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hunterrichards
05-24-2008, 08:52 AM
Update: Oct 12th, 2008:

I still have some of these left if anyone wants one. PM me. Thanks!


Steven-Marc using the battery plate (picture form Steven-Marc- Thanks):

http://www.reduser.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6011&d=1214993803


Old message:

While the Red cradle and Red plate are nice, they are a bit too bulky and heavy for my liking. (Not to mention I dont run 19mm rods to hang them off of) I was trying to find a better way. I wanted it to be strong, lightweight, and have low-profile (and have a good balance).

After a few tries, I think I got something that works! I had a friend make them at his shop out of high-grade aluminum. My Red is now balanced nicely and is a lot lighter and compact. The battery mount is almost weightless, but very strong. Note how the battery slides on from the rear.

Because you asked for it, these are now in production for purchase for $200 USD. Compatible with both A/B plates and V-mount plates and with options for not using any top rail system or using 15mm systems from ET or 19mm from RED. This part doesn't get in the way way of your existing configuration.
http://hunterhrichards.com/HRmount.jpg
http://www.hunterhrichards.com/HRbatterymount.jpg

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Newest update! (5/30/08)

We are now in full blown production mode. The first production unit was greatly successful (as you can see up top) and we are starting to fulfill orders on all existing S/N. Invoices will start being sent today and all current orders will ship out no later than the end of next week. Thanks for everyones support and feedback, I hope you enjoy this mount as much as I do! If you would like to order one, please send me a PM. Thanks!

New Update! (5/28/2008)

I just released the new CAD render of the redesigned mount. New to the design are 4 perforations at the rear for access to the 1/4"-20 threads if you are using a top mount in the rear of the camera in conjunction with my battery mount. Also, the mount will not have any nuts, but will feature threaded mount perforations. All screws will sit flush on the mount. I had a blast today getting manufacturing prepped. We bought the materials and hardware, and we even collaborated with a local engraving company to make sure all of these have a proper Serial numbers on them. This is too much fun for me.

Update on the Update on the Battery Mount: (5/28/2008)

Thanks for all of the feedback and support on this project, I just sent out e-mails to everyone who contacted me with interest in the mount. Here is basically what the e-mail said:

The redesigned mount will only be $200 USD! This is a lot less expensive than I originally thought it was going to be because instead of getting them laser cut, I opted for milling. The first "production unit" will start being made tomorrow and when finished, it will be shown.
If your already sure that this is something that you want send me a PM with your e-mail address and you will be issued a Serial Number (Funny huh?) As soon as the second unit hits the floor, an invoice will be sent to you and the mounts will start shipping in the order received.

FYI: I start photography on an all Red indie-feature in 2 weeks, and I am planning on having all of the orders fulfilled and in your hands before then.

Here is what the mount will include (Read carefully):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Redesigned light-weight body mount for the battery plate
(the new design allows for use of Red 19mm topmounts and ET 15mm topmounts, in front and rear, while using this battery plate should you want to use this battery mount in conjunction with a top mount-for running top rails)

+ Mounting options for both A/B plates and V-mount plates
(This battery mount can accept either with no modification)

+ Hardware kit
(Includes: battery mounting screws for plate, and 2 longer body bolts should you wish to use this mount in conjunction with a top mount)

+ A 1 year warranty on the light-weight battery mount
(This plate is so strong that under normal use, you should never have a problem with it, but should the mount fail under normal use, a replacement will be sent to you. However, I cannot offer this warranty on the actual battery plate as I do not manufacture them)

*****This mount will NOT include a battery plate, due to the fact that many already have their own battery plates. If you do not already have a battery plate, they can be purchased at the Red store for $175 USD- If you already have a Red Cradle or Quick plate, the battery plate can be removed and used on this mount with no modifications****
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

thanks again for everyones support! I love being able to share this mount with other Redusers.

Yeehaw,

-Hunter

Emmanuel Cambier
05-24-2008, 08:57 AM
Nice stuff.
Congrats!

Emmanuel

hunterrichards
05-24-2008, 09:32 AM
Thanks! It was fun!

Thom Steinhoff
05-24-2008, 09:32 AM
Very nice--I WANT!!!

Martin Weiss
05-24-2008, 11:12 AM
Nice; looks robust.

Any chance of making a couple of those?

laguun
05-24-2008, 11:17 AM
nice - any chance to attach it to the top handle?

hunterrichards
05-24-2008, 11:18 AM
Nice; looks robust.

Any chance of making a couple of those?

