FS5: Shoulder Rigs for the Sony FS5 Thread

Chadfish

Chadfish

Veteran
So I want a functional but reasonably priced shoulder rig for the FS5. I haven't seen too many out there yet. I know they will be popping up more as time goes by, so I want to start a thread where we can share ideas / solutions. It doesn't have to be JUST for shoulder rigs. Any helpful rigs for the FS5 will be interesting. I have to say I like the looks of the Zacuto Z-Coil rig a lot, but that's like 1,500.00 and it doesn't even include a follow focus. But man, their Tornado follow focus thingy looks really sweet too. Maybe there are some more budget-minded shoulder mounts that can also go onto a tripod, then I can add the Tornado. Anyway, my intention isn't to promote Zacuto, but just to get the conversation about rigs started.

 
I can't justify buying a Zacuto Z-Coil rig then a Z-Finder for the FS5 as I could basically buy a FS7 for the $$$ and would get upset with myself and cry like a baby

So at the moment Im considering buying the Zacuto FS5-Z-finder and the Shape extension arm and then using a quick release chest pad for support.

Quick release baseplate: http://www.ebay.com/itm/252205829228?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Chest Pad: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1100242-REG/lanparte_cp_01_chest_pad.html (take the rod out of the Rosette Articulation and slip it thru though the Small Rig quick release baseplate)

Shape Extension: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1210419-REG/shape_fs5rh_remote_extension_handle_with.html

Zacuto Z-Finder: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...d_fs5p_fs5_z_finder_pro_kit.html/prm/alsVwDtl

Total US$1,825

FS5 with my accessories US$7425

FS7 $8,000

$600 cheaper than the FS7 and even more after deducting the FS7's expensive memory cards.

(Yes I'm still stuck with Long GOP but thats for another thread :) )
 
But the Z-Coil rig comes with the Z-Finder for 1,425.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1217644-REG/zacuto_z_s5zr_sony_fs5_z_finder_recoil.html

I was at almost 8 grand right off the bat with batteries, cards, and 3 year drops & spills.

EDIT: Also with that shape arm, in the reviews: "That said, in my opinion the should have left the rosette aside and used the original mount to attach the handle to the camera body. Once you screw the rosette in, you cannot use the smart grip directly to the body without removing the rosette and its 4 screws with a screwdriver." I think you can put the handle back on the camera without tools with the Zacuto arm.
 
BeeHop said:
$600 cheaper than the FS7 and even more after deducting the FS7's expensive memory cards.
Click to expand...

In other words, you could have a camera that is 2 or 3 times better than the FS5 for just $600.

In my opinion, the FS7 blows the FS5 out of the water in every way that you want to compare them except for the variable ND filter and the slightly smaller size (if that even matters to someone). $600 is nothing. A 1/2 day of work?. And not only is the FS7 ready to roll right out of the box on day one, it's also going to be worth way more than an extra $600 when it comes time to sell it someday -- even if all those "accessories" are thrown in with the FS5. It's really important for someone debating about which camera is right for them to carefully consider the tons of differences between the cameras besides just the initial cost. The two cameras are just about as different as two cameras from the same manufacturer can be.
 
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FYI Tried the Zacuto shoulder pad VCT base plate on my FS7 and it was just to big, with prime SLR lenses it blocked the focus rings and no room for lens support or follow focus. If you only have one camera you need to switch out all of your support gear to VCT because screwing and unscrewing the base would get really old really fast. Tripod head, gimbal, slider, jib, monopod, steady cam.....$$$

Anyway, I need a shoulder system often have to shoot in spaces to tight for tripods or just to crowded to use a tripod safely but one of the great things about the FS5 is its tiny so I mixed up some parts so I could easily get it back to size instantly.

