My new TILTA killer riig

Frank, I tried to google it, but didn't find the manufacturer's page - could you please provide some links?

Oops - sorry, looks like I missed entire page of this thread; please disregard.
 
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I would say the base plate is in the neighborhood of 2 to 2.5 pounds.

Here is short review from Leo Caspari that covers the FF and matebox:

Okay, I put the rig together today and I must say I'm amazed by the quality of it!
I doubt there is any rig that comes close to this when you consider the prize tag.

Overall I was amazed by how light the rig actually is. On the pictures it looks like a beast, but once you have it on your shoulder it feels actually quite comfortable.

Balance: The rig is not perfectly balances with DSLRs, even if you have a V-mount attached to the back of the rig. However it is not that front heavy and the long handles make it quite comfortable to wield for long days. Personally I would attach a counterweight to even it out.

Overall built quality: Amazing! Really robust. Nothing that will get damaged easily.

Matte box: Again, really nicely built. The swing away system works great and the aluminum seems really sturdy. One little thing that I noticed was that one of the eyebrows didn't tie down unless I used an alan wrench. Accordingly I'd have to use an alan wrench again to remove it. But perhaps I just tied it down a little too much. (I only put it together quickly).

Handles: Really nice. Actually a little shorter than I imagined them to be, but still nice.
It was mentioned that they wouldn't lock down 100% and that they moved a little. The unit I tested did not have that issue. It locked down perfectly and there was no movement at all.

Follow focus: Again, amazing quality. Super robust and really smooth. It comes with two screws for hard stops that come in handy when you use lenses that don't have it (like many Canon still lenses). On other lenses that have a long throw they might actually be in the way. But if I'm not mistaken the two holes inside the follow focus knob are designed to store the two screws if you don't need them. If so - nicely done!
The two whips that come with it also have amazing quality. The speed crank however didn't seem to fit and didn't go in all the way.
I swapped my crank for another one which worked fine. The Tilta speed crank on the other hand worked great with the other follow focus (Cinecity dual FF).
Edit: Almost forgot. There is no backlash!

Shoulder pad: Very confortable. And the great thing is that it is fully integrated in the baseplate. The included V-lock locked perfectly down into the existing quick release system of the tripod.

Monitor arm: This one is really great. It is of very good quality and I don't see any issues with it. My other monitor arms for instance tend to pop out of their sockets when used for a while.

The rest: You do have some movement in the rig when you take it by the handle, but that is due to the construction with only one element holding the top part. But still, I don't see it breaking or anything.


Having been busy reconfiguring my rig over and over for the last two years I must say that this is a fantastic rig. And what makes it even more spectacular is the ridiculous prize tag. So anyone looking for a new rig, stop looking, you found it.
I'd also advice everyone to consider getting the V-mount plate and V-mount batteries. You just slap one battery on there and you whole rig is powered.

I hope this helps.!
Click to expand...

http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=33831&hilit=tilta&start=90

Frank
 
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Postmaster said:
I have an external monitor on an arm in the front.

Frank
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I guessed that, i was just thinking with the camera actually over the shoulder (instead of forward like most rigs), right hand on the grip, you'd be focusing with your left? hand across your face so it seems that the monitor would have to be quite far in front. I don't doubt for a second that it all works as you like but i'd love to see a photo with the monitor in position.

I'm working out what the most compact rig i can get away with is, so very curious about these solutions. It seems that an EVF would work well in this case

cheers
paul
 
paulcurtis said:
I guessed that, i was just thinking with the camera actually over the shoulder (instead of forward like most rigs), right hand on the grip, you'd be focusing with your left? hand across your face so it seems that the monitor would have to be quite far in front. I don't doubt for a second that it all works as you like but i'd love to see a photo with the monitor in position.

I'm working out what the most compact rig i can get away with is, so very curious about these solutions. It seems that an EVF would work well in this case

cheers
paul
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Most rigs do not load the camera in front of the shoulder - that is more of a DSLR thing, especially for operators using an LCD VF solution. It is more common and more ergonomic to rig the camera directly above the shoulder, with an EVF on the smart side of the camera. In film world, the AC can be on the smart or dumb side of the camera, depending on what works best for the shot. But it's plenty common for an operator - with their eye to an EVF - to pull focus with the wheel on the smart side.
 
paulcurtis said:
I guessed that, i was just thinking with the camera actually over the shoulder (instead of forward like most rigs), right hand on the grip, you'd be focusing with your left? hand across your face so it seems that the monitor would have to be quite far in front. I don't doubt for a second that it all works as you like but i'd love to see a photo with the monitor in position.

