Custom FS100 Top Handle update- taking orders in a couple days.

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plasticam

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Hey all,

It's here. The FS100 PistolGrip handle. Here's the link for info and ordering - http://calebcrosby.com/page10/

Adam Wilt's review on PVC is here
http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/awilt/story/caleb_crosbys_fs100_top_handle/

Thanks Adam!! The first 20 Handles ship in 2 weeks now. I have to hold 5 back as samples so right now we have 15 available in the first batch. About 3 weeks after that we will have 50 available and a full array of rods in all lengths for kitting and building. All products will ship black anodized (clamps too) and the base plate will be pierced and tapped for two 1/4 and maybe two 3/8 holes as well. Otherwise they will come as pictured here exactly. We will sell rods unfinished for people using it like mini speed rail.

The product has gone through 3 fully built prototype stages at a machine tool shop that was started by my father in Maine in the 1960's. It is still run by his design partner. (They make automated assembly machinery, all from their own patented designs.) So it's handmade in the USA by real tool makers.

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It's affordable. Intro price is $225 for our first 20 sales. It has unique 360 degree rotation and we also designed low profile 15mm stub clamps in 1/4 and 3/8 mounting- male and female to save real estate on your rails. Above shows you what they can do. I like putting the Sony hand grip on the right rail like an Aaton. It's better. The monitor or an EVF is just right on a 4 or 5 inch rod. An EVF will not slip back when you press your eye firmly- which is important.

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And yes it has the sexy black walnut handle. Wood is natural, feels good and is easy on the eyes.

Here are the clamps in use. you can see I mounted my monitor on op side and both mics on the dummy side. The clamps are super low profile and do not move *at all* when tightened. Shipping versions will all be black finished. We are also including an extra set of locking screws with each clamp so they can be finger tightened when speed is more important than full locking. They actually still lock amazingly well with just a quick finger twist.
product detail clamps 2 1078.jpgproduct detail clamps 5 1081.jpgproduct detail clamps 1077.jpg


A full cheeseplate that mates to current handle is coming next along with "another cool thing".

Email me directly from the order page if you have a question, glad to help

Caleb Crosby
http://calebcrosby.com/page10/
boston
 
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whooooo hoooo...

how handy that i still have not bought a top handle yet!

next a walnut side handle?

d
 
Actually yes, I have a drawing for a walnut side handle that we are going forward with after we get this running smoothly.
Right now you can use our new 3/8ths female clamp to mount the sony plasticam handle down onto your 15mm rods. It is a huge improvement.

Caleb Crosby
 
I'm thinking of the ACL/LTR form factor with the handle slightly ahead of the viewfinder, and highish, like chin height

Could be space squeeze with a short prime + FF on the rods, leaving the handle no where to go but further forward?

maybe in the interm i'm going to get a short extension from the Sony side location, and attach the handgrip from my old CP16


d
 
Dermot - you gotta see my personal rig. I'm a default Aaton shooter. I want to get everything like an aaton to feel "right".
I make a 3/8th female clamp for 15mm rods, super low profile - very small clamps. I just mount that and screw the Sony grip that comes with cam into the 3/8 tap. With 24" rods, it makes even the FS100 start to feel "right". And you have trigger function in right hand again. I have my left on a rugged FF and it's a good set up. I need to get a EVF soon. My handle swings over to mount the EVF or monitor w/o needing another arm that takes up valuable space near the FF.

Caleb
 
Caleb;

That looks awesome... count me in too.. for both of them....

One thought, i might use shorter rods on the top, i have the short Viewfinder, and i'm thinking i'd be stabbing meself in the forehead wit them;

FS rig 1.jpg
FS rig 2.jpg

Now do you have any idea's on how to move the LCD screen over about 7", and forward about 5" ;-)

d
 
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Can you post some more close up shots of how the handle is attached to the 3 mounting points?
If you can add a cheesplate on the base like the berkey system, that'd be perfect.
I have the berkey system top plate and makeshift top handle, but the main rod is just a screw-in type and doesn't stay locked when pushed counter-clockwise so it's a bit annoying
 
Dermot, I didn't know about the that shorty viewer, I like it. yes we can cut them shorter, they have to be curfed so i'll ask to have some rods shortened as an option. Our rods are 12" currently would you say 7" would be right? We'll also be selling rods in 24" lengths.

The entire handle rotates 360. so you may want to just rotate out of your way when using the shorty. the rotation is also great when using the monitor at all, it doesn't block the view.

the long rods put a small monitor right where you want it when rotated. also when you use a couple rod clamps, it's good real estate for various gack.

The photo prolly doesn't show up well, but the grip (as opposed to the "handle") is on the iris rods to the right front of lens- "Aaton position!". ; ) thx for the NPR photo, its been awhile!

