Indifocus ULTRAcompact

Tim Kay said:
Hey Brandon,
you're looking the BMW/Mercedes stuff with the RedRox's and Letus ( i haven't heard that name since 35mm adapters).
For redrocks, you're looking at something like $1500 + to get a complete set up. If you have that type of cash, awesome.

I was this close to going with CPM. I can tell you that Steve at CPM answered my call on the first time ( try calling Indiesystems, you'll see what a treat this is) and the products look good too. For a rig , the only tool i'd want is the sidewinder and it's out of my price range, thats why I went the Ultracompact route.
Click to expand...


I talked to steve and he give me some suggestions for my T2i. This is what he suggestions for equipment I am going to buy down the road. Here they are below:



Sidewinder basic; $ 449.99 (on sale @ 200.00 savings)(in stock)

http://www.cpmfilmtools.com/Sidewinder_Rig_p/sdwndr_dslr_basic.htm


Flyer Shoulder Shooter; $479.99(currently in stock, ships in 48 hours)

http://www.cpmfilmtools.com/DSLR_Flyer_Shoulder_Rig_p/flyr_dslr_shldr.htm


Sidewinder Advanced; $899.99 (on sale $300 savings)(ships in 2 weeks)

http://www.cpmfilmtools.com/Sidewinder_Rig_Advanced_p/sdwndr_dslr_advcd.htm



I was looking at Letus for my HVX200a http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/592688-REG/Letus35_LTELTBUNDLE82_LTELTBUNDLE82_Elite_Adapter_Bundle.html with a canon mount so I can use my lenses from my DSLR.

For my Canon T2i I was looking at this http://www.adorama.com/RRDCBBLGBLMK.html?utm_source=gbase&utm_medium=Shopping%20Site&utm_campaign=Other&utm_term=Other

I dont have any cash yet but one of these rigs are my goals to get. I am just trying to figure out which is best. I am interested in adding an illput monitor, rode shotgun mic, a wide angle lens, & z4n to the rig I will buy.
 
Not trying to say you can't have an opinion, but curious why you don't like it? Other than my terrible low light bad white balance iphone pics...lol
 
In the event that some of those following this product haven't seen it, here's my rig which uses just part of the ULTRAcompact, the MAXImount arm.
 
As promised here are some pictures of my rig, I'm slowly putting it together and getting the piece in. Much of it isn't a week old, so i'm still figuring out the best way to configure it together. All I can say is it's a lot of little pieces!

Heres the flush set:

1283071177.jpg


Harder to tell here, but I added the quick release plate

1283071359.jpg


Here it is mounted to the tripod

1283071412.jpg


Lastly this has nothing to do with the UltraCompact but I found it in my search for articulating Arms. This bad boy is amazing, and want to get everyone hyped up about it. Made by Matthews, this unit is completly adjustable, can spin it any which way. It literally has 101 different uses ( how great is this for the indie guy), plus it's really long, or easy to make short.

1283071456.jpg


I went into Samy's thinking I was going to buy an Israeli Mount, or Ikan, but really happy I found this. Heres their video:

http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=article&cat=11&ID=347

Takes about a minute to get into it. I'd recommend you not get the $89 one, but the next one up, comes with more arms and hot shoe adapter, more versatile.
 
OMG. The Matthews Roach Clip picture-in-picture (especially the second one) is alone worth the hundred dollars I paid to get up in heah today!
 
I agree it needs to be treated carefullly, but i couldn't find my camera so i used my webcam to take the pics, which is why they look so crappy.

But it's seated in their nicely & snugly.
 
Just FYI, for all those who have followed this thread...

Tim has updated the design for the miniMOUNT C-bracket. It is now squared, and is no longer a single piece of bent metal.

And for those worried about indiSystem/Studio 4 Productions, I've had nothing but good experiences with them. I called the week before last to order the ultraCOMPACT. Called/ordered Thursday, it shipped Friday, and was in my office on Tuesday. I called yesterday (Friday, a week after the order shipped) to exchange a part, and Traci asked me to email them some information. I got an email back from Tim today (Saturday). No problems in communication.

So far, I've been very impressed with the rig. I did order an upgrade to the system for some counterweight on the shoulder pad, and that has helped with handling the rig.

Looks like they've been paying attention to feedback, though, and have improved the design. I was worried about the miniMOUNT, but when I called to order they told me about the new design.

I'll try to get some pictures up mid-week.
 
Just wanted to mention that I have been following this company for a few months now on and off, and like everyone else I've heard just about everything in terms of how good/bad these rigs are. That being said, I just ordered myself one from Tim (tried e-mailing beforehand with no luck but decided to take my chances), and I will post a full video review within a week of getting it. and I've used the zacuto, redrock, steadicam, and other rigs in the past so i'll do my best to do a fair comparison.
 
Looking forward to the new reviews.

Just got my ultracompact, indifocus mini, snap gears, and indisliderpro with fluid head (was a little disappointed it was a cheap SV head, could have gotten just the slider and picked up a Manfrotto 504 separately and it would have priced out the same).

Assembling the ultracompact, like has been mentioned, scratched the paint off various rods (too bad everything couldn't be carbon fiber), and it seems like the shoulder mount rod and handle rods have the possibility to get loose over time. Need a little elbow grease to get it tight enough not to turn. Otherwise, everything seems solid and sturdy.

Site claims it's less than 4lbs but the thing feels pretty heavy. I have a Sachtler DV4 (supports up to about 9lbs) but may have to get a tripod that can support more weight - the indisliderpro, ultracompact, camera, h4n, monitor will probably end up being pretty heavy.

IndisliderUltraCompact.jpg

I'm excited about this setup. Thinking I'll need longer rails to mount monitor and in the future a matte box, but the CF rails on indisystem site seem reasonably priced. I've seen some people mount the monitor on top of the maximount but I'm not crazy about it being at that height. Ordering a nano clamp and stud to mount the monitor. Have one of these hot shoe swivels too.

Gonna use the rig as a 2nd cam for BTS of a photo shoot in November (A Cam will be a HPX2000). Hopefully will be able to get some nice stuff.
 
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