Element Technica/RED accessories review video

[Finner]

The ET/RED accesories are simply top quality, high end cine equipment that have the functionality, quality build, simple design and user friendlyness that I have come to expect from aaton, arri and panavision gear. All the parts are machined well and accessible for easy quick functionality. This gear will fit seamlessly into a typical film environment. I have a video below that helps explain things.

1. RED/Element Technica arri 15mm base plate (also called a bridge plate) http://www.red.com/store/product_detail/43

This plate is a solidly designed bridge plate that has nicely sized user knobs on it. It works like an arri bridge plate and has been machined to precesion tollarances that fit perfectly with arri dovetails or Element Technica dovetails. The working parts of this plate are stainless steel and machined beautifully. There is a useful rosette on the dummy side of the plate that will work with current rosette cine gear. I took apart as much of this plate as I could and the inner workings are robust and should last and work flawlessly for many years of tough use. The working parts are simple to get at and in a worst case senario of this plate having issues in the field a crack AC would be able to make repairs on the truck quite easily. It was -32C here yesterday and the plate worked as good at that temperature as it does at room temp with no stickyness or catching with any of the parts. In my opinion the red/Element Technica bridge plate is as good as or better then any arri bridge plate I have used with the added bonus of being quite a bit cheaper then an arri plate.*** PLEASE NOTE AN ARRI 19MM OR 15MM BRIDGE PLATE WILL NOT PROPERLY WORK WITH A RED CAMERA TO MAKE IT USEABLE WITH ARRI SUPPORT GEAR. THE RED CAMERA IS NOT BUILT WITH THE SAME DIMENSIONS AS AN ARRI CAMERA SO YOUR LENS WILL NOT BE PROPERLY CENTERED IN YOUR MATTE BOX IF YOU USE AN ARRI BRIDGE PLATE AS A RED/ARRI BRIDGE PLATE IS SPECIFICALLY NEEDED AND DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THIS. Element Tecnica did a lot of precision CAD work to build the RED/ARRI bridge plate so that it will centre the lens and allow the red camera to seamlessly fit within an arri system. This plate is a must for the camera and will keep owners happy for many years.


2. Element Technica 2575/2060 Dovetail Plate. After seeing this plate at LART I was blown away by the fact that other manufacturers had not come up with this idea much earlier. It works like a typical arri dovetail plate with one huge advantage, instead of running straight down at the bottom it flares out to mesh perfectly with an occonor 2575 or 2060 head (Element Technica also builds a 1030 version dovetail.). The advantage of this is you eliminate the need for the oconnor quick release sliding plate saving yourself not only a decent amount of cash but it lowers the camera by about an inch which is sometimes needed on a low-hat. The dovetail is very well built, again par or better then the arri version. All the screw in taps and the release button are stainless steel. The Element Technica dovetail plate is extremely well built and if it were the same price or more then an arri dovetail the Element Technica dovetail would be a better value. Lucky for us the Element Technica dovetail is cheaper then the arri version. Another must for every red system as far as I am concerned.

3. Element Technica lightweight aluminum rods. Wow are these rods light. I got an 18" set for my cooke zoom and they are easily 3 times lighter then my steel rods. For those that are thinking of Carbon Fibre rods I personally think you are crazy. These aluminum rods are right around the same weight and much tougher and safer. If you have ever watched NHL hockey and seen a CF hockey stick blow up into millions of small pieces then you have seen what can happen to CF and your going to trust CF rods to hold your expensive mattebox and follow focus? Also your CF rods are bound to fail on that big Michael Jackson music video just as you are right over top of him on a crane (The perv would get what he deserves as far as I'm concerned (ha) but it may not be soo good for your career ) Back to the Element Technica rods though these are built very well, extremely light and very well priced.


That sums up my written review I will try and answer any other questions anyone may have and maybe even Stephen from Element Technica will chime in with some information. I can not say enough good things about Element Technica gear and I am looking forward to their top plate with handle and battery attachment along with their EVF attachment with eyepiece extension or maybe even telescopic ability. I plan to deck my camera completely out in Element Technica support equipment.

