It's FF time! Hopefully my questions are specific enough to warrant a new thread… it feels like researching this one item has become a PhD..
My budget is $1,250 including lens gears. Arri, Chroziel etc. are out. Features I'm looking for:
1. Small "Z-axis" form factor. By this I mean maximum allowance for other rod accessories adjacent to the FF, for all those cramped HDSLR ergonomics. Features that help are a slim rod mount, knob location, reversible design, and multiple axis adjustability. Also, often the lens sits a mere 1" above the rods. Any higher and the rig becomes less stable. The FF needs to allow that.
2. Interchangeable gear drives of different diameters, to get more out of short throw focus rings. Everyone makes different pitch gears, but surprisingly few companies make varying diameters.
3. Easily reversible gear drive.
4. Adjustable hard stops.
5. Least backlash, of course. I'll be using this on my GH2 and Sony EX1R, and for this price would like a unit good enough to help out if I rent the occasional AF100 or F3.
I was excited about the Cinevate Durus and almost got one, but testing it with my gear proved it wasn't the right choice. The thing is simply too massive for DSLR rigs and SLR lenses. Even the smoothness of control (with my lenses) was inferior to my new candidate, the Redrock Micro v2.
There's a gazillion different ones out there. O'Connor, Arri, Chrosziel, Zacuto, Redrock, JBK, Genus, Cavision, D|Focus, Ikan, Shoot35, Proaim, Indie Systems, R.J., Trusmt…. and the list goes on. Letus looks promising but very few people have actually had their hands on it and I'm looking for user experience. I hope to get at least some pointers.
Also, your recommendations on the best gear rings. I was excited about designs with spokes because they give you 360 degrees of gears, but heard some feedback that they slip. Also I don't like overly huge rings although they do help to get proper clearance with the FF. I know integrated (JBK/Duclos) gears are best, I'll get those once I solidify my lens kit. For now I need rings...
If you've read through all this thank you already... if you have insights please do share!
My budget is $1,250 including lens gears. Arri, Chroziel etc. are out. Features I'm looking for:
1. Small "Z-axis" form factor. By this I mean maximum allowance for other rod accessories adjacent to the FF, for all those cramped HDSLR ergonomics. Features that help are a slim rod mount, knob location, reversible design, and multiple axis adjustability. Also, often the lens sits a mere 1" above the rods. Any higher and the rig becomes less stable. The FF needs to allow that.
2. Interchangeable gear drives of different diameters, to get more out of short throw focus rings. Everyone makes different pitch gears, but surprisingly few companies make varying diameters.
3. Easily reversible gear drive.
4. Adjustable hard stops.
5. Least backlash, of course. I'll be using this on my GH2 and Sony EX1R, and for this price would like a unit good enough to help out if I rent the occasional AF100 or F3.
I was excited about the Cinevate Durus and almost got one, but testing it with my gear proved it wasn't the right choice. The thing is simply too massive for DSLR rigs and SLR lenses. Even the smoothness of control (with my lenses) was inferior to my new candidate, the Redrock Micro v2.
There's a gazillion different ones out there. O'Connor, Arri, Chrosziel, Zacuto, Redrock, JBK, Genus, Cavision, D|Focus, Ikan, Shoot35, Proaim, Indie Systems, R.J., Trusmt…. and the list goes on. Letus looks promising but very few people have actually had their hands on it and I'm looking for user experience. I hope to get at least some pointers.
Also, your recommendations on the best gear rings. I was excited about designs with spokes because they give you 360 degrees of gears, but heard some feedback that they slip. Also I don't like overly huge rings although they do help to get proper clearance with the FF. I know integrated (JBK/Duclos) gears are best, I'll get those once I solidify my lens kit. For now I need rings...
If you've read through all this thank you already... if you have insights please do share!