Caleb
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15mm low profile clamps. will be black. 1/4 and 3/8 male and female. males with steel knurled lock nut.
 
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moldcad said:
@Dermot, is you matte box the Proaim MB-600? How is it doing?
Click to expand...

Caleb;
Now that i see it in the "rotated viewfinder holding" position, i will go for the 12" rods.. i have short rods already if need be... now please excuse a short thread HiJack....

Pitor;
It's holding up well, lightly built, so takeing good care of it's the order of the day.. the flags flop about a bit unless a bit of spine is added with camera tape... no better / no worse than when new

the good things are still good.. it's very light, holds ND's, keeps flares down & makes civilians (and actors) think it's a real camera.


Back to the biz at hand;
two taps to replace the covered up one's might be a thought? As it stands i could see a use for somewhere to mount a tiny assitant's worklight for night shoots, and a mic holder for all the R-n-G folks.. the two taps should be able to cover that off? I know i can mount those to the rails, but it's gett'n crowded down there with a small prime on the nose of it...

Hella impressed with what you are doing BTW...

d
 
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>two taps to replace the covered up one's might be a thought?

Exactly what I thought. we'll prob go ahead with this on the first 20 being made this week.

>I know i can mount those to the rails, but it's gett'n crowded down there with a small prime on the nose of it...

That's one of the nice things about this handle in general, it's made of 15mm rod stock we grind to a .589 spec. so with every handle you just x4'd your real estate for attachments. With the clamps you can attach any mic, light, monitor including
on the upright post which is where I put the mic receiver.

Hella impressed with what you are doing BTW...

Thanks Dermot, nice to hear. this is fun. I'm lucky to be friends with a good engineer.
 
plasticam said:
the long rods put a small monitor right where you want it when rotated.
Click to expand...

And with those low profile clamps, I think you've just solved my problem on where to put a Sennheiser G2 wireless receiver. What's the inside height of that post? In the past, I used the belt pack loop over the handgrip's strap, but I could conceivably clamp it to the CENTRE post, maybe even one either side... and swing a Zacuto EVF from the end...

Alternatively, a couple of 1/4 and 3/8 holes to (thinking selfishly) take a Noga arm for the EVF on one side and a Ball/socket cold shoe on the other.

Probably a nerdy question, but on the low profile clamps, I'm guessing that you'd need an allen wrench to reposition them? And are the knurled rings reversed? In that I'm looking for a flatter wider surface to mate up to the device I'm screwing on. Alternatively, there's the Manfrotto Nanoclamp?

Visions of an almost 'Transformers'-like unfolding sequence from out-of-bag to ready-to-shoot at this stage...
 
>What's the inside height of that post?
2.5 inches. The clamp puts it outboard far enough so clearance is no prob. I have the G2 as well.
I'm trying to mount this to confirm, but omnipotence has seen fit that I not have my allen key set handy
right now, so I'm not freaking out or turning the house upside down, I'm just waiting for a sign.... ;)

>maybe even one either side... and swing a Zacuto EVF from the end...
You can also remove the walnut grip and have 24 inches of clean space for any mounting.
The end is ideal for an EVF, adjustable right to the eye- and you still have the handle to grab.



>I'm guessing that you'd need an allen wrench to reposition them?
yes, we will also have a finger tighty version ready for including in first batch. they will be interchangeable i expect. double function.
for hard firm mounting use allen, for monitor or EVF use finger tights.

>And are the knurled rings reversed?
yep. nice flat surface on one side, might want to glue some rubber to it to save gear wear

>Visions of an almost 'Transformers'-like unfolding sequence from out-of-bag to ready-to-shoot at this stage...

Right ;) the other adjustment you have is that when unclamped to rotate the bars will move for and aft, so it you can
dial in alot of uses.

Caleb
 
martini camera handle jpegs 2 1055.jpgmartini camera handle jpegs 2 1058.jpg Couple rough shots taken today with an iphone "3"- so not really advertising
quality ;) I just wanted to show the lego approach with these low profile clamps. The monitor is firm and adjustable to touch on two axis- it's good. The G2 mic is on a 1/4 male clamp. The Sony handgrip is on a 3/8 male. The Sony mic holder is exactly the same diameter as the 5" rod so I could piggy back clamp 2 in one. The Marshall is on both a male and female 3/8 with a 5" rod holding the monitor on a 3rd 1/4 clamp. I don't yet have an EVF but expect this 5" rod solution may be perfect cause if you lock it down it won't budge when you press your eye against it and the height is adjustable on the post over 2.5 inches. Oh yeah I found the spacing of the handle rods makes a pretty passable cable wrangler with a rubberized expandable clamp.

Caleb
 
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