ELEMENT TECHNICA ACCESSORIES VIDEO BELOW special thanks to Colin for throwing this video up for me.

http://www.reviews.perfectpictures.ca/Reviews.html

OR at youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ9g5lmV4ZY


cheers Daren

[Alexander Nikishin]

Good work Daren.

Very well put together. :sorcerer:

[Sanjin Jukic]

Very good review and video Finner.

When the Element Technica dovetail is available to purchase?

[Brook Willard]

You rock, Daren.

[Adrian T.]

Thanks Daren! Well done!

No news for me (already own the ET stuff, waiting for camera delivery). But now I know for sure to have backed the right horse. :)

(and I've realized that you don't look like the Hoff after all :wink:)

[Adrian T.]

When the Element Technica dovetail is available to purchase?

It's been available for months. Call them or send them an e-mail.

[Finner]

:wacko:
(and I've realized that you don't look like the Hoff after all :wink:)

I'm planning on getting some big plastic surgery to look exactly like the Hoff. If you wish to give to my "help Daren look like the Hoff fund" I would be very happy with any gift.

Funny thing is Big Lebowski my first avatar way back at the begining was of "The Dude" you know his "Dudeness or the Duderino" But the kids in filmakers gang stole it so I changed over to the Hoff.

[Adrian T.]

:wacko:

I'm planning on getting some big plastic surgery to look exactly like the Hoff. If you wish to give to my "help Daren look like the Hoff fund" I would be very happy with any gift.

No thank you. One Hoff's enough! :bleh:

[Cüneyt Kaya]

:wacko:

I'm planning on getting some big plastic surgery to look exactly like the Hoff. If you wish to give to my "help Daren look like the Hoff fund" I would be very happy with any gift.



i will sponsor the string

[Steve Sherrick]

Incredibly helpful Daren. Thanks for doing this!

Steve

[Scott Webster]

Look out for Finner's next informative video 'How to remove the Red PL mount Bung from your Camera'. By popular demand.

[Ivan G]

Thank you so much Daren for that video! It was great!

I thought you can only purchase ET products through REDs website, is that true?

Are those rods made by ET as well. I'm confused because once again they are on REDs website.

[Brook Willard]

You can only purchase the base/bridge plates on RED's website. RED may have picked up the ultra rods as well, but I've been able to purchase them through ET.

[David Wyatt]

*** PLEASE NOTE AN ARRI 19MM OR 15MM BRIDGE PLATE WILL NOT PROPERLY WORK WITH A RED CAMERA TO MAKE IT USEABLE WITH ARRI SUPPORT GEAR. THE RED CAMERA IS NOT BUILT WITH THE SAME DIMENSIONS AS AN ARRI CAMERA SO YOUR LENS WILL NOT BE PROPERLY CENTERED IN YOUR MATTE BOX IF YOU USE AN ARRI BRIDGE PLATE AS A RED/ARRI BRIDGE PLATE IS SPECIFICALLY NEEDED AND DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THIS.

cheers Daren

Wow, thanks for that, Finner!! - I've been wondering about that in the back of my mind for some time - just haven't got round to testing it, now I don't need to! The Element Techinca 19mm base is going to be our next purchase I'm pretty sure. Does it just screw straight into the bottom of the Red like an Arri bridge plate screws into the bottom of a 435/535/Arricam etc (i.e. with a couple of screws?)

[Finner]

Wow, thanks for that, Finner!! - I've been wondering about that in the back of my mind for some time - just haven't got round to testing it, now I don't need to! The Element Techinca 19mm base is going to be our next purchase I'm pretty sure. Does it just screw straight into the bottom of the Red like an Arri bridge plate screws into the bottom of a 435/535/Arricam etc (i.e. with a couple of screws?)

Yep

Pretty much works just the same as an arri bridge plate except it is engineered for the red.

[Paolo Tinari]

Nice topknot...

[Ivan G]

You can only purchase the base/bridge plates on RED's website. RED may have picked up the ultra rods as well, but I've been able to purchase them through ET.

