Letus and Zacuto rig: Nice lookin'
- Thread starter Kholi
- Start date
Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
Yes. I want someone to get their hands on that foam insert for pelican/storm cases. It looks like it is quite handy with the "secret compartments" and what not.
ryan brown
lOwEr CaSe Member
Having never held a Zacuto rig of anykind, I probably shouldn't jump to conclusions...
BUT: $4,427 for this?? I just don't see how you can justify the prices on *most* of their gear.
Everyone knows that prices are jacked up when it comes to film/video gear (sometimes by 100's of percent - literally), and Zacuto's stuff seems [to me] to fall into that category.
I'm not dissing the gear... but I would love an explanation of how they charge into the thousands for equipment which doesn't seem to have a very high production expense.
anyone care to shed some light here?
BUT: $4,427 for this?? I just don't see how you can justify the prices on *most* of their gear.
Everyone knows that prices are jacked up when it comes to film/video gear (sometimes by 100's of percent - literally), and Zacuto's stuff seems [to me] to fall into that category.
I'm not dissing the gear... but I would love an explanation of how they charge into the thousands for equipment which doesn't seem to have a very high production expense.
anyone care to shed some light here?
Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
Ryan,
Keep in mine that $1,200 of that price is for the Letus Extreme and support alone. That system allows for handheld use with external battery power and the use of an external monitor. It allows for balance and the use of the LEX with your camera of choice. It's not just a "rod system" but a complete camera support package.
I think you're mistaken in terms of production expense. Zacuto designs and manufactures all of their equipment. No "copy cat" technology or anything! Everything is highly adjustable and customizable. They come up with ideas that are innovations. Zacuto isn't jacking up their price by 100's of percent. You try designing your own quick release system or articulating arm... then go to a CNC shop and see how much it costs to manufacture 100 units. My guess is, the price per unit would surpass that of Zacuto.
You get what you pay for with Zacuto... and what you get is top notch. I'm a huge Zacuto fan... but as you'll read on DVX, many people have made the switch to Zacuto and couldn't be happier.
Keep in mine that $1,200 of that price is for the Letus Extreme and support alone. That system allows for handheld use with external battery power and the use of an external monitor. It allows for balance and the use of the LEX with your camera of choice. It's not just a "rod system" but a complete camera support package.
I think you're mistaken in terms of production expense. Zacuto designs and manufactures all of their equipment. No "copy cat" technology or anything! Everything is highly adjustable and customizable. They come up with ideas that are innovations. Zacuto isn't jacking up their price by 100's of percent. You try designing your own quick release system or articulating arm... then go to a CNC shop and see how much it costs to manufacture 100 units. My guess is, the price per unit would surpass that of Zacuto.
You get what you pay for with Zacuto... and what you get is top notch. I'm a huge Zacuto fan... but as you'll read on DVX, many people have made the switch to Zacuto and couldn't be happier.
Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
I'll fly out and prove it to you if you want.
Ryan, I'm totally agree with you a 100%. Lately I was looking for a handle and a shoulder pad because I already have rail system from IndiRails Pro. I came accross the Zacuta rig showing above. It's ridiculus that the Zacuto rig in the link above cost over $3,000 alone (minus the Letsu35 Extreme adapter). I would like them to justify the three grand for that setup. I just ordered the Cavision single handgrip and shoulder pad for less than $200.
I like to know who in the end is going to win the profits war. I already know whom I like.
Niche markets must be very risky business!
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lisa hayse
Active member
"Zacuto" is one of the most inovative gear producers in the market.
They stand by their products. The only reason they charge so much is
because this is such a small market and they have CNC'd top quality gear.
So engineering, manufacturing, marketing, staffing and company expenses have to be financially met to output this type of gears.
Fortunately for us folks looking for more affordable gear there are
those rising above the crowd and designing their own gear and
producing them at a more cost effective cost.
Here is the List of up an coming innovators in our market.
Hysonfilms.com
Cinevate.com
Geardear.com
Indifocus.com
Indiesnap.com
Sgpro.com
silverbackequipment.com
Redrockmicro.com
These are just a few off the top of my head.
If anyone would like to add to the list of fellow inovators
Please do.
They stand by their products. The only reason they charge so much is
because this is such a small market and they have CNC'd top quality gear.
So engineering, manufacturing, marketing, staffing and company expenses have to be financially met to output this type of gears.
Fortunately for us folks looking for more affordable gear there are
those rising above the crowd and designing their own gear and
producing them at a more cost effective cost.
Here is the List of up an coming innovators in our market.
Hysonfilms.com
Cinevate.com
Geardear.com
Indifocus.com
Indiesnap.com
Sgpro.com
silverbackequipment.com
Redrockmicro.com
These are just a few off the top of my head.
If anyone would like to add to the list of fellow inovators
Please do.
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Joseph Stunzi
Veteran
The Zacuto solution (Z-Riser) actually allows you to raise or lower the lens (not the camera)... depending on your needs
Charles Lowthian
Well-known member
are there benefits of having the lens higher than the camera?
