Canon 7D minimalist kit

A

Arielv13

Member
I just got a Canon 7D. Primarily I use it for on set stills (VFX), but I would like to use it to shoot some B roll and will undoubtedly use it for visual effects elements. My current lens kit is the Canon 16-35mm, 24-70mm, 50 1.8, 15mm fisheye, and the 100 macro. I have a RRS quick release plate mounted for my tripod.

What would you recommend as a minimalist but effective / pro video kit to augment my stills set up. Speed of use and set is extremely important. Space / size is also critical for me. After playing with the system, I find pulling focus to be extremely difficult. Mind you, I do not have any viewfinders attached as of yet. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Ariel
 
id prolly go for glidecam, slider, a long zoom, and probably a shoulder rig of some sort.

I made my slider DIY using 8020 parts for like $70, my glidecam was about $100 on ebay, and shoulder rig just under $200 to give you an idea of prices, of course you can spend much more as well if you arent worried about cost
 
Take a look at some redrock Product, they were actually doing some tests and will be making a sort of plate just like you're really right stuff mount. You also can mount the RRS quick release unit to any of the rigs on that site with an extra piece for quick changes from handheld to tripod.

http://store.redrockmicro.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.1789/.f

Depending on how small you want to be, there are a bunch of different rigs, i would suggest the eyespy as it brings the camera right up to your eye so with a veiwfinder you will be able to see the screen perfectly, and also keep a hand on the follow focus so you can pull accurate focus.

If you want something smaller than take a look at theEvent, which though it's not pictured, you can add a follow focus to it to make it a chest braced eyeSpy. Again though, I would suggest an eyeSpy because if you buy it, and spend about $300 more, you can build every DSLR rig below it; Captain Stubling, theEvent, and UltraPort.
 
Thanks for the info. The Event does sound like a good idea. Do I need a Zacuto eyepiece or something like it. My old eyes are having a hard time getting critical focus on the LCD screen. Or is there a setting I can use to aid my focusing.
 
Arielv13 said:
Thanks for the info. The Event does sound like a good idea. Do I need a Zacuto eyepiece or something like it. My old eyes are having a hard time getting critical focus on the LCD screen. Or is there a setting I can use to aid my focusing.
Click to expand...

you could probably pick up some sort of external HD monitor for pretty cheep and hook it up to the 7d, if you are mostly shooting on set there isn't really a need for something like a z-finder or loupe. Have you tried using some sort of follow focus or did i read that you had tried it in the OP. A mattebox might be useful for using filters too. And like the above said, a shoulder rig and glider might be nice
 
Arielv13 said:
Thanks for the info. The Event does sound like a good idea. Do I need a Zacuto eyepiece or something like it. My old eyes are having a hard time getting critical focus on the LCD screen. Or is there a setting I can use to aid my focusing.
Click to expand...

A viewfinder like the Z-Finder is still a good idea though because of it's magnification. I like the LCDVF (http://www.evsonline.com/vlcd-vf-viewfinder.html) which is only $160, but does not have any diopter so if you wear glasses than the Zacuto (that does have a diopter) is the best. Its also just another contact point to your body to keep it stable.
 
I would say, don't buy anything until you see what you need by shooting with it first. I spent thousands of dollars on things I thought I would need to shoot the feature I'm shooting now and did not use half of the gear I bought. So I sold most of it.

I would say minimal, a Z-finder or LCDVF, a few nice lenses, (tokina 11-16 for sure) and a tripod, you should be good. A glidecam is always good to have to have as well.
 
Arielv13 said:
I have a RRS quick release plate mounted for my tripod.

Ariel
Click to expand...

I got my hands of a photo of the Real Right Stuff configuration with the new microClamp:
attachment.php


With this mount you can mount your RRS onto any set of rods
 
If you are attaching a mic, wireless receiver, audio recorder, etc. to your camera and don't go the cage route check out my J-Cube bracket. It will allow you to mount 3 accessories on an HDSLR in a compact well balanced package.

T_X8Q3966.jpg
 
Arielv13 said:
Do I need a Zacuto eyepiece or something like it. My old eyes are having a hard time getting critical focus on the LCD screen. Or is there a setting I can use to aid my focusing.
Click to expand...

one other viewfinder option worth looking at is the Hoodman Cinema Pro Kit. The loupe itself has diopter adjust built in, the 3X eyepiece gives just about the right amount of magnification and critical focus is easy for me.

The loupe is mounted in a "crane" that slides into the hotshoe on the camera, once adjusted to your LCD mounting and unmounting takes less than 5 seconds. I also use mine on a T2i and a 60D in addition to the 7D. Swapping from one camera to another requires a little readjustment of position over the LCD but this rarely takes me over 20 to 30 seconds.
 
To answer your question, minimal kit I would go for is
1) 17-55 f2.8 IS Canon lens
2) Fader ND
3) 1 fast lens like Canon 28mm 1.8 or Sigma 30mm 1.4
4) Zacuto Zfinder
5) photography backpack to carry it all
6) memory cards
7) batteries

This is my new current minimal kit I use to travel.
 
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