Then how does Daren have one without his camera? Red won't sell you accessories until you are next in line, right?

[Matt Uhry]

I went by ET's shop a few days ago and they have some seriously cool things in the works that enhance some aspects of the camera ( besides the 15mm Top Cheese, EVF bracket and the BNC breakout )

If you email them nicely they might send you a PDF of their current prices and offerings which has a bit more information than the mysterious website.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

[Jason Wingrove]

Rocketeer, im with you!

Great slide plate design and i understand the need to demo it but having to explain it to people is scary. Guys if your out there shooting with 35mm depth, 2575 heads, filters, 300mm zooms, 6x6 filters, grads, follow focus, rods, supports, donuts etc etc please use trained 1st AC's and grips who know all this stuff backwards. No offence to anyone but all this Pro gear in (some) indy hands scares me.

[Matt Uhry]

please use trained 1st AC's and grips who know all this stuff backwards. No offence to anyone but all this Pro gear in (some) indy hands scares me.

I'ts going to be rough for the unschooled. But that's actually how it's always been. Good filmmaking only looks easy when people are trying to sell you something.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

[red1225]

Rocketeer, im with you!

Great slide plate design and i understand the need to demo it but having to explain it to people is scary. Guys if your out there shooting with 35mm depth, 2575 heads, filters, 300mm zooms, 6x6 filters, grads, follow focus, rods, supports, donuts etc etc please use trained 1st AC's and grips who know all this stuff backwards. No offence to anyone but all this Pro gear in (some) indy hands scares me.

DITTO!!

[Michael Morlan]

Darrin,

Thanks for taking the time. Good info for one and all.

Looks awfully funky without the camera. :)

Michael

[Fergus Meiklejohn]

Rocketeer, im with you!

Great slide plate design and i understand the need to demo it but having to explain it to people is scary. Guys if your out there shooting with 35mm depth, 2575 heads, filters, 300mm zooms, 6x6 filters, grads, follow focus, rods, supports, donuts etc etc please use trained 1st AC's and grips who know all this stuff backwards. No offence to anyone but all this Pro gear in (some) indy hands scares me.

Ach well, if it's all out of focus and it's your own gig then you can kick yourself but there's no harm done; if it's a pro gig and you aren't already an experienced 1st AC then then why the hell did they hire you..

[Finner]

Rocketeer, im with you!

Great slide plate design and i understand the need to demo it but having to explain it to people is scary. Guys if your out there shooting with 35mm depth, 2575 heads, filters, 300mm zooms, 6x6 filters, grads, follow focus, rods, supports, donuts etc etc please use trained 1st AC's and grips who know all this stuff backwards. No offence to anyone but all this Pro gear in (some) indy hands scares me.

If this scares you then you obviously have missed a lot of stuff on here. I personally gave up on warning people that were clueless a while ago. There are people on here planning to get a red that don't even have the basic skills needed to get much out of a HVX. As far as Im concerned let them buy everything in sight, not know how to use it and lose thousands and have to sell it all for cheap. A bunch of us will be able to pick up barely used reds and used gear for very cheap in 6 or so months. Some people have no idea how over their head they are with this camera and now I really just laugh about it. Some people are going to lose a lot of money on this. Oh well people go buy 5 steadycams for your production and standard speeds at 7k per lens and don't rent any grip, electric gear or hire sound guys that come with a sound package because you should just buy all that as well just buy buy buy. Buying everything is a sure way to fail. If you want to buy a camera and camera support package and have the knowledge, contacts and work to back it up then fine but buying 2 or more cameras with every support gear you can get and lighting/grip/sound ect is crazy as renting is always a better way to go for many things.


I at least feel comfortable recomending good well built equipment like the Element Technica gear as I gave up pointing out what is not neede or stuff people should not buy a long time ago because they just argue and are not worth the time or effort as they buy it anyway.


RANT DONE

People wont be sorry for buying ET/red gear but there will be many things they think they need that they will be sorry for buying.

