Can a Cavision Mattebox be mounted on the Micro35 rods?

VizPictures

VizPictures

Active member
Or, can a Micro35 be mounted on the Cavision rods?

I can't manage to figure this out. All the pictures I've seen show rodless matteboxes.

I've seen this question asked in an archived thread but never saw the answer.
Ok, the rods diameter is 15mm and the spacing is 60mm center to center which seems to be normalized, but is the vertical distance between the plate and the lens axis the same? Can I just mount the mattebox on the rods with no adjustment?
 
The short answer is yes.

With any component utilizing a mount to 15mm/60mm OC rods, you should expect to be able to adjust both height and offset, where height is x, offset is y and the space from component to component being z.

The Cavision matteboxes have a t-riser that allows only x and z, there is no offset adjustment.

The Cavision rods mount RS15IIM has x, y and z adjustment capability.

The Micro35 appears to have only a z adjustment capability.

This leaves you to do one of two things, purchase a riser and mattebox with as much flexibility as the Cavision system, which is totally compatible with the DVX, Micro35 and Cavision matteboxes, or purchase a model-specific rods system through Red Rock Micro.

e
 
Hey,
I think you're the one who asked that very question a year ago. That might be because you had that mattebox. Do you work with this setup?
Thanks for the info, I feel more confident but I still feel there's some kind of unknow data and adjsutment setup I'll have to figure out if I buy the parts and want to mount the whole thing.
Are the Cavision rods x,y,z adjustment ranges large enough to mount the Micro35 on them?
 
Overland films pretty much hit the mark - although if I understand his xyz coordinates the micro35 rod system has both y and z. We also sell a shim kit that has x adjustments. I hope I am getting this right - Geometry was in high school :)

Our adapter and rod system work with the CAvision matte box. Assuming the mattebox works with their rod system, they both should work together fine.

We do have customers who are using their own rod support system
 
Thanks Overland and thanks Brian for your quick replies :)

Ok, so if look at the pictures of the Cavision rods I understand the x,y,z adjustments you refer to:

RS15IIM.jpg
RS15IIMb.jpg

http://www.cavision.com/rods/minidv.htm

That seems to solve the issue of mounting the Micro35 on the Cavision rods.

Now, even though the Cavision rods are made of carbon fiber and seem sturdy, the Redrock rods look stronger and longer and would allow the mounting of long lenses and a mattebox at the end.
So, about mounting the Cavision mattebox on the Redrock rods:

rodsLarge.jpg

http://www.redrockmicro.com/p_wizard_3.htm

Brian, you say "the micro35 rod system has both y and z" and "Our adapter and rod system work with the CAvision matte box". I don't really understand the Y adjustment just looking at the picture. But do you mean that buying your rod system is enough to put the Cavision on it? Is the Y range good enough so that there's nothing else to buy, just the Cavision mattebox with no rods and the Redrock Indie Bundle?
 
Viz

One other thing I noticed is that the CAvision rods look a little on the short side - you probably need at least 12" in front of the camera to fit the adapter, lens, and matte box. Just something to consider.

Regarding xyz coordinates. I am assuming this:

x = height adjustment (which can be handled through shim kit)
y = left-right adjustment (which our rod support plate provides that allows you to adjust the rods so they perfectly align the adapter with your camera left-right orientation) you don't see the 'y' adjustment because it's beneath the plate.
z = front-back adjustment (i.e., sliding on the rods)

Regarding compatibility, I know several people who have used the CAvision matte box with our rods, so that's my first clue they work together :). They did not require the shim kit to get this working.

Brian
 
Ok, I was assuming that Y was the height adjustement, that's why I was getting confused.
Thanks for the detailed info.
As advised I started by first ordering the guide.
 
indifocus7.jpg


Brian,

I really like the look of your rod system - your extra effort in mfg. has really paid off. What do you get for that as a standalone item?

Cavision's stock RS15IIm set-up for the DVX100a is pictured above and comes with 10" x 15mm carbon-fibre rods - they do offer 12 and 18" lengths as well, if memory serves. The follow-focus is Tim Ovel's indiFocus.

e
 
overland - yes, the rod support is beefy! We have folks attaching the adapter, 35mm lens, matte box, and follow focus no problem. Makes for impressive looking rigs.

If I understand your question correctly, our rod support system with 18" machined aluminum rods is $350, and we include the bogen quick-release plate.

We have a discount for the bundled versions which include the rod support system.
 
bvalente said:
We have a discount for the bundled versions which include the rod support system.
Click to expand...

Sorry to ask again (PM'd you) but is there a DVXuser discount on any of the configurations (such as EVS does)?

Thanks.
 
I've been using handgrips without the shoulder pod since I started the Driver X series, which was done almost entirely handheld.

To be honest, I don't like the Cavision shoulder pod much - it's not padded in its current version, and it doesn't line-up to the user's body very well.

The way I shoot now is my hand on the right handgrip / manual zoom and the follow-focus as the second handle. I leave both grips on for when I have to put the camera on the ground so it doesn't tip. I dare say the Cavision handles are nearly as comfortable as Eclair hardwood handles? Yes, I do - those clever and saucy French-Canadians make a damn comfortable handle!

Because the handles rotate on tensioning knobs, they make a very quick built-in shim / wedge plate. The back of the iris rods set on the ground and the handles act as the front risers.

e
 
Heh. Reminds me to do my weekly auction scour for an Aaton handgrip. I badly want one, but the $700 retail sticker just doesn't work for me. I missed one on eBay last summer for like $30. Found it a week after the auction ended! Never stopped shooting myself in the foot! The Cavision looks interesting, tho. Maybe a stop gap solution...
 
Here's a few pics with my Cavision 16:9 hardshade mattebox on my redrock micro M2 rig, on redrock rails:

IMG_8085.jpg

IMG_8084.jpg


YES you can use a Cavision mattebox with the redrock rails. You will need the T-bracket from Cavision (which normally comes included with their rail system, but can be ordered as a separate piece).

-Dana
 
overlandfilms said:
Looks like it might be time for a tripod upgrade there.

:thumbsup:

e
Click to expand...

Probably just a tripod head upgrade :) I admit the head I have doesn't handle the weight as well as I'd like, I'm looking to get at least a 503 head. The tripod is really sturdy and suits my needs perfectly. See below:

IMG_8082.jpg


-Dana
 
Before you get into another column-mounted set-up and friction head, definitely check out the used 3066 heads / sticks on eBay. The 3066 became the 516 recently, though it is little different from a design and fuctionality standpoint.

I bought one of these (used) for the Discovery Channel show and made the investment back in a week of box rentals. Many of the ones on offer come with 100mm bowl set-ups, which is the best upgrade you'll ever treat yourself to as a working camera operator.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bogen-Manfrotto-3066-Professional-Video-Tripod_W0QQitemZ7552850240QQcategoryZ30094QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

e
 
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