How I am rigging the O7Q with the A7s

[olof]

I am just starting to shoot outside tests and I really love the scopes and focus tools in the Odyssey. So I am building a kit for it, I will be expanding the kit with a shoulder mount and external battery for the A7s.

This early prototype has lens support for big lenses like the Canon L 70-200 f2.8 IS.

My criteria are not to block the battery and nothing on the right side to make all the controls easily accessible. I also don't want a shoe connection as I want to be able to use the XLR kit that needs this to work. So my solution is a very solid bottom piece with a plate that extends under the lens and can couple with big lenses. It is actually an adoption of my FS700 kit. There is a back and forward movable quick release plate so you can center the camera with a big or small lens.

I will have several handle options and 15mm rails will easily attach and can handle FF and possible even remote servo zoom as well as Matte box. There will also be a left side cheese plate with several mounting options for recorders and field monitors.

So it is not a cage but a sort of double L (one on the left side and one under the lens. Much lighter and more practical IMHO.

One thing I really like about the A7s is the VF, I plan to have it available for easy use both on the shoulder and in "studio" tripod setup.

Photos below show the very simple kit I am using just for testing purposes.

Any comments are welcome, I have already been discussing this kit with several shooters.

I will post some of the shots I got today both internal and 422 from the O7Q, interesting comparison, very contrasty natural light, and some skin tone testing.

Added Note: The long cables and connectors are just temporary, I have short micro to mini HDMI on order, just not here yet. I amazed that this cobbled together cable works but it is apparently quite stable, I have not had any dropped connections yet.

 

[truelife]

Does the O7Q record 4k from the A7S yet?

 

[olof]

Does the O7Q record 4k from the A7S yet?

No 4K yet. But it does 1080 422 ProRes HQ very well. I have been recording both internal Odyssey footage and I am comparing them. I have a Shogun on order as well, so I can leave the O7Q on the FS700 and use the Shogun on the A7s. My kit will support any external recorder and monitor. I will be testing the NanoFlash with it as well.

 

[Fresh Bread]

is anyone getting 60p from a7s to odyssey 7q via hdmi? i get a real nice 24p signal....thanks.

 

[timmytimetravel]

is anyone getting 60p from a7s to odyssey 7q via hdmi? i get a real nice 24p signal....thanks.

I got it for the first time a few weeks ago using an hdmi to sdi converter. I'd previously tried 4 different ones, and Mitch and cd engineers found a cheap one that seems to work. Without the converter you would currently top out at 30p I beleive.

 

[adaptation]

I got it for the first time a few weeks ago using an hdmi to sdi converter. I'd previously tried 4 different ones, and Mitch and cd engineers found a cheap one that seems to work. Without the converter you would currently top out at 30p I beleive.

You are getting 4k 24fps?

 

[Mitch Gross]

You are getting 4k 24fps?

No, he is getting 1080p60.

 

[ashclever]

Hey Guys, I just got in my micro to mini HDMI cable and tried hooking up my A7s to my 7Q. I set the 7Q to ProRes HQ 422 and put it on "Sony Other". I have no signal? I looked in the A7s under it's HDMI settings and everthing looks to be in order. What am I a missing? LOL

This the exact cable I ordered.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1065081-REG/atomos_atomcab006_1_x_coiled_micro.html

Thanks for the help!

 

[adaptation]

No, he is getting 1080p60.

Very nice still. I saw Blooms test with an external recorder - is there a visible quality difference between the internal and external 1080 signals?

 

[Josh Bass]

what is the little piece with the rod sticking out that the o7 is attached to? does that require the fancy plate you have to attach to or would it work with any tripod/plate?

 

[Mitch Gross]

Hey Guys, I just got in my micro to mini HDMI cable and tried hooking up my A7s to my 7Q. I set the 7Q to ProRes HQ 422 and put it on "Sony Other". I have no signal? I looked in the A7s under it's HDMI settings and everthing looks to be in order. What am I a missing? LOL

This the exact cable I ordered.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1065081-REG/atomos_atomcab006_1_x_coiled_micro.html

Thanks for the help!

Too many pieces to the puzzle. Try feeding your camera to another monitor or another HDMI source to the Odyssey7Q. This can help narrow the search for the problem.

 

[olof]

Very nice still. I saw Blooms test with an external recorder - is there a visible quality difference between the internal and external 1080 signals?

Here is a video comparison:

 

[olof]

what is the little piece with the rod sticking out that the o7 is attached to? does that require the fancy plate you have to attach to or would it work with any tripod/plate?

I am working on this system still.










It will fit any tripod QR, I am just using the TA100 or VCT14 system that I use on all my cams.

The gold colored rod is a 15mm rod that can be removed easily from the "L" that holds the A7s. The Odyssey uses my standard Odyssey mounting bracket I make for many different cameras, I use it on my FS700 etc.

My system is very light and comes apart easily, it does not cover battery door or any controls on the A7s. It also offers support for large lenses and can hold 15mm rails in the front.

I will post more as soon as I have finalized the kit. I am still waiting for my Shogun, so I can figure out the best way to mount and power that. I will be offering several different battery solutions for the A7s and 4K recorders.

Stay tuned...