[Jason Wingrove]

Totally agree, Their stuff is fantastic (the breakout box is a FANTASTIC solution, sadly to a problem that should never have existed) and apologies to ET for foolishly and impulsively hijacking the thread really. The more, like you, i read of people clearly over their heads the more the subject deserves a thread all by it's self. Im personally standing by for when there's enough bodies out there that 2nd hand red ones stop going for stupid money, then i'll strike :-)

In the meantime i'm butting out.

[Rich Schaefer]

Awesome Daren!

Where is the Red badge you had implanted on your crotch? .... You cut your hair?.... I am so confused ..... ; )

Nice Work!

Cheers,
Rich

Ps. this stuff is a great opportunity for non-pros! It is hard to break and they will learn the big boy gear.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Nice video. RED should put that right on their site so people understand what's going on. :)

[Finner]

Ps. this stuff is a great opportunity for non-pros! It is hard to break and they will learn the big boy gear.

I agree 100%. Thing is 99.5% of the big boys rent 99% of their gear as they know it is the best way to go. That and they don't just buy gear randomly, they buy gear after they have rented and used it a few times and know it is the right fit for their look and style.

[Wes Printz]

Then how does Daren have one without his camera? Red won't sell you accessories until you are next in line, right?

When you are showing a product, the manufacturer will always supply the product, or samples. In this case, it was ET by some means.

Was waiting to hear "But wait, there's more..." Great job Finner.

[Casey Green]

Thanks for the review, Finner. The ET gear looks great, and I also was very impressed at LART.

We are currently considering our options for plates and tripods since our RED plate/dovetail is a bit loose. I have a feeling the RED / ET relationship will continue to grow.

thanks again,

[Chris Parker]

One question. Why doesn't the breakout box have audio connections?

And is there one that does?

Ok, that's two questions....

[Jeff Kilgroe]

That would be one big/chunky box to have audio connections as well as SDI - it would cover the whole side of the camera. I'm guessing there will be an audio breakout box that adds additional functionality coming at some point from someone. Hey, might be a good opportunity for someone here....

[Ken Willinger]

An audio break away cable will be very useful as opposed to a box connected to the camera. I think there are some folks already working on or producing a breakaway cable with the mini plugs. I'm gonna go broke getting all these great 3rd party toys...but they are needed. In my 25 years in the biz I've yet to come across an audio tech that has mini XLR's in his kit.

[Mitch Gross]

I have only one issue with the video. The dovetail plate that marries directly to the O'Connor head is actually an Arri concept -- they came up with it first. In the video an old Arri dovetail is shown. I do still think that the Element echnica plates are very nice and I believe less expensive than the Arri, but credit where credit is due. There are now a number of manufacturers making these style dovetail plates and I imagine that all will simply convert to this soon enough.

Mitch Gross
Abel Cine Tech

[eltech]

Nice job Finner. I bet this video answers a lot of the basic questions that keep getting asked.

As much as we wish we were the clever ones that came up with the idea of combining these two dovetail profiles, it was in fact Arriflex. Besides Arri and Element, I know that OConnor is making a version of this and as Mitch pointed out probably a number of others.

Our new 1030 dovetail on the other hand will be an Element exclusive although credit goes to the 1030 owners on this forum. They identified the requirement and helped steer the ultimate feature set. Because the 1030 dovetail is narrower we had to re-visit the spring loaded safety. We are so pleased with the new design we will be using it on future runs of the full size dovetails.

As for an audio breakout box...

[Michael Ragen]

Audio gurus please chime in about an audio breakout box. I would love an Element audio breakout box, small as possible, please.

Does anyone know if it would be possible to have the channel 1 input on the box be re-routed to camera channels 1 and 2 with the flip of a switch and maintain signal integrity?

[Mark Pedersen]

Daren,

Thanks for doing this. It really helped clear up the relationship between the base plate, dovetail and O'Connor head. I was about to finalize my 2060 order and this was very helpful.

Cheers,

M

[philastbury]

K4.54362 this Base plate style has been around for several years, bypassing the O'Connor quick release sys. So ET are remarkable, i agree.
But they are not re-inventing the wheel.

