo on the Cabrio? And is the REC button on the Cabrio functional? Or do you still have to STOP / START via the Sony control grip or on the side of the camera?

Really nice rig, btw.
 
JPNola said:
Questions for you, Ryan- With that Cabrio zoom the thumb-wheel cannot control the iris. Which means you are riding the iris with your left hand, with the same hand that you use on the follow focus. Are you able to reach the iris while your left hand is on the FF? Or are you doing a left-hand dance between the follow focus and the iris? One thing I like about riding focus on the lens directly is that the same hand can simultaneously ride the iris. It seems that the follow focus prevents the left hand from being able to perform both operations simultaneously.

Also, how are you powering the servo on the Cabrio? And is the REC button on the Cabrio functional? Or do you still have to STOP / START via the Sony control grip or on the side of the camera?

Really nice rig, btw.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am moving my hand between the FF and iris, you can't adjust both without moving your hand w this setup. I generally remove the servo for this particular setup and also control zoom manually with my left hand. Start/stop is controlled by the Sony smart grip.

However, one of my colleagues (I shoot the show Full Frontal and this is the rig we use) keeps the fuji servo on, and operates the camera just like an ENG cam with no grips - right hand on the servo and left hand operating focus/iris on the barrel (you can power the servo with the D-tap outputs from the AB adapter this way). I've yet to try that, but for people looking to get as close to ENG as possible that is probably the best option.

Hope that info is helpful.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top