FS7: Question About Relative Camera Weight

Joshua Milligan

Joshua Milligan

Well-known member
Hey guys. I have a simple question that may sound noobish, but it's a serious and logical one! My background is primarily wildlife documentaries, so I typically have to hike distances and carry my gear far. I also have to run and gun a lot too for various projects. I used to run a Sony video camera (AX2000) and then sold it to step into the mirrorless camera world where I've lived for the last few years. Last week I pulled the trigger on a Sony FS7 to accompany my A7S cameras in the field. Its features were exactly what I needed for several upcoming projects. I researched more than you could imagine about the best way to set it up (including all 52 pages of a thread on here about FS7 rigs). The one thing I never saw posted was camera weight in relative terms. Here's my issue: I went with a complete Zacuto rig (baseplate, new EVF loop, camera arm extension and a lens support) and am typically running a Canon 28-300mm lens on a MetaBones SB. Now, my DSLR style camera caged out with support systems, rails, etc., weren't light, but this beast is 16.5 lbs. My question is this: On average, how heavy is a typical run and gun cinema setup (camera, lens, and shoulder rig)? Is my setup relatively normal to most others and I'm just not used to it because of my mirrorless camera and video camera background? Or is my rig really that bad with the weight? Either way, I have to use the FS7 for my new projects and I have to use the 28-300mm lens for the bulk of it, so I'll do whatever I need to do. I just am trying to figure out if this is normal or if my rig is ridiculously heavy. Please excuse my ignorance on this. I just have no experience with cinema style cameras. Thanks in advance!
 
I guess this is very subjective, so here's my subjective take - I kitted out an FS7 with the Chrosziel base plate and rods, VCT14 tripod plate, lens support, matte box, V-Lock bracket and battery. I really struggled with weight distribution, more than total weight per se.

After a year, I went back to basics, ditched the base plate and V-Lock system, bought some cheap BPU batteries and run the camera as minimally as possible - the only concession is a small lightweight rods plate, for when I do put a longer lens on (and I think you do need to support the 28-300.) I went for a Smallrig mini base plate, just as good as any of the Wooden Camera and Zacuto offerings:

http://www.smallrig.com/SMALLRIG-Multipurpose-U-Base-1674.html

The only other thing is the stock grip arm, which I find uncomfortable due to lack of lateral adjustment. I created a compact rod-based "clockarm", that allows the grip to be placed exactly where, and at which angle, I need it. There's another thread running at the mo, by a guy called Caleb, who is selling similar solutions.

Overall, weight is now better balanced for me, it's about as light as I can make it, and the whole camera and EVF slips in and out of a Kata 197 case. I suggest you try pulling all the Zacuto stuff off and trying it in it's vanilla form.

Ben.
 
Heaviest configuration I use, (no handgrip):
Heavy 50-300 Nikkor: 2,1 kg Camera with rode ntg3 mic.: 3,6 kg: total 5.7 kg (12.5 lbs).
 
It is not 'weedy' to want to reduce the mass of your rig. IMO it is essential if you operate solo/remote locations

On sticks you don't really need a shoulder rig.

Ive stripped mine back for non shoulder work to basically the camera and BPU batts.

I have a solution to use my long lens with no rods.. I ustilise a long manfrotto plate and fabricated a spacer to support the lens, meaning no rods if I dont want them..

https://twitter.com/sammorganmoore/status/585039897171484672

S
 
I sold my FS700+Odyssey7Q because that was one camera that absolutely needed a rig to work properly.

The FS7 does not. I can fit it in my backpack and have it ready to shoot in 30 seconds on the mountains. Its a massive improvement over the FS700 solution.
 
I feel like I'm an "ultralight backpacker" when it comes to the FS7. I don't use it on the shoulder (never had a shoulder camera so guess I don't know what I'm missing), so I stripped it totally down. I completely removed the grip and arm, removed the included LCD, removed the stock top handle, and removed the "shoulder pad". I added a small Kessler Qwik plate on the bottom and a Wooden Camera quick release NATO top handle and use a SmallHD 501 mounted directly to the hot shoe on the handle. I use the Hawk Woods BP75UX batteries so I can run the SmallHD monitor and the FS7 from only one, relatively light, battery. My whole rig, sans lens, weighs only 6lbs 1oz. I use small primes, so the lenses add an additional 1-1.5lbs depending on which one, so the total weight is always less than 8lbs.