CoolLCD base plate... don't laugh I have 2 Zacuto ones but this little $40 one rocks.. one piece of metal, low profile, light weight and grips 15mm rods tight

CoolLCD shoulder pad with an ARCA style clamp on top... I think $25 for the shoulder plate and pad and $20 for the generic ARCA clamp. pops of with a twist of the knob and I am ready to go back to a tripod with massive VCT plates.... click and its into the Kessler QR clamp Honestly with Sony lenses like the 18-105, 10-18, 35 1.8 or 50 1.8 you don't even need the shoulder pad its so light just no reason other than maybe for some grip. I use mine with the Nikon 24-70 and the pad helps, also if I had to go shoulder mount for a longtime I would slide the pad forward as much as possible and maybe toss a V mount on the back for long life and perfect balance. 10 minutes here and there no problem as is... 30 min to an hour straight and I would want some counter balance

Shape arm, but am not using the supplied rosette for the camera body. It came loose, has 4 tiny jewelry screws holding it in place so installing removing it is a pain, and the arm is to short for that position.
instead I just use 15mm rod clamp with rosette on it, moves it down and forward and I can always remove the grip from the Shape arm and put it back on the camera (thats mainly why I went with the Shape arm, the Zacuto converts your grip to rosette so you can't use it on the camera body as well)

Zacuto FS5 Z finder, Nothing you can do Sony did not put any mounting tabs on the LCD.....honestly pretty cheap when you think of the weird engineering they had to do to work with the Sony LCD. Its simple to use and super solid so it gives you another point of contact... thats huge, much more stable when I can hod to firm to my face. Haven't tested yet but I had big issues with my Cineroid EVF fogging up bad when I would go from AC to hot humid outdoors... Zacuto claims theres is the best so hoping its true Major improvement in stability having the focus magnify button on the FS5 grip vs reaching up to hit the EVF button


*** real shame Sony did not think to put an AF ON button on the grip... would probably buy a Sony lens or two if they did.
groupFS5shoulder.jpg
 
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Doug Jensen said:
and the slightly smaller size (if that even matters to someone).
Click to expand...

... can't say I agree that 'slightly' is an accurate description of the size/weight difference between the two. I picked up an FS5 the other day and was STUNNED by how light and just downright TINY it is. Having been shooting LONG hours (often walking) handheld on a feature obs doc for the past two weeks, I must admit that the thought of shooting with the FS5 is slightly tempting!

I do however completely agree in terms of specs alone, but I think there could still be times when the ergonomics of an FS5 would make it the more overall functional camera.

Horses for courses I guess (although there are still pedigrees, of course).

Cheers,

jason

P.S. Some numbers:
FS5 - (with kit lens, batteries, etc) = 2.23kg
FS7 - (with kit lens, batteries, etc) = 4.5kg
 
I'd rather this just stick to the subject of rigs than whether or not the FS5 is the camera to own. I own it already and I want to rig it.
 
Chadfish said:
But the Z-Coil rig comes with the Z-Finder for 1,425.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1217644-REG/zacuto_z_s5zr_sony_fs5_z_finder_recoil.html

I was at almost 8 grand right off the bat with batteries, cards, and 3 year drops & spills.

EDIT: Also with that shape arm, in the reviews: "That said, in my opinion the should have left the rosette aside and used the original mount to attach the handle to the camera body. Once you screw the rosette in, you cannot use the smart grip directly to the body without removing the rosette and its 4 screws with a screwdriver." I think you can put the handle back on the camera without tools with the Zacuto arm.
Click to expand...

This may seem silly but I'm kinda moving away from the Recoil as it looks like you can't put the camera down without unscrewing the handle. With the Shape u can push the button and swing the extension handle back so you can place the camera down which is quite important for me.
 
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Doug Jensen said:
In other words, you could have a camera that is 2 or 3 times better than the FS5 for just $600.

In my opinion, the FS7 blows the FS5 out of the water in every way that you want to compare them except for the variable ND filter and the slightly smaller size (if that even matters to someone). $600 is nothing. A 1/2 day of work?. And not only is the FS7 ready to roll right out of the box on day one, it's also going to be worth way more than an extra $600 when it comes time to sell it someday -- even if all those "accessories" are thrown in with the FS5. It's really important for someone debating about which camera is right for them to carefully consider the tons of differences between the cameras besides just the initial cost. The two cameras are just about as different as two cameras from the same manufacturer can be.
Click to expand...

Haha yep exactly Doug. Im actually disappointed in myself for jumping so quick on the FS5 - BUT i have it now and really do like it a lot So like Chad im looking to rig my FS5.
 
BeeHop said:
This may seem silly but I'm kinda moving away from the Recoil as it looks like you can't put the camera down without unscrewing the handle. With the Shape u can push the button and swing the extension handle back so you can place the camera down which is quite important for me.
Click to expand...

