FS7: VF mount replacement

[Duol]

Excellent Ben !

This seems to be a great solution.

So I just need to add two elements :
- SMALLRIG Rod Clamp and Rail Combination 1856
- SMALLRIG SWAT Rail Clamp (15mm Perpendicular) 1245

I'm right?

I am just a little worried about SmallRig because I had bought a part to replace that of Sony (SMALLRIG CoolBlock 90 degree angle 15mm Rail Block-1104) and it did not last long!

Thanks

 

[bengiles]

I see this part of the rig: SMALLRIG Rod Clamp and Rail Combination 1856
http://www.smallrig.com/SMALLRIG-rod-clamp-and-rail-combination-1856.html

But what's the part that goes between the viewfinder and that rail?
There is another part needed isn't there?

Is it this:
http://www.coollcd.com/smallrig-swat-rail-clamp-15mm-parallel-1254/

or this:
http://www.coollcd.com/smallrig-swat-rail-clamp-15mm-perpendicular-1245/

Anything else done in there? Cut a small piece of rail or change anything?

Thanks Lenny

Hi Lenny.

You need part number 1245 and you just need to replace the rod clamp bolt with a flat or dome headed M5 bolt, pinched up with a drop of threadlock to allow some friction, allowing it to move smoothly but not drop out. If you're a cyclist, you'll have loads of dome head M5 bolts knocking around:





The connecting part between the 1245 rod/NATO clamp is just a piece of cut-down 15mm aluminium rod - 30 seconds with a hacksaw and file:



So here are the links to the two Smallrig parts (also available on Amazon UK):

http://www.smallrig.com/SMALLRIG-rod-clamp-and-rail-combination-1856.html

http://www.smallrig.com/SMALLRIG-SWAT-Rail-Clamp-15mm-Perpendicular-1245.html

Duol, I've had absolutely no issues with Smallrig parts over the past couple of years - and their customer service has always been excellent and stuff comes next day delivery via Amazon Prime.

Ben.

 

[bengiles]

One other benefit worth mentioning - the swivel you get from the short cut-down piece of rod allows you to tilt out the EVF slightly when shoulder mounted and meet your eye very snugly and firmly.

 

[LennyLevy]

Thanks Ben,

Does that mean I need to carry around a damn allen wrench in my bag all the time? I hate doing that because of the likelihood it gets lost.
Is it needed to get out of the way of the EVF?

Lenny

 

[bengiles]

No. Set and forget, as far as this is concerned.

I personally break into a sweat if I don't have a toolkit with me on all shoots. But that's probably why I'm always blagging my way onto planes, with too much weight.

 

[LennyLevy]

I'm the same way, but that means I'm equally paranoid that I will lose my allen wrenches. Though I have a back-up in a separate bag I don't want to go reaching for that while shooting. What if you want to change the angle though or for storage, do you ever need to loosen that Allen ?

 

[bengiles]

What if you want to change the angle though or for storage, do you ever need to loosen that Allen ?

Haven't needed to touch it all - I just set it at the right tension, so there's a bit of friction, and it stays that way.

 

[LennyLevy]

Thanks Ben , I think I'll go for it. The level thing hasn't bothered except for the last handheld shoot I did when I was often surprised to see I was shooting a door way tilted in the background.

 

[JPNola]

Ben, I assume you had to replace the ratcheting bolt with a non-ratcheting one because the ratchet wouldn't fit between the VF and the mount? I wonder if anyone makes a ratcheting M5 with a flatter profile?

fyi- Small rig has lil' stubby 15mm rods available if you don't have a spare rod to cut down to size. They have them in 1", 1.5", 2", etc.

My "wish they made it" list:

low-profile ratcheting bolts

rubber cover for female D-tap ports

a hard case for XQD cards besides that ONE Ruggard case in black & yellow ( still don't know why only one company makes a hard case for XQD cards, and they only offer it in one color. There are a gazillion different hard cases for SD and CF cards )

The only alteration I'd make to Ben's set up is a black instead of silver bolt. ( a bit anal of me, I know )-

 

[JPNola]

Ben Giles- GBFTE, BAFTA, Creator of the Hibernating LCD™.

 

[bengiles]

Ben, I assume you had to replace the ratcheting bolt with a non-ratcheting one because the ratchet wouldn't fit between the VF and the mount? I wonder if anyone makes a ratcheting M5 with a flatter profile? \\ The only alteration I'd make to Ben's set up is a black instead of silver bolt. ( a bit anal of me, I know )-

Yes - the standard ratchet bolt won't fit in the space between clamp and EVF housing. However, I've not needed to adjust it in several months of use, so a flat head bolt works fine.

Black is obviously better and will result in superior shots. I'm too cheap, and just raided my cycling parts bin.

 

[plasticam]

I believe a 3 inch strip of gaff tape will will re-optimize that situation. I used to use black but if you use razberry marking tape (what AC's have on their belt) it looks more like it's there for some deep inside baseball camera department purpose.

