FS100 Top Handles - Zacuto, Berkey, Shooting Machine, or Other?

QuickHitRecord

QuickHitRecord

Veteran
I have concluded that I simply must invest in a sturdy top handle for this camera, and I'm curious about the experiences of others forum users with the various options out there. I like that the Zacuto and Shooting Machine options are relatively QR-friendly, and employ 15mm rods for mounting additional accessories.

I also came across this inexpensive option: http://www.coollcd.com/qr-handle-v2-multipurpose-top-handle-black_p1130.html

Though it doesn't have a 15mm rod built in, I think that it could be mounted to the FS100 if the handle were facing the lens.
 
I've got the Zacuto top handles for my fs100s and would recommend them without fail. I turned the handles around so they point forward. (they don't get in the way of the on board lcd) also , since the zacutos have 1/4 20 threaded holes on the side, I just screwed in 2 $5 cold shoe mount and now have a very handy place for both my lav recievers to mount out of the way, but still easily accessable for monitoring.
 
Thanks, Chris. The Zacuto top handle really does look like a great option. You say that you have the handle turned around (pointing the lens) so that they don't interfere with the LCD. If the handle is turned towards the back of the camera, do you find that it gets in the way?
 
I think (don't quote me on this) that they realized the handle was maybe a 1/4 or 1/2 inch too short and started making them a little taller, so that problem may not be there anymore. I bought my handles a long time ago, and although they did make contact with the LCD at some angles, I turned it around because it got in the way of seeing the screen if you were doing a lower shot and tried to get the lcd set to something a little more "horizontal" vs straight up and down.
(i.e. you had to look around the handle to see the screen if you were looking from above the camera)

In the end I just turned it around....Boom, Good sturdy handle with mounts for my lavs. Keeps it clean with xlr cables not dangling all over the place. Both handles have been on the cams non stop for a couple years. don't even recall ever taking them off...
 
I second everything that Chris said. They are well worth it. I also run it backwards as it just makes it tough to see the screen. And I also added cold shoes to mount mic receivers. It also goes on and off extremely easily and quickly for quick set up/tear down.
 
I bought Shooting Machines handle and it is great... very happy with it. And his service level is above and beyond. Felt good supporting a site member rather than overpriced Zacuto.
 
@Chris Johnston
@ZFHProductions

Since neither of you are using the handle oriented so that it's over the screen, if you could do it all over again would you get a handle that was not as tall? The "midsection" between the base rail and the handle is 5", but Zacuto also makes these parts in 4.5" and 3.5" for other setups.
 
+1 for the Shooting Machine handle - I have used one since they first came out, and it is a very solid affair - mine lives facing forward, as I find it gives the best balance, and the included cheese plate allows me to mount my EVF and mic using Caleb's stub adaptors.
 
QuickHitRecord said:
@Chris Johnston
@ZFHProductions

Since neither of you are using the handle oriented so that it's over the screen, if you could do it all over again would you get a handle that was not as tall? The "midsection" between the base rail and the handle is 5", but Zacuto also makes these parts in 4.5" and 3.5" for other setups.
Click to expand...

I don't think it would matter to me. I can fit the lav's "standing up" on the cold shoe or mounted horizontally so I don't think the height would matter one way or the other. Although, using my current handles, I don't think I go down to a 3.5 inch. (might just be too tight a squeeze for me)
 
Chris Johnston said:
Although, using my current handles, I don't think I go down to a 3.5 inch. (might just be too tight a squeeze for me)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think that would be a squeeze. I'm actually thinking of getting Zacuto's Zrail base, a 3.5" midsection, and then Brian Berkey's handle which is significantly thinner than Zacuto's. That might be the best of both worlds. I'm not looking to do significant amounts of low-mode shooting. I just need an easier way to pick the camera up.
 
I'm sure you'll prefer the Shooting Machine ShotGrip once you try it.
I'll give you a full refund if you're not 100% IN LOVE with it. And I'll pay return shipping too.