[david farland]

http://www.reviews.perfectpictures.ca/Reviews.html
cheers Daren

Hey budgie boy, the link doesn't work on 3 different XP systems/locations I've tried. Any chance of setting it up as a download file....wmv, avi or qt.
Cheers,

[Finner]

Okay then ducky dude go to youtube at the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ9g5lmV4ZY

[david farland]

Thanks for the link budge, nice explanation.
You mention the arri bridge won't work with your matte box etc....is this because the rod distance or optical height or both is incorrect. That's pretty fucked up if Arri's MB/FF won't work with their bridge plate!
Daffy,

[Jaron Berman]

I was recently corrected on this:

Even though we all call it an "Arri bridgeplate," it's not "Arri's" bridge plate, it's a newly designed bridgeplate, made by Element Technica, to interface the RED to standard Arri accessories including matte boxes. Mounting an Arri brand mattebox on an Arri brand bridgeplate on RED will not work - the lens on red is in a different position relative to the threaded holes on the base of the camera. Won't line up. It's confusing, but the idea of the Element piece is to allow RED to DIRECTLY interface to Arri standards including dovetails, FF's, matte boxes, etc...

[red1225]

Is there anyone from ET (or otherwise) that can tell us the price of the EVF bracket? Also, will you still be able to utilize the RED top mount in the front of the camera with it's use.

Regards

[Finner]

I spent some time on the phone with Stephen this weekend. All I can say is Element Tecnica has our back covered in more ways then you would have imagined. Also it will soon be much easier to order and see their product line up. The plan I have for my camera is to have pretty close to all of its accessories be Element Technica and other add ons like remote button, wireless Follow Focus and Matte Box from View Factor Studios.

Element Technica has so many various products in the works that an ET decked out red will make any AC, operator or DP that is use to ARRI or Panivision systems feel right at home with it the first time they see and use it. I am very, very excited about all of the things Element has in the works. Perfect, is really the only word that comes to mind.

Sorry for the tease guys but Hector and Stephen are working 7 day weeks to engineer new products and set everything up as soon as possible, so the wait should be close to over.

[Dan Dumouchel]

Hey Daren and Colin great work! Thanks for the review Finner!

[Matt Uhry]

I spent some time on the phone with Stephen this weekend. All I can say is Element Tecnica has our back covered in more ways then you would have imagined. Also it will soon be much easier to order and see their product line up. The plan I have for my camera is to have pretty close to all of its accessories be Element Technica and other add ons like remote button, wireless Follow Focus and Matte Box from View Factor Studios.

Element Technica has so many various products in the works that an ET decked out red will make any AC, operator or DP that is use to ARRI or Panivision systems feel right at home with it the first time they see and use it. I am very, very excited about all of the things Element has in the works. Perfect, is really the only word that comes to mind.

Sorry for the tease guys but Hector and Stephen are working 7 day weeks to engineer new products and set everything up as soon as possible, so the wait should be close to over.

100% Agree with what Finner said -

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

[wshultz]

Hey Finner,
You commented that there are many things (accessories?) folks think they need that they'll find they don't. Care to elaborate? I'm in to not wasting any money.

[Poi Boy]

Is there anyone from ET (or otherwise) that can tell us the price of the EVF bracket? Also, will you still be able to utilize the RED top mount in the front of the camera with it's use.

Regards

The EVF bracket is $960.
Aloha
-A

[J.D. Frey]

... As far as Im concerned let them buy everything in sight, not know how to use it and lose thousands and have to sell it all for cheap. A bunch of us will be able to pick up barely used reds and used gear for very cheap in 6 or so months...

Or maybe they will learn something? Dropping 70 grand on equipment is a great motivator to learn. Even Jim has said that RED doesn't have all the answers (http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8631).

Sounds like a perfect fit to me. Those ~4000 reservations gotta be paid for by someone.

[Anders Holck]

The top cheeseplate and the EVF mount should be compatible with the 19mm red top mounts.

[Steve Sherrick]

I completely agree with Finner and others. It is great that ET has jumped in and provided support gear right out of the gate. And trust me, they are working seven days a week because I've received phone calls from them on the weekends. If people are seeking info, give them a call. They are easy to work with, although very busy as well which is a good thing for all of us.

