Camtree FS700 Rig/Cage - the indian knockoff of the Movcam Rig

Hey Stefan. I almost hate to bring this thread up again, but have you had any troubles with your Camtree FS700 rig?

.... because i ordered one a few days ago. I got the same one as you, but with the added handle bar grips. http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/CAMTREE-HUNT-CH-FS700-RIG1-FS700-Cage-Rig-for-Sony-NEX-FS700.html

I am not a fan of knockoffs, i don't like the idea. But, with the 7Q now added to my FS700, i really needed a rig of some kind to even carry it around. The budget is just gone, the Movcam version is $1400, so i begrudgingly ordered the Camtree. I'm extremely nervous about it!

I can't wait to get the thing in my hands to make sure it doesn't look like it will fall apart. For our use, i don't imagine it will get knocked around much.

I also ordered the Edelkrone Monitor/EVF Holder. Really needed something sturdy, so tried not to cheap out with an arm that will hold the 7Q. https://www.edelkrone.com/us/p/115/monitor-holder

Got a couple of these coming to attach the Edelkrone and mic to the top rails. Didn't want anything on the handle at all. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009A8K0JO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hopefully the Camtree is working for you, Stefan. If not, would love to hear in time to cancel mine! There's some faith in the product, huh. :undecided
 
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except of the cheap anodizing, which tend's to make your hand a little black when filming using the top handle (skateboard line, sweaty hands, 160 tries) i have no issues at all. A sturdy rig IMO.
 
stefanhuberfilms said:
except of the cheap anodizing, which tend's to make your hand a little black when filming using the top handle (skateboard line, sweaty hands, 160 tries) i have no issues at all. A sturdy rig IMO.
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t
Hi Stefan

I am really interested in your camtree rig and I am really curious about it's weight without the camera. Somebody ask you for that… If you could tell us it would be great.:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
I am just a little worried about the bag for carrying the cam with the rig attached… I saw you organized it separately in your bag. I have a petrol PC206 roller bag and I think I could not put everything attached in my bag. So still hesitating but the cost of it is so great.
Do you use a kinotehnic evf like me ? And is it ok with this rig ? Thanks for your answer and sorry for my english (I'm a french guy…:undecided)

Boris.
 
I measured around 3kgs with camera, minus around 1.5kg of the body - sorry i don't want to remove the rig from the camera just to weigh it... I'm leaving the rig attached to the body, unscrewing the rig would be way to time-consuming. I think it is saver to not have any lenses attached to the cam while in the bag. Just the rig is fine though...

I'm not using an EVF at the moment, just a 7" Monitor. Looking to get the Odyssey really soon :)
 
I've got the same one ordered. Though it's been a week and hasn't shipped yet. I tried to Skype with their support and they said it should have gone out last night. (they're on Indian time!)

When i get it, i'll try to weigh it and all that.
 
I just got my Fed Ex tracking number, the Camtree rig should arrive on Monday. I'll post some pics to add to Stefan's here, and weigh it as well. At such a low cost, for some reason i'm bracing myself for the worst. Stefan's impressions are pretty reassuring though.
 
Alright, i got my Camtree FS700 rig in the other day. I haven't had a chance to weigh it. To be honest i'm trying to send it back. I'm guessing it weighs a little more than the Movcam version. The rods seem a bit heavy. Baseplate and all that isn't bad. For being about 35% the price of the Movcam, i could see how you could get away with it. However, i don't trust it. One handle has a little wiggle. Screws are even cheap.

So, i decided to try something different. Decided to skip a dedicated "FS700 Rig" and just keep it inexpensive and simple as possible without getting "cheap" parts.

Manfrotto Sympla base plate - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VN2DT0/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Because i have all Manfrotto quick releases on my Blackbird, Pocket Jib, Slider, Tripod. Now on the shoulder rig. I can either set the shoulder rig on everything else, or just take the camera right off the shoulder rig and set it on anything else. Didn't really want it stuck in a rig all the time.

