Top handle problems/ alternatives (broken top handle)

[Stefan Scherperel]

I was recently on a shoot when my AC brought to my attention that the top handle on the red was loose. We were using the top handle to connect the Easy rig. Upon further inspection, it turns out that the top handle had actually cracked where both screws fit. It's a good thing we noticed before trying to hang the red from the Easy rig again. This is the first component that I've had fail on the red. Any one else had problems like this? Is there an alternative to red's top handle, that may be more secure? I'm guessing the standard warranty will not cover anything like this, since we've had the camera over a year and a half.

[Nick Gardner]

http://cameramanhandle.com/

Full disclosure, I make the damn thing ;-) It's a good solution.

Nick

[Douglas Underdahl]

http://www.longvalleyequip.com/redhandle.php

Also full disclosure . . .

You get a cheese plate, handle, handle extension, isolation drive mount, studs for EVF, LCD, mount plate for downconverter, wireless receivers, monitors, etc etc. for $395 and it's TOUGH - billet aluminum and laser cut, powder coated steel.

[Peter Matthes]

Anton Bauer Red top handle. It's VERY SOLID with four mounting points and numerous holes. On top of the it adds the ability to use Anton Bauer batteries on your red.

Avaiable at Abel Cine Tech.

[