...other than not having to raise the tripod a little more?
i'm a bit concerned for the cameras lens thread with all the weight on it (particularly with longer focal length lenses), so would pressume the lower the lens to the rails, the less strain. :undecided
Im not uderstanding this set up at all for two reasons.
In the current configuration, it seems it may balance out OK but how can I see what I am shooting.
SO, if I configure the shoulder pad back then I am shifting the weight forward and the unit has no balance causing me to basically support all the weight with my arms. One hour of that will see you done.
I have a cheap CAVISION set up which also suffers the same balance issue. I attached additional weight at the back to counter.
In the current configuration, it seems it may balance out OK but how can I see what I am shooting.
SO, if I configure the shoulder pad back then I am shifting the weight forward and the unit has no balance causing me to basically support all the weight with my arms. One hour of that will see you done.
I have a cheap CAVISION set up which also suffers the same balance issue. I attached additional weight at the back to counter.
One of the advantages is that the red on/off button is more visible on top so it reminds you to turn it on.
Charles Lowthian
Well-known member
haha i laughed at that cos that is a VERY good point and easy to forget regardless of the vibration/noise!
i suppose the little red light is the digital substitute for having to check the film gate. now we can call out "check the red light"
hehehe checking the GG!!
I am very concerned with a higher center of gravity caused by the flip module. So I was thinking that by having the heavier HVX lower as opposed to the lens which even with an 80-200mm zoom you are only talking about 1.3lbs, and you are only adding the matte box to that, then you are setting most of the mass closer to the rails. The further the mass is away from your rails the heavier it becomes in motion.
I HATE flip modules as much as they are sort of a necessity as Kholi pointed it out for with his help as I am deciding what adapter to get. When you are dealing with clients that may be like "WTF is up with this monitor being upside-down!?" you better just get the flip... I am also a firm believer that if you want to be a good editor you have to be fast just as your "clicks" have to be intuitive as opposed to looking for the button. Well having to flip each clip may not be a big deal, but when you are "in the zone" or just having a good session, flipping is holding you back and shaving a bit off what you will get out of those sessions. Not the end of the world for those with nothing but time for their projects on their hands, but still a nice and significant upside. Also, it seems those with a Brevis basically should get the flip... the spacer that was used on it helped with the edge to edge blur, but the flip acts as a whole lotta spacers and is apparently having a BIG impact on theimage.
Ok,sorry about some of that blah-bery, but for those that have or will get an flip, be it the Letus or not, I think finding ways to make the whole rig as low as possible is a BIG deal... it is not about your gear as much it is about your operation.
I am very concerned with a higher center of gravity caused by the flip module. So I was thinking that by having the heavier HVX lower as opposed to the lens which even with an 80-200mm zoom you are only talking about 1.3lbs, and you are only adding the matte box to that, then you are setting most of the mass closer to the rails. The further the mass is away from your rails the heavier it becomes in motion.
I HATE flip modules as much as they are sort of a necessity as Kholi pointed it out for with his help as I am deciding what adapter to get. When you are dealing with clients that may be like "WTF is up with this monitor being upside-down!?" you better just get the flip... I am also a firm believer that if you want to be a good editor you have to be fast just as your "clicks" have to be intuitive as opposed to looking for the button. Well having to flip each clip may not be a big deal, but when you are "in the zone" or just having a good session, flipping is holding you back and shaving a bit off what you will get out of those sessions. Not the end of the world for those with nothing but time for their projects on their hands, but still a nice and significant upside. Also, it seems those with a Brevis basically should get the flip... the spacer that was used on it helped with the edge to edge blur, but the flip acts as a whole lotta spacers and is apparently having a BIG impact on theimage.
Ok,sorry about some of that blah-bery, but for those that have or will get an flip, be it the Letus or not, I think finding ways to make the whole rig as low as possible is a BIG deal... it is not about your gear as much it is about your operation.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Hi all:
It all depends on your viewpoint. I would suspect that many of you comlaining about the prices of the Zacuto equipment may not have a lot of experience in shooting film/video for a living?
The Zacuto gear is designed for professionals who may be using relatively cheap cameras like the HVX, EX-1, etc. Many of these users own 35mm film packages, S16 packages and much more expensive F900s, Varicams, etc. If you come from that point of view, a full loaded HVX Zacuto package is a relative bargain. The bottom line is that the Zacuto stuff is built better than the Cavision, IndieFocus, Cinevate stuff so it should cost more. It is all American made, American designed quality stuff.
Now if you come from the hobbiest, low/no budget world, I agree, their stuff is expensive or seems so. Sure, you can get the Cavision mount and shoulder pad for a fraction of the cost. But is it built and engineered as well or built from as good of raw materials? No. Is it built in the U.S.? No.
I am so glad that brands like Zacuto are out there because it is solid professional gear that has properties that people from the film/television industries expect - robust, simple, intelligently engineered, good support and American made. No different than a Fisher Dolly or a Mole Richardson light. And it is designed for relatively cheap camcorders like the HVX, EX-1, etc. that many pros use.
I don't own Zacuto gear, but I have been lucky enough to do a shoot with a full Zacuto rig and please believe me, it's a far cry from my own Cavision rig in ergonomics, design and construction. Especially their handheld rigs, they are well balanced and handle and feel like you are shooting with a film camera when shooting with an HVX. Amazing, but yes, pricey.
