Indifocus ULTRAcompact
- Thread starter thetvirus513
- Start date
ATL Media Group
Veteran
Sweet pix.. Thanks for sharing!
Hi,
Does the ultracompact comes with the " height-adjustable column" as seen on this photo:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v640/Chuck5021/Camera%20Mount/?action=view¤t=IMG_1067.jpg
On the indisystem website, it looks different:
http://www.indisystem.com/products/ultra_compact
Thanks
Does the ultracompact comes with the " height-adjustable column" as seen on this photo:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v640/Chuck5021/Camera%20Mount/?action=view¤t=IMG_1067.jpg
On the indisystem website, it looks different:
http://www.indisystem.com/products/ultra_compact
Thanks
CDMI
Active member
Mine came with the giotto plate yeah.
I'm afraid I can't answer the manfrotto question though, maybe someone else can.
vegas06
Well-known member
Did it simply come with a Giotto plate and no QR?
I ask because it should be easy to simply swap out QR plates.
And if one wants, you should be able to take off the Giottos assembly (if there is one on there) and replace it with a Bogen 501 assembly. Then use the 501 PL (long plate).
CDMI
Active member
If I'm understanding the terms correctly, it did come with both. The plate on the shoulder-mount, and the quick-release to attach to the camera.
vegas06
Well-known member
Looking at the pictures you're right.
But the QR assembly is easy to replace if needed.
I've done this all of the time on all of my support devices.
One question though...
Is there a way that you could attach a QR plate to the bottom of the rig, so you could mount the entire rig on a tripod?
CDMI
Active member
If you had the same recieving plate on the shoulder mount and the tripod, then yeah that would work perfectly.
I have a photo tripod though and have to switch plates everytime.
vegas06
Well-known member
Cool, I have video tripods and use long video QR plates and assemblies, so this isn;t an issue for me.
I wasn't sure if there was a way (threading) to mount a QR plate on the bottom of the rig, as there's no pics of the bottom.
CDMI
Active member
There are 2 - 3/8'' threaded holes in the bottom to attach a plate to.
Why wouldn't you remove the handles and shoulder mount to mount on sticks? That's what is normally done. Who needs an unwieldy contraption with rods geeting in the way.
ATL Media Group
Veteran
I never do.. Many times I go between stick and handheld several times during a shoot. Having to remove the handles every time is a waste of time. Especially for run and gun work.
BTW.. speaking of the indisystems stuff... Anyone heard from Tim lately? I ordered a FF and snap gears on the 2nd and have heard nothing from him. I tried calling and e-mails for a couple days to no avail.
Tim... You okay?
Here's a pretty decent review of the ULTRAcompact rig:
ULTRAcompact review
Unfortunately, he doesn't really show off the rig in detail, but he does talk about some of the pros and cons. CDMI's pics are the most detailed I've seen of the rig.
ULTRAcompact review
Unfortunately, he doesn't really show off the rig in detail, but he does talk about some of the pros and cons. CDMI's pics are the most detailed I've seen of the rig.
CDMI
Active member
Good review, but wanted to offer my opinion on what the reviewer said. Most notably the cons..
1- Configs - don't see why having a large variety of configurations is a bad thing.. I would call that a "pro" IMO.
2- Weight - sure, when you add tons of stuff on the camera the weight is going to rise. It's still much lighter than many other film/video rigs out there. I don't think this is a large downside. I WOULD like to have the weight balanced more, and would actually like MORE weight on the back to even it out.
3 - Lens swap - it looks like most of his frustration comes from the mattebox. I don't have one, but it does look like it adds more fuss.
4 - quick release thumb screw - he had the same problem I had, in thinking the screw was in the wrong spot. Turns out it is a spring release, so no problem there.
So basically, I still think this is a fantastic rig for the price. I tend to shoot a lot mainly holding the camera, but when I use a rig this one does the job.
1- Configs - don't see why having a large variety of configurations is a bad thing.. I would call that a "pro" IMO.
2- Weight - sure, when you add tons of stuff on the camera the weight is going to rise. It's still much lighter than many other film/video rigs out there. I don't think this is a large downside. I WOULD like to have the weight balanced more, and would actually like MORE weight on the back to even it out.
3 - Lens swap - it looks like most of his frustration comes from the mattebox. I don't have one, but it does look like it adds more fuss.
4 - quick release thumb screw - he had the same problem I had, in thinking the screw was in the wrong spot. Turns out it is a spring release, so no problem there.
So basically, I still think this is a fantastic rig for the price. I tend to shoot a lot mainly holding the camera, but when I use a rig this one does the job.
Last edited:
Keeganxt
Active member
I just returned mine...unlike a lot of people I had very good luck reaching Tracy at Indisystem via phone. I had to call 3 times and they answered for each one. First time was to check that my order was received and to see when it would ship, and the next two were to schedule a return (my expense) and also check that they received the return and were indeed going to process my money back to my cc.
The rig's base rail system is fine, which can be purchased separately. Carbon fiber rails, quick release plate...all good. But the rest of the metal components on the rig are very lightly powder coated and will rub off pretty easy especially when adjusting or reconfiguring the rig( only cosmetic) but sucks when it happens minutes after you put the thing together.
Also the other rails not standard size 15mm, only the main CF rails are.
Everything in general is very hard to keep tight...the shoulder pad arm is very likely to slip with any leverage, just the way it's designed...it's on a pivot point.
And the breaking point...literally, was the maximount handle breaking off where the two screws go through it and mount to the bottom of the DSLR baseplate block.
After receiving all my goodies, new 7D, monitor, arm, indisystem follow focus and snap gears, shotgun mic, etc...I mounted it all up. Picked the whole rig up via the top handle and put it on my shoulder. I messed around for a bit, trying out the follow focus and monitor, etc...the put the thing back down on the table with the top handle again. I noticed the maximount was loose so i went down to tighten it. I once again tried the handle and it was looser...this was not right. I went down for a second look and saw that the thin piece of metal that the screws are using to hold that whole arm on have been ripped away from the maxi mount and left stuck to the DSLR base block. The counter sunk holes to make those two screws sit flush with the bottom had left only a sliver of metal left for the screws to grab. Not good.
Overall the company is "ok" to work with. They immediately offered to ship out a new handle, but I declined as even the new part would break with the way it's designed. I said I'd like my money back and they said that I'd need to ship it. I documented everything as soon as it happened and wrote a letter to them explaining to them the situation in which the fault occurred and also since I'm paying for shipping that in good faith I expect 100% of my money back. They complied without an argument.
There was a post on C5D.com that said it best...something to the effect of...
You cant judge the quality of the product if its the only one you've used.
Anyways, I still like there follow focus and snap gears and might even get there mattebox at some point. But the handle is currently an issue, definitely interested to know if any one else has seen this. And also the overall quality of the product just isn't quite there yet.
CDMI
Active member
That's a good point actually. This IS the first and only rig I've used. I haven't abused it too much either, so I'll wait and see what happens.