DSLR Rig & Gear

Very cool, thanks for posting.

I am thinking about switching from the HVX200 to a setup like this...

Can you tell me more about the variable focal length lens that you use?

Can you tell me more about the process of syncing audio in post? Do you have to remember to hit record on both the audio recorder and video separately every take, and then keep track of takes and find the right audio file and deal with carefully syncing it for each clip?
 
filmguy123 said:
Very cool, thanks for posting.

I am thinking about switching from the HVX200 to a setup like this...

Can you tell me more about the variable focal length lens that you use?

Can you tell me more about the process of syncing audio in post? Do you have to remember to hit record on both the audio recorder and video separately every take, and then keep track of takes and find the right audio file and deal with carefully syncing it for each clip?
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I was using the Canon 24-105 f/4 L lens. It's a great lens for photography and video productions.

I record to the Zoom H4n so yes, I have to hit the record button on both separately. When possible, I prefer to have someone manning the audio recorder and boom pole. I use a clap board during shooting so in post I just match up the sound of the clap board and edit everything together.
 
How does that lens fair for lowlight?

Do you think you will transition to a RED based setup such as the Scarlet when it becomes available, or do you think this is a better solution?

Lastly, how does your camera handle fast paced motion, such as sports or martial arts?
 
filmguy123 said:
How does that lens fair for lowlight?

Do you think you will transition to a RED based setup such as the Scarlet when it becomes available, or do you think this is a better solution?

Lastly, how does your camera handle fast paced motion, such as sports or martial arts?
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The 24-105 f/4 on the 5D is going to be better at low light than most any other camera. You can get even faster glass if you want, but unless you are shooting next to a 60 watt bulb, you'll be fine.

I'll wait to make the judgment on the RED until I see footage from it. I'm very interested in the Scarlet, but I need to see if it's worth the investment. Right now, my 5D does everything I need from it.

The camera will shoot fast motion okay. If you do lots of fast pans with the camera, you will run into the "rolling shutter" problem DSLRs currently have. Just do a Google search and you can learn more about it.
 
jdv said:
Very nice... but crazy expensive.

john
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Not as expensive as you might think, using a combination of cheaper gear (ProAim etc) and then more expensive gear where it matters (RedRock) you can put together a VERY configurable kit for not a lot of money, and as an added bonus as all the different components are based around the same rail system, as you grow you can upgrade components one at a time and not need to start from scratch. As an example, I got the ProAim follow focus to start with, and now that I have used the kit for a while am looking at adding a better follow focus sometime soon. The one thing I have noticed is the micro tremors you get from normal handheld work, no matter how stable you think you are are a DEAD GIVEAWAY tat you are using a DSLR, a decent rig removes that and elevates the quality in a way that you cant fake.
 
evanbutson said:
The one thing I have noticed is the micro tremors you get from normal handheld work, no matter how stable you think you are are a DEAD GIVEAWAY tat you are using a DSLR, a decent rig removes that and elevates the quality in a way that you cant fake.
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I agree 100%. DSLR handheld shake can stand out like a sore thumb.
 
evanbutson said:
Not as expensive as you might think, using a combination of cheaper gear (ProAim etc) and then more expensive gear where it matters (RedRock) you can put together a VERY configurable kit for not a lot of money
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I'm wondering if both you and NextWaveG could chime in on where to cut corners, and where RedRock, etc. is most important.

NextWaveG, I love your setup. Especially how it breaks down for tripod/slider and Flycam. I'm wondering how much it would cost to put together a similar setup, cutting corners wherever possible.
 
Lets see. I personally would spend money on the follow focus, shoulder pad and viewfinder (LCDVF or Zacuto Z Finder

Cutting costs, go for carbon fiber rails from CPM Manufacturing, IndiFOCUS has some nice DSLR mounts that are very cheap and matte box from ProAIM (and follow focus if you cant afford a RedRock)

You will find that where you start to spend a lot is actually on the smaller things, like the micromounts for mounting an LCD or LED light.

That being said, have a good look at the bundles from RedRock, some of them are very good.

I am right in the middle of completely re-working my rig, using a IndoFocus DSLR mount as the base, rails from CPM as well as a cage/handle mount, then flipping the ProAim plate over and using it as a cheesplate/counterbalance over the shoulder using another set of carbon fibre rails.

Have to say CPM support has been awesome, and the cost of their carbon fibre rails is sooooo much lower than redrock. Will post some shots when the gear arrives.
 
NextWaveG said:
Manfrotto Rapid Connect Plate http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/241139-REG/Manfrotto_577_577_Rapid_Connect_Adapter.html
MicroClamp http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.519/.f?sc=2&category=2572
Micro Cheeseplate
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.1017/.f?sc=2&category=2572
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As I mentioned, I'm a big fan of your rig. I'm going to put together one of my own based on your design.

In the interest of cutting corners, could the CPM Belly Pan take the place of both the RR cheeseplate and MicroClamp? If so, that shaves $117 off your rig's total price. The only problem I see is the camera might sit lower than eye level.* One would have to figure out a riser solution.

http://www.cpmfilmtools.com/cage_mount_p/bp.htm


And, like Evan mentions, one could buy the CPM 20" rods and knock another $44 off your rig.

http://www.cpmfilmtools.com/carbon_fiber_rods_p/20rail.htm




*UPDATE:

Found this in another thread. Looks like CPM is the way to go (soon). Riser solution in bold.

CPM Film Tools said:
We will be selling a quick release plate that is compatible with the 357 plate. It will come with a single base, but two dovetail slides, a long one and a short one. We are also thinking about selling them in sets of two as it seems the greatest benifit of using the QR plates is the ability to swap your camera from rig to tripod to jib etc. Maybe even bulk buy in sets of 4? We will also have the spacer tool done around the same time, this fits the footprint of the belly pan and the quick release plate and will allow for a low cost way to adjust the height of the camera within the rig. As always trying to keep the costs low. I will post up a couple pictures of the QR proto type and the shoulder mount pad when I get a chance.

Steve
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As far as camera height goes, most mounts usually come with a set of shims that allow you to raise or lower the height of the camera (or more specifically the quick release plate you mount the camera on to a very precise degree, ie the sets usually have half a dozen pieces or so that start off large ie maybe a centimetre high and then go down gradually till you have shims that are maybe a mm thick, thats what i used to get my camera height exactly where I wanted it. Agreed CPM does seem to be hitting a much needed spot in the market, as soon as my bits arrive I will report back.
 
My Rig.
 

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Those are nice setups... They allow the camera to move right and left match up with the eye? or more for use with a monitor...
 
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