Canon 1D - shoulder mount & Follow Focus?

S

SPORKproductions

New member
Quick question. I just got my Canon 1D Mark IV and have been searching for a good shoulder mount/follow focus unit.

The problem is it's larger than the 5d & 7D so all the DSLR units need to be customized and I'm not much for handiwork. The folks at Cavision can do a full unit with shoulder mount, rods, follow focus, view finder and hand grips for $971 which seems like the best deal so far.

Just wondering if anyone here has experience with the Cavision units to share or if you have suggestions for other ones.

Thanks for the help.
 
Redrock makes the eyespy deluxe bundle that will work with the 1D Mark IV (or other cameras with battery grips) if you choose the option of the microlink4 - straight next to the add to cart button.

I have the v2 follow focus and it's very nice for the price. Super durable, it has a quick release rod mount, and the 3d marking ring is pretty sweet. You can check out a fun little video and write up I did on some redrock stuff I just got here: http://www.vimeo.com/8314547

The shoulder mount has counter balance weights which are nice for our DSLR's since it makes everything so front heavy. Getting a shoulder mount that positions the camera more in front of you like the redrock eyespy coupled with a loupe is pretty ideal for shoulder shooting.
 
Be careful, most manufacturers shoulder kits are not fully optimised for the 1DmkIV yet. I have a Redrock eyespy and it becomes too tall for a regular non-height adjustable Mattebox when using the 1DmkIV. The same is true for most other manufacturers too. I would wait until there are more 1DmkIV specific kits around.

The ideal placing for 1DmkIV cameras on rails is actually having the body below the level of the rails. You can see what I mean from the still here http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/2010...-getting-wide-and-fast-on-a-canon-eos-1dmkiv/

Dan
 
Thanks! That's a novel way to do it and much more intelligent.


pressphotographer said:
Be careful, most manufacturers shoulder kits are not fully optimised for the 1DmkIV yet. I have a Redrock eyespy and it becomes too tall for a regular non-height adjustable Mattebox when using the 1DmkIV. The same is true for most other manufacturers too. I would wait until there are more 1DmkIV specific kits around.

The ideal placing for 1DmkIV cameras on rails is actually having the body below the level of the rails. You can see what I mean from the still here http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/2010...-getting-wide-and-fast-on-a-canon-eos-1dmkiv/

Dan
Click to expand...
 
pressphotographer said:
Be careful, most manufacturers shoulder kits are not fully optimised for the 1DmkIV yet. I have a Redrock eyespy and it becomes too tall for a regular non-height adjustable Mattebox when using the 1DmkIV. The same is true for most other manufacturers too. I would wait until there are more 1DmkIV specific kits around.

The ideal placing for 1DmkIV cameras on rails is actually having the body below the level of the rails. You can see what I mean from the still here http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/2010...-getting-wide-and-fast-on-a-canon-eos-1dmkiv/

Dan
Click to expand...

Dan, that sounds like a problem with the non-adjustable matte box, not the shoulder mount. Redrock (I'm sure zacuto and other companies have this too) has a riser/lowering solution for a follow focus and/or matte box that have issues with cameras with battery grips or odd height. The microriser with 4" rods would fix it.
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.1212/.f?sc=2&category=2700

The redrock matte box is adjustable and it can swing away, which works for what I shoot, but everyones shooting needs are different.
 
Hey guys,

I have a Redrock set-up that includes a follow focus and a matte box. We can use it on a tripod or as a shoulder/hand held rig (usually without the matte box) . I had a 5D Mark II briefly, and this set-up worked fine. BUT, I have sold the 5D and now own the Canon 1D Mark IV.

It dawned on me after I did this that maybe my Redrock set-up wouldn't work because of the 1D's battery pack on the bottom of the camera. So, I contacted Redrock Micro and they told me "no problem", I just need to buy a micro riser and two 4" rods- $250.

What I want all 1D Mark IV owners (and future owners) to know is, that this set-up ONLY works (barely) on long lenses (it's a snug fit). IF, you are using 50mm or 30mm Primes (any shorter lens), like we are mostly, this set-up DOES NOT FIT. Not, at all. You cannot use the matter box or the follow focus. The battery compartment on the bottom of the camera sticks out too far on the front of the camera.

Of course, this camera design is not Redrock Micro's fault, but I wish they had told me that most of my lenses will not work with this set-up anymore.

Now, let me be clear... the Redrock Micro stuff works just fine with 5D's and 7D's... but if you need a Matte Box and Follow Focus for a 1D Mark IV, you'll have to go with another brand.
 
kilrrobot said:
Hey guys,

I have a Redrock set-up that includes a follow focus and a matte box. We can use it on a tripod or as a shoulder/hand held rig (usually without the matte box) . I had a 5D Mark II briefly, and this set-up worked fine. BUT, I have sold the 5D and now own the Canon 1D Mark IV.

It dawned on me after I did this that maybe my Redrock set-up wouldn't work because of the 1D's battery pack on the bottom of the camera. So, I contacted Redrock Micro and they told me "no problem", I just need to buy a micro riser and two 4" rods- $250.

What I want all 1D Mark IV owners (and future owners) to know is, that this set-up ONLY works (barely) on long lenses (it's a snug fit). IF, you are using 50mm or 30mm Primes (any shorter lens), like we are mostly, this set-up DOES NOT FIT. Not, at all. You cannot use the matter box or the follow focus. The battery compartment on the bottom of the camera sticks out too far on the front of the camera.

Of course, this camera design is not Redrock Micro's fault, but I wish they had told me that most of my lenses will not work with this set-up anymore.

