FS7: Zacuto's new First Look and rigging suggestion video

[NeedCreative]

Zacuto just released a first look video for the FS7 (yes that's our camera in it). I find it interesting at what they think it needs for balance and how you can spend a small or large amount depending on what you need. I think you can use the camera as is OOB in a pinch (on the shoulder), but it's not ideal and not properly balanced at all. This video aims to show you how to fix that.

You Could do this with cheaper parts from other companies too, but the Z stuff is indeed built incredibly well and has a lifetime warranty, so there's that.

Http://Www.vimeo.com/113412894

 

[FrameFarmMedia]

I have mine set up with a shoulder baseplate very similar although I don't have adjustable rods but I rarely am using a mattbox and my ff lines up just fine. If I didn't already have the shape plate that zacuto plate is priced pretty fair. I like it a lot better than the Vocas one.

I personally don't like the camera as far back as they have it because it makes accessing any buttons on body really difficult. With small primes and light zooms I don't find the camera front heavy but if I know I'm going to be on the shoulder for a while I will add a 4lb counter weight to the back which really helps balance a ton and because the camera is so light the overall package is still lighter than most traditional shoulder cameras.

The one piece of kit in that review that interests me is the Z finder attachement to replace the sony loupe.

 

[Erik Wittbusch]

No...

I imagine my left hand in my face pulling focus.
The FS7 is simply to short without the additional back
to have it properly balanced.

I have no problem with the included shoulder pad and
a longer rod. But for the purpose of using mattebox
and follow focus for stationary setups, I'll have a
mini baseplate like the vocas or chrosziel with adjustable
shoulder pad.

 

[Gene Sung]

I like the FS7 Zacuto Flip Frame EVF. I'd probably pick that up as it seems like it would help the camera balance as it's so much smaller that the stock EVF. I hope it's not crazy expensive.

For run and gun, I'd probably just keep it super basic. I shoot a lot cradling style so the camera doesn't live on my shoulder. I like things light.

I would build it up for a larger crew style production but I'd like to keep it simple for most things.

For me, the Gratical EVF is useless because I need the flip up. I shoot a fair bit of skateboarding and can't skate and look into the EVF at the same time. Plus, the Gratical rules out low / high / weird angles.

 

[JPNola]

The video infers that Zacuto makes a "flip frame" that can be used with the Fs7's standard LCD. Do you gather from the video that this is a yet to be released item? I don't see it available on Zacuto's website or even mentioned on Zacuto's website.

It is nice to see that design quirks of the Fs7 are quickly being addressed by the aftermarket companies.

I agree with Erik that the Zacuto rig shown in the video places the camera too far back on the operator's shoulder, too rearward. I want the film plane to be in front of my shoulder, roughly even with the tip of my nose. Notice on the Zacuto video how the rig positions the iris ring so far rearward that the operator is having to reach around his face to operate the iris. Note where the lens mount / iris / film plane are position on a traditional shoulder-mounted camera-

http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/4029/PreviewComp/SuperStock_4029R-244242.jpg

The Zacuto rig, like many systems, jams you up. Everything is positioned over your shoulder instead of out in front of your shoulder-

http://www.cinema5d.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Zacuto-FS7-Recoil-640x360.jpg

Erik has it spot on- the Fs7 needs the extension unit with full-size batteries as a counter-weight and a shoulder pad that is located rearward of the placement of the built-in pad on the Fs7. Something more like this-

http://www.xdcam-user.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DSC04472-300x200.jpg

When the camera body is more forward the loupe is no longer "too long", as has been one of the complaints about the Fs7 loupe / monocular eyepiece.

I have been extensively operating a Sony F5 with a wooden grip mounted on the rails. I couldn't figure out what it was about the ergonomics of the setup that I didn't like compared to operating ENG cameras. But then it hit me- the servo grip on a traditional ENG camera is positioned at lens height, at the height of the camera's fore / aft horizontal centerline. The grips mounted on the rails place the grip below the lens- at or near the bottom of the camera. This makes the camera more "tippy" because your are gripping the camera at it's lowest point instead of at it's midpoint. It also means your right arm is less extended, your elbow closer to your chest. There was something really nice about having both your left and right hands at the same height on a Betacam- left hand on lens, right hand also on lens ( only on the zoom servo ). When your hands are positioned at a camera's midpoint you have better control of the cameras pitch and better control overall. You are more "at one" with the camera.

