Hi,
First of all sorry this is a long post - you can skip to the pictures at the bottom if you'd rather not read all this!
I thought I'd share my FS700 rig and system with you - it may be helpful to some FS700 users.
I needed the FS700 to be a jack of all trades, where it can be used for staged shots and interviews (mainly for corporate videos), but also as a run-and-gun camera at live events and for fast scenes where re-shoots are just not going to happen. A seemingly tall order, but with research I knew it was somewhat achievable with added kit.
Before purchasing the FS700 6 week's ago I owned and used two types of camera: A Sony HVR-S270 Full Size Shoulder Mount HDV camcorder, plus both a Canon 7D and 60D DSLRs. I liked the convenience and form factor of the Sony S270, but I loved the image I could achieve from the Canon DSLRs. Ultimately I wanted a new camera that could combine these two types of camera; a shoulder-mount form factor (that didn't have the short recording limitations of the DSLRs) and that could also take the EF and EF-S lenses I owned to achieve the large sensor/low depth of field/film(ish) look of the DSLRs.
So the FS700 was my solution, but with added goodies to make it comfortable and easy to use in many situations. I traded in the S270 but have kept the DSLRs as B cameras. I intend to purchase either the new Sony G 18-105 f4 E-Mount powered zoom lens (providing I can use it with the FS700's grip zoom rocker switches - the info online hasn't confirmed this yet), or perhaps the Sony PZ18-200 powered zoom lens, either of which will be good in a run-and-gun situation. In the meantime I am finding I am using the FS700 mostly with my Canon EF-S 17-55 f2.8 with the Metabones mark III adapter - I didn't purchase the Speedbooster Metabones adapter at this stage because 3 of my lenses are EF-S which the Speedbooster doesn't work with. I also own a Canon EF 50mm f1.4, Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 (and Canon 2 x adapter), Sigma 30mm f1.4 and Canon EF-S 10-22 wide angle lens. All the lenses work perfectly on the FS700.
I already owned a Redock Micro Captain Stubling rig for my DSLRs (http://store.redrockmicro.com/Captain-Stubling-DSLR-Bundle) and so I was able to take parts of this and use in my new FS700 rig. My rig consists of (with pictures below):
I also purchased an Oyster soft bag to house all my kit (http://oystercases.com) which I found pretty good and it allows me to take the FS700 with the rig in and out of the bag without having to remove anything.
I would eventually like to purchase an external recorder for the green screen work I often do, but for now I am very happy with my set-up.
Cheers,
Jonathan
First of all sorry this is a long post - you can skip to the pictures at the bottom if you'd rather not read all this!
I thought I'd share my FS700 rig and system with you - it may be helpful to some FS700 users.
I needed the FS700 to be a jack of all trades, where it can be used for staged shots and interviews (mainly for corporate videos), but also as a run-and-gun camera at live events and for fast scenes where re-shoots are just not going to happen. A seemingly tall order, but with research I knew it was somewhat achievable with added kit.
Before purchasing the FS700 6 week's ago I owned and used two types of camera: A Sony HVR-S270 Full Size Shoulder Mount HDV camcorder, plus both a Canon 7D and 60D DSLRs. I liked the convenience and form factor of the Sony S270, but I loved the image I could achieve from the Canon DSLRs. Ultimately I wanted a new camera that could combine these two types of camera; a shoulder-mount form factor (that didn't have the short recording limitations of the DSLRs) and that could also take the EF and EF-S lenses I owned to achieve the large sensor/low depth of field/film(ish) look of the DSLRs.
So the FS700 was my solution, but with added goodies to make it comfortable and easy to use in many situations. I traded in the S270 but have kept the DSLRs as B cameras. I intend to purchase either the new Sony G 18-105 f4 E-Mount powered zoom lens (providing I can use it with the FS700's grip zoom rocker switches - the info online hasn't confirmed this yet), or perhaps the Sony PZ18-200 powered zoom lens, either of which will be good in a run-and-gun situation. In the meantime I am finding I am using the FS700 mostly with my Canon EF-S 17-55 f2.8 with the Metabones mark III adapter - I didn't purchase the Speedbooster Metabones adapter at this stage because 3 of my lenses are EF-S which the Speedbooster doesn't work with. I also own a Canon EF 50mm f1.4, Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 (and Canon 2 x adapter), Sigma 30mm f1.4 and Canon EF-S 10-22 wide angle lens. All the lenses work perfectly on the FS700.
