Pairing Zacuto Z-Finder with rails/ff

B

BitterJester

Member
So am I right in assuming that if I put a Zacuto Z-Finder on a 7D, the slim baseplate underneath the camera would present a problem if I were to try to mount the camera on a Rails/FollowFocus system from another manufacturer?

My team can't afford a full Zacuto system but we love the Z-finder. What kinds of solutions exist for pairing a z-finder with a different 3rd party system?
 
Just use the Z-Finder that DOESNT mount onto a baseplate, and you'll be fine. I use a z-finder, and the rest of my rig is redrock micro.
 
It doesn't look like they are selling the original version of the z finder anymore. All the finders on the zacuto site have the plate now.

Did you contact zacuto and ask them directly? They're pretty good about answering questions.
 
BitterJester,

If you're getting the Z-Finder Pro with the Gorilla Plate, you can mount your rails plate to that with no problem (I'd imagine) - you'll have a small height difference but nothing that most follow focuses can't adapt to. As much as I love the z-finder now, I can imagine the gorilla plate mount method being much nicer. nothing against 3M adhesive but it's not 100% reliable.
 
I have a question that goes a bit further. I'm looking at the RedRock Digital Cinema Bundle. The support system wraps firmly around the camera. Even if you could successfully mount the z-finder to the camera, could you even cram your head into the rig far enough to use it??

d90_back_lg.jpg


That looks like a tight squeeze. And the original question still applies... does the zacuto baseplate work here?

Thanks,
Dan
 
I think you're getting a bit beyond why viewfinders were designed for the DSLR rigs. This is either a rig designed to be on sticks or if mounted shoulder-style, use an onboard monitor in place of a viewfinder.

They are sweet rigs though, but not ergonomically designed to be something you stick your eye up to the back of.
 
I figured as much. You can build an ergonomic tripod-mount w/ follow focus, eyepiece, and matte box from zacuto for about $1000 bucks more. So the question is, since the redrock is so customizable, can it be configured to be ergonomic with the zacuto eyepiece. Too much to think about. My head's been spinning all day.
 
I'm sure it could. Your rods would have to mount further forward to allow you the room to put your head / eye up to the back of the cage. The great thing about all these new DSLR supports is most are uber customizable. Email Redrock Micro and ask them. I'm sure they'd have a configuration that would do precisely what you want.
 
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