I find this configuration and weight is a nice balance between usability (extremely easy to set up and start shooting) and portability. For my shooting style, which is broadcast documentaries and short documentaries/branded content, I use sticks whenever possible, but go handheld the rest of the time. I haven't had any issues shooting like this with the FS7 set up this way, nor with my last camera which was set up in a similar manner. Not the way most people shoot or would like to shoot, but it works for me.
 
If you're hiking around a lot to shoot solo wildlife docos, then I absolutely would not be rigging up an FS7!! Shoot barebones, as just the little shoulder pad it has and extension arm is quite nice as it is. I've worked on a series just like that with an FS7.

You might even want to consider the FS5 as even lighter weight option, if you don't need 10bit 4K, and can settle for 10bit HD or 8bit 4K.
 
I don't mind stripping it down, but I definitely want rails for a lens support and at least a shoulder pad built into the rails because I also have to film the host of a tv show on the same rig, walking with him, etc. The Zacuto shoulder pad (recoil rig) with rails weighs 2 lbs according to the specs, so do you guys have any suggestions as to a very lightweight shoulder pad with rails that I can mount to my FS7 and put a lens support on? Something that is lighter and will allow me to cut at least some weight? Otherwise, I'm not sure where all the weight is coming from. The LCD screen and Zacuto loop weighs nothing, so I don't think I have to cut that. Maybe I could drop the Zacuto LCD extension arm too? I'm just not sure why it weighs so dang much!

IronFilm, thanks for the response! I would love to go with the lighter FS5, but unfortunately I have to have 4K at 60p for these upcoming projects. Otherwise, I would!
 
Are you *SURE* about needing rails?? If you're just using lightweight E mount lenses then there is no need for that.
 
Josh - is your project an actual TV show? To do handheld you need a proper rig or you will not operate to the standard they require.
An fs7 and full rig (say with the cn17 zoom) is heavy to a point where it is not safe to carry alone all day - your employer should take account of this by providing you with the crew you need to do your job safely.
 
IronFilm, I am mainly using a 28-300mm Canon L lens with a speed booster, so the weight on the e-mount lens will definitely require support. I once did not support a lens similar in weight on an A7S and it ruined the mount!

morgan_moore, this is for an actual TV show, but having a crew on hand is not possible. We will have only 3 guys (myself, the host of the show and someone who will take us where we need to go), so I have to solo run this. Like I said, I've been doing this with a tricked out mirrorless system for several years, but the requirements of this new series I'm on make an FS7 the best option. Therefore, I am doing what I can to make this work!!!
 
I looked up the 28-300mm, and it is only a hundred grams more than the very common 70-200mm f2.8 which heaps of people use without support all the time. If you're not being rough with your gear then I kinda suspect that it should be ok on it as it is?

An alternative thought is get the Sony F5 (secondhand I've seen them go for only a little bit more than what a new FS7 is), which has a rock solid mount that I would not think twice about putting that 28-300mm straight onto it (I've got an F3 myself, same mount).
 
The new series has new requirents. 4k I guess. And someone thinks that can happen with no impact on production - well they might be wrong.
 
So you want to reduce mass of your rig..

I think you need to keep the zacuto plate as it is one of the few that allow you to put the camera far enough back for proper shoulder work with a longer lens.

Im guessing you could cut back on the EVF holder (the zac thing seems way over engineered).. I made a completely custom lightweight top handle/EVF holder out of thinwall aluminium.

In terms of rods you probably dont need any at the back, you should get carbon rods at the front.

Personally you may not need to support the lens while shooting if I were running up a mountain with the rig just take the lens off.

If you are getting jitter at 300 end you will need a rod clamp.

What battery system do you use.. go with the stock batts if possible.

After minimalising all the components the next step is to go to town with a drill or milling machine.. and just start shaving every little bit off everything.
 
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