FS7: Zacuto VCT Baseplate issues

T

truelife

Well-known member
I just got my FS7 today and started to rig it up with the Zacuto VCT baseplate, but quickly realized that the rosette handle won't work because the baseplate is wider than the camera. When you try to screw the rosette arm with handgrip on it hits against the rod knob and the edge of the baseplate. Zacuto says they're working on a fix for the end of this month, but could take awhile. I'm a bit disappointed that they advertise the baseplate as working for every camera but didn't see this coming.

In the meantime, I'm going to try this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/981831-REG/movcam_mov_303_1119_offset_rosette_adapter.html
 
I believe you'd need to use one like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/926700-REG/vocas_0390_0060_50mm_rosette_spacer.html
The one you linked to has two male ends. You need a female threaded end to attach the FS7 grip arm to. The one I linked to above has a male side (goes into the FS7 body) and a female side (for the arm to attach).

I've been using Berkey System's C300 baseplate, which has rosettes attachments. Actually gives you far more rotation clearance that the native rosette. I'm using a modified camera interface plate (because the patter on the FS7 is different than the C300), but I think he'll be making one for the FS7 soon.
 
I'm using the Zacuto VCT also. There are several ways to fix this problem.

You can bolt one of these onto the side of the VCT baseplate. http://www.amazon.com/SmallRig-Bolt...d=1417560112&sr=8-1&keywords=smallrig+rosette

I'm using one of these to relocate the whole arm onto the rails instead. http://www.amazon.com/Lanparte-Rose...8&qid=1417560345&sr=8-5&keywords=15mm+rosette

But you'll probably also need a LANC extension: http://www.amazon.com/Zacuto-13-8-L...qid=1417560612&sr=8-7&keywords=LANC+extension
 
I spoke to Zacuto and they are working on a rod mount rosette setup much like the Lanparte piece. They are about to release a video detailing how the setup should work on the FS7. I guess for now I'm going to try the Lanparte piece, but from China make take too long...
 
The Movcam rosette offset knobs can be removed on one side making the offset female on one side and male on the other. There is also a Movcam rosette spacer as well if you don't want the offset. In reality the spacer might be better providing greater clearance.
 
meauounji said:
I'm using the Zacuto VCT also. There are several ways to fix this problem.

You can bolt one of these onto the side of the VCT baseplate. http://www.amazon.com/SmallRig-Bolt...d=1417560112&sr=8-1&keywords=smallrig+rosette

I'm using one of these to relocate the whole arm onto the rails instead. http://www.amazon.com/Lanparte-Rose...8&qid=1417560345&sr=8-5&keywords=15mm+rosette

But you'll probably also need a LANC extension: http://www.amazon.com/Zacuto-13-8-L...qid=1417560612&sr=8-7&keywords=LANC+extension
Click to expand...

meauounji, please post a picture of your setup once you have it completed. I am also foreseeing a relocation of the grip control to rods. I prefer my right hand to be at a level that is at the same height as my left hand. That was always my positioning when operating beta cams - both hands at same height, at lens height. I think it is the best position, one that most makes your body at one with the camera. I've been using an F5 that is setup with a wooden handle for the right hand but I have missed having a strap around my right hand that prevents the camera from torquing or tilting to the right. The Sony Fs7 grip places much pressure between thumb and forefingers. I miss being able to have relaxed finger muscles and not having to grip yet having control of the camera that prevents tilt. Control via a strap over the top of my hand. I may end up eliminating the Fs7 grip entirely and replace it with something like this-

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8179835204_689bfe76d4_z.jpg

The Canon cine servo lens solves the problem as it's servo has a strap for your right hand. Unfortunate that Sony did not design the Fs7 grip with a strap like the ones on broadcast zooms and on the C300 grip. Maddening at times how the Sony designs fail to incorporate things which have been standard for decades, features that made much sense and served operators quite well. If Sony has an experienced operator consulting their design team then that individual failed miserably in having their input incorporated into the final design. Any experienced operator worth their salt would have shouted "NO!!!" when they saw that Sony was going to design the VF cable for the F5 just sticking awkwardly out of the side of the camera body.
 
meauounji said:
I'm using the Zacuto VCT also. There are several ways to fix this problem.

You can bolt one of these onto the side of the VCT baseplate. http://www.amazon.com/SmallRig-Bolt...d=1417560112&sr=8-1&keywords=smallrig+rosette

I'm using one of these to relocate the whole arm onto the rails instead. http://www.amazon.com/Lanparte-Rose...8&qid=1417560345&sr=8-5&keywords=15mm+rosette

But you'll probably also need a LANC extension: http://www.amazon.com/Zacuto-13-8-L...qid=1417560612&sr=8-7&keywords=LANC+extension
Click to expand...

I too ordered the Zacuto Universal VCT baseplate thinking I could keep the arm attached to the body - no such luck.

I then ordered the SmallRig piece that you listed here - but the bolt pattern doesn't line up with the 1/4-20 threaded holes along the side of the Zacuto baseplate. I went ahead and attached it with one bolt to se if I could use it that way but the Sony arm rosette doesn't line up with the smallrig rosette. I tightened it down all the way but rosettes didn't lock in.