I already owned a Redock Micro Captain Stubling rig for my DSLRs (http://store.redrockmicro.com/Captain-Stubling-DSLR-Bundle) and so I was able to take parts of this and use in my new FS700 rig. My rig consists of (with pictures below):
- FS700
- Zacuto FS700 Shooter Kit (http://store.zacuto.com/fs700-shooter). One of the major benefits of this kit is that it includes a grip locator which allows me to place the Sony grip onto the front 15mm bars which I find the ideal location when on my shoulder. But I have not used the supplied Zacuto counterweight as it was ridiculously heavy, and although it technically balanced the weight on my shoulder I found the added 7lb counterweight caused fatigue in no time - I'd rather have slightly less balance but with less overall weight.
- Genus 3lb Counterweight (http://www.videogear.co.uk/Genus/Shoulder-Mount-Accessories/Genus-Counter-Weight/prod_2206.html) to replace the Zacuto weight - it clamps onto the back of the 15mm bars in exactly the same position as where the Zacuto weight was meant to go. I find the balance and weight of the rig with this Genus counterbalance pretty comfortable. I originally tried to buy the Zacuto's lighter-weight version of the counterbalance that is sold separately, but it wasn't in stock and I needed a solution for a shoot fairly quickly, so went with the Genus, which I'm now happy with.
- Redock Micro Captain Stubling follow focus (and grip handle - with bar - to go underneath). The grip handle has three benefits: one to rest my hand when on my shoulder (which helps balance the weight of the camera at the same time as allowing me to use the follow focus), plus it allows the FS700 to sit down on the floor without toppling over (as I angle the grip handle appropriately to achieve this) and in combination with my added top grip handle (more on this below) it also helps me to comfortably hold the camera for low-down or high-up shots.
- Kinotehnik LCDVFe viewfinder (http://www.kinotehnik.com/products/electronic-viewfinder/overview). I researched many viewfinders and decided to go with this one, based on the many good online reviews and the fact it came supplied with a very good and robust mounting bracket, which is perfect for using with the FS700 (the Zacuto EVF for example charge a lot extra for their mounting solution). I have found the Kinotehnik viewfinder has only a very slight lag (about 2 frames), but acceptable. The image is bright and clear, and using the very centre button (on the side) it allows me to quickly punch in for aiding focus (I find this method much easier and more accurate than using any kind of peaking - that's just my experience anyway). It's a shame the expanded focus button on the Sony grip only effects the FS700's own monitor, but the Kinotehnik having it's own version is a good alternative. Although the Kinotehnik LCDVFe came with a HDMI cable in the box I found it too short (0.5m), and I wanted one that had swivel plugs to prevent the cable being damaged - so I got this one from Amazon UK which I find perfect: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004NUK17K
- An additional top handle arrangement. I felt it needed this as the FS700's own top handle is too far forward when used with my new rig. This new top handle arrangement consists of a 15mm bar (that also has an additional 15mm clamp on it) and a grip handle, both of which came with the Redock Micro Captain Stubling kit I already owned. To attach the bar and handle I bought two lighting stand studs that screwed into the 1/4" threads on top of the FS700 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005CGTA0S) and also two rod clamps that attached to the studs (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0086ZU4QQ). I wrapped a velcro strap (that I already owned) underneath the new handle and around the original handle, so as to distribute some of the tension away from just the two 1/4" screw threads on the FS700 - this has helped make the new handle very rigid indeed, and gives reassurance when holding the entire rig with just the new handle. The Redrock bar's 15mm clamp allowed me to move the FS700's microphone onto it (as the Kinotehnik viewfinder's mounting attaches where the microphone originally was). I find this also allows me to use a longer microphone (such as the Sennheiser K6/ME66 that I own) without it encroaching in view of the lens. The lighting studs allowed the handle to be raised sufficiently to allow me to still use the FS700's LCD monitor when occasionally required.
I also purchased an Oyster soft bag to house all my kit (http://oystercases.com) which I found pretty good and it allows me to take the FS700 with the rig in and out of the bag without having to remove anything.
I would eventually like to purchase an external recorder for the green screen work I often do, but for now I am very happy with my set-up.
Cheers,
Jonathan
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