18" rods to hold the shoulder pad and hand grips. $17 shoulder pad. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENYMQ8I/ref=oh_details_o01_s02_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's twice as large and way more comfortable than the one that came with the Camtree rig (which looked like a kid's toy shoulder pad).

Got these handlebars. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009URWSEK/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Surprisingly good. They seem very solid and well built. Everything i've gotten from Small Rig seems great so far. I also like just having the handle bars on a rod because for now i'm also mounting the 7Q on the same rod.

About as simple as i could make it, just mounted the 7Q on my favorite little head http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-492...400191856&sr=8-3&keywords=manfrotto+mini+head

Can swivel the 7Q all around. Take it off quickly toss it on a light stand with a $5 cold shoe mount on it, whatever.

I tried out the Edelkrone mount for the 7Q but with no screw on the TOP of the 7Q it's just gonna sit too high to look at while on the shoulder. Seems like a really nice mount, just not sure where to use it yet.
I've got the CD battery plate, can't really put a mount back there. Oh well.

Probably a different kind of rig, but i'll never have to unscrew something! The way we shoot is often "get the blackbird!" "toss this on the tripod!" "Let's try that hand held!"

Anyway, that's what i did. Figured i'd post it here in case any one else ran in to some of same problems.

The whole thing cost under $300. Good enough for me to be able to carry the FS700 7Q around with ease and quick release plates on the rig, and camera itself.

Some quick pics. This is NOT the Camtree rig. It's what i decided to piece together for half the price after my Camtree disappointment.

DSC03339.jpgDSC03347.jpgDSC03341.jpgDSC03342.jpgDSC03343.jpgDSC03344.jpg
 
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ChadN said:
I tried out the Edelkrone mount for the 7Q but with no screw on the TOP of the 7Q it's just gonna sit too high to look at while on the shoulder. Seems like a really nice mount, just not sure where to use it yet.
I've got the CD battery plate, can't really put a mount back there. Oh well.
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Nice simple kit.

FYI, the Odyssey7Q can be mounted inverted as it has a monitor flip function enabled on it now. This may place it at a comfortable position on the Edelknone for you.
 
This kit looks perfect for what I have been looking for. The only thing I would like different is the 7Q to be mounted directly on the FS700 so I could pull off the rig quickly for handheld tight shots or ground shots. I have been looking at the Eldekrone option but I fear it does not extend far enough out in front for enough distance from my eyes. Been thinking of just going magic arm....or am I wrong about Eldekrone distance form eyes with the size of 7Q screen? Love how light simple this rig is and that it is not locked into the unit.
 
ashclever said:
This kit looks perfect for what I have been looking for. The only thing I would like different is the 7Q to be mounted directly on the FS700 so I could pull off the rig quickly for handheld tight shots or ground shots. I have been looking at the Eldekrone option but I fear it does not extend far enough out in front for enough distance from my eyes. Been thinking of just going magic arm....or am I wrong about Eldekrone distance form eyes with the size of 7Q screen? Love how light simple this rig is and that it is not locked into the unit.
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Yeah, that's the tough part. I'd rather have the 7Q attached to the camera itself too. With this set up, the 7Q is about 8 inches from my eyes. That's about the closest i'd want it. With the Edelkrone, or anything else that puts the 7Q on the actual camera or top handle, its getting too close for me. I could probably move the shoulder pad back, but i like having the camera at least half on my shoulder to take the weight off my arms some. I'll keep experimenting. A magic arm would work, i tried that out with my cheap one. I don't like how it might unscrew or get lose or hang weird. Could be just me though.

Might try the 7Q upside down, which would work much better with the Edelkrone. Good idea, Mitch
 
If you get a Wooden Camera EVF mount it can extend farther forward than the Edelkrone, but it is also more expensive and would require some additional bit from WC to work. More versatile though.
 
I just gave the Edelkrone another try. It sits a bit high, but I'm going to stick with it, works great. Will post a pic later!
 
With the Edelkrone. This works even better. 7Q sits bit higher than i'd want but not a huge deal. I tried it upside down, but my power cord was hitting the bar. Rather not have it upside down anyway.

DSC03351.jpgDSC03352.jpgDSC03353.jpg


Okay, i'm done. Sorry to post all this in what started out as the Camtree topic. I have talked to them and they said i can return it no problem. Others might enjoy it more.
 
If you need to get the Odyssey7Q a tiny bit further out I would suggest using a Wooden Camera Easy Plate as a small extension piece from the clutch of the EdelKrone to the short part of the L-bracket. You could likely get away with cantilevering it out an inch or maybe even two without over-stressing the clutch. That could make a big difference for you.
 
Mitch Gross said:
If you need to get the Odyssey7Q a tiny bit further out I would suggest using a Wooden Camera Easy Plate as a small extension piece from the clutch of the EdelKrone to the short part of the L-bracket. You could likely get away with cantilevering it out an inch or maybe even two without over-stressing the clutch. That could make a big difference for you.
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Thanks for the suggestion, Mitch. I may check that out down the road if i find it's too close. Right now just testing it out around the house i'm really liking it as is.
 
ChadN said:
Alright, i got my Camtree FS700 rig in the other day. I haven't had a chance to weigh it. To be honest i'm trying to send it back. I'm guessing it weighs a little more than the Movcam version. The rods seem a bit heavy. Baseplate and all that isn't bad. For being about 35% the price of the Movcam, i could see how you could get away with it. However, i don't trust it. One handle has a little wiggle. Screws are even cheap.

So, i decided to try something different. Decided to skip a dedicated "FS700 Rig" and just keep it inexpensive and simple as possible without getting "cheap" parts.

Manfrotto Sympla base plate - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VN2DT0/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Because i have all Manfrotto quick releases on my Blackbird, Pocket Jib, Slider, Tripod. Now on the shoulder rig. I can either set the shoulder rig on everything else, or just take the camera right off the shoulder rig and set it on anything else. Didn't really want it stuck in a rig all the time.

18" rods to hold the shoulder pad and hand grips. $17 shoulder pad. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENYMQ8I/ref=oh_details_o01_s02_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's twice as large and way more comfortable than the one that came with the Camtree rig (which looked like a kid's toy shoulder pad).

Got these handlebars. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009URWSEK/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Surprisingly good. They seem very solid and well built. Everything i've gotten from Small Rig seems great so far. I also like just having the handle bars on a rod because for now i'm also mounting the 7Q on the same rod.

About as simple as i could make it, just mounted the 7Q on my favorite little head http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-492...400191856&sr=8-3&keywords=manfrotto+mini+head

Can swivel the 7Q all around. Take it off quickly toss it on a light stand with a $5 cold shoe mount on it, whatever.

I tried out the Edelkrone mount for the 7Q but with no screw on the TOP of the 7Q it's just gonna sit too high to look at while on the shoulder. Seems like a really nice mount, just not sure where to use it yet.
I've got the CD battery plate, can't really put a mount back there. Oh well.

Probably a different kind of rig, but i'll never have to unscrew something! The way we shoot is often "get the blackbird!" "toss this on the tripod!" "Let's try that hand held!"

Anyway, that's what i did. Figured i'd post it here in case any one else ran in to some of same problems.

The whole thing cost under $300. Good enough for me to be able to carry the FS700 7Q around with ease and quick release plates on the rig, and camera itself.

Some quick pics. This is NOT the Camtree rig. It's what i decided to piece together for half the price after my Camtree disappointment.

View attachment 86443View attachment 86444View attachment 86445View attachment 86446View attachment 86447View attachment 86448
Click to expand...

What's that grip you have on the O7Q? the one going into the Manfrotto Ball head?
 
Stefan,
The bottom of the Movcam rig has been machined so it will take a dovetail plate, which Movcam sells. Is yours machined the same way? Thanks.
Jim
 
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