Finally a game changer
- Thread starter zacuto
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It will be $395. Z-finder will be available for individual purchase soon
http://store.zacuto.com/DSLR-Gunstock-Shooter-Kits/
Chamber005
Carbonite Member
Chamber005
Carbonite Member
Totally agree. Bottom line, you SHOULD be spending more on your gear than you did on the actual camera. Many of these cameras are becoming almost interchangeable in the 1-10K range. What is not interchangeable is the gear (sound, lighting, rigs, etc). If the low budgey indie filmmaker has 10K with which to purchase all of his equipment, it makes much, much more sense to buy a less expensive camera and then douse the thing with remarkable gear.
The gear will NEVER lose its value, the camera just might...
I'm not completely sold on DSLRs yet, mainly because of the brief recording time. We'll see what happens at NAB, though. If they can keep those chips cool, if they can just give me 15 minutes of continuous recording time, these DSLRs are going to be what the filmmakers OWN -- the EX1s w/ 35mm adapter or the Reds will be what they rent.
And, of course, Scarlet is in there SOMEWHERE.
ChristianScott
Well-known member
I think if anyone is concidering using a 5d or other dslr's for making money. or any serious projects then these rigs are a serious investment, id buy one if we wernt in the middle of shooting a few things, and our budget for the next few months is already planned. and yes they are pricey but then if your not making the money to be able to buy one then maybe it is not a wize enough investment,
Christian
Christian
thisiswells
Retired
Hi, the recording limit is really 4GB per file. It just happens that on the 5D Mk II, a 4GB file is about 12 minutes. This has to do with the file size limit of a CF card (and all FAT32 formatted media). Until they figure out how to span clips bigger than 4GB, you will not have more than 12 minutes of recording on a 5D Mk II.Chamber005 said:
Even with a liquid cooling system and a huge heat sink...
ps - ZACUTO: you guys rock!
Lee Wilson
Veteran
. . . . if you are shooting a static scene or a scene with little detail or movement expect to get more than 12 minutes (I have recorded almost 17 minutes of slow moving clouds).
Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
The Z-Finder looks to be specifically built to fit the 3" LCD on these DSLRs. (see photo)
Setup time should be minimal. You flip a lever to remove the Z-grip and then another lever to remove the shoulderpad/gunstock section. And everything packs away into you bag of choice... or even better... Zacuto has a custom DSLR foam insert for Storm/Pelican cases!
I'm hoping to have one of these DSLR rigs at NAB... so if you want to check it out in person... send me a PM. I'm also going to be Twittering my location on the show floor periodically throughout the day!
Setup time should be minimal. You flip a lever to remove the Z-grip and then another lever to remove the shoulderpad/gunstock section. And everything packs away into you bag of choice... or even better... Zacuto has a custom DSLR foam insert for Storm/Pelican cases!
I'm hoping to have one of these DSLR rigs at NAB... so if you want to check it out in person... send me a PM. I'm also going to be Twittering my location on the show floor periodically throughout the day!
per the Zacuto website:
It also includes a die-cut Velcro to attach to the LCD screen. With Optics by Schneider, this 6 oz viewfinder is a filmmaker’s best tool for creating precision focus.
.... plus in the video you can hear the that velcro ripping sound when they remove the optical finder. This is not optimal, but I don't see any other way to attach it. Unfortunate.
http://store.zacuto.com/Z-Finder.html
Looks very cool - watched the video - I'm sold - oops - then I saw the prices - OUCH! Very few accessories are worth more than the item they are accessorizing! I concur that the prices are way out of line. I love the guy in the thread that defends the price but and goes on to say he'd buy one if he wasn't shooting and his budget for the next few months wasn't set. Huh? The reason you're not buying this great looking gear from Zacuto is the price is outrageous!
I'll wait for the Chinese knock-off thank you.
I'll wait for the Chinese knock-off thank you.
Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
I think it's a matter of choice. I've seen plenty of users out there with little HV20s/30s/40s and an adapter/rails setup that costs more than their camera. The Zacuto price isn't outrageous, if you want to see outrageous go check out ARRI's or Element Technica's products. Now that's pricey! And they don't even include a lifetime guarantee!
Waiting for Chinese/Indian knock-offs isn't a good thing either though bro. They copycat designs that are the intellectual property of others. Coming from a science research background, I wouldn't want to see someone take my engineered designs and copy them bolt for bolt and resell them. That's just not very cool.
Back to Zacuto. Don't bump it until you try it!
Matthew Bennett
Well-known member
I think it's a great design!