[Damien Molineaux]

I'm getting an order together from ET, their stuff seems great (I haven't had a chance to see or touch any for real yet). I wonder though, why does the Arri 19mm base plate cost $300 (50%) more than it's 15mm equivalent, they are practically the same size, they should cost the same, no ?

Same question for their dove tails, why are the 1030 dovetails $100 to $150 more than the 2060 dovetails, they seem pretty similar.

They sell their 15mm and 19mm rods for the same price, I understand that, the cost is in the manufacturing not the material.

Cheers,
Damien

[Mitch Gross]

My guess would be an expectation of how many they believe they will sell. This must be factored in to amortize R&D costs.

Mitch

[Finner]

I wonder though, why does the Arri 19mm base plate cost $300 (50%) more than it's 15mm equivalent, they are practically the same size, they should cost the same, no ?
Cheers,
Damien

Because it's fun to stick it to the Europeans.

[Greg M]

Because it's fun to stick it to the Europeans.

what about the rest of America??

[Finner]

I was trying to be funny Greg. I assume the "less 19mm bases will be sold" makes ot more $ theory.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Because it's fun to stick it to the Europeans.

With the current state of the Euro vs. the Dollar, it makes perfect sense to me. :)

Anyway, I'm not so sure that there will be fewer 19mm bases sold... There's a big world out there and much of it has decided to go with the 19mm spec. Much of the south and east portions of the US are 19mm friendly too.

[Damien Molineaux]

With the current state of the Euro vs. the Dollar, it makes perfect sense to me. :)

Anyway, I'm not so sure that there will be fewer 19mm bases sold... There's a big world out there and much of it has decided to go with the 19mm spec. Much of the south and east portions of the US are 19mm friendly too.

Yes, but if you want 15mm, you have to buy the ET base plate, while if you want 19mm, you can stick with the Red base plate. I would like the 19mm ET base plate but I don't see why I should pay 50% more than for a 15mm ET base plate.

Now, I've asked ET about the price differences between the base plates, as well as between the 2060 and 1030 dovetails, the explanation for the dovetails was pretty clear, however they simply said the baseplates were made OEM for Red, which I understand as : Red decides of the pricing. So yeah, Europeans just get the stick, get stuck, whatever! What's the deal here? Red we're not used to this kind of pricing strategy. I find this very odd!

Damien
(no cheers here)

[Robert Mott]

How do you purchase element technica materials, other than from the red.com site?

[Anders Holck]

How do you purchase element technica materials, other than from the red.com site?

Red only sells the 15mm and 19 mm base exclusively. For all other ET stuff you need to contact ET directly (info@elementtechnica.com)

[Robert Mott]

Thanks, really appreciate it.

[Ryan Manes]

Not sure why I need this plate. Just got through a shoot with all Arri equipment and Oconnor 2575 head everything fit together like butter.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/125_1203917267.jpg

[Mark Pedersen]

I'm getting an order together from ET, their stuff seems great (I haven't had a chance to see or touch any for real yet). I wonder though, why does the Arri 19mm base plate cost $300 (50%) more than it's 15mm equivalent, they are practically the same size, they should cost the same, no ?

Same question for their dove tails, why are the 1030 dovetails $100 to $150 more than the 2060 dovetails, they seem pretty similar.

They sell their 15mm and 19mm rods for the same price, I understand that, the cost is in the manufacturing not the material.

Cheers,
Damien


Well, consider this: the 15mm base plate doesn't compete with Red's bottom plate. The 19mm does. Could be the reason, who knows?

[Damien Molineaux]

Well, consider this: the 15mm base plate doesn't compete with Red's bottom plate. The 19mm does. Could be the reason, who knows?

Yes maybe that's it, but in truth who's gonna buy the Red plate alone. The Base Prod pack is such a good deal, I'll bet 99% of Red customers have bought it. Then if the ET 19mm base plate were a little cheaper (on par with the 15mm version) I'm sure they'd sell a whole lot more, especially considering the feedback concerning the Red base plate, and/or the great complimentary accessories made by ET.