 

[olof]

Hey Guys, I just got in my micro to mini HDMI cable and tried hooking up my A7s to my 7Q. I set the 7Q to ProRes HQ 422 and put it on "Sony Other". I have no signal? I looked in the A7s under it's HDMI settings and everthing looks to be in order. What am I a missing? LOL

This the exact cable I ordered.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1065081-REG/atomos_atomcab006_1_x_coiled_micro.html



Thanks for the help!

I have tried at least 5 different HDMI cables/adapter combinations. And so far every cable and combination of adapters I have tried works great. The Atomos cable you ordered works fine, I actually have 2 of those, they are now what I use, nice and compact.

It is always possible you have a bad cable.

I set the A7s to 30P (29.97) on the video out and internal rec and it records internal and on the O7Q at the same time. I am triggering the O7Q on the O7Q at this point. Set the O7Q to "Sony Other" and ProRes1080P30 from HD. I can't remember the exact menu setting in the O7Q. I can take snaps later if you still have problems.

 

[ashclever]

Okay, I just ran an HDMI signal (different cable) from my FS700 to the Odyssey and the 7Q picked it up. I still had the 7Q set for Sony Other and the 422 ProRes HQ. I don't have another cable to try running the A7s with to test. So I guess it is either the cable or the A7s HDMI port.

Olof, when you say you set the A7s to 30p on the video out, are you referring to "HDMI Settings" on the A7s, 3rd page of the Toolbox tab? I only have 24p or 60p as an option there. Am I missing a video out option somewhere as I have looked through the manual and the menu options inside the A7s quite a few times. I'm really sorry to hijack this thread trying to figure this out.

 

[olof]

I think I set the HDMI in the A7s to 1080i and the record to 1080P30 (29.97)

The O7Q interpreted this correctly and the result was 1080 29.97 P in the FCPX info window.

I will reverify my settings later, I am busy with a whole bunch of other tests right now...

 

[Josh Bass]

sorry let me clarify. do you need that big ENG plate to use that piece that holds the rod? i generally work with smaller tripods and that big plate could be a significant amount of added weight. can you use the piece that holds the rod with JUST a tripod and quick release cam plate?

 

[olof]

sorry let me clarify. do you need that big ENG plate to use that piece that holds the rod? i generally work with smaller tripods and that big plate could be a significant amount of added weight. can you use the piece that holds the rod with JUST a tripod and quick release cam plate?

To clarify, my system is modular. In its simplest form, you can use any tripod QR plate that uses 1/4" or 3/8" screws. You don't need the extension under the lens, it is to put the CG in the middle and to support heavy lenses and matte boxes etc. You can add the back shoulder part if you like, it does make the cam more stable and it still allows you to use the VF, I am impressed by the Vf in the A7s, I think it is plenty good enough to focus and frame in a R&G situation.

And even with the lens support extension, you can use any QR plate with 1/4" or 3/8" screws. You can also add 15mm rails front and/or in back, with a QR plate or battery holder anywhere on the rods.

The photos show my standard VCT14 (or TA100) QR plates because I use those on all my cams. You could use a ball head for a still camera if you like.

I have changed a lot of the design since these photos were taken, but the philosophy is still the same. Light, compact, sturdy and expandable quickly as you need more of a rig.

I personally don't like cages, more stuff than you really need and they compromise the controls etc. I am also incorporating a compact HDMI cable clamp.

I think of this system as a set of "L's" instead of a big cage. I have a and right side movable wood handle and top wood handle as well as part of the evolving design.

I am really exited about this camera and I think CD will have a very nice 4K recording solution for the A7s soon. But I am designing this for the Shogun as well.

 

[Josh Bass]

Thanks. I'm still not sure we're on the same page. . .

I downloaded your still and marked it up. These are the two critical pieces I'm interested in (rod is 15mm size I assume? I have several of those so set there). Are you saying you yourself built the piece that attaches to the Odyssey or am I misreading/misunderstanding that? And the other piece can simply screw into a camera base with 1/4 20 or 3/8 screw hold, and have tripod plate screw into the bottom with those same sized screws?

 

[olof]

Thanks. I'm still not sure we're on the same page. . .

I downloaded your still and marked it up. These are the two critical pieces I'm interested in (rod is 15mm size I assume? I have several of those so set there). Are you saying you yourself built the piece that attaches to the Odyssey or am I misreading/misunderstanding that? And the other piece can simply screw into a camera base with 1/4 20 or 3/8 screw hold, and have tripod plate screw into the bottom with those same sized screws?

If you click on this link:
http://www.westsideavstore.com/index.php?p=product&id=80

You will see my Odyssey mounting kit, on an FS700. There is also a video here (https://www.westsideavstore.com/index.php?p=page&page_id=Videos) that shows how it works. For this A7s or GH4 kit I am working on I use the same part to clamp the Odyssey to the kit. Many of my kits use the same parts and often users find new uses for them. I also make custom kits for shooters with special requests.

And yes I make the part on the base of the A7s, it attaches to the bottom of the camera and has multiple places to mount other parts, like the 15mm rod also made by me, it has both internal threads and a place to put a screw inside to fasten to anything.

I make a lot of different gear as you will see on my WEBstore and soon this kit will be available there as well. I have been making my own gear since the 70's. My main job is shooting. I sell direct so prices are reasonable. And I use all the gear I make myself.