If there were a group people that wanted them, I'm sure I could get my friend to make a small run. Let me ask him how much it would cost to make a few of them.

hunterrichards
05-24-2008, 11:21 AM
nice - any chance to attach it to the top handle?

Do you mean top mount or actually the handle part?
After 19mm rail vents are made on the sides I bet you could just add it onto the back of an existing top mount with 2 longer screws.

hunterrichards
05-24-2008, 02:06 PM
OK, I just heard back from my friend, He said if there were at least 10 people interested, we could make a run of them. The price is yet to be determined but it would cost quite a bit less than a Red battery mount set-up (Very Affordable). After my mount you see up top is all pretty and finished, I will post pictures and see if there are enough people who want them.

(If your interested in this battery mount, Please send me a PM)

hunterrichards
05-25-2008, 01:46 PM
New pictures!

Greg M
05-25-2008, 09:16 PM
I would be interested if you made it to fit the Top Mount instead of directly to the body. (ET Makes a 15mm Top Mount).

This would allow the same light config + you retain the option to use rods on top as well.

hunterrichards
05-25-2008, 09:43 PM
I would be interested if you made it to fit the Top Mount instead of directly to the body. (ET Makes a 15mm Top Mount).

This would allow the same light config + you retain the option to use rods on top as well.

I was thinking the same thing, I don't run top rails but maybe one day I will... I would have to add 2mm to the height to get it to clear a top mount but that should be workable, let me mess around with it... It would still mount on the body, but just be more like an "overlay" on your existing topmount.

Greg M
05-25-2008, 10:25 PM
one other thing to consider. Offer just the plate w/o the actual battery mount. Alot of us already have AB or Red V Lock mounts we could attach to your plate.
Be sure to add holes for AB mounts as well.

SF Geek
05-25-2008, 10:27 PM
Just wondering, if you wanted to run the Red Drive, where would it go with this configuration?

Damon Meledones
05-25-2008, 11:42 PM
Just wondering, if you wanted to run the Red Drive, where would it go with this configuration?

Wherever you want really. It could be as lo-tech as taping it to the side of the camera, you could use a 3rd party drive mount, or you could still use the Red Cradle without a battery on it.

laguun
05-26-2008, 12:18 AM
Do you mean top mount or actually the handle part?
After 19mm rail vents are made on the sides I bet you could just add it onto the back of an existing top mount with 2 longer screws.

yeah.

I dont trust the single top handle - basically only the two small screws between tophandle and body hold the whole system, and with a medium setup (angenieux 25-250 zoom, chrosziel, 19 support) i would want to have the top extension in the back.

I like the topmounted battery *very* much - we are doing so often for steadi - and would like to buy the "homebrew" if it would attach at the front & back.

Greg M
05-26-2008, 06:16 AM
Just wondering, if you wanted to run the Red Drive, where would it go with this configuration?
I would primarly be using this for HH work, so would be shooting to cards. But for the drive cradle I use the Ugrip, which I undersling under bottom rear of camera. box...it is very light.




yeah.

I dont trust the single top handle - basically only the two small screws between tophandle and body hold the whole system, and with a medium setup (angenieux 25-250 zoom, chrosziel, 19 support) i would want to have the top extension in the back.

I like the topmounted battery *very* much - we are doing so often for steadi - and would like to buy the "homebrew" if it would attach at the front & back.


I was referring to the top mount in my post....and if I was using the handle, then yes you should have both top mounts. Yet another reason not to attach the battery mount directly to theRed body...more options.

hunterrichards
05-26-2008, 10:09 AM
Update moved to the first page. Thanks.

Jean Wallez
05-26-2008, 09:30 PM
Nice product which complement the Raid Rack for an handled configuration.

hunterrichards
05-28-2008, 12:20 AM
Got the pricing and update on the first page, Thanks!

Martin Weiss
05-28-2008, 03:53 AM
Looks like this will be the first piece of equipment I'll get for my Red ;)

Lenses are coming in August, and the body - fingers crossed - no later than November.

With this, I am sending some positive vibes to Jon, The SquatTeam and the whole of Red. And to Hunter and his able friend.

Cheers!

hunterrichards
05-28-2008, 07:49 PM
Thanks Martin. Check out the new CAD render on the first page!

Jean Wallez
05-28-2008, 08:17 PM
On the photos,the handle seems to touch the battery plate;with the ET mount wich is lower can the handle take place?

hunterrichards
05-28-2008, 08:24 PM
Jean (koffi)- The actual photos are the first version, the CAD renders you see are the updated version and are compatible with the ET and RED top mounts. Sorry for the confusion. You shouldn't have any issue with a set-up like that, I made sure of it with my new design.

