F55: FS5 & Helix Jr. - Solving the Handgrip Issue (easily)

M

mcbob

Veteran
Maybe not new info for anyone, but sharing it anyway just in case.

Having acquired these two bits of gear recently (namely the FS5 and Letus Helix Jr.), I read eagerly about joining the two such as James Bayliss-Smith's NewsShooter article and Andy Wilkinson's at ShootingImageLtd. Neither of these touches on how to get the factory FS5 handgrip over into an easily accessible position, though, and it was something sorely necessary.

Worried I'd have to bodge something ungainly, have something machined, or purchase something expensive, research began in earnest.

The Helix Jr. wonderfully consists of generally universal dimensions... plenty of 1/4-20 thread holes. The fitment for the camera sleds and the side handles are standard 15mm rods.

The Sony handgrip features a proprietary bayonet mount with a central M6-threaded hole, and also threaded holes to affix an Arri rosette. It seemed easy enough, find a wee block that pops an arri rosette with screw perpendicular to, not parallel to, a 15mm rod, and then put a rosette onto the handgrip... it would take a bit of fiddling to install and remove every time the camera went on or off the gimbal, but that's life.

Oddly, there aren't a plethora of rod-end-rosette solutions out there. The one I found was from SmallRig, part# 1722 . They also sell bare screw-on rosettes, so figured I was set.

Here's where it got interesting... the FS5 handgrip includes a pair of short rounded registration pins to help it lock into place in its bayonet mounting. Upon comparing the SmallRig rosette clamp and the handgrip, the cutouts for the screws in the rosette match EXACTLY with these registration pins! Mounting and unmounting the rosette from the handgrip, then, is completely unnecessary, saving a good few minutes and lost jeweler's screw headaches... just screw the handgrip into place and make sure the pins register into the screw holes in the rosette. No muss, no fuss.

$36, and really couldn't be easier. With this setup and a Sony lens, essentially full camera control is right there in your hand... zoom, quick menu, focus/iris/iso etc on the dial, and with the auto ND, exposure can be frighteningly simple.

Some photos of the parts and setup in question

Hope this proves helpful to someone in a similar search
 
Nice trick. I may try it sometime.
At the moment I use the RM1BP lanc controller, which I keep always attached to the Helix.
 
Wow, thanks for posting. I have a Helix Jr and a A7SII and looking to add a Fs5 so this is an awesome hack which confirms the direction to buy the Fs5. Please post any more experience with this setup.
 
Super helpful post; thanks. I own the FS5 & am considering the Heix Jr. As far as the ergonomics go -- would you recommend a double handle setup -- as opposed to the single?? How about attaching it to an Easy Rig (which I own)?? Any idea of the weight of your stripped down camera?? Any advice for me there?? Gracias...
 
Ordered the part. My gimbal game with the helix jr is getting better but having controls there would be amazing.
 
Ken: not sure what you mean on handle setup? The usual Helix setup is two handles, right and left... I just replaced the right-side handle (the one that controls pitch) with the FS5 grip, and otherwise the gimbal is the same.

On the EasyRig Q... the Helix is a little different than other gimbals in that it's supported from underneath vs. on top. You can put it on a slider/jib/tripod or any solid surface easily enough with no stands etc, but it's not as simple support from above. It looks like Letus sell a top support bar for just such use, though.

Total weight of the setup as pictured with a BPU-60 battery and the wireless receiver is 11lb 10oz... this is with the Aluminum Helix Jr., the Mg version weighs a tad less.


plasticam: there isn't an ounce of jiggle, it locks down tight without feeling like it has to be "over-tight"
 
Just got off my first paid gig with the setup... dreamy.

Shot our interviews with the cam straight on sticks, and then fit it to the Helix for B-roll... and just left it on the Helix throughout. Possibly the biggest joy of the Helix is that even when you don't need to do a gimbal shot, you can mount a QR plate to the bottom and slap it onto a set of sticks. Super efficient.

The handle hold tight, even in "suitcase" mode. Adjusting the grip to adapt for different planned operation heights is often necessary, but is as simple as loosening and turning the clamp's thumbscrew.
 
Very exited about your post

Very exited about your post

mcbob said:
Maybe not new info for anyone, but sharing it anyway just in case.

Having acquired these two bits of gear recently (namely the FS5 and Letus Helix Jr.), I read eagerly about joining the two such as James Bayliss-Smith's NewsShooter article and Andy Wilkinson's at ShootingImageLtd. Neither of these touches on how to get the factory FS5 handgrip over into an easily accessible position, though, and it was something sorely necessary.

Worried I'd have to bodge something ungainly, have something machined, or purchase something expensive, research began in earnest.

The Helix Jr. wonderfully consists of generally universal dimensions... plenty of 1/4-20 thread holes. The fitment for the camera sleds and the side handles are standard 15mm rods.

The Sony handgrip features a proprietary bayonet mount with a central M6-threaded hole, and also threaded holes to affix an Arri rosette. It seemed easy enough, find a wee block that pops an arri rosette with screw perpendicular to, not parallel to, a 15mm rod, and then put a rosette onto the handgrip... it would take a bit of fiddling to install and remove every time the camera went on or off the gimbal, but that's life.

Oddly, there aren't a plethora of rod-end-rosette solutions out there. The one I found was from SmallRig, part# 1722 . They also sell bare screw-on rosettes, so figured I was set.

Here's where it got interesting... the FS5 handgrip includes a pair of short rounded registration pins to help it lock into place in its bayonet mounting. Upon comparing the SmallRig rosette clamp and the handgrip, the cutouts for the screws in the rosette match EXACTLY with these registration pins! Mounting and unmounting the rosette from the handgrip, then, is completely unnecessary, saving a good few minutes and lost jeweler's screw headaches... just screw the handgrip into place and make sure the pins register into the screw holes in the rosette. No muss, no fuss.

$36, and really couldn't be easier. With this setup and a Sony lens, essentially full camera control is right there in your hand... zoom, quick menu, focus/iris/iso etc on the dial, and with the auto ND, exposure can be frighteningly simple.

Some photos of the parts and setup in question

Hope this proves helpful to someone in a similar search
Click to expand...

This is amazing. I have already ordered the rosette. Can you tell me where you got the Lan cable from ?
 
Mine was from a Wooden Camera handle relocator kit I'd gotten before, but Smallrig also sell a single-piece coiled extended cable that outright replaces the short stock Sony one
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top