Letus Extreme rig photos

[Ted Spencer]

Zacuto seems to have taken a page from the Porsche pricing playbook. If you've ever seen the option list on a Boxster, you know what I mean. Among innumerable other outlandishly expensive options that have almost no actual value, it's possible to spend about $6000 on any one of several different custom interior trim colors. Like, for example, black paint. It goes on with ridiculous things like that for pages and pages.

For laughs I once maxed out all the "build to order" options I could at the Porsche site on a Boxster, which started at about $45K. It was a hair shy of $100K when I was done. That's about $25K more than a 911.

Zacuto, like Porsche, is almost unquestionably excellent. But evidently, likewise priced up to the moon.

 

[Joseph Stunzi]

I disagree. Most film equipment that is of equal quality to theirs is even more. Look at an ARRI baseplate or something.

 

[Shane]

Shane,
So you're using that adapter for your HVX with your battery plate. Can you power something else off of the battery as well (i.e. monitor, etc?)

You would have to spit the power before it goes into the dolgin box. There is only one output on the adapter and that puts out 7.2volts.

Shane.

 

[stephen_nugent]

I disagree. Most film equipment that is of equal quality to theirs is even more. Look at an ARRI baseplate or something.

Joseph I agree and disagree. I mean look at the size of that micro-ZicroMount. I guess that they don't sell the stuff in masses but we are still paying labels here too. Just like with Arri and Adidas. I bought into china-made Cavision and got what I paid for, but Zacuto is clearly niche.

 

[Joseph Stunzi]

True. Have you ever played with Zacuto stuff before? That's a big "decision maker" for a lot of people.

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

The Zacuto gear is pricey....but it is also VERY solid.

 

[USLatin]

Has anyone used the Brevis rails?

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

I found the brevis rails to be very crude and hard to adjust.

Unlike their adapter, which is great.

 

[eureka]

eureka: that's the Zacuto Zamerican arm (small) with two zicromounts. Store links are below.

http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?productid=203&cat=0&page=1
http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?productid=191&cat=0&page=1

Thanks for that....

 

[USLatin]

Are you referring to their plate? It seems they are not using different rails, how long ago were the ones you used purchased?

 

[cordvision]

I just got the Zacuto Baseplate and 7inch rod extensions. Amazing quality!!!!!!!!!!!!! Would definitely buy it again if I had to...

 

[Moojangles]

im curious on peoples impressions of Cinevates Carbon rod system, it sounds nice in practice. Just curious about peoples experience with it, haven't read much from actual users.

 

[USLatin]

Yes, finding impressions from users isn't easy.

 

[adolgin]

You would have to spit the power before it goes into the dolgin box. There is only one output on the adapter and that puts out 7.2volts.

Shane.

Actually there is a splitter built in. The 12-16V input has a 4pin XLR socket and a standard DC jack. They are connected, so you can use an XLR cable to bring power from a large battery, while using the jack to send the same voltage to a monitor, etc.
HTH

 

[Joseph Stunzi]

im curious on peoples impressions of Cinevates Carbon rod system, it sounds nice in practice. Just curious about peoples experience with it, haven't read much from actual users.

Although I haven't used it myself, I hear that Dennis's rail system is stellar. He offers lot of pieces to help you rail mount pretty much anything you need. I'd say it's probably the second best thing to buying a full Zacuto rig. And solid carbon fiber should be a ton of a lot sturdier than hollow aluminum. Still goes to show why the "industry" likes that stainless steel!

 

[Shane]

Actually there is a splitter built in. The 12-16V input has a 4pin XLR socket and a standard DC jack. They are connected, so you can use an XLR cable to bring power from a large battery, while using the jack to send the same voltage to a monitor, etc.
HTH

Thanks Alex,
I didn't realize that. I'll be using it more in the future
Shane.

 

[Alvise Tedesco]

and I'm checking out matte boxes to make up my mind.

I'm very happy with my "genus". Perfect compromise. Not already tried with 35mm lenses, but was a perfect fit with a dvx100 on a recent doc I shot
http://truelens.co.uk/acatalog/

 

[Arrik]

im curious on peoples impressions of Cinevates Carbon rod system, it sounds nice in practice. Just curious about peoples experience with it, haven't read much from actual users.

I sold my zacuto rails setup for a cinevate one. Call me crazy but after shooting with the zacuto rig (which I love) I can appreciate the lighter cinevate rig. And I think it looks just as good. Dont you? (z-american arm missing from pictures)

The pictured CF rails are the old ones. The newer, solid CF ones are even better... way better. Cinevate rails are like legos. Only downside is the horizontal adjustment is kinda primitive if you are going to use it with something like an SG Pro that requires it. It works but could be improved. That said, I've seen the improvement! You guys are going to love the new "baseplate/riser/whateverthingy" attachment that Dennis has in the works.

So yeah, cinevates worth a look IMO. Though Zacuto trumps on aspects of quality... at a price.

 

[PaPa]

looks nice Arrik, but seems as though your neck is going to go through one hell of a rough time trying to watch the monitor. Also, having the grips so close together doesn't seem that practical. Still a very nice looking setup though.

 

[Matty_g]

having the shoulderpad way in the back with no counterbalance seems tiring.