FS700 shoulder kit under development

[olof]

OK so here is the first prototype. I have a UnicamRail part that allows you to put Rails in the standard position. I will add that soon.

The back extension comes off quickly and can hold battery plates etc.

This version has an extension for the handle on the right that is adjustable, soon I will have a wooden handle option as well.

It also has a more compact mount for the SmallHD EVF. It is very adjustable back and forth as well as tilt up and down and distance from the body of the cam. But the horizon is always level with the camera, this is crucial, IMHO. I will have a lighter version for lighter EVF's as well that use a shoe mount, but the DP4 is so heavy I feel it may break your shoemount on he camera. I also found if you only use 1 screw to hold the DP4 it will flex the frame on the EVF itself, this makes it feel loose, by using 2 of the threaded holes on the DP4 a very solid connection is made, I feel this is important as you sometimes put a fair amount of pressure on an EVF when shooting and adjusting it. The mount also has a plastic clip that holds the HDMI cable to the EVF solidly.

The cheese plate on top is minimal but has 12 tapped holes, and it allows you to mount the 700 handle in its original position. I will also be making my own handle that is more adjustable to the CG of the cam in different configurations (heavy lenses and/or external batts recievers etc.).

I will also have a lens support that can be used with just the UniCamRail base plate w/o 15mm rails.

Any comments?

I am working on these designs and I would love some input from the community. It only takes about a week for me to manufacture small batches including anodizing, so these kits will be available very soon, and anyone wanting a beta version can call or contact me directly.

603.383.9283
olof@westsideav.com
Skype: westsideav

Here are some photos:

 

[moldcad]

Looks nice and sturdy, Olof. One thing though - would the rear counterbalance be better if angled down, to move the CoG lower (the torque required would be the same)?

 

[Dermot]

a longer plate at the front to support the lens adaptor.. the Sony e-a has a mount point already, and it badly needs the support....

 

[olof]

Here are some more photos of the rig in compact mode with a Zakuto EVF.

And Dermot this has the lens support installed, the UnicamRail can be slid back and forth and additional sections can be added in line.

Piotr, you can change the cheese plate in the back to below the rail, I just like to be able to put the camera down on a flat surface.

I will have FF an mattebox mounts for the UniCamRail as well as 15mm rod attachements later this week.

The right handle can be extended and pivoted as well as pivoted to any hight. I will be making a wooden handles with controls for the 700 soon. The supplied handle wire can be lengthened if you need more adjustment.

 

[Dermot]

Olof;

I was not thinking of lens support from the rods, but rather a very solid support for the lens adptor be it SonyA, Nikon, PL, what ever... Carlos Acosta offers a very solid "hard front" for the FS, but only in Nikon & PL mount, i use A mount for the most part...

Carlos's hard front is impressive, but given the lens mount on the camera is so very weak, it's also needed, esp if one does not wish to keep rods on the camera at all times

it might be an area to look at addressing while in prototype stage, the baseplate would need to be a bit longer to support the adptor, nowhere near a strong as Carlos's, but far better than no support for the three tiny screws that keep the E mount in place.. once you add up the weight of an Amount adpt + Zess 16-35/T2.8.. i could never use it with out support...

 

[SergeSmArt]

I'm also trying to make very simple Shoulder RIG... -->

...and I need to get small monitor.. Zacuto EVF.. or something similar.. .. also.. where to get Alexa-style Rosette ??

 

[olof]

.. also.. where to get Alexa-style Rosette ??

I just ordered 24 from Allstar.

By email:
allstar.cine@gmail.com

I will let you know if they work when I get them in a week or so.

I got some others made in Germany from:
http://www.jwwinco.com/products/section11/gn187.4/index.html

But these don't fit the 700 rosette.

I have made them on my CNC machine before, but it takes a long time for each one, and then you have to temper them.

 

[hammerhorror]

Hi Olof, I like the photos of the rig in compact mode with the Zacuto EVF. Is it front heavy in this configuration? Looks like it would be without a counterweight. Thanks in advance.

 

[olof]

Hi Olof, I like the photos of the rig in compact mode with the Zacuto EVF. Is it front heavy in this configuration? Looks like it would be without a counterweight. Thanks in advance.

It all depends on your setup, lens mattebox FF etc.

It is very easy to to balance the rig by adding an extension in the back and some weight like batteries, if you have a heavy setup up front.

I like rigs that can change depending on your requirements. And I like things compact and rugged.

 

[olof]

Here are some photos of the rig as it will be delivered tomorrow to a shooter in VT in the middle of shooting a feature. He will put it through its paces I am sure.