Red, would you reconsider the pricing of the ET 19mm base plate please ?

Cheers,
Damien

[Fredrik Callinggard]

Not sure why I need this plate. Just got through a shoot with all Arri equipment and Oconnor 2575 head everything fit together like butter.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/125_1203917267.jpg

Looks good!!

Although you're connected directly to the O'connor quick release plate not connected through a sliding base plate. Some of us wants that "sliding" option for several reasons - mainly to work of and on other equipment equipped with a dove tail plate.

For example "slide" off sticks to "slide" it on a steadicam or a crane. With the ET base it's a matter of seconds.

Cheers

fred

[KETCH ROSSi]

Good job Finner,

I was initially going with the large Euro plate, very glad I didn't so now I'll have the ET ones.

BTW, in the video it seems as if you lost weight since LART, eat some more "PASTA" Buddy, ( or are the ladies consuming you?:))


Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI

[Leo Ticheli]

Thank you!

Great job!

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo

[Jon McCoy]

The plan I have for my camera is to have pretty close to all of its accessories be Element Technica and other add ons like remote button, wireless Follow Focus and Matte Box from View Factor Studios.


Over here in the UK, we just don't get hands on access to this gear - so it's great to hear (and see) real feedback. I'm also quite happy that my own approach seems to be taken by others too!

With Arri's price rises next month, I was trying to make the most of the current prices, and get a new MB and FF for my Red setup (so much re-engineering in current MB and FF, got no chance of using them on the Red). Then Red hints at new MBs, and I find View Factor's electronic FF - and am stuck between a rock and a hard place. Tried and tested, at a last-gasp price, or risk the new and unusual...

So far:

MB - Arri MB20 (unless View Factor or Red can do better and cheaper)
FF - View Factor (wireless and virtually zero-backlash?!?)
Rods - 15mm or 19mm in Aluminium :D
Plate - ET/Red

And lots of Red-brand odds and sods.


Yes, but if you want 15mm, you have to buy the ET base plate, while if you want 19mm, you can stick with the Red base plate. I would like the 19mm ET base plate but I don't see why I should pay 50% more than for a 15mm ET base plate.

Interesting the comments regarding 15mm on the West coast, and 19mm on the East Coast and in Europe in the video.

I'm building fresh for this setup, so have the opportunity to use 15mm or 19mm - and want to make sure I head down the right path...

I've used 15mm rods in the past (with 15mm CF's on current system), and can't recall using 19mm - so I can't compare based on experience (or indeed memory).

Given that most gear fits or can be shimmed to fit either, and putting the obvious weight versus costs versus strength aside, am I missing an obvious one here?


Because it's fun to stick it to the Europeans.

Doesn't explain why OConnor is a British-owned US company, with insane prices in the UK... All they need is a UK office, ship the heads in bits to it, and have them assembled in the UK. Hey presto, massive import duty tax breaks (import of parts, versus finished goods).

[Adrian T.]

When I mount the camera with an ET bridge plate onto the ET dovetail plate I sense a lot of friction. So it's quite hard to slide it in.

Any suggestions what kind of lubrication might help? Finner?

[Finner]

Are you sure your locking slider (silver lever) is all the way off? It should slide on quite easily. Maybe the tightning mechanism needs to be adjusted. If you lift slightly on the top of the camera as you slide it in and make sure that you are sliding directly forward that should also help. Sliding a heavy camera on to a dovetail can be a bit of a practiced and learned motion. If the base plate and dovetail slide together easily just on there own then you just need to practice getting the feel of sliding them together with the camera on the base plate.

You do not need lubrication so if the problem is there after you check the lever and practice sliding it straight on then contact Stephen at element technica.

[Adrian T.]

Are you sure your locking slider (silver lever) is all the way off? It should slide on quite easily. Maybe the tightning mechanism needs to be adjusted. If you lift slightly on the top of the camera as you slide it in and make sure that you are sliding directly forward that should also help. Sliding a heavy camera on to a dovetail can be a bit of a practiced and learned motion. If the base plate and dovetail slide together easily just on there own then you just need to practice getting the feel of sliding them together with the camera on the base plate.

