Letus Extreme rig photos

No I don't work for Zacuto.

I'm just a big Zacuto fan. It all started out about two years ago when I first saw their kits and thought that owning one would be a "dream come true." Then somehow, I managed to start a nonprofit, get funding, and purchase one! I'm still in love with the ingenuity behind the system and well... I like to express that.

I live in Georgia. Therefore working for Zacuto in Chicago would be practically impossible.

However, i am working on a review series of Zacuto, Reflecmedia, and several other products we're using for IENCE (my nonprofit). These should pop up shortly.
 
Deuce,

Looking rock solid....great...I have the same setup and a nice selection of nikon lenses and had an idea of doing the same thing....which case did you use and how much you paid for it....looks very practical...

best regards

cckid
 
I wanted to ask Joseph that question for a long time now :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) not one message without mentioning zacuto, but im becoming a fan as well, their system kicks butt and I think it will outlast the camera and me.
On the topic of cases I think everyone new to adapters is finding out how necessary they are especially to carry around a cam/adapter/lens rig, hard to put down the thing anywhere or it might tip over or bang into something, so anyway with all that weight (as compared to just the hvx) is it a good idea to get a case/insert where the rig goes in sideways like in most photos here or would it be better to get one where the rig drops in straight down and thats how the case is carried without being turned 90 degrees? Just seems like the inserts must compress a whole lot under all that weight, leading possibly to more cam movement in the case and quicker insert wear.
Any recommendations for hvx 35mm rig cases? (not too large so it doesnt need wheels and is portable)
 
I actually have a Kata CCC bag which holds my rig fully setup in a "grab 'n' go" fashion. However for travel, I'd go with a Pelican case with one of three "foam solutions"
  1. Pelican provides "pluck 'n' pull" foam that can be form fitted to your camera setup
  2. Pelican provides a padded divider set which can be "reshaped" as your kit expands
  3. If money allows, Zacuto has the "form fitted" foam that you can put into a Storm or Pelican case
So how do you decide which case to buy?
Measure the length, width, and height of your rig as you want to transport it. Add an inch to each of those measurements (because you want your baby nice and snug) and then plug those into Pelican's case calculator found here.
 
DVXuser: I'd say straight up just because you would then have use of the HVX's handle to pull her outta there. However, this allows room for lenses and other things. If that's unnecessary, maybe laying the camera down would be okay.

From experience, the pluck 'n' pull foam wears pretty fast, especially if you try to do fancy things with it. Maybe the padded divider is what you're looking for? I cannot attest to the padded dividers for Pelican but for Kata, they're rock solid in terms of security and stability.
 
Here is my two cents on cases, and why I picked the Porta Brace PB2750.

1. I wanted something that would give a high level of protection to my gear. You can DRIVE on top of this case and it is waterproof. I saw tests where the case was tossed out of a truck moving at 50 mph and the gear inside was not harmed. Sounds good to me!

2. I wanted something that was "compact" - as small as possible within fitting my gear. This was the only "smaller" case that was wide enough to fit my 20 inch long rails. It's a little "close" but it fits. the next nodel up is a big jump in size and WEIGHT.

3. I wanted something light because I am a girl and can't lift too heavy. The next size up, the case weight went up from i think like 18 lbs (my case) to 24- 30 lbs (empty). Way too heavy.

4. I wanted something with wheels but also with handles. This case has two handles, makes it easier to lift it into my truck. It also has wheels so I can wheel it behind me when I am at car shows filming etc and a lot of walking around is involved.

5. I wanted to something compact also because I have limited space in my truck.

6. I wanted something innexpensive, and this hard case was cheaper than my petrol soft bag. I paid $150.00 for the hard case.

Although I agree that putting the camera down "handle up" seems convenient, it pauses some problems: You will need a much deeper case, which means, heavier, more expensive, LARGER size (model up) tp fit the camewra with rails attached, placed in that orientation.

Also I prefer foam I can customise to MY needs, rather than premolded stuff. Afterall not everyone has the same gear. Once inside that pick and pluck foam, my gear is packed so snug it AIN'T moving, no matter how much I shake the case. Looking at the zacuto pre molded insert, I did not get the same "tight fit - ain't going anywhere" impression - but I could be wrong.

DRAWBACKS:

1. Now of course I added a follow focus to my rig. I yet have to figure out whether I want to try to fit it in the case or carry it in the Petrol bag, which now holds my monitor and sound gear. For me two smaller cases are better than one large one, because of weight consideration.