I'm working out what the most compact rig i can get away with is, so very curious about these solutions. It seems that an EVF would work well in this case

cheers
paul
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are you talking about this? monitor right in front?

mcs-shouldercam-2.jpg
 
I don't want to belabour the issue because i'm sure this works for Frank.

My observation is that if you look at camera over the shoulder, say an Aaton, then the lens mount is still quite far in front of the head, because the bulk of the camera is over the shoulder - ideal balance. The FS100 is not a normal sized or looking camera, so putting its body over the shoulder means the lens mount seems much closer back and less room for an external monitor (and a hand to focus) unless it's way in front of you. As i mentioned and is shown on the letus image an EVF could work. And yes dSLRs are pushed forward for the same reason.

I love the idea of the camera on the shoulder, but my question was about whether it's working in the field and how the external monitor would look. I know Frank has just put it all together so perhaps hasn't used it in anger yet.

cheers
paul
 
Nah, look it´s just fine, and this is with the kit lens. Usually I have an adapter there for other brands, brings the lens even further in front.

The only downside is the placement of the REC buttons, but doable.

IMG_20120105_113216.jpgIMG_20120105_113201.jpg
 
What size monitor is that, I am fairly sure we have the same magic arm and mine struggles a little bit with my 7" monitor.
 
TV Logic 7", but I don´t have a battery on the monitor, I feed it with the V-mount brick.
Big difference in weight.

Frank
 
Postmaster said:
TV Logic 7", but I don´t have a battery on the monitor, I feed it with the V-mount brick.
Big difference in weight.

Frank
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Still - from my own experience - it'll make your (otherwise excellent) rig too front-heavy. Why not add some EVF? I'm using a DIY rig of similar configuration (i.e. the camera on my shoulder), but have the Zacuto EVF - this makes a difference!
 
moldcad said:
... Why not add some EVF? I'm using a DIY rig of similar configuration (i.e. the camera on my shoulder), but have the Zacuto EVF - this makes a difference!
Click to expand...

Casue I hate EVFs - nothing wrong with them, it´s a personal thing.
When I have it on the shoulder, I put the V-Mount battery on the back rails - balances fine, I could walk (almost) hands free.

Frank
 
With your right hand on the right bar, how do you reach to the REC button ? Isn't there any little box or so with just a rec button that goes to your LANC and that you can attach to the bar ? Does it exist ?

Thx
 
Yeah, as I said, its a little pain in the butt, but no deal breaker.
I was thinking about to adopt the handle with the REC button, that comes with the FS100 to it, but found no robust and elegant solution yet.
In theory any button, a cable and a jack should do the trick - gotta think about it. Maybe I build a button right into the handle.

Frak
 
Frank,

How are you finding the rig, have you been able to use it properly yet to see how it's working? I'm interested the that base plate/shoulder pad. How comfortable is the padding?

I wonder whether the handles are a little low and far away, wondering if there are any balance issues with right hand on a handle and left hand pulling focus? Or can the handles be made shorter/close to the front of the rig?

So difficult to tell from photos what all these rigs are like! I may just have to dive in and put something together. I'm looking for the most compact rig, no FF to start with as i'm using Rangefinder lenses at the moment, so a bit small for FF gears!

cheers
Paul
 
I love it Paul, had it on the sticks and shoulder the whole day yesterday and it worked very well.

The shoulder pad is nice foam rubber and I find it pretty comfortable to wear.
Feels much like my old DigiBeta camcorder.

You can adjust the handles at 3 joints plus you can position them on the rods where you like them - so you have a ton of options.

I made some better pics.

Frank

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Thanks for the info on this. I just ordered the baseplate, grips, and lens support. Hopefully it will be as good as expected :) This will be replacing our O'connor baseplate. Anyone want it?
 
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