You do not need lubrication so if the problem is there after you check the lever and practice sliding it straight on then contact Stephen at element technica.

Thanks a lot, Daren.

I can see now what the problem is: a RED universal mount on the front 19 mm rods doesn't have enough room above the silver clamp on the left side of the 2060HD head. Without the universal mount it slides in easily.

It looks like just 1 mm more headroom would help here. This is a bit of a bummer I must say... :waaa:

Here's a snapshot of the problem area:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/673_1204920984.jpg

[Finner]

Im confused. Thats red gear not ET stuff. Please post wider pictures of your set up.

[Adrian T.]

Im confused. Thats red gear not ET stuff. Please post wider pictures of your set up.

I know that the universal mount is RED gear. But I was expecting it to work with the ET mount on a OConnor head. :whistling:

Here's a wider shot. The green line marks the problem area.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/673_1204925954.jpg

I think I can work around the problem by repositioning the universal mount.

I just hope that Curt's motors will not interfere with the OConnor mount.

[Finner]

I see your problem now, its add on extra's for work around things that is giving you grief. Typically with an arri film 15mm or 19mm follow focus there would be no binding or issues. It is because you have to use an adapter to get you down to the narrower video rod configuration for your smaller video follow focus that you are running into problems. You may have to get out a grinder and file.

As far as View Factor motors go there attachment brackets are machined and built low profile to work with cine baseplates and dovetails so there should be no probelem.

[Adrian T.]

I see your problem now, its add on extra's for work around things that is giving you grief. Typically with an arri film 15mm or 19mm follow focus there would be no binding or issues. It is because you have to use an adapter to get you down to the narrower video rod configuration for your smaller video follow focus that you are running into problems. You may have to get out a grinder and file.

As far as View Factor motors go there attachment brackets are machined and built low profile to work with cine baseplates and dovetails so there should be no probelem.

Thanks a lot Daren for your support.


You may have to get out a grinder and file.

LOL! You should really start a new career as a comedian! The way you say simple things like that is really funny! :)

[planet e]

As for an audio breakout box...

Reviving this thread to beg Stephen to elaborate on this teaser line...I'm hoping it is as streamlined in design as the other ET BOB, which I just ordered....the AIRSEALAND concept looks functional, but I'm hoping for something which feels more organic to the camera...instead of like a goiter.

[Anthony S. Lenzo]

We will have the panel and breakout box at NAB. If you plan to attend the Reduser/NAB party on Tuesday, you can get a feel for the panel. It's slightly wider than a full size XLR connector. Any thinner, then we'd have to use the mini-xlr connectors, which would defeat the purpose of its design. Internally, the panel contains a few circuit boards, and has to provide room for the connectors that attach to the camera. It is as slim as slim can be. See you at NAB.

[Finner]

All the new ET gear looks fabulous guys, the EVF mount is a functional piece of art. Not to mention I heard from a little bird about some of the new products Stephen and Hector have in development and they are very impressive.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I will second Finner's statement.

They have newer and better locks on their dovetail plates now. The dovetails for the 2060/2575 have additional holes tapped in them to make them more compatible with other tripod quickplates -- like the ones from Sachtler and Miller.

Other upcoming parts from them sound really great. I was hoping to see their hand-held rig, but it wasn't there.

[Florian Stadler]

One thing one shouldn't forget either is that going directly onto your head without quick release plate (Europlate) is only an OPTION in case you must have a lower profile and that extra inch makes a difference. I don't know a First in this world that wouldn't want to have a quick release. Just because you can doesn't mean you must.

[Greg M]

One thing one shouldn't forget either is that going directly onto your head without quick release plate (Europlate) is only an OPTION in case you must have a lower profile and that extra inch makes a difference. I don't know a First in this world that wouldn't want to have a quick release. Just because you can doesn't mean you must.

The first thing my assistants do is put the Euro plate back on the Red.