I for one can attest that Zacuto products are absolutely top notch (pretty much in the 'fine art' category), the best possible construction for gear that will last you a lifetime (and comes with a lifetime guarantee, i believe as well...)
So it's Z for life once you get into it.
I'm currently constructing my own Zacuto rig and am very happy with the strength of everything, and also the design of each individual product which is quite clever, as each component has at least two or three functions... this is a testament to how thoroughly Steve and his team work every aspect of the design process, everything in the kit is a lode-bearing, multi function multi purpose tool.
WHAT I'M REALLY SEEING HERE though, is something I mentioned before in another thread, is that there is an overwhelming cry for a STARTER HANDHELD RIG which costs less.
Someone will 'clean up' if they design and release this product... a balanced, hard plastic/fibre whatever handheld rig that hits that under 1K sweet spot. I'm not a manufacturer and I have no idea if this is possible to build .... but I'm seeing that people need it and WANT IT. The truth is, there are simply lots of people who have shelled out most of their cash to simply get up and shooting, spending nearly all their money on the camera and lenses alone. These folk are just at the point now where they are feeling the effects of a light weight camera (the shakiness), and want to improve their cinematography with some smoother shots. But they want to tread carefully. They are out there mucking around and making their own rigs of of whatever is lying around, and truth be told, you can actually take a couple of pieces of wood and make a decent shoulder stabilizer for 20 bucks... but, these same people are a bit embarrassed to show up to a potential gig with their camera on a two by four, however well it works...
THAT ALL SAID, I think there is definitely a cry for this not yet existing product. I KNOW many of you agree.
OKAY, now onto the Z-finder.....
Steve, care to post some close up shots of how exactly the velcro installation/attaching works, what the stress levels of this could be, etc??... I'm sure many people, myself included, are curious as to how the attachment actually happens, what the glue impact is on the camera, etc...
It does look damn comfy and nice. It would be extra nice with one of those padded white arri-style eyecups that seem (I've never actualy used one) to be made of cotton or something, and look so comfortable to mash your eye into it...
I'm almost done building my Zacuto DSLR rig, after some delays, and will be posting pics and a video in the coming days....
I for one can attest that Zacuto products are absolutely top notch (pretty much in the 'fine art' category), the best possible construction for gear that will last you a lifetime (and comes with a lifetime guarantee, i believe as well...)
So it's Z for life once you get into it.
I'm currently constructing my own Zacuto rig and am very happy with the strength of everything, and also the design of each individual product which is quite clever, as each component has at least two or three functions... this is a testament to how thoroughly Steve and his team work every aspect of the design process, everything in the kit is a lode-bearing, multi function multi purpose tool.
WHAT I'M REALLY SEEING HERE though, is something I mentioned before in another thread, is that there is an overwhelming cry for a STARTER HANDHELD RIG which costs less.
Someone will 'clean up' if they design and release this product... a balanced, hard plastic/fibre whatever handheld rig that hits that under 1K sweet spot. I'm not a manufacturer and I have no idea if this is possible to build .... but I'm seeing that people need it and WANT IT. The truth is, there are simply lots of people who have shelled out most of their cash to simply get up and shooting, spending nearly all their money on the camera and lenses alone. These folk are just at the point now where they are feeling the effects of a light weight camera (the shakiness), and want to improve their cinematography with some smoother shots. But they want to tread carefully. They are out there mucking around and making their own rigs of of whatever is lying around, and truth be told, you can actually take a couple of pieces of wood and make a decent shoulder stabilizer for 20 bucks... but, these same people are a bit embarrassed to show up to a potential gig with their camera on a two by four, however well it works...
THAT ALL SAID, I think there is definitely a cry for this not yet existing product. I KNOW many of you agree.
OKAY, now onto the Z-finder.....
Steve, care to post some close up shots of how exactly the velcro installation/attaching works, what the stress levels of this could be, etc??... I'm sure many people, myself included, are curious as to how the attachment actually happens, what the glue impact is on the camera, etc...
It does look damn comfy and nice. It would be extra nice with one of those padded white arri-style eyecups that seem (I've never actualy used one) to be made of cotton or something, and look so comfortable to mash your eye into it...