Now instead of accusing Zacuto of trying to rip us all off, aren't you glad that we do all have choices, from low end to high end? Just like the big cameras and gear.
Just wanted to offer another viewpoint.
Best,
Dan
It all depends on your viewpoint. I would suspect that many of you comlaining about the prices of the Zacuto equipment may not have a lot of experience in shooting film/video for a living?
The Zacuto gear is designed for professionals who may be using relatively cheap cameras like the HVX, EX-1, etc. Many of these users own 35mm film packages, S16 packages and much more expensive F900s, Varicams, etc. If you come from that point of view, a full loaded HVX Zacuto package is a relative bargain. The bottom line is that the Zacuto stuff is built better than the Cavision, IndieFocus, Cinevate stuff so it should cost more. It is all American made, American designed quality stuff.
Now if you come from the hobbiest, low/no budget world, I agree, their stuff is expensive or seems so. Sure, you can get the Cavision mount and shoulder pad for a fraction of the cost. But is it built and engineered as well or built from as good of raw materials? No. Is it built in the U.S.? No.
I am so glad that brands like Zacuto are out there because it is solid professional gear that has properties that people from the film/television industries expect - robust, simple, intelligently engineered, good support and American made. No different than a Fisher Dolly or a Mole Richardson light. And it is designed for relatively cheap camcorders like the HVX, EX-1, etc. that many pros use.
I don't own Zacuto gear, but I have been lucky enough to do a shoot with a full Zacuto rig and please believe me, it's a far cry from my own Cavision rig in ergonomics, design and construction. Especially their handheld rigs, they are well balanced and handle and feel like you are shooting with a film camera when shooting with an HVX. Amazing, but yes, pricey.
Now instead of accusing Zacuto of trying to rip us all off, aren't you glad that we do all have choices, from low end to high end? Just like the big cameras and gear.
Just wanted to offer another viewpoint.
Best,
Dan
Tim Naylor
Veteran
The price is fine. Until you can find a manufacturer who makes baseplates, adaptors, etc. that are as well designed, simple to use and built as well, that price is justified. They are the only ones making components of this quality. Of all the gear I see reviewed on this board, Zacuto is perhaps the only one that considers every last detail for professional use. If the other manufacturers did, they'd have some competition.
Usually when I sell a piece of gear it's usually because of design or build failure. I get rid of it before it bites me in the ass on set. I got rid of my RRock follow focus, Brevis, Cartoni Focus to name a few, because of design and quality flaws. Flaws that I could not risk when you use the gear to make a living. Flaws that if you were to tolerate them would end up costing you more in lost time or business.
Take Zacuto's baseplate / Riser. While everyone else is raising the camera for flip modules, they take the simpler and more stable route of raising the adaptor, keeping the camera's CG low (vital for smoother tilts), and absent a platform, structurally more stable and more likely to match the tripods level. The baseplate itself is a wonder in simplicity. SG Pros, Brevis and LE rod and plate systems are far more complicated to adjust. Zacuto just uses two allen keys for x axis and four for the y.
When you use their gear, you get the feeling that it was designed by cameramen not tinkerers. And guess what? It is. Everything's sensibly laid out. The only accessory maker that matches their build and quality would be Chrosziel. It's like tripods. Your Manfrotto may do the job but a good Miller or Sachtler is way more reliable and will get your move in one take - it's reflected in the price. Can't tell you how many Manfrottos I've take apart to get them up and running. That time is money or vacation time.
The money you pay is for the peace of mind that'll it'll work day in and day out with little or no hassle. Can't say that for any of the adaptor makers (which is why I have to own two now) or cheap matte box makers, etc.
Usually when I sell a piece of gear it's usually because of design or build failure. I get rid of it before it bites me in the ass on set. I got rid of my RRock follow focus, Brevis, Cartoni Focus to name a few, because of design and quality flaws. Flaws that I could not risk when you use the gear to make a living. Flaws that if you were to tolerate them would end up costing you more in lost time or business.
Take Zacuto's baseplate / Riser. While everyone else is raising the camera for flip modules, they take the simpler and more stable route of raising the adaptor, keeping the camera's CG low (vital for smoother tilts), and absent a platform, structurally more stable and more likely to match the tripods level. The baseplate itself is a wonder in simplicity. SG Pros, Brevis and LE rod and plate systems are far more complicated to adjust. Zacuto just uses two allen keys for x axis and four for the y.
When you use their gear, you get the feeling that it was designed by cameramen not tinkerers. And guess what? It is. Everything's sensibly laid out. The only accessory maker that matches their build and quality would be Chrosziel. It's like tripods. Your Manfrotto may do the job but a good Miller or Sachtler is way more reliable and will get your move in one take - it's reflected in the price. Can't tell you how many Manfrottos I've take apart to get them up and running. That time is money or vacation time.
The money you pay is for the peace of mind that'll it'll work day in and day out with little or no hassle. Can't say that for any of the adaptor makers (which is why I have to own two now) or cheap matte box makers, etc.
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