CPM Camera Rigs
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Soon to change, we are working on a wide body DSLR specific cage that will be added to the current lot of three sizes. Hope to have some proto types done next week.
Steve
Carbon Cage Struts With Threaded Inserts
- Thread starter CPM Camera Rigs
- Start date
Soon to change, we are working on a wide body DSLR specific cage that will be added to the current lot of three sizes. Hope to have some proto types done next week.
Steve
steve witt
Member
The wider frames sound great Steve!
CPM Camera Rigs
DVXuser Sponsor
Shoulder pads ready
Shoulder pads ready
Shoulder pads are molded and shipping out today for all those that ordered shoulder kits these a going at no charge. All shoulder kits ordered going forward will obviously have the pad included in the package. I will also post the part as an individual item on the web site for those that wish to purchase just the pad unit.
On a related note the knob mold is finishing tonight. I hope to start mold trials tomorow. The next mold in line is the QR plate as well as the Counter weight mold, I hope to have those complete in 2-3 weeks. In design is the offset bracket and a battery clip for attaching the Tekkeon line of mypower portable batteries to the rails.
Thanks,
Steve
Shoulder pads ready
Shoulder pads are molded and shipping out today for all those that ordered shoulder kits these a going at no charge. All shoulder kits ordered going forward will obviously have the pad included in the package. I will also post the part as an individual item on the web site for those that wish to purchase just the pad unit.
On a related note the knob mold is finishing tonight. I hope to start mold trials tomorow. The next mold in line is the QR plate as well as the Counter weight mold, I hope to have those complete in 2-3 weeks. In design is the offset bracket and a battery clip for attaching the Tekkeon line of mypower portable batteries to the rails.
Thanks,
Steve
Attachments
BollingerPro
Well-known member
Any news as to when we can order these shoulder pads?
I just want to say that dealing with Steve and CPM has been a treat. I've made two orders so far and there was a color mistake on my washers with the last order. Steve sent out the correct color to me right away.
I think I've figured out my ideal setup for my GH1 using 3 side struts. I'll post pics soon.
I think I've figured out my ideal setup for my GH1 using 3 side struts. I'll post pics soon.
ATL Media Group
Veteran
Please do! I've been holding off on the cage due to the clearance needed for the swing out LCD.
Also, how much did the entire rig cost as you have it built?
Thanks!
Green Hornet
Veteran
How is this mounting to the plate?
Is the plate included?
How much?
I am going to order this with my washers the next order.
CPM Camera Rigs
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They mount directly to the belly pad with the included qty4 1/4-20 threaded cap screws. For those that ordered the shoulder kit the extra belly pad is included. For a lighter weight mount two thin pads can be used for mounting the shoulder pad to the rails. Looking at about 30.00 for the shoulder pad itself. I'm getting ready to post up a couple of items including a medium shooter rig, couple of bundle packages as well.
Steve
Green Hornet
Veteran
Ok, put something up so I can order it 
I need a lot of washers (red) and a shoulder pad with or without the belly pan.
I need a lot of washers (red) and a shoulder pad with or without the belly pan.
I have had my cage system for over a month now and I love it. My only complaints are...
Knobs are too bulky. Which Steve has new knobs coming out.
The cage is not wide enough on the battery side. This makes it a pain to get the camera out. I have to turn it sideways on the baseplate then take it out.
The rails are a little thin or redrock 15mm is big. My redrock ff doesn't latch on tight so I had to put some cloth where the ff latches on the rail. Also my redrock mattebox swing away arm I really had to wrench down to tighten (still a hair loose). So that goes to show someones 15mm system isn't true.
Also it is kind of shitty to spend a ton of money on the cages then see the side inserts mounted in. Wish I would have known those were coming. I asked Steve for a discount to earlier customers but, he has yet to respond.
Other than that I love it. My rig is fully set so I can quick release my shoulder rails and throw it on the tripod in seconds.
For future customers... you can't go wrong with these cages. Everything I listed above is just tiny things you can work around easily. Just would be nice to have them taken into consideration. The cages are built so strong and so lightweight it's insane. Buy one. You won't regret it.
Knobs are too bulky. Which Steve has new knobs coming out.
The cage is not wide enough on the battery side. This makes it a pain to get the camera out. I have to turn it sideways on the baseplate then take it out.
The rails are a little thin or redrock 15mm is big. My redrock ff doesn't latch on tight so I had to put some cloth where the ff latches on the rail. Also my redrock mattebox swing away arm I really had to wrench down to tighten (still a hair loose). So that goes to show someones 15mm system isn't true.
Also it is kind of shitty to spend a ton of money on the cages then see the side inserts mounted in. Wish I would have known those were coming. I asked Steve for a discount to earlier customers but, he has yet to respond.
Other than that I love it. My rig is fully set so I can quick release my shoulder rails and throw it on the tripod in seconds.
For future customers... you can't go wrong with these cages. Everything I listed above is just tiny things you can work around easily. Just would be nice to have them taken into consideration. The cages are built so strong and so lightweight it's insane. Buy one. You won't regret it.
Attachments
I just received my cage kit this afternoon. I ordered the DSLR shooter kit. I figured I could easily mount my camera and accessories with all the threaded holes.
Packaging was nice. Everything shrink-wrapped onto a thick sheet.
Unwrapped and assembled everything. The rods were EXTREMELY difficult to get through the clamps on the struts and especially the A-frame for the handle. Finally got everything aligned. It's a great looking rig! I love the yellow washers I chose, and the overall fit and finish is nice.