Now, let me be clear... the Redrock Micro stuff works just fine with 5D's and 7D's... but if you need a Matte Box and Follow Focus for a 1D Mark IV, you'll have to go with another brand.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say you can't use the matte box or follow focus with the 1D Mark IV, but it is entirely dependent on your lens selection and whether or not you want to reverse the follow focus or gear box and use a riser.

With that being said, what lenses are you using that have the focus barrel too close to the body of the camera? Please be specific.

Thanks!
 
I like the Camera on the rails - means plopping on the tripod is a rigid conection - no flexible risers for the camera

therefore I have created a cage that would work for any camera height by adjusting the upright rods on the 'cheese bars'

MB and or FF would hang off the top if they didnt match the bottom

And the rig stays in use when next years great news DSLR hits the streets

2.jpg


Other makers gear could be configured in such a manner
 
SPORKproductions said:
Just wondering if anyone here has experience with the Cavision units to share or if you have suggestions for other ones.
Click to expand...

I've been using a Redrock Micro baseplate with Cavision handgrips and shoulder pad for a few years with my HVX200 and I love it. I recently reworked that same rig to mount my 5D on and so far it seems very functional with the addition of a few brackets to mount a small preamp/mixer to.

I really like a lot (not all) of the Cavision stuff, and Redrock stuff, but I really do not like the design of the Redrock DSLR rigs, or actually most DSLR rigs in general. One big issue with mounting the DSLR's is the narrow base of the camera. When using a follow focus with an older manual focus lens, there's enough up and down force from working the focus to actually shift the camera up and down. I'm putting a top handle on mine that will have a bracket connecting the back end of the handle to the rear section to stabilize the camera.

This might be helpful: http://www.cinema5d.com/news/?p=1474

.
 
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natxbrotha said:
I wouldn't say you can't use the matte box or follow focus with the 1D Mark IV, but it is entirely dependent on your lens selection and whether or not you want to reverse the follow focus or gear box and use a riser.

With that being said, what lenses are you using that have the focus barrel too close to the body of the camera? Please be specific.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The main lens we use is a Canon 50mm 1.4. And, yes you could reverse the follow focus, but then you have it on the right side, which won't work in a shoulder set-up. It would be very awkward to have to shoot with the rig on the left shoulder. And with the reversed follow focus you can't use the Matte Box at all on any shorter lens.

All I'm saying is Redrock Micro and other manufactures should have let their customers know that some of their systems do not work on the 1D MKIV very well at all.

When I contacted Redrock Micro and told them that I had the 1D MKIV, they could have just said they could try and help me with an additional $250 dollars worth of parts, but it wasn't going to be a great fix. And I could have known the risks. It's not their fault that the MKIV has the body design that it does, but I do feel it's their job to know these pitfalls and warn their customers.

And, Redrock Micro may still come out with a great solution for this camera. But, I'm just warning potential buyers that you will be disappointed with the current follow focus and Matte Box set-up. Which, I believe, is a set-up that a lot of shooters are wanting.

I hope this helps?!
 
Mff-1

Mff-1

Try the ARRI MFF-1.

This can reverse by simply spinning over the FF. With the narrower barreled lens you could use a larger drive gear (64 teeth) ?
 
Hi Folks

pressphotographer said:
Be careful, most manufacturers shoulder kits are not fully optimised for the 1DmkIV yet. I have a Redrock eyespy and it becomes too tall for a regular non-height adjustable Mattebox when using the 1DmkIV. The same is true for most other manufacturers too. I would wait until there are more 1DmkIV specific kits around.
Click to expand...



Dan

We have a couple different ways we directly support the 1D MKIV, particularly with the eyeSpy. First, we have the microLink Flat option which puts the camera at the correct eye height for viewfinder use. Second, we have two ways to use a ff or mattebox. 1. you can use the microRiser to raise the front rails - it is designed for exactly this purpose and it's pretty similar to what you showed on your page. 2. you can use the soon-to-be-released microShoeMount to run top rails for the follow focus and it could even support the mattebox.

I don't know if you've seen the microRiser yet.


When I contacted Redrock Micro and told them that I had the 1D MKIV, they could have just said they could try and help me with an additional $250 dollars worth of parts, but it wasn't going to be a great fix.
Click to expand...


I'm not sure what you mean by "they could have just said they could try and help me..."?? I agree the 1D MKIV is not a great design for rig setups, but the microRiser is a solid solution that works. And it's a fraction of the price of something like a z-riser. As I mentioned above the microHotShoe top rail system is also a forthcoming different option, originally conceived for the wireless remote motors, but works equally well for ff, etc. http://www.flickr.com/photos/redrockmicro/4330528014/ (just the ff on the top rails idea here in this picture)

One big issue with mounting the DSLR's is the narrow base of the camera. When using a follow focus with an older manual focus lens, there's enough up and down force from working the focus to actually shift the camera up and down.
Click to expand...

I have a feeling you'll really like one of our upcoming DSLR v3 parts Chris
 
kilrrobot said:
The main lens we use is a Canon 50mm 1.4. And, yes you could reverse the follow focus, but then you have it on the right side, which won't work in a shoulder set-up. It would be very awkward to have to shoot with the rig on the left shoulder. And with the reversed follow focus you can't use the Matte Box at all on any shorter lens.
Click to expand...

If you didn't want to put the follow focus on the right side of the rig you can actually take the 2 screws out of the gear box on the follow focus and physically flip the gear box and not the whole unit. This keeps the follow focus on the same side so you don't have to feel weird pulling with your right hand. They also have a reverse indicator arm to accomodate the flipped gear box... I just found this the other day: http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.628/.f?sc=2&category=2572
 
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