Mounting Zacuto Gratical Eye on FX6

Doug Jensen said:
The problem with the Z-Finder is that it prevents the LCD from being used for touch-tracking AF, which works amazingly well on the FX6.
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You can flip the Zfinder up to activate tracking obviously, but certainly if you had your eye to the loupe and wanted to tap mid-shot. That's going to be a problem.

That said, it's probably almost as difficult to do with your eye pressed to a dedicated EVF and the LCD mounted separately for tapping on.

I feel like using the stock control handle that comes with the camera (and using the joystick on that to shift the focus point) is probably the best compromise to that (if you're shooting solo).
 
Grug said:
That said, it's probably almost as difficult to do with your eye pressed to a dedicated EVF and the LCD mounted separately for tapping on.
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No it's not difficult at all. In fact, it is very easy. I can tap anywhere on the LCD screen and hit my target without even taking my eye away form the Gratical 99% of the time. It's absolutely necessary for tracking wildllfe, sports, etc. that are already in motion by the time you get the subject in the shot.

For drama, interviews, etc., I agree that it would not be a big deal. But for action, you need both devices, and tapping on the screen sight-unseen is easy after just a little practice to get a feel for the edges of the LCD panel.

BTW, you can't shift the focus point with the joystick. And even if you could, the joystick is on the wrong side of the camera for tripod shooting.
 
NorBro said:
Love the tennis balls on the various feet, so smart, and the one in the air likely blocking anyone from injury.

Is that a common thing in pro production or a local crew idea?
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It's a pretty standard practice here in Australia. Has the added advantage that (on slippery surfaces) you can easily drag the stands along the ground to reposition (instead of having to lift the whole ensemble up).

drboffa said:
Thanks for the detailed write up and photos, Grug ! I love the outside-the-box thinking on your setup.

I'm testing out a slightly different setup to the one I was previously using—this time with the Gratical Eye moved to the rear. I don't do a lot of shoulder shooting, and when I do I generally need to build up the camera anyway with the rig, v-mount, etc., so having to also adjust the EVF in that scenario isn't too much of an issue.

My big issue with this setup (rod clamp to rail) is that I can only rotate the Gratical—no height adjustment.
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Since you're using 15mm rods there (my preferred mounting bracketry), you could just add another joint or two with 15mm rods and clamps, to create additional range and articulation.

Personally, I lean VERY heavily on my "Upgrade Innovations" 15mm components for that (https://upgradeinnovations.com/), they're made in Canada and the most brilliant execution of 15mm bracketry for camera rigging that I've come across to date (using o-rings to provide both resistance for adjusting rotation in a clamp, and also at the ends of the rods as safety stops).

Their gear is so sturdy you can use the rods as handles to lift full-sized Alexas (while they hold your monitor/accessories perfectly in place).

You can see it in use on my photos holding the Ninja V monitor in place. And also the 15mm spud connecting the EVF mount to the camera, and one-half of the 15mm/19mm right-angle bracket that I put together to allow for the lateral rotation on that spigot.
 
Grug said:
It's a pretty standard practice here in Australia. Has the added advantage that (on slippery surfaces) you can easily drag the stands along the ground to reposition (instead of having to lift the whole ensemble up).
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The sliding convenience was the first thing that came to mind, even if just a few inches, before scratching the floor surfaces (which I figured was the main purpose).
 
Grug said:
Personally, I lean VERY heavily on my "Upgrade Innovations" 15mm components for that (https://upgradeinnovations.com/), they're made in Canada and the most brilliant execution of 15mm bracketry for camera rigging that I've come across to date (using o-rings to provide both resistance for adjusting rotation in a clamp, and also at the ends of the rods as safety stops).

Their gear is so sturdy you can use the rods as handles to lift full-sized Alexas (while they hold your monitor/accessories perfectly in place).
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This looks great—thank you! I'll look through their offerings and see what might work best here.
 
All you finder users.. rejoice in the fact you are not left eye dominant.. which will at minimum demand another freedom of movement. Rotation in the horizontal plane.

Just a thought for any viewer looking to kit up from this thread.
 
d shay said:
I have a Gratical and am thinking of getting an fx6... How to you power the Gratical with the FX6?
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I normally power mine via d-tap from the V-mount battery that is also powering the camera and any other accessories I have mounted on the camera. However, if you don't want to mess with d-tap, Zacuto has a LP-E6 Battery Pack Set for Gratical Eye. I have one, but have only used it a couple of times. It keeps the rig nice and small.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1689533-REG/zacuto_z_gbp_gratical_eye_evf_lithium_ion.html
 
Just today I bought a new accessory because of the eye. In the event that I need to send a signal to the Live U (the new lu800 non hdr version has no hdmi input). It’s the little blackmagic hdmi to sdi converter. With a dtap to usb c, I can power it from the battery, and it allows me to have the eye, and 2 extra sdi outs.
 
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