Rods - I am Desperate

I feel like a real moron and I need some serious help.

I purchased the Cinetech Follow Focus from EVS (based on Rush's recommendation) and it does appear to be excellent (http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=FFSL01).

My HVX arrives tomorrow, but I still have no Rods for it.

I need a set of Rods that will attach to the HVX and will be long enough to support a G35 when it eventually becomes available. I was told to look for rods that are 15" long (does that make sense?).

Anyway, I have money to pay for them, and I have searched, but I can't find anyone who is selling rods that will mount to the HVX and are long enough.

Can anyone provide some guidance? Perhaps an actual link to a product I can buy.

Thank you so much,

Chris
 
CMessineo said:
. . . My HVX arrives tomorrow, but I still have no Rods for it . . .

Chris- B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com has a number of solutions--I just checked and they are out of stock on a lot of them. If you are looking for 15mm rods, there is a CAVISION carbon fiber set available for $44. Mfr# CT151825 • B&H# CACT151825

Hope this helps.
 
dregenthal said:
Chris- B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com has a number of solutions--I just checked and they are out of stock on a lot of them. If you are looking for 15mm rods, there is a CAVISION carbon fiber set available for $44. Mfr# CT151825 • B&H# CACT151825

Thanks for the info. But I need these rods to attach to the camera. Isn't there some kit/connector/base plate that the rods use to attach the camera?

I am surprised at how difficult it is to find these things.

Chris
 
CMessineo said:
Thanks for the info. But I need these rods to attach to the camera. Isn't there some kit/connector/base plate that the rods use to attach the camera? I am surprised at how difficult it is to find these things.Chris

Okay, check this (B&H again) . . . out of stock but you can probably find it elsewhere . . . $160.00 and I think it is what you are looking for: Mfr# RS15IIM • B&H# CARS15IIM B&H gets some every few weeks then sells out immediately.
 
dregenthal said:
Okay, check this (B&H again) . . . out of stock but you can probably find it elsewhere . . . $160.00 and I think it is what you are looking for: Mfr# RS15IIM • B&H# CARS15IIM B&H gets some every few weeks then sells out immediately.
That certainly looks like what I want.

But, my question is, will that attach to the HVX.

I thought I remembered reading that items that fit the DVX wouldn't necessarily fit the HVX. Also I can't tell how long those rods are (there are no details on the B&H site).

Chris

p.s. I tried to get the rods from Rush when I bought the Follow Focus from him. He said EVS didn't sell the rods I would need (for the HVX and G35) but that they should be easy to find. So far it has been a nightmare. I'm beginning to think I will have to duct tape the follow focus to the camera. :(
 
Chris,

This is the email I got directly from Cavison. I'm buying their matte box and rods.. Here goes:

I have listed below the
configuration that you would require for a 4x5.65 matte box and the 4x4
bellows matte box for the Panasonic HVX-200. All prices are in US funds.

MB4169H-2 - 4x5.65 matte box - 435.00 or MB413B-2 - 4x4 bellows matte box -
445.00
RS-15IIM - Rods support system - 190.00
ARP1312 - Adapter ring - 10.00
ARP1210 - Adapter ring - 10.00
ARP498 - Adapter ring - 5.00
AR95-82 - Step down ring - 15.00
MBF-5P - French flag - 50.00

Optional Accessories
MBF-4S - Side flags - 30.00 each
RS15HD - Dual handgrips - 89.00
RS15SP3 - Shoulder pad - 120.00

The MB4169H-2 matte box can accommodate both 4x4 and 4x5.65 filter trays.
The MB4169H-2 matte box comes with one 4x5.65 and two 4x4 filter trays.

We are also offering a set of 5 4x4 glass Cavision filters for 200.00, the
set includes your choice of 5 of the following filters; Polarizer, Soft Mist
Black, Grad ND, Grad Blue, Grad Orange, Star 4pt, 6pt, 8pt, ND.3, ND.6 and
ND.9.
At this time we currently do not have a follow focus available for the
HVX-200, we do intend to make one available soon.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Sincerely
Jason Connors
Cavision Enterprises Ltd.
Tel: 604 298 9053



HOPE THIS HELPS....
 
Thanks for all the advice.

I called CaVision directly and they were very helpful. It sounds like the RS-15IIM is what I need. They confirmed it will fit with the HVX. It also sounds like I will need to order longer rods to fit the G35, but I will wait until the G35 arrives before I do that.

In the meantime, I ordered the RS-15IIM directly from CaVision.

Chris
 
Chris... keep us posted as that's probably what I'm getting as well. I've been really impressed with their customer service. I also think they have some great options as well.


Good luck
 
Justyn said:
Chris... keep us posted as that's probably what I'm getting as well. I've been really impressed with their customer service. I also think they have some great options as well.


Good luck

You took the words out of my mouth...
Yes, please keep us updated on your final G35 setup. Thanks Chris!
 
Zacuto also manufacture a UNIVERSAL base plate, pretty cheap, all metal system. So if you ever change camcorders then the base plate will fit the new camcorder.

I ordered the chroszeil base plate system for my DVX only to find the damn thing won't work with the new HVX. So now I have to start afresh and sink some more into another base plate. The Zacuto seems a pretty safe bet at it's universal so will work with a multitude of diffrent camcorders.

Rich
 
Chris,

I just picked up the Cavision rods that you are looking at and they do fit the HVX but they need a little tweeking to be usable with a follow focus.

If you look at the picture from the Cavision website you'll notice that the bridge support extends under the lens, right where your follow focus will want to mount. It probably won't be a problem with the M35 since it will be out in front of the HVX lens.

HVX200_4x5hs_s.jpg


The solution I came up with for using a follow focus on the HVX lens, and balancing the camera a little better to boot, is to reverse the mounting on the bridgeplate so it is under the body of the camera instead of under the lens (imagine the brackets make the shape of a "C" instead of a backwards "Z" like in the picture).

The trouble with this configuration is that there is no way to screw the baseplate to the camera with the lower bridgeplate in the way. You can mount the baseplate to the camera first and then attach the bridgeplate by its allen screw. It's workable but not terribly convenient. I'm planning to drill out a hole in the bridgeplate to allow a screwdriver to reach in to tighten the screw to the camera. Also, Cavision matteboxes sit pretty high off the rails (rail to lens center) when compared to Chroisel and others. You may find that this bracket will result in those matte boxes sitting low on your lens. It works perfectly with the Cavision matte box though.

Also the carbon fiber rods are very nice.

It's a good system and for the price with CF rods, well worth it.

Hope that helps.

-filmstox
 
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