FS7: FS7 accessory questions

scorsesefan

scorsesefan

Veteran
Hi all. New (and very late) to picking up an FS7. I just had a few questions about accessories.

Can anyone recommend a decent budget shoulder pad that balances the camera well? I've heard the stock shoulder pad isn't too great. I plan on shooting with a Sony 18-105, Canon 24-105, Canon 17-55, Canon 55-200 and Rokinon 35mm.

Does anyone know if CFAST cards will work with the FS7?: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...064g_ancnn_64gb_extreme_pro_cfexpress.html/qa

I plan to run n' gun with a very minimalist set-up, so if anyone else can recommend other vital accessories for this type of set-up I'd appreciate it.

Thanks
 
NorBro said:
Link is CFexpress, not CFast - and no.
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Oh, OK. The description on BH website says:

"The card is backward compatible with select XQD cameras that adopt firmware enabling CFexpress. The CFexpress Card Type B bridges existing devices with the future of technology." I guess Sony hasn't adopted...
 
It's true, but it would be up to Sony to decide if they would like to make less money overall and allow it, vs. being the only ones making XQD cards and taking 99% most of that profit.

Although at this point, it wouldn't hurt them.
 
P.S. Is there any reason you're asking? Because they are pretty much the same price.

(I'm assuming you'd like to future-proof your investment.)
 
small rig shoulder pad is great, adjustable back and forth and inexpensive. It couples with a traditional Sony VCT-14 plate to get on your tripod and has a quick release to get on and off tripod. However you should buy the VCT-14 plate from small rig also as the tolerances are a little different for their pad to a regular Sony plate. It will fit better. Sony plate works - kind of - but is not fun and doesn't inspire confidence about how secure it is.
 
LennyLevy said:
small rig shoulder pad is great, adjustable back and forth and inexpensive. It couples with a traditional Sony VCT-14 plate to get on your tripod and has a quick release to get on and off tripod. However you should buy the VCT-14 plate from small rig also as the tolerances are a little different for their pad to a regular Sony plate. It will fit better. Sony plate works - kind of - but is not fun and doesn't inspire confidence about how secure it is.
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OK thanks. How does the smallrig compare with the OEM Sony pad, if you have used both?
 
Haven't used the Sony . The only thing I don't like is that the pad is not bigger on one side than the other to accomadate the shoulder slope. I thought they were going to make a new pad but so far they haven't. Otherwise great and easy to adjust
 
Thanks, Abe. Do you know if the Lexar 2933x cards now work with the FS7? I think early on they didn't but did after a firmware update?
 
Speaking of XQD cards, I have a client looking for three XQD to SxS adapters. So if anyone has any laying around they don't need anymore, I've got a buyer for you.
 
scorsesefan said:
Thanks, Abe. Do you know if the Lexar 2933x cards now work with the FS7? I think early on they didn't but did after a firmware update?
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I do not know. But this website implies that they do: https://camerajabber.com/best-xqd-cards-for-camera/

To be on the safe side, I would make sure that you're in a position to test them within their return window. And probably test them in 4k60p xavc-I as it's the highest bitrate the camera shoots
 
When it comes to longer shoulder work with the FS7 I prefer to put a small towel underneath my shirt on top of the shoulder to make it comfortable.
 
I think that the stock shoulder pad of the FS7 is comfortable enough, but I still added a Zacuto VCT Pro Baseplate to my camera for three other reasons. First, I wanted to add 15mm rods to support my heavy PL lenses. Second I wanted to attach a better grip for handheld shooting than the stock grip. The stock grip feels cheap and has way too much play in it for my taste. So having rods enables me to use a better grip (that can support the entire weight of the camera) and get it positioned exactly where I want it close to the lens like the grip on a B4 lens. And third, the Zacuto baseplate is compatible with VCT quick release plates to so I can go from tripod to handheld instantly. My camera is always 100% built and is never broken down and need to be ready to roll for either shooting mode instantly.

So, my point is that there are other considerations to think about that go beyond just how comfortable the stock pad is.
 
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In recent years, I’ve really gotten spoiled to operating FS7 and similar cams with an Easyrig. Yeah, it looks a little silly. No, I don’t really care. My back likes me again.

Elsewhere... I like over-lens rod setups to keep COG low. The Movcam top clamp does this simply and perfectly.

Last thing I use often is an in-camera LUT, specifically Joel Famularo’s Phantom ARRI LUTs. The notion of buying a LUT pack is silly, but I get oohs and aahs from clients and editors using it so... can’t hurt.
 
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