These photos have no weight added to the "ballast bag" in the back. There could be batteries or an external recorder added there to the cheese plate or on a wing on the right side to help balance the rig.

As I mentioned this first rig is a special request with the top rail and DP4 EVF.

I am working on a production version now with 15mm rails in the standard lower position. I will post photos of that soon.

 

[Joost]

Wow, you'r handy.
The way counterweightbag is added and the option to adjust the distance is very cool.
Also the evf support is a great system to have it sturdy and adjustible. Although the part between the handle and camera looks to high for me.
I would deffenitly would miss the option to add two 15mm rail rail on 60mm dist., below the lens. But how you did it with your rails on top look handy for that.. ''mattebox?''

I think I would choose for a system with 15mm rail and thumpscrew on more places (like the back) because it is more simple, adjustable and smoother I guess.
The 15 mm rails are easy to cut and smooth but I don't know how hard the conections are to make. Else I would choose for that.

 

[BATman]

Here are some photos of the rig as it will be delivered tomorrow to a shooter in VT in the middle of shooting a feature. He will put it through its paces I am sure.

These photos have no weight added to the "ballast bag" in the back. There could be batteries or an external recorder added there to the cheese plate or on a wing on the right side to help balance the rig.

As I mentioned this first rig is a special request with the top rail and DP4 EVF.

I am working on a production version now with 15mm rails in the standard lower position. I will post photos of that soon.

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Very cool stuff Olof! I am in VT (Hartford) as well, but do not have a FS700... yet. It is out of stock in B&H at the moment but hope to buy one as soon as they notify me they've got some by email. Not sure if you remember me from DVinfo a few years back, but we spoke about VT and NH back then

Keep up the good work fellow filmmaker!!

Ben T

 

[olof]

Very cool stuff Olof! I am in VT (Hartford) as well, but do not have a FS700... yet. It is out of stock in B&H at the moment but hope to buy one as soon as they notify me they've got some by email. Not sure if you remember me from DVinfo a few years back, but we spoke about VT and NH back then

Keep up the good work fellow filmmaker!!

Ben T

Ben I remember our conversation.

RULE in Boston was supposed to get a batch of 700's in this week. And I don't think they were all spoken for yet. Give them a call.

 

[olof]

Here is the latest version of my kit. I am getting close to production.

This is with NanoFlash and Zakuto EVF and a SDI Monitor hooked up to the NanoFlash. It also has a "wing" for Wireless mics etc, back of NanoFlash. Also it has my adjustable Rod system withFF and MatteBox. It also has the IDX Battery plate to help balance the rig, I am working on powering the camera with the IDX or Gold-Mount batteries, more on that soon.

If you are interested in a pre production of this kit contact me directly. All the finalized parts will be anodized black and the handle extension will be available with a wooden handle.

I am looking for feedback on the rig. The great thing about this kit is that it is modular, it can be compact and still good on the shoulder or all dressed up.

 

[BATman]

Ben I remember our conversation.

RULE in Boston was supposed to get a batch of 700's in this week. And I don't think they were all spoken for yet. Give them a call.

Hey Olof,

Thanks for the info. I need to buy it through B&H because I want to pay it with the 'Bill Me Later' plan, so I can pay no interest when I pay it off within 6 months. But I do thank you so very much :beer:

And about trying one of the pre production models; I would love to learn more about the offer. I will send you a pvt message as soon as I publish this post.

Thanks mate!! :dankk2:

 

[aly324]

Great work Olof. Just curious: would it make sense at all to bend the handle extension inwards so that the handle can be closer to the central axis? Would that be more comfortable?

 

[olof]

Great work Olof. Just curious: would it make sense at all to bend the handle extension inwards so that the handle can be closer to the central axis? Would that be more comfortable?

Interesting question, I have had others ask about bending it out for more control.

I am waiting for a shipment of rosettes, I hoped they would be here this weekend. Then I will play around with different ways of making the arm adjustable.

I may make a few different versions (different bends or shims) and also an adjustable version. I will also have a wooden handle as an option soon as well as a left side handle.

I am playing with a shoulder brace for use with the supplied loupe right now. And a handle on the left as well as a "suspended dampened arm" to put the weight of the camera on your hips, more on this soon. The EVF mounts are finalized now, both a universal on as well as a special one for the SmallHD heavy one, these both have a special mount just for the 700 that is much sturdier than the shoe mounts. I will publish photos and prices soon, they will be available by the end of net week.