I'm almost done building my Zacuto DSLR rig, after some delays, and will be posting pics and a video in the coming days....
orangesaybananas
Active member
Here are my thoughts
Here are my thoughts
Buying Zacuto stuff hurts -- I am not going to lie. I have a V3 Z-Baseplate, Z-Riser, Z-Q Release, and Z-Shoulder Mount. I also have stuff from "another brand" that also happens to make the "Letus Extreme" 35mm adapter. I had to put together a B camera package in a hurry, funds were tight, so I skimped on the baseplate and got a Letus instead of Zacuto (for the 2nd camera package Only). Let me tell you there is no comparison.
I don't necessarily regret buying the Letus Support, because it was over $600 less than Zacuto, and for a second camera, that will get used VERY sparingly, I don't mind the poor quality so much. But, it's absolutely scary how loose fitting all the allen screws are, even after you crank them down. Or, if they're not unreasonably loose, they're so tight, that they are hard to remove if you need to move things around. Also, the baseplate itself fits the rods so tightly, it also is extremely difficult to move at *certain* places on the rods. The tolerances are not there. There's just no comparison at all to the Zacuto stuff.
Zacuto connection points are solid, and easy to adjust. It's that kind of precision you will not find in the Chinese stuff. If I could not see a difference, I would buy Chinese. But, I gladly pay for Zacuto products, because the difference is significant. It is more solid in ways that matter, such as a solid connection so your camera doesn't slip off. If you think I'm joking about "slippage" you should experience it for yourself. I think if you have the $$, Zacuto is TOTALLY worth it. I feel the risk of using anything else is too great. Of course, this is just the kind of thing you have to experience firsthand.
Here are my thoughts
Buying Zacuto stuff hurts -- I am not going to lie. I have a V3 Z-Baseplate, Z-Riser, Z-Q Release, and Z-Shoulder Mount. I also have stuff from "another brand" that also happens to make the "Letus Extreme" 35mm adapter. I had to put together a B camera package in a hurry, funds were tight, so I skimped on the baseplate and got a Letus instead of Zacuto (for the 2nd camera package Only). Let me tell you there is no comparison.
I don't necessarily regret buying the Letus Support, because it was over $600 less than Zacuto, and for a second camera, that will get used VERY sparingly, I don't mind the poor quality so much. But, it's absolutely scary how loose fitting all the allen screws are, even after you crank them down. Or, if they're not unreasonably loose, they're so tight, that they are hard to remove if you need to move things around. Also, the baseplate itself fits the rods so tightly, it also is extremely difficult to move at *certain* places on the rods. The tolerances are not there. There's just no comparison at all to the Zacuto stuff.
Zacuto connection points are solid, and easy to adjust. It's that kind of precision you will not find in the Chinese stuff. If I could not see a difference, I would buy Chinese. But, I gladly pay for Zacuto products, because the difference is significant. It is more solid in ways that matter, such as a solid connection so your camera doesn't slip off. If you think I'm joking about "slippage" you should experience it for yourself. I think if you have the $$, Zacuto is TOTALLY worth it. I feel the risk of using anything else is too great. Of course, this is just the kind of thing you have to experience firsthand.
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puredrifting
Major Contributor
Good observations Oranges, I have gone through the exact same thing. I have Letus rods and rails, Red Rock and Cavision besides a few little Zacuto items and there is no comparison. Like most other things in production, you do it the cheap way or do it the right way. When you're in the heat of a shoot with crew and actors or clients, you begin to realize that you would have gladly paid ten times as much for that piece of gear if it wasn't breaking down right now and causing a big shooting delay.
There is armchair quaterbacking support gear, then there is using it in the trenches under stress, heat, cold, dust, dirt and moisture. The Zacuto stuff is worth every penny when it comes down to it.
Dan
There is armchair quaterbacking support gear, then there is using it in the trenches under stress, heat, cold, dust, dirt and moisture. The Zacuto stuff is worth every penny when it comes down to it.
Dan
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Matt,
The basic kit without a viewfinder is $1400, where are you trying to be at Under a $1000. We have a 15% off international sale during the 4 days of NAB. Walk into any Zacuto dealer worldwide and get 15% off of any Zacuto products, that get's you closer.
I'll do a video on Z-finder installation after NAB. It's pretty simple. It comes with the Velcro on the Z-Finder, just peal and stick. Aligning it is easy. Make the camera produce a blue screen. The Z-Finder is exactly the same dimensions as the LCD screen, stick it on. This is the serious NASA type Velcro, it's rock solid. All sides of the velcro are diffferent diameters so as not to get in the way of the screen or buttons. When your eye is in the Z-finder you see the full 16x9 image, with no extra. No looking side to side, the optics are the exact magnification needed. To much or too little would not work, we tried.
steve
The basic kit without a viewfinder is $1400, where are you trying to be at Under a $1000. We have a 15% off international sale during the 4 days of NAB. Walk into any Zacuto dealer worldwide and get 15% off of any Zacuto products, that get's you closer.
