Criticize my rig before I waste a lot of money

M

Michael_Lindberg

Member
I'm getting ready to take the plunge on an AF100 and wanted to get others' opinions on how my rig is. I'm trying to keep everything under $7000.

Gear I have already: 25 f/2.8, 40-150 f4-5.6, 70-300 f4-5.6 (all Four Thirds mount), OM 50 f1.4 and OM 35 f2.8.

Lenses to get: 9-18 f4-5.6 Four Thirds (m4/3 is too small for a follow focus, although with wide angle this might not be a huge issue, so who knows), Rokinon 85 1.4, OM 100 f/2.8, and the OM 135 f/2.8.

Equipment: AF100, two extra batteries, two Lexar 64 GB cards

That's the stuff I'm semi-sure about. For follow focus/mattebox/rails, I'm conflicted. Right now I'm looking at a TrusMT T2 follow focus, a set of Indirailspro 18 (http://www.indisystem.com/products/indirails_pro), and one of the infamous made in India matteboxes (http://cgi.ebay.com/Matte-Box-Sunsh...ultDomain_0&hash=item41598e556f#ht_3751wt_906).

Two questions I have, and this is more gear than AF100, but it's related. First, I'm assuming I don't need to get a 2" riser block as I'm not using a 35mm adapter, and those riser blocks look like they were made for that. Am I mistaken? It's $20 more for it, so if it's useful

Secondly, will all this stuff fit together? I'm not new to shooting video, but all of my experience has been with a standalone camera. All of the "rails for dummies" packages are super expensive, and I really can't afford to put down $5000+ or even $1000+ on this. My ff/rails/mattebox package costs about $900 all inclusive, and the rail system is pretty upgradeable in case I need a shoulder mount or other goodies. I looked at the made in India rail system and I didn't really like the convoluted website and would prefer something a bit more professional. That said, indirails mattebox is about $150 more expensive than the made in India one, but maybe I should go for it just for the "guaranteed to work" aspect.

Any thoughts on my potential setup?
 
If you're in Seoul, you should check out the Gini dude. He makes the stuff there. It's CNC aluminum and we were
surprised at the quality of the machining given the price-point.

jeff
 
I saw people mentioning it and did a search, but no results. Any link? I'm traveling to the US in a few weeks and wanted to pick all this stuff up then.
 
I'm also in the process of purchasing a Genus 'clip-on' mattebox...makes sense with the changing lengths of DSLR zooms.
 
The Gini stuff is good. I have some part from him and I like them a lot. Bought like 2 years ago, so I'm sure his stuff is even better now.
 
How about the parts I listed in my original post? I've heard great things about the TrusMT follow focus, the mattebox from cinecity is supposed to be fine, but how are the rod systems from indirails?
 
editman said:
I would look at something else than Gini. Parts do come loose after a while.
Click to expand...

I think that's "old data" .. was a problem, he tweaked the thumb screws .... we have Zacuto and Gini .. and the Gini stuff is
hanging in there just like the Z stuff.

jeff
 
jmarkham said:
I think that's "old data" .. was a problem, he tweaked the thumb screws .... we have Zacuto and Gini .. and the Gini stuff is
hanging in there just like the Z stuff.

jeff
Click to expand...
I agree. Zacuto stuff is great! But the Gini stuff hangs in there no problems. My rig has Zacuto, Redrock, Gini, and some other in it and the Gini stuff I rate 2nd to Zacuto.
 
I have the same mattebox, IT'S A FN PIECE OF s**t. dont waste your money. my indie snap destroys it quality wise. I REPEAT DONT BUY IT, IT SUCKS !!

And the info posted about Gini is dead wrong. Their quality is as good as redrock, and or Zacuto, I have um all. and their just as good, in fact better considering the pricepoint.
 
Michael_Lindberg said:
I'm getting ready to take the plunge on an AF100 and wanted to get others' opinions on how my rig is. I'm trying to keep everything under $7000.

Gear I have already: 25 f/2.8, 40-150 f4-5.6, 70-300 f4-5.6 (all Four Thirds mount), OM 50 f1.4 and OM 35 f2.8.

Lenses to get: 9-18 f4-5.6 Four Thirds (m4/3 is too small for a follow focus, although with wide angle this might not be a huge issue, so who knows), Rokinon 85 1.4, OM 100 f/2.8, and the OM 135 f/2.8.

Equipment: AF100, two extra batteries, two Lexar 64 GB cards

That's the stuff I'm semi-sure about. For follow focus/mattebox/rails, I'm conflicted. Right now I'm looking at a TrusMT T2 follow focus, a set of Indirailspro 18 (http://www.indisystem.com/products/indirails_pro), and one of the infamous made in India matteboxes (http://cgi.ebay.com/Matte-Box-Sunsh...ultDomain_0&hash=item41598e556f#ht_3751wt_906).

Two questions I have, and this is more gear than AF100, but it's related. First, I'm assuming I don't need to get a 2" riser block as I'm not using a 35mm adapter, and those riser blocks look like they were made for that. Am I mistaken? It's $20 more for it, so if it's useful

Secondly, will all this stuff fit together? I'm not new to shooting video, but all of my experience has been with a standalone camera. All of the "rails for dummies" packages are super expensive, and I really can't afford to put down $5000+ or even $1000+ on this. My ff/rails/mattebox package costs about $900 all inclusive, and the rail system is pretty upgradeable in case I need a shoulder mount or other goodies. I looked at the made in India rail system and I didn't really like the convoluted website and would prefer something a bit more professional. That said, indirails mattebox is about $150 more expensive than the made in India one, but maybe I should go for it just for the "guaranteed to work" aspect.

Any thoughts on my potential setup?
Click to expand...

I bought that same mattebox in a kit that came with a rail system and follow focus. The matte box was a piece, don't get it.
 
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