FS7: Zacuto Axis Mini for Sony FS7

I

icarusfilm

Veteran
This EVF holder makes the FS7 much more maneuverable. its very adjustable quick and easy.
I always want to adjust the viewfinder every-time i change lenses to keep the camera balanced.
No more screwing around in the field. That and the Shape handle are slowly turning this "ready to shoot out of the box" camera ready to shoot.
Just under 1K spent great, I guess...


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Without a plate like the new Zacuto Uni that would never be balanced/comfortable. That little "pad" Sony put on there is a joke. Try a real set-up and you'd never go back
 
Is the blackmagic z finder it has an adhesive frame that goes on the monitor. The straps are form a different system you don't need them per say but they are reenforcement
 
I've been shooting with it for two months now all is fine no issues. It's much shorter that the Sony solution which helps with wider lenses and balance.
 
I've been looking at the Zacuto FS7 solution for a while now. Only the Universal Baseplate is said to be a little wobbly with the FS7 because of the EX3ish Shape the FS7 has. I got myself the Shape Arm, FS7 Axis Mini and BMCC EVF (Zacuto is releasing a designated FS7 VF in about 2-3 month btw.) A little Wooden Handle Grip will follow in order to be able to put down the rig without it tipping over and without having to put the Sony Arm out of the way. I'll be posting pictures as soon as everything has arrived. thx for your advice.
 
I simple put the bare camera on my shoulder no pad when I counter balance a heavier lens and use the existing one when shooting wider/shorter lenses. I will buy the dedicated loupe when it comes out if it's better than the blackmagic.
 
Does anyone k ow if the Zacuto Axis arm can handle the weight of the 7q+? I'm thinking about picking up the Zfinder kit with the Axis arm for my Fs5 but when shooting with the 7q I'll want to mount the monitor in the Evfs place.
 
The mini axis looks heavy. What would you say? I have the Zacuto baseplate, ordered the FS7 Z Finder and i am wondering, if the FS7 mini axis would improve my setup.
 
The Axis Mini, isn't that heavy at all. I think it's a great addition to the FS7 especially if using the Gratical.
 
If i understand it correctly, you can adjust the mini axis without always having to turn the knobs with one arm in the middle of a shooting? Can you also adjust the length like that or with a kind of a push-button?
 
To adjust lenght you have to use the knob - no fricción adjustment. It works without using the knob but than its not rock solid. To rotate the evf at two positions you can adjust the friction with two knobs. I use axis Mini over a year. A perfect solution for a evf. IT takes 3 seconds to move the evf enough forwards and back-but not with one hand.
 
Ok, sounds like a more "comfortable" solution than that small rig Nato rail setup from the other thread... (beside the price)
 
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klfi said:
To adjust lenght you have to use the knob - no fricción adjustment. It works without using the knob but than its not rock solid. To rotate the evf at two positions you can adjust the friction with two knobs. I use axis Mini over a year. A perfect solution for a evf. IT takes 3 seconds to move the evf enough forwards and back-but not with one hand.
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Just to clarify a little, the axis-mini has 3x knobs. One is a standard clamp and allows the arm to increase/decrease its radius from the rod-mount (normally fore/aft adjustment, but could be up/down if you've rotated your axis to position the EVF vertically above the rod mount (great for low-angle shots or on sticks at waist height). The other two knobs are actually fluid tension adjusters for the two 'axes' of the mount. The weight of the Gratical-HD is enough that the rod-mount end axis doesn't really work at anything other than 'locked' tension (if you loosen it then the EVF will gradually descend or 'sag' under its own weight). HOWEVER, the forward 'EVF-end' tension knob is a touch of genius, because it allows you to have an effectively fluid EVF rotation (only in the vertical axis, not horizontal sag ;-). Meaning that you can actually use your face to tilt the EVF if/when desired. Because the EVF should be balanced around this axis, it doesn't suffer sag like the other axis does.

BTW, despite being a huge fan of this piece of kit, I have zero affiliation with Zacuto. ;-) In evidence of that fact, there are two design flaws I would point out as well:

1. Used attached to the mic-rod mount as Maze does, I found that the rod would eventually start to rotate under the torque of the Gratical, but mebbe that's less of an issue with the OEM Sony EVF. I've solved this using a dedicated Smallrig 15mm clamp bolted to my Shape top-plate.

2. I find that with the axis extended to it's maximum radius/reach, the thumb knob is slightly too small for easy loosening, and I REALLY wish there was a way to replace it with a slightly longer, asymmetrical knob as found on most 15mm clamps (and the aforementioned S/R clamp for example. With this change it would actually allow for single-handed adjustment IMO.

Hope that clarifies things for some people. I really rate the part, and it's not overly heavy at all IMO.

Cheers,

jason

P.S. If anyone's looking to pick up a Zacuto Universal VCT baseplate I'm selling mine second-hand for a reasonable offer. I have the mk-1, which whilst solid and very functional, doesn't have quick-release fore/aft balancing and so needs a screwdriver to shift the cam CoG. When I sell this one I'll be ordering the mk-2 (and spending an extra ~£500 to do so - d'oh! ;-)
 
DerekDock said:
Does anyone k ow if the Zacuto Axis arm can handle the weight of the 7q+? I'm thinking about picking up the Zfinder kit with the Axis arm for my Fs5 but when shooting with the 7q I'll want to mount the monitor in the Evfs place.
Click to expand...

I don't think this would work very well for something as heavy as the 7q. It's just not designed for it. See my post below re: knob tension and sag. I think you'd be much better off with a magic-arm of some sort with a larger tension-knob to allow easier, stronger, locking.

Cheers,

jason
 
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