I'll do a video on Z-finder installation after NAB. It's pretty simple. It comes with the Velcro on the Z-Finder, just peal and stick. Aligning it is easy. Make the camera produce a blue screen. The Z-Finder is exactly the same dimensions as the LCD screen, stick it on. This is the serious NASA type Velcro, it's rock solid. All sides of the velcro are diffferent diameters so as not to get in the way of the screen or buttons. When your eye is in the Z-finder you see the full 16x9 image, with no extra. No looking side to side, the optics are the exact magnification needed. To much or too little would not work, we tried.
steve
I don't come from a science research backgrond - I make feature films for a profit and budget is everything. I'm not knocking Zacuto as a company or their products which are all pretty awesome - just their pricing - they're just like ARRI, PS-Tecnik etc. and I won't pay over $5,000 for a shoulder mount. Insane! That gets me a nice RED zoom or a set of Zeiss primes.
Bushhawk has had a similar DSLR shoulder mount out longer for a FRACTION of the price.
Bushhawk has had a similar DSLR shoulder mount out longer for a FRACTION of the price.
Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
Bushhawk's mount has only two points of contact... your hand.... and the butt of your shoulder. It's a piece of plastic that gives you one possible configuration versus the modular construction of Zacuto's rig which lets you customize your DSLR rig to your comfort and needs.
I do see your point though. However be careful with your numbers. The $5000 kit includes a battery plate, 2 pro V-lock batteries, a dual charger, an articulating arm for monitor use, and everything else you would expect out of a full rig setup for DSLR cinematographers. These additionally accessories add to the cost of the rig. It's sorta a studio/field kit all in one. you need to run-and-gun... it has a solution for that. You want to mount to a tripod with a monitor and the works, it's god you there too.
Check out the Sharpshooter and Marksmen. Those are more along the lines of what you're looking for I feel.
Even if you could buy a RED zoom for $5000. How are you going to mount that to your DSLR?
I'm a huge Zacuto fan, so I'm obviously a little biased... but I really think you shouldn't bump it until you try it. Come out to NAB! Check it out for yourself! If you can find something with better quality that's cheaper... I'll transfer ownership of my near-earth asteroid to you. No joke. 19622... Stunzi... MIT's Lincoln Lab is responsible for the majority of all asteroid discoveries since 1998... cool stuff!
I do see your point though. However be careful with your numbers. The $5000 kit includes a battery plate, 2 pro V-lock batteries, a dual charger, an articulating arm for monitor use, and everything else you would expect out of a full rig setup for DSLR cinematographers. These additionally accessories add to the cost of the rig. It's sorta a studio/field kit all in one. you need to run-and-gun... it has a solution for that. You want to mount to a tripod with a monitor and the works, it's god you there too.
Check out the Sharpshooter and Marksmen. Those are more along the lines of what you're looking for I feel.
Even if you could buy a RED zoom for $5000. How are you going to mount that to your DSLR?
I'm a huge Zacuto fan, so I'm obviously a little biased... but I really think you shouldn't bump it until you try it. Come out to NAB! Check it out for yourself! If you can find something with better quality that's cheaper... I'll transfer ownership of my near-earth asteroid to you. No joke. 19622... Stunzi... MIT's Lincoln Lab is responsible for the majority of all asteroid discoveries since 1998... cool stuff!
pressphotographer
Member
I'm a bit late getting to this thread but I have to say enough of the China bashing when it comes to 5dmkII accessories. For one thing the wonderful Genus wide angle mattebox which Zacuto sell and were showing off at NAB is perfect for the 5dmkII, and guess where that is designed and made! Strange if Zacuto feels so strongly that Chinese gear is not up to the mark.
Also, way back in December I was happily working on community solutions for hand holding the 5dmkII with a little help from the guys at Redrockmicro. I'm not suggesting that Zacuto in any way borrowed from our ideas but at least give credit where its due, many similar concepts which work well for many 5dmkII shooters were developed by me and others right here in China. http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=325&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=10
Dan
Also, way back in December I was happily working on community solutions for hand holding the 5dmkII with a little help from the guys at Redrockmicro. I'm not suggesting that Zacuto in any way borrowed from our ideas but at least give credit where its due, many similar concepts which work well for many 5dmkII shooters were developed by me and others right here in China. http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=325&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=10
Dan