Thanks!

-Hunter

Jean Wallez
05-28-2008, 08:43 PM
Better.......and better.

hunterrichards
05-30-2008, 06:22 PM
Updated with picture of the 1st production unit! Invoices will be sent out to all existing S/N holders and units will begin shipping immediately. Thanks!

Martin Weiss
06-20-2008, 03:42 AM
Just a big thanks to Hunter. Am now the proud owner of serial #005 which came to Norway via San Francisco - thanks Hunter for taking that extra trouble. (And if you ever come to Norway, I'll also get you a beer here.)

This is my first piece of Red Gear, soon the legs/head are coming, August will see my Contax Zeiss primes arriving and then towards the end of ´08 comes our Red.

Greg M
06-30-2008, 05:49 PM
I bought two of these plates, but now realize I only need one. The second one is as new, never used. Best offer gets it.

Steven-Marc C.
07-02-2008, 03:20 AM
Don't know if Hunter still has some in stock or will make some more of these, but if you don't have one yet and want to use your Red in a lightweight combination for small crew location shoots, this battery mount is a must-have. If you're shooting to CF it enables you to strip the camera of all its accessories besides the top handle and LCD. The camera with a prime lense or compact zoom becomes perfectly balanced and it also enables you to use a lightweight tripod. You also spend less time building the camera. We did some nature shots on the Normandy coast and had to hike several hours and were very grateful to have a lightweight setup such as this.
Thanks again Hunter!

Edit: It also works great for handheld shots where you cradle the camera against your body like a baby. The fact that it protrudes a bit in back actually protects the rear buttons from getting hit accidentally when you do this.

Martin Weiss
07-02-2008, 05:08 AM
Steven,
this the lightest working setup I have seen. What do you do for ND - use a screw on filter, lower the ISO or shorten the shutter angle?

frankmartin
07-02-2008, 05:31 AM
I am new to forum how do I get in touch to buy battery bracket
dpfmartin@mac.com

Steven-Marc C.
07-02-2008, 12:55 PM
Steven,
this the lightest working setup I have seen. What do you do for ND - use a screw on filter, lower the ISO or shorten the shutter angle?

Yes, I believe this is the lightest you can go with everything still onboard. I'm still looking for the best clip-on mattebox. Wish Red had continued developing theirs! :)

The birger mount and it's bluetooth remote, if it ever becomes available would make this setup even more practical. Screw-on filters could be used on the Canon lenses or some lightweight filter system such as Cokin's Z-Pro.

The only thing I'm still not quite satisfied with is the LCD arm. I'm trying to design a quick release system with a ball head that keeps it closer to the body while still allowing to adjust viewing angle.

hunterrichards
07-02-2008, 11:44 PM
I am glad it works for you Steven-Marc. Good to see the picture too!

I am almost sold out of the mounts and I am contemplating starting another batch with a higher quality machining and anodizing.

zak forrest
07-03-2008, 02:22 AM
Steven,
this the lightest working setup I have seen. What do you do for ND - use a screw on filter, lower the ISO or shorten the shutter angle?

I often work like this too, only with the battery plate (holes drilled) attached to a universal mount.

I use Zeiss Superspeeds and I had some custom 77mm screw-in filter adapters made for them by SK GRIMES. Now I just need to find a good 77mm IR cut filter.

Jason Sinclair
07-05-2008, 12:16 AM
"simply red"

Matthew Hutchens
07-05-2008, 07:25 AM
The battery plate that comes with does seem like overkill, especially if you're not into the hard drive. I might have to pick one of these up.

Adam Levins
07-05-2008, 09:36 AM
I am interested too

Martin Weiss
10-12-2008, 02:13 PM
What happened to all those nice pictures?

hunterrichards
10-12-2008, 07:06 PM
I don't know where the pictures went! Let me get some new ones up. I still have some of these if anyone is interested.

hunterrichards
10-12-2008, 07:22 PM
Ok here are some more photos:

For those of you who haven't heard, This is a featherlight battery mount I designed for my own camera and people requested that I make them for their cameras too. This is the *lightest battery mount for the Red. You can put both V-mount and a/b mount battery plates on this mount. They are also compatable with Red top mounts (see picture). I still have them available if anyone is interested for $200. I think its the best and the lightest battery mount available for the camera system- but thats just me!