C300: C300 Mark II Top Handle Solution

Eric Coughlin

Eric Coughlin

Veteran
So what are you all doing about the top handle on your C300 Mark II?

Are you using it without the handle, using it with the handle and fitting it into a large case, taking it off with the Allen wrench each time you put it in a smaller case, buying a third party top handle that is easily removable, etc.?

I'm thinking of getting the Zacuto setup. I know there were other options for the C300 Mark I, but are there other options out yet for the C300 Mark II?

Another option is to contact Canon and try to get the top handle from the C300 Mark I to use on the C300 Mark II. Probably cheaper than getting the Zacuto. I'm also concerned that the Zacuto option will add a good amount of weight which I don't necessarily want.
 
I didn't even put the stock handle on, may have left it in the box.

Movcam top handle
wooden camera FS7 extension arm with smallrig 15mm rod/coldshoe clamp
Zacuto VCT-Pro plate
Wooden camera D-box

IMG_0198.jpg
 
Lighter than an Amira!

Haven't weighed it. Not my light weight setup at all! I also have an odyssey 7Q I stick on a noga arm coming off the rods in the back but pop it off when I'm handheld. Most importantly the balance is near perfect!
 
jm.gardiner said:
I didn't even put the stock handle on, may have left it in the box.

Movcam top handle
wooden camera FS7 extension arm with smallrig 15mm rod/coldshoe clamp
Zacuto VCT-Pro plate
Wooden camera D-box
Click to expand...

thank you for sharing these images! but could u plz post a few more detailed images of your Zacuto VCT pro plate, as it seems like you are able to adjust the top plate and move your cam back or forward . i just dont see that on zacuto website. also i dont see that one u showed for sale...

regards
 
I checked it out at Cinegear this summer and reached out to the folks at Zacuto to get an early model. They should start shipping within the next few months. Best balance I've been able to achieve with the C300.


IMG_0872.jpg
IMG_0874.jpg
IMG_0875.jpg
 
thank you for sharing the info and images! it does look like that shoulder plate system is the best solution so far!
1 question: does that red plate it self compatible with some of the tripod heads?
 
Nope. Only slides into the shoulder unit. But the shoulder unit is a standard VCT. It's compatible with my friends Arri vct plate as well.
 
I contacted my dealer a few weeks ago and Zacuto had some leftovers of the VCT Pro from the run they did for Canon and I picked one up for my 300 MKI. I wanted to be able to pull it off the mount quickly when I just needed a light(er) set-up. Apparently the version that will be sold to the general public is going to be a little lighter than this one. There supposed to be drilling more holes in it to lighten it up, but otherwise it's supposed to be exactly the same. One other thing I noticed that I don't believe the current VCT has is the rod mount in the front of the VCT Pro is indexed and it came with the Arri rosettes attached. But they shorted it a set of iris rods(the normal version comes with two sets). It only came with the shorter threaded rods to mount in the back(and they're longer than the ones that come with the regular VCT). I would have rather had another set of iris rods than the rosettes.
 
coutard said:
so your version of the VCT plate is not out yet ?
Click to expand...

Correct. It is the one jm.gardiner has pictured. Zacuto did a special run of these for Canon for a package for the new C300 mkII. I was able to get a "leftover" from that run, but it is supposed to be available within a few months for general sale(with some modifications to lighten it further).
 
Run&Gun said:
Correct. It is the one jm.gardiner has pictured. Zacuto did a special run of these for Canon for a package for the new C300 mkII. I was able to get a "leftover" from that run, but it is supposed to be available within a few months for general sale(with some modifications to lighten it further).
Click to expand...

ok thanks !
 
Hey Jim,

Do you have an image/link to the specific smallrig coldshoe you used to mount your monitor to the FS7 UVF mount?

Thanks!
 
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Thanks.

Do you find it effective? With it being open ended and without any kind of pin hole does the monitor not fall out frequently?
 
@Dinosaurworld,
It's the best option I've found. Since the clamp locks onto the unit and the unit screws tight as well, it's a very strong hold.
 
jm.gardiner said:
I didn't even put the stock handle on, may have left it in the box.

Movcam top handle
wooden camera FS7 extension arm with smallrig 15mm rod/coldshoe clamp
Zacuto VCT-Pro plate
Wooden camera D-box

View attachment 107412
Click to expand...


I keep seeing these slidingZacuto base plates. I am really jealous. I ordered the entire recoil kit for my C300m2 about 2 months ago, and I got the solid plate. Is this a different model??
 
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