One think I want is to be able to move the handle from the arm back to the camera without using tools. I remember some video like at the NAB show maybe where they had a piece you could add to the handle that allowed you to move between arm and camera, but I'm not sure if it went with Shape or not.
 
I recently got the new wooden camera unified system for my FS7 to replace my vocas baseplate. This is really the best solution I have seen so far. The included support for lens adaptors works great and the best thing is the rods move back with the baseplate, so you never run out of space on your rods when moving the camera back into a balanced position on your shoulder. I got it with the vct shoulder pad which removes quickly for tripod use.
 
jasonbrooks said:
... can't say I agree that 'slightly' is an accurate description of the size/weight difference between the two. I picked up an FS5 the other day and was STUNNED by how light and just downright TINY it is. Having been shooting LONG hours (often walking) handheld on a feature obs doc for the past two weeks, I must admit that the thought of shooting with the FS5 is slightly tempting!

I do however completely agree in terms of specs alone, but I think there could still be times when the ergonomics of an FS5 would make it the more overall functional camera.

Horses for courses I guess (although there are still pedigrees, of course).

Cheers,

jason

P.S. Some numbers:
FS5 - (with kit lens, batteries, etc) = 2.23kg
FS7 - (with kit lens, batteries, etc) = 4.5kg
Click to expand...

Yep i based my purchase on the FS5's weight being half of the FS7. I still feel the need for a rig with the FS5 especially handholding a non IS lens etc and all day shooting docs.
 
BeeHop said:
This may seem silly but I'm kinda moving away from the Recoil as it looks like you can't put the camera down without unscrewing the handle. With the Shape u can push the button and swing the extension handle back so you can place the camera down which is quite important for me.
Click to expand...

FYI Swinging it back was what I had in mind but if you swing it all the way back the actual grip is upside down so you can't use it... yes you can set it down that way but you can't swing it all the way back and use it like that on a tripod. its actually much easier to swing it up 6 inches to set it down (hope this makes some sense, probably should make a video clip)

I feel the best thing is not using the included rosette on the camera body but get a rosette bar for the 15mm rods so you can take the grip of the arm and place it back on the camera... pop the arm off and you have your small camera back.

I agree the Shape is more flexible with the button and that the grip itself stays stock, Zacuto looks great but you also need to add a rosette inside the grip.

I have both cameras and haven't used the FS7 much after getting used to the FS5, but I only shoot spots and sports related TV and online content not big movies like you guys must do
Honestly thinking about selling the FS7 and getting another FS5, I can always slap a recorder on if I need a larger file codec.
 
Here's a little rig I've put together as a temporary lens support rig. I may be able to add to it. As I have it, I can quick release this if I want to get rid of it, or quickly put it on to support my gigantic Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM. I'll include links, and I encourage anyone with cool rig ideas to post links to make it easy for others to research these ideas.
LensSupportRig.jpg

Smallrig Quick Release Lens Support
http://www.amazon.com/Smallrig®-Qui...psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

SmalRig Low Profile Base Plate
http://www.amazon.com/Smallrig®-Pro...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Smallrig 15mm Carbon Rods 12”
http://www.amazon.com/SmallRig®-Car...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

EDIT: I don't have this, but SmallRig has an inexpensive shoulder pad for around 50.00: http://www.amazon.com/SMALLRIG®-Shoulder-Camcorder-Support-Railblock/dp/B00N4OZUPO

Shape Quick Release Plate Adapter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1053708-REG/shape_577qr_quick_release_plate_adapter.html
 
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I think making a shoulder rig defeats the purpose for having this little pro handy cam. Thats why a shoulder pad with a loupe feels like a better compromise as it can then still be used like its meant to be.

Unless the shoot requires a shoulder rig and there are no other camera options it may be best to just rent one.
 
If the FS5 is the camera you own, and you want to carry a camera on your shoulder, you need a shoulder rig. There is no rental places for hundreds of miles in my area, and that's the same for many people.
 
For me the purpose of the FS5 is to make video.. shoulder, slider, gimbal, jib, tripod.... never really bothered to consider what its "meant" for..... it makes pretty pictures and I need to hold it steady and aim it the right direction so sometimes I rig it up.
 
Looks like you will need more than that to get it on your shoulder. You need to get the grip off the camera if the camera is on your shoulder.
 
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