MicroFollowFocus, DSLR Baseplate, Zeiss ZE = Shakey?

drewmaw

drewmaw

Well-known member
Alright, I need some help with a question I have. I recently purchased the Deluxe Redrock Kit, using both 7D and 5d mark II, and it's all working great, except for one crucial thing!!

I have the Zeiss ZE prime kit, and using Zacuto zip gears (used redrock gears and same problem), using the microFollowFocus, and the Redrock DSLR base plate (see here or picture attached.DSLR_baseplate_lg.jpg.

The problem is when I'm pulling focus, there's a slight lift or dip on the camera body itself depending on which way I'm torquing the lens with the follow focus.

It just seems like the problem is with the redrock micro DSLR baseplate. I've tightened the camera down as far as she go, both to the rods, and to the camera. It just seems as though the height of the baseplate isn't supported well enough by the skinny nature of the DSLR baseplate. The follow focus is fine, the lens is great, but the weak link is the DSLR baseplate.

I was curious if anyone else has had this problem, as I couldn't find anyone else having the same problem.
 
Are you using the set pin with the DSLR baseplat? This eliminates torque. Where is your follow focus gear located, underneath or beside the lens? What is the size of your follow focus gear? Are your rods secured by any other device at the opposite end? The baseplate is a quick release plate, but it is not meant to be used alone for the stability of the bars. I suspect if you use some kind of clamp at the other end, you may find your solution.
 
You can get this if the baseplate is not properly attached to the rails. I have the same setup, not zeiss, but I'm going to assume it isn't the lens doing it, since i often lift my 7d on the rig up by the lens itself and even then it does not shake. The DSLR baseplate attaches to the rods by sliding the 'teeth' off-center, then you slide the plate over the rods, slide the 'teeth' back around the rods and screw it tight. sometimes you can get it so that the 'teeth' are biting into the rail, but are not truly seated properly, as in they are not completely down over the rail. Try loosening the screw a bit and rocking the baseplate back and fourth while gently pushing down onto the rails. Once the baseplate is firmly seated on the rails, you can tighten the screw again and you should be golden. If this is not working, contact redrock. They do great customer support.
 
Hmm, I'm using pretty much the same set up (Redrock Captain Stubling, Micro FF, Redrock Gears, Zeiss primes) and it's solid as a rock. suicdekng is right on with his advice - sometimes the baseplate doesn't quite seat properly. If you've gone through everything, which I imagine you have, and can't get it solid contact Redrock. They have great customer support.
 
yoclay said:
Are you using the set pin with the DSLR baseplat? This eliminates torque.
Click to expand...
This is essential. It basically keeps the camera grounded at two points, instead of just the center. If you only use the center screw, the camera can rotate from left to right.
 
drewmaw said:
Alright, I need some help with a question I have. I recently purchased the Deluxe Redrock Kit, using both 7D and 5d mark II, and it's all working great, except for one crucial thing wobble
Click to expand...

thats why people spend $1k on a cage the kind where the camera is clamped by the hotshoe too or a RRS bracket - check out all pics of rigs using Remote FFs

I wonder if some matte boxes provide support to the front of the lens - might help

I was chatting with an engineer the other day and he described the distance between FF and lens (via the barrel, lens, lens mount (adapter?) camera, camera mount, rail mount, rails and FF block*) as 'a long journey' shorten that journey if you can with your configuration

that journey is 8 joints, 01.mm of flex in each joint is nearly 1mm of flex

S
 
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Hey Drew,
Strange problem you're having. I personally shoot on a Field Cinema bundle and am constantly torquing heavy glass like the unique optics. I've never noticed a problem even while using the DSLR baseplate, although for heavy lenses like the unique optics I do suggest the RRS plate that redrock will be releasing a compatable rod clamp for shortly. But again this should not be happening on ZE lenses. If possible I'd suggest taking a video of the problem as it happens and send it into redrock to make sure that on the off chance the plate is faulty they can identify that. Also feel free to bring it down to me at EVS (in Glendale) and I'll be happy to take a look at it as well, I work very closely with redrock and will be able to identify if there is something wrong.
 
Loren Simons said:
Hey Drew,
Strange problem you're having. I personally shoot on a Field Cinema bundle and am constantly torquing heavy glass like the unique optics. I've never noticed a problem even while using the DSLR baseplate, although for heavy lenses like the unique optics I do suggest the RRS plate that redrock will be releasing a compatable rod clamp for shortly. But again this should not be happening on ZE lenses. If possible I'd suggest taking a video of the problem as it happens and send it into redrock to make sure that on the off chance the plate is faulty they can identify that. Also feel free to bring it down to me at EVS (in Glendale) and I'll be happy to take a look at it as well, I work very closely with redrock and will be able to identify if there is something wrong.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Thank you for the offer. I greatly appreciate it! I'll check on the things that have been suggested above, and will get back to you. I love the DVX community. You guys are like my second family. :'-) *tear*
 
Ok, so I tested two DSLR baseplates, with and without the optional threaded pin, even tried torquing the screw that locks to the rods... and nothing changed. There's still a shakey wobble when pulling focus
 
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