 

[Liam Hall]

Take one small, light camera and add a whole load of junk and gunk, so it's no longer a small and light camera. Hmm.. Love that VF though...

I love the way in the video that Steve fella keeps banging on about having a big heavy lens on the front. Here's a tip, use a small, lightweight lens...

 

[ReelWorksMedia]

Take one small, light camera and add a whole load of junk and gunk, so it's no longer a small and light camera. Hmm.. Love that VF though...

The general purpose of this camera is a single operator style. We all agree it will be great for a "one man band" - "run and gun" style camera.

Someone, please for the of God, rig this camera up like this....pull it out at a wedding...and shove that in the guests face. Would love to see the "holy S#$t moment...followed up by a lot of awkward moments.

Meanwhile...the A7s, GH4, Cx00, 5D3s...are out there kill'n it totally undercover.

 

[JPNola]

The general purpose of this camera is a single operator style. We all agree it will be great for a "one man band" - "run and gun" style camera.

Someone, please for the of God, rig this camera up like this....pull it out at a wedding...and shove that in the guests face. Would love to see the "holy S#$t moment...followed up by a lot of awkward moments.

Meanwhile...the A7s, GH4, Cx00, 5D3s...are out there kill'n it totally undercover.

I get the point about all the rigging and add-ons defeating the Fs7's small, lightweight camera nature. However, the Fs7 can be both a small stealthy camera and a rigged-out high end camera. Many other cameras can also play both roles, but few can play both roles as well. It would be difficult to rig a A7s as a higher-end camera with large servo zoom and v-mount batteries. You can use a small lens on an F5 and strip the camera down to it's basics...but you can't easily power it with small BP batteries.

The Fs7 can play both roles and play both roles well. Equip it with a small e-mount zoom and power it from an internal BP battery and it's as compact and stealthy as most of the "dv" type cameras. ( AF100, PMW-100, etc. ). You can also rig the Fs7 with extension unit, v-mounts, PL lens, etc. and use it on a high-end production shooting 4k. And get a rental rate on the camera of $1000.00 a day. Try getting a $1k per day rental on a A7s, GH4, or CX-100.

I will add that if you are of the mind that the Fs7 is designed or intended in any way to be a "wedding camera" then I think you are mistaken. It's more of a camera for mid-range productions, one that can also perform high-end productions. It's more of a documentary / run & gun version of the F5. Or a S35, 4K capable, PL-mount capable version of the EX3.

As far as a larger rig causing a "holy sh$t!" moment at a wedding, I shot extensively for the tv show "Four Weddings" using cameras that were not exactly stealthy and no one at a wedding seemed to mind. On the contrary, they were more "wowed" that such professional looking cameras were documenting the event as opposed to the dinky video cameras they are used to seeing at weddings. The attitude seemed to be one of "wow, these guys are big time!" and not one of rejection or annoyance. Granted, everyone knew we were shooting the wedding for a cable tv show watched by millions and that likely played a role in their acceptance of any invasiveness or large presence. Many times a large, complex-looking, "high-end" camera buys you respect and access that you don't get with some pro-sumer looking, small camera.

People at a wedding will often make room for you to get the shot or clear out of your shot when you have a larger camera. That happens less often when shooting with a tiny camera because people either don't notice you or forget that you aren't just another wedding guest casually snapping pics for Instagram. Far from shying away from the large camera, "Uncle Jim" puts on a show on the dance floor for the large camera more than he would for just any old camera...more than he would for an A7s.

 

[thorn]

For the limited time introductory price of $4,940...

(not counting the Micro Zicro, Flip Frame for the EVF and the Rosette Adapter still in development)

 

[meauounji]

Horses for courses, as they say. Some people prefer their cameras rigged up. Some prefer to go as minimal as possible. Zacuto is trying to provide a solution for people who prefer rigging up. Their way certainly isn't the only way, though it's clear that they have a message they're pushing, and they have to sell stuff, after all.

I do think that if you need rods and a shoulder mount on your setup, it's hard to do better than Zacuto's VCT baseplate. It's not even expensive, relatively speaking. Sony's VCT plate for the FS7 is $1000, Vocas's is nearly $1100. Zacuto's is $650, and it works with other cameras. I use it on my FS7, and it works a treat.