Now that looks like it's mounted on the tripod. It's not, just precariously balanced. Sadly, the knobs on the bottom of the struts prevent you from using a slide-on quick release plate, like the Manfrotto 577. This is the most popular plate for video tripod heads, as far as I understand. I have another tripod, a cheapo (that's actually quite solid) and it's the same story, too little clearance for a sliding plate.
Requires almost an inch of clearance:
Again, you cannot use a slide-on quick release plate because there is not enough clearance. You would have to use a drop-in style quick release.
I should again emphasize that the parts are quality, it's the off-the-shelf design which is somewhat lacking. If you already have extra quick release plates, mounts and risers, or a drop-in style tripod, this kit is a great buy.
** UPDATE ** Steven offered to send me some alternate lower-clearance screws and mounting nuts. Great guy!
Packaging was nice. Everything shrink-wrapped onto a thick sheet.
Unwrapped and assembled everything. The rods were EXTREMELY difficult to get through the clamps on the struts and especially the A-frame for the handle. Finally got everything aligned. It's a great looking rig! I love the yellow washers I chose, and the overall fit and finish is nice.
Now that looks like it's mounted on the tripod. It's not, just precariously balanced. Sadly, the knobs on the bottom of the struts prevent you from using a slide-on quick release plate, like the Manfrotto 577. This is the most popular plate for video tripod heads, as far as I understand. I have another tripod, a cheapo (that's actually quite solid) and it's the same story, too little clearance for a sliding plate.
Requires almost an inch of clearance:
Again, you cannot use a slide-on quick release plate because there is not enough clearance. You would have to use a drop-in style quick release.
I should again emphasize that the parts are quality, it's the off-the-shelf design which is somewhat lacking. If you already have extra quick release plates, mounts and risers, or a drop-in style tripod, this kit is a great buy.
** UPDATE ** Steven offered to send me some alternate lower-clearance screws and mounting nuts. Great guy!
Last edited:
Alpha Beta Omega
Veteran
I know CPM have a moulded quick release on the way. Just to show one version of how I mounted one cage to my rig. I never use the screws on the bottom part of the cage since there not needed really. Other rods are wider so these fit snugly in the holes.
CPM Camera Rigs
DVXuser Sponsor
Hey Steve, what's the ETA on those wide cages and the offset shoulder mounts?
I'm sorry I know everyone must ask you this all the time but I'm so excited I can't wait
Offset shoulder is designed, I should have some proto type pictures to post this week. The wider cages I need to get some input on. I have a dedicated group of shooters that are providing awesome feedback, in the field testing. Editman was one such tester. He received one of the early...early beta units. Poor thing looks nude compared to what we sell now. But he was instrumental in providing a lot of feedback. And not just positive feeback but pull no punches "what the heck where you thinking" feedback. I think this feedback is what has gotten us to this point. Other feedback is from individuals such as;
http://www.tdepost.com/blog/tag/cpm-film-tools
So, no don't mind the questions at all, just wish I could get the tooling done a little quicker. I lost one of my tool makers to one of our customers. They came in the door, said we need these parts done and off she went, should have her back in 2-3 weeks once that project is done. (customer is General Dynamics, project is rocket motor parts, so can't really say "no" too that).
So the short of it? Off set bracket proto type this week, parts in 3-4 weeks. Wide cages I will take a wack at an initial design this week as well, maybe a proto type or two sent out for feedback.
Steve
rahn
Well-known member
That sounds great! I'll be sure to follow your updates. I'm following you on Facebook and trying to follow you on DVXuser & cinema5D as well
rogar-Kriz(DBG): Whew, so much info & answers to questions scattered everywhere, it's hard to keep them all in check!It's really helpful to read these early reviews that are popping up (wonder if the shoulder mount reviews are gonna start coming in), and I gotta say, the washers look great! I don't know what color I would go with, since I don't have an existing rig to match...
evanbutson
Active member
Rahn,
I used the rig on and off the shoulder a fair bit over the week of my shoot. I have to say having the handle just made life soooo much easier. The camera got thrown in and out of vehicles and light planes day in and day out and I had literally zero problems with the CPM stuff. I use a Redrock shoulder plate purely because I already had it from an earlier setup and the CPM one only just started shipping. But with the light weight of all the carbon stuff, putting the camera on your shoulder (even without a springed support, which I have but didnt use) it is a pleasure to use, and the shots are much more stable than regular handheld. I was shooting from the back seat of cars, closeups of people using radios etc and there wasnt a single time I wished I had a different setup.
I used the rig on and off the shoulder a fair bit over the week of my shoot. I have to say having the handle just made life soooo much easier. The camera got thrown in and out of vehicles and light planes day in and day out and I had literally zero problems with the CPM stuff. I use a Redrock shoulder plate purely because I already had it from an earlier setup and the CPM one only just started shipping. But with the light weight of all the carbon stuff, putting the camera on your shoulder (even without a springed support, which I have but didnt use) it is a pleasure to use, and the shots are much more stable than regular handheld. I was shooting from the back seat of cars, closeups of people using radios etc and there wasnt a single time I wished I had a different setup.
rahn
Well-known member
Hey Evan,
thanks for the review! Yeah, I'm really looking forward to investing in the CPM rig - I love how Steve is so responsive and definitely like that it's lightweight. I'm sticking it out until the wide cages are out though. I'm not the richest and can't afford to invest in multiple :happy: so hopefully it'll be a one-time right purchase!