 

[Joshua Milligan]

I followed Ben's lead and purchased the two VF mounting parts from SmallRig. I was slightly worried before I received them that I wouldn't like the size and weight. As it turns out, the size is great and so is the weight.

I took an extra SmallRig 15mm carbon fiber rod that I had at the house and cut it to fit the LCD screen and 15mm rod clamp perfectly. I sanded the edge smooth and then capped both sides of the rod with two Redrock Micro rod caps from an extra rod I had. I then went to Lowe's and found a black M5-.80 x 16 Socket Hd Cap Screw to replace one of the ratcheting ones that came with the rod clamp. Like Ben stated, it does get in the way of the LCD screen. I dapped a bit of Loctite to the screw and tightened it just enough to allow for friction based movement of the screen, but not loose enough to where it will move on its own or ever fall out. I also tightened the SmallRig SWAT Rail Clamp on the camera just enough to where I could move it as needed as well. This allows for a great variety of movement for the LCD screen without having to tighten or loosen anything other than the rod clamp on the SWAT rail. It's very convenient and absolutely solved the horizon issues with my previous setup. Thanks Ben!

Also, as a side note, a few weeks ago I built this mic mount from a Rode SM3 shock mount and some SmallRig parts. I basically took the SM3 apart and drilled a holed into the center of it. I mounted that to a 15mm rod clamp with Loctite and a dab of super glue. It's quite, rock solid and the best solution I've seen thus far, for my shooting style at least.

 

[Joshua Milligan]

I'm not sure why it posted some of these sideways or upside down, but I can't seem to fix it. Sorry about that! Here's a couple more pics:

 

[JPNola]

Nice rig!

Congrats on your new Giles Mount. ( or should we name it "the BG-Mount"? )

How do you like the Zacuto loupe compared to the Sony? Are you able to see the entire screen when inside the loupe?

 

[Bern Caughey]

John,

It requires a bit more look around when using Zacuto's loupe compared to Sony's, but the image is so much better that it's worth it. Another benifit is Zacuto's is much shorter, & compact. Also more robust, making the whole EVF feel more professional.

Burnt an EVF due to briefly exposing the eyepiece to direct Sun, & seen it happen to others, so the self-closing eye-cap is most welcome, but not every user agrees, & some remove it.

Probably the biggest downside is there's no provision for adjusting the diopter on-the-fly, rather it requires breaking out the jeweler's screwdrivers to replace some optics: Not much an issue for the lone shooter, except when the Director wants to peak through, but not a great solution for a rental house.

I'm using a Gratical EYE these days, but keep the Zacuto as backup, & shelved the OEM loupe. It's just so much better, & due to it's more compact size, easier to stuff in my cases.

 

[Joshua Milligan]

Nice rig!

Congrats on your new Giles Mount. ( or should we name it "the BG-Mount"? )

How do you like the Zacuto loupe compared to the Sony? Are you able to see the entire screen when inside the loupe?

JPNola, thanks! And naming it the BG-Mount is definitely a must. Give credit where credit's due!

As for the Zacuto loupe, I agree with Bern. I haven't had any issues viewing the entire screen. I never used the Sony one though. I ditched it the day I got it for the Zacuto. The only issue I've had with it is fogging. My first time using it, I ran into some fogging issues. I sent that particular one back and exchanged it for a new one and haven't had many issues since. Occasionally it gets a little fogged, but not much. I used this loupe in Alaska on the coastal side for three weeks last June filming in terrible conditions and it worked wonders for me. Every day it rained and I had to carry my camera all through the mountains and bogs, yet it held up great. It's also small, easy to flip up for LCD use and sharp. I highly recommend it.

 

[jasonbrooks]

Nice rig Joshua - great to see someone who's not afraid of hacking their hardware a little to make it absolutely what they want. I notice you're rocking the P/D shoulder strap too - don't you just love that quick-release adjustment? ;-)

Cheers,

jason

 

[Joshua Milligan]

Nice rig Joshua - great to see someone who's not afraid of hacking their hardware a little to make it absolutely what they want. I notice you're rocking the P/D shoulder strap too - don't you just love that quick-release adjustment? ;-)

Thanks! I love the P/D shoulder strap! The quick release adjustment is nice, but the metal will pound your gear if you're not careful. I do love being able to throw on a strap in a moment's notice when needed. It's very convenient and amazingly strong.

 

[JPNola]

in case anyone is wondering, the boys are talking about the Peak Design ( "P/D" ) shoulder strap as seen here:

https://www.peakdesign.com/slidelite


P/D Slidelite & B-G Hibernating Mount :thumbs:

It is prudent to bring along a spare loupe on a shoot. Even if you hate the Sony loupe, bring it along on the gig in case the loupe you prefer is damage or lost. ( Yes, I have taken off the loupe, sat it down someplace, and almost forgotten it when moving to a new location. ) It's a B shooting outside in full sun with no loupe. I call that unfortunate situation "C-300 style". Or "bad".