I talked to Zacuto and they offered to send (sell) me a pre-production version of their rosette attachment for the baseplate to test. I'll report back about it once I receive it.
 
super9films said:
I talked to Zacuto and they offered to send (sell) me a pre-production version of their rosette attachment for the baseplate to test. I'll report back about it once I receive it.
Click to expand...
After having the same issue, Zacuto sent me a pre-prod version as well and I can confirm it works great. It was a slight oversight on their part to say that it works with every camera since you definitely need this rosette piece to move the arm. Regardless, their customer service is excellent and I think they always want to make it right.
 
I have the Movcam rosette spacer but can't make it work on either the rosette on the Fs7 body or a rosette on an Arri Fs7 shoulder plate.

It threads up to a point but no further, leaving the rosette extension loose. What am I doing incorrectly? I find it hard to believe the Movcam rosette extender would not work with a standard Arri rosette. Although the product description did read "works with Movcam cage and other Movcam accessories". Should I have taken that to mean ONLY works with Movcam stuff??
 
JPNola said:
I have the Movcam rosette spacer but can't make it work on either the rosette on the Fs7 body or a rosette on an Arri Fs7 shoulder plate.

It threads up to a point but no further, leaving the rosette extension loose. What am I doing incorrectly? I find it hard to believe the Movcam rosette extender would not work with a standard Arri rosette. Although the product description did read "works with Movcam cage and other Movcam accessories". Should I have taken that to mean ONLY works with Movcam stuff??
Click to expand...

How long is the bolt and is there a way to remove it from the adapter? It could be that the bolt is too long (maybe the FS7 has a shallow threaded hole for the rosette). If this is the case, you may be able to go buy a shorter bolt from a hardware store (I believe it uses a standard M6 metric bolt) and swap it out in the adapter.
 
truelife said:
I just got my FS7 today and started to rig it up with the Zacuto VCT baseplate, but quickly realized that the rosette handle won't work because the baseplate is wider than the camera. When you try to screw the rosette arm with handgrip on it hits against the rod knob and the edge of the baseplate. Zacuto says they're working on a fix for the end of this month, but could take awhile. I'm a bit disappointed that they advertise the baseplate as working for every camera but didn't see this coming.

In the meantime, I'm going to try this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/981831-REG/movcam_mov_303_1119_offset_rosette_adapter.html
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's why I sent my Zacuto VCT back. I was suggested to buy some kind of rod mounted rosette but I didn't want to cram up my rods with another bolt on accessory. With shorter primes my "rod real estate" would be taken up with the follow focus and matte box.
That's why I went for the Chrosziel, the camera fits perfectly, it was the same price as the Zacuto and it has the rosette built-in.
 
epicdream said:
Yeah, that's why I sent my Zacuto VCT back. I was suggested to buy some kind of rod mounted rosette but I didn't want to cram up my rods with another bolt on accessory. With shorter primes my "rod real estate" would be taken up with the follow focus and matte box.
That's why I went for the Chrosziel, the camera fits perfectly, it was the same price as the Zacuto and it has the rosette built-in.
Click to expand...
Where did you get the Chrosziel? And how are you liking it? It's probably my favorite VCT-style design. The shoulder pads look nice on the Zacuto but it doesn't look to work well with this camera.
 
jshbckr said:
Where did you get the Chrosziel? And how are you liking it? It's probably my favorite VCT-style design. The shoulder pads look nice on the Zacuto but it doesn't look to work well with this camera.
Click to expand...

I bought my plate from CVP here in the UK. Really liking it so far, not too heavy but definitely designed to have the v-mount bracket attached to properly distribute the weight.
 
Hey,
Jens from Zacuto.
The rosette on the camera is too far back to get the control grip out in a usable position. It needs to be mounted on our VCT with our attachable rosettes or better yet on our Rosette Mini Mount on the end of the rods. That will get it to the perfect spot. Miles from the useless rosette on the camera body. Check out the videos showing our balance solutions that we are releasing on out site, Zacuto.com, on Jan 7.
 
Jens_B said:
Hey,
Jens from Zacuto.
The rosette on the camera is too far back to get the control grip out in a usable position. It needs to be mounted on our VCT with our attachable rosettes or better yet on our Rosette Mini Mount on the end of the rods. That will get it to the perfect spot. Miles from the useless rosette on the camera body. Check out the videos showing our balance solutions that we are releasing on out site, Zacuto.com, on Jan 7.
Click to expand...

Hi Jens,

On the Universal VCT FS7 video we can see a rosette relocator screwed on the baseplate.

Can you tell us please when it will be available ?

Thanks.
 
S.Blanchardon said:
Hi Jens,

On the Universal VCT FS7 video we can see a rosette relocator screwed on the baseplate.

Can you tell us please when it will be available ?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

According to the person at Zacuto who I just got off the phone with, two months.... and their rod rosette mount isn't available either.
 
If you bug Zacuto enough and tell them you need that piece featured in the videos, I'm sure they can work something out for you...their customer service is stellar and they want you to keep using the baseplate. Give them a ring.
 
Mandy from Zacuto here, the rosettes and the rosette mini mount should be available within the next couple weeks.
 
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