You can certainly shoot with just the bare camera braced against your shoulders. It's lighter, more compact, and really not uncomfortable. But if I have to shoot 10 hours straight, I definitely prefer the increased weight with more balance over a lighter, more front heavy rig.

I imagine my left hand in my face pulling focus.
The FS7 is simply to short without the additional back
to have it properly balanced.

Personally, I actually like putting my hand up close like that. I hook my thumb under the cam-left iris rod while pulling or pushing the focus wheel with my pointer finger. It adds stability and provides a point of reference for where your hand is on the focus wheel. You end up folding your arms fairly tightly, which is fine, because the more vertical your forearms are, and the tighter you are to your torso, the less wrist and biceps you have you use and the more weight transfers to your shoulders and back. In fact, I actually prefer to make my rigs a little BACK heavy, so that I pull on the handle instead of pushing on the handle to keep the camera upright. It's a lot easier on the arms if you pull instead of lift. All this sounds really funny in writing, but it works really well in person.

I'm not suggesting that my way is right or wrong. I'm just saying that it works for me, and I find it much more stable and easy to hold over a 10+ hour day than sticking your arm out.

People at a wedding will often make room for you to get the shot or clear out of your shot when you have a larger camera. That happens less often when shooting with a tiny camera because people either don't notice you or forget that you aren't just another wedding guest casually snapping pics for Instagram. Far from shying away from the large camera, "Uncle Jim" puts on a show on the dance floor for the large camera more than he would for just any old camera...more than he would for an A7s.

I, too, find that people are more likely to get out of your way if you have a larger, more intimidating looking rig as opposed to a dinky camera.

 

[Gene Sung]

I finally got to mess around with an FS7 today and I feel the ergonomics are really, really good compared to most modern cameras. I felt without a rig, you could easily do a long 10 minute take without breaking a sweat. Sure if you shoot news, events or reality and the camera lives on your shoulder for 10 hours, then a shoulder rig might be needed. But to me, the massive Zacuto rig is just overkill.

I guess for my style of shooting, lots of handheld, low angles, off angles, waist height cradle shots - the FS7 is perfect.

Also, it was smaller than I thought. From the way it's been described, I was expecting this biggish camera, but it's light and very easy to handle. I liked it a lot for handheld.

 

[yachacha]

Doesn't this rig and EVF cost more than the FS7 itself?

One problem I have with this rig, and many DSLR rigs, is that in order to get the weight right, it puts the lens in really awkward places for handheld.

Look at an ENG camera, the actual sensor sits very close to our eye level, and in line with them too. As we swivel our head, the camera maintains the same center point. ENG got it right by putting the sensor as part of our head and so handheld looks natural.

With DSLR's in general, the cameras lost their back weight, and so don't balance on the shoulder easily. The simple answer is to move the camera further back like Zacuto has done. The problem is that the sensor now sits back behind the eyes. Also the lens and camera buttons are not as easy to access with it sitting back by the ear. But everyone has different preferences, it's a good solution, the only other solution being to add more weight to the back of the camera to move the rig forward on the shoulder.

 

[NeedCreative]

Some of the options in the video (I am using a longer rod, a Zacuto clamp, and QR shoulder pad) cost only around $500 total. Add a zfinder with clamp and maybe you're up to $1500. Not a huge price to pay for a pretty vast improvement for multiple hours of shooting.

Agree on on lack of flip on gratical.

The lens used in the video, also mine, weighs almost nothing.

I think they gave a bunch of realistic options from cheap to expensive. And their baseplate is very, very nice and much cheaper than the Sony option.

I I have found that out of the box the FS7 tends front and side heavy. It's difficult. A few little fixes make it much easier to work with for longer periods (of shoulder use)

 

[truelife]

Having implemented the VCT Baseplate, longer VF rod, and the rosette relocation as pictured in the Zacuto video, I concur with Paul that the rig is worthwhile. Not sure about the eyepiece stuff, unless you use a really wide lens. And generally, I want to keep things less cluttered and small, but the way it's built (which is still nice) is more for a cradle, push-into-shoulder cam as opposed to on-the-shoulder cam.