2. The pick and pluck foam has a tendency to want to lift up with teh camera when I pull the camera out. It is mildly annoying but takes 2 seconds to fix, just push it back down in the case. You can use foam glue (spray) to solve this problem and I might do this soon. This way the upper layer of foam will be glued to the bottom layer and it will stay in place :).

Hope all above helps.
 
I find Pelican's Pluck and Suck foam begins to shred and rip way too easy. You end up having to replace twice a year. Anyone know of a cheap supplier of firmer foam that can be cut to size for lenses, accessories, etc?
 
Tim Naylor said:
I find Pelican's Pluck and Suck foam begins to shred and rip way too easy. You end up having to replace twice a year. Anyone know of a cheap supplier of firmer foam that can be cut to size for lenses, accessories, etc?
Click to expand...

Dunno specifically, but generic open-cell foam is available in sheets of various sizes, colors, and thicknesses quite cheaply. The hardest part might be cutting it to fit the case and contents.

I've cut similar foam numerous times for my audio studio, but only straight along the sides. The best tool I've found for it is a good old-fashioned sharp pair of scissors. Might work for custom fit-jobs too if you were careful with it.
 
GOOD NEWS :)

I was able to fit my Red Rock Follow focus, as well as 2 whips, inside my case, no problem :). So I am still 'self contained" in one case when it comes to camera related items. the sound (headphones, shotgun mic and 2 lavaliers) and monitoring items are in the second bags. Oh and my 5 HVX batteries are also in teh second bag... Might want to move them to case, I think I can fit them in there too :).
 
My new LEX with the HVX200 & MY old M2 DVX100B rig.

They sure do grow up don't they.

Dam I miss my 18" rails!
 

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Deuceofspades said:
GOOD NEWS :)

I was able to fit my Red Rock Follow focus, as well as 2 whips, inside my case, no problem :). So I am still 'self contained" in one case when it comes to camera related items. the sound (headphones, shotgun mic and 2 lavaliers) and monitoring items are in the second bags. Oh and my 5 HVX batteries are also in teh second bag... Might want to move them to case, I think I can fit them in there too :).
Click to expand...

I am looking to do something similar to what you have created. Foam is my major hang up. I have found a pelican case that will allow for me to fit everything though.
 
Sure

Sure

It the VariZoom VZ-AR-5K - Monitor mount arm.

I purchased it off Amazon .com for $132.00 including shipping.

The clamp is a nice touch. It allows me to mount it on almost any camera with little effect.
For some reason I'm not comfortable with the screwing an arm into the threaded female socket
on the handle of my HVX200. Just doesn't look strong enough to support a load on. It actually
is alot longer then what my picture shows. I shortened it for a sturdier assembly.
 
ifownlee41nite@mac.com said:
It the VariZoom VZ-AR-5K - Monitor mount arm.

I purchased it off Amazon .com for $132.00 including shipping.

The clamp is a nice touch. It allows me to mount it on almost any camera with little effect.
For some reason I'm not comfortable with the screwing an arm into the threaded female socket
on the handle of my HVX200. Just doesn't look strong enough to support a load on. It actually
is alot longer then what my picture shows. I shortened it for a sturdier assembly.
Click to expand...

Does the clamp leave any marks in the plastic? Does it have some padding to it?

I have a Marshall with battery (nebteck version) monitor mounted on that female thread right on the handle, it is FINE, it can handle it (pun intended hehe). the marshall monitor + 1 HVX battery is not that light. The reason I want to get an arm is because I am not crazy about having the monitor up that high. I prefer to have it closer to where the LED is. And have the option to mount it on the tripod if I wanted...

Does the monitor bounce, shake, or move once clamped? Or is the arm rock solid?
 
Not to kill bandwidth too much but heres a little tribute to zacuto's modularity, my snorkel up pics are earlier in the post

snorkel down 1:
1199324818.jpg


closeup:
1199324913.jpg


snorkel down 2:
1199324957.jpg


closeup:
1199325003.jpg


With the first one the camera had to be raised for the adapter to fit on single level of rods (the baseplate is adjustable). But that is the end of the adjustment so I doubt a FF/matte box would fit that way. With the second setup the rods were split midway, seems less solid at first but they actually screw into the Z-riser on the lower level so its very solid. Much more adjustment this way so should be plenty of room for matte box.
 
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