About half of the shooters who buy these write me personally to describe in detail how they use it and how its unique 360 permits them to do something that actually helps improve life..

Just yell if you'd like to check it out. In stock ships same day.

Thanks for the positive remarks guys- nice to hear that !!


Caleb
 
I forgot that the above clip doesn't show WHY this handle is superior. it rotates 360 degrees with a quick flip of the wrist.
The clip below shows this. As a pro shooter I wanted a rotating handle for a lot of reasons - none of which I could name. it was
something that just seemed important. Now after using it on all my shoots for 18 months- I can just tell you I was right. it was a good hunch.
It's not worth listing all the ways it helps you. You have to use one - you dont want to let it go. From the letters I get from other shooter- (and not by any means new guys, alot of top end seasoned pros have seen the value here) and everyone has different
uses- which is why increased funtion is always good. You find your own way of exploiting it.

 
Thanks, Caleb. I have watched all of your videos about this handle and it does look like a very solid (and stylish!) option -- probably the best of the three on its own. But for my needs, I am willing to give up being able to orient the handle over the LCD to drive down the height of the handle unit as a whole, and so I have already placed orders with Zacuto and Berkey Systems to build a low-profile, quick-release Franken-handle of sorts.

Side note: your Cine grip is just about the coolest third party hardware out there right now, for this or any other camera.
 
Thanks on that. Always good to know what people are doing. Is the need for low height just for overall compactness? Any specific target you're trying to hit for other gear attachment?

Thanks I really like the Cinegrip myself. I have yet to get one for my own kit, hoping maybe next month to get my own. We are shipping finally - it's been a long road.
 
I wanted a small handle that was easy to remove, and on the front of which I could easily mount a monitor in a perpendicular configuration. I'm not sure if my solution will work but either way I'll post pictures once everything comes in.
 
After trying out some different configurations with Zacuto and Berkey components, I liked this one best:

P1000576.jpg

P1000577.jpg​

It's the mount from Zacuto's FS100 top handle kit, a 3" midsection (not from the FS100 top handle kit), and a 4" rod acting as a short handle. It's not much to look at, but the grip is very sturdy. I wrap my pinky finger around the shortest part of the rod section and wrap my three other fingers around the other sections. This allows for much better balance than if I were to use a grip only on the lens side of the the midsection. The quick release allows me to attach and remove it in seconds, and the LCD's range of motion is not impeded at all.

Next step: to get the front of the handle to hold my monitor. I already have a plan for this. I'll share the results when I get all of the hardware.
 
I use Caleb's top handle with my EVF hung off it;
DSC00005.JPG
I really love Caleb's little adjustable knurled bit, one finger & thumb to twist it finger tight,it stays in postion all day, easy to adjust with your free hand while hand held;
DSC00002.JPG
one thing mentioned before is the lack of support under the lens adaptor in the piccie above, the lens mount on the Fs100 is only 3 x tiny 2mm screws... very easly pulled out of alingment by a heavy lens, or a FF hitting the bump stops with even a prime lens, here's a shout out for Olaf's wonderful bottom plate, here holding a A mount adpt rock solid..this is a prototype, what he has on offer now is much prettier;
DSC00006.JPG
 
Dermot said:
one thing mentioned before is the lack of support under the lens adaptor in the piccie above, the lens mount on the Fs100 is only 3 x tiny 2mm screws... very easly pulled out of alingment by a heavy lens, or a FF hitting the bump stops with even a prime lens, here's a shout out for Olaf's wonderful bottom plate, here holding a A mount adpt rock solid..this is a prototype, what he has on offer now is much prettier
Click to expand...

That's a good point. My go-to Tokina is a good boy and pretty heavy. Can you please share a link for this product?
 
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@Dermot

Hello, are you satisfied about your proaim MB800 ?
I've to choose a mattebox, but I'm hesitating...
 
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