Which rail system to get?

P

Paprochy

Active member
Hi All,

I have just bought a used RedRock follow focus on ebay. Unfortunately it's just the follow focus with no rails or anything. So I've visited the RR site already, but I'm a bit confused. At first I thought that the DSRL baseplate for 200 bucks would be sufficient. Then I notice that they also sell a DSLR tripod mount that supposedly attaches to the baseplate. This is another 150 bucks. Do I need this too? Can't I just attach the baseplate to a regular quick-release plate on the tripod?

Also, I figured that I would just get stainless steel rails of the appropriate size from my local hardware store since the ones RR sells are uber expensive for what looks like a simple rod. Am I missing something? Do the RR rods have something about them that regular ones don't?

If anyone has any alternative solutions please do let me know. The goal is basically to spend as little as possible without getting into total **** quality. I've looked at cinecity, but their support systems look very questionable quality wise. I could be wrong though.

Thanks and Regards,

Dimitri
 
The Rods aren't really too expensive...http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.1197/.f?sc=2&category=4286
$32 for 4inch Carbon fiber (64 for the pair) which is really enough if you're just using the follow focus and baseplate.
Also don't think you can just screw a baseplate right on the bottom of the baseplate...i believe that's where the springs are. The additional Baseplate slides onto the back of the rods and gives you a plethora of holes to choose.

Or what you could do is how they made their older DSLR Setups. Buy this rod mount:
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.396/.f?sc=2&category=406
Put the camera on backwards (so that the rod mount is behind the camera, and than send the rods through there.
 
Thanks for the advice,

Yes, I suppose the regular baseplate would be less expensive since it's 275usd compared to 195+150=345usd for the dslr baseplate and the dslr tripod mount.

I still don't get the rods though. I mean 32 bucks for a rod maybe doesn't sound much to you, but my thinking is I can the same rod (dimension wise, maybe not carbon fiber) for like 5 bucks at a Home Depot or something. My question is, is there anything special about the RR rods that make them a requirement, or are you just paying for the brand?

If anyone else has any alternative suggestions, please do chime in. I'm not just looking for a RR solution, anything else would be fine as long as it works.

Regards,

Dimitri
 
eh I'm not sure why rod's in general are so expensive, i mean if you're looking at something like the Zacuto Rod's they are more expensive because they are threaded for the ability of extensions http://store.zacuto.com/10-inch-rod-extensions.html
Everything in filmmaking does seem to be like 5Xmore money than an identical product not labeled for filmmaking, but Redrock Micro usually has the most reasonable prices.
Go ahead and try out the $5 rods, it'll be more of a "Do it yourself" kit, and may not be built as smoothly and level. Worst case senario you loose 10 bucks you could have put towards professionally manufactured ones.
 
Hi All,

So I've looked around and found out about the Genus support systems. They seem much more affordable than the RR stuff and look pretty nice. I am wondering which one of their systems (if any) would fit the 5d/7d? Here are the links:

http://genustech.tv/genus-products/genus-standard-adaptor-bars-system.html

http://genustech.tv/genus-products/genus-professional-adaptor-bars-system.html

http://genustech.tv/genus-products/genus-advanced-adaptor-bars-system.html

As usual I am confused. :) The mid-range one (standard) looks like there is no place to mount a camera, it looks like you need to mount a quick-release plate of your own, is this correct? if so that would be ok. The cheapest one looks alright but seems like there is a substantial gap between where the camera mounts and where the rails begin. I feel like this might be a problem for the DSLRs since they are short and I will also be using mostly short Nikon primes. Will my lens reach far enough to the rails so I can mount my follow focus?

Appreciate any help in advance :)
 
You are going to have a hard time finding rods that are exactly 15mm (14.8mm actually) which is necessary for standard mounting devices. I know I looked pretty much everywhere outside of the industry suppliers. Home depot won't do the trick. This is how the market stays protected and expensive I guess.
 
Thanks for explaining that for me yoclay, I can see now why people don't just get rods from a hardware store.

Anyway, I've already broke down and decided to buy the real deal from Genus. I just need some advice on which product exactly is going to fit my kit. Again the setup is 5d/7d with a Red Rock Follow Focus, and I need a rail system to make it all work. I'm thinking the Genus Advanced Bar system is the way to go since it looks like it's height and side-to-side adjustable. Does anyone have some experience with these products?

Thanks

Dimitri
 
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