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

Anyone using a simple cheap setup? I want to be able to do handheld, but in stints, I don't need the most comfortable rig ever ... I really like this guy's setup minus the 'cage' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dlX9wtR6YI
So I guess I'm asking if anyone is doing a rails + shoulder pad setup with a couple of arms for 7Q and handles?

here is a link of a nice camtree rig like what the thread is about, but for the fs100 - so I was also wondering if those bodies are the same and thus inter-changeable in terms of these cheap rigs...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xfkiQ0MNOQ
 
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I haven't had the patients to go through this entire thread...but I would say buyer beware with the Indian knock off stuff and half dozen or so company names they operate under.

I bought the same "Camtree" FS700 rig and after using it (or what's left of it) for about a year and half I can say with confidence that Is for the most part junk. The actual cage isn't bad but everything else from the rails, base plate, hand grips, tightening knobs, follow focus, shoulder pad etc etc has a lot to be desired and I've had to replace.

The build quality just isn't there and if there ever was an example of "getting what you pay for"...this would be it. The money I've spent replacing the individual parts is probably equal to the original purchase...so my brilliant decision to cut corners has actually cost me nearly double in the long run.

Just fyi...
 
I did some quick test with the Movofilms/Camtree cage... It gets VERY front heavy when using the 7Q in front powered by battery... I guess the only option would be to get a v-lock battery in the back as a counter weight and to power the 7Q...
 
thirdyearff said:
I haven't had the patients to go through this entire thread...but I would say buyer beware with the Indian knock off stuff and half dozen or so company names they operate under.

I bought the same "Camtree" FS700 rig and after using it (or what's left of it) for about a year and half I can say with confidence that Is for the most part junk. The actual cage isn't bad but everything else from the rails, base plate, hand grips, tightening knobs, follow focus, shoulder pad etc etc has a lot to be desired and I've had to replace.

The build quality just isn't there and if there ever was an example of "getting what you pay for"...this would be it. The money I've spent replacing the individual parts is probably equal to the original purchase...so my brilliant decision to cut corners has actually cost me nearly double in the long run.

Just fyi...
Click to expand...

Yep. I probably posted in this thread a while back, but i've definitely learned to steer clear of this company. The rig was just no good. Heavy, terrible materials. Really, you can buy a Manfrotto baseplate, and some Small Rig rods, handles, etc. Piece it together yourself pretty easily. Much sturdier and more comfortable that way. Anyway, this thread brought flashbacks of my Camtree disappointment, thought i'd chime in again.
 
ChadN said:
Yep. I probably posted in this thread a while back, but i've definitely learned to steer clear of this company. The rig was just no good. Heavy, terrible materials. Really, you can buy a Manfrotto baseplate, and some Small Rig rods, handles, etc. Piece it together yourself pretty easily. Much sturdier and more comfortable that way. Anyway, this thread brought flashbacks of my Camtree disappointment, thought i'd chime in again.
Click to expand...


Did you ever 'build' your own rig? I'm not opposed to doing that - I'd go with a baseplate/shoulder combo that support (if there is one) and get some rails.

I saw a couple of dudes in toronto a few months ago shooting with red's, I could only ask a quick question and found out they were using ultralight control systems arms to hold their monitors... since that's the same issue with the fs700 +7Q , I thought that would be a good solution because it looks VERY sturdy.

So if I were to build one like you're suggesting - do you think I could do it for under $500 ? and if anyone has done this, how do you tackle the whole length/counter-balance issue...?
 
I'll address the length/counter balance issue, I know there will be varying opinions on this so your mileage may vary.

In regards to a shoulder rig set up...like a lot of people, my original idea was to use the 7q as my "view finder" and I tried every which way possible to mount it to the front half of the camera, to the rig, rails etc and it just doesn't work, It adds to much weight to the front end and if trying to use it as a view finder, also throws it off left to right. It may not seem like a lot of added weight but it is...even if using a tap to power it, especially if you need to have it on you shoulder all day. In order for it to balance in that kind of configuration, you'll need some pretty serious counter weight.

The only solution I've found, and it's not great, is to undersling the 7q to the rails behind my counter weight on the back. I use a Letus Cinema Series shoulder pad along with their flat 3lb counter weight and the 7q sits right behind it...between the two it counter balances the rig about perfectly and I can run and gun all day. So in that regard it's a nice solution...however, the 7q is now behind you. Clients actually like it because they can follow along behind me and see what i'm shooting...but i'm not a big fan of it, but I make it work.

Moral of the story...I'm not sure there is a perfect shoulder rig solution to balance ANY camera with a 7q. I really like it (7q), but it's an added pain in the ass. There is a lot to be said for internal 4K, 2K Prores recording capabilities but since I don't have that option (yet)...I make it work!
 
Having the 7Q in the back is a bit of a waste as it's nice to be able to see that expensive monitor ;)

Personally I'm no fan of hand held things, and certainly don't need to be able to use it all day on my shoulder. Just need it to be workable for some little stretches of time now and then...

The Camtree/Movofilms cage seems to be decent quality enough to me (didn't get full rig). There's some screws that are just retardedly placed and some you can't tighten in certain situations and the sometimes get in the way of each other. That's a bit of a design fail though ;)
 
Like I said...your mileage may vary.


I didn't buy the 7q for the monitor, already had one of those. I bought it to get away from AVCHD and add some shelf life to the camera...which I has and it's an excellent monitor to boot. I do a fair amount of run and gun doc work so the camera is often on my shoulder and in that case I don't need to see the 7q...that's what the Zacuto viewfinder is for!
 
Thirdyearff, do you have a picture of your setup? I'd like to check it out - I keep popping into stores and actually checked out the camtree or similar for $350 CND and it was a little bit disappointing.
 
This is pic is about a year old and I've since swapped out the left handgrip and baseplate. I don't use a hand grip on the right side, instead, I have an extender and I use the hand grip/rocker that came with the camera so I can start/stop the camera.

It's a pain in the ass to rig it all out but once I do It balances perfect, however it is not light and the form factor is not small...so I need to be aware in tight spaces. It is far from a perfect solution, but it works pretty well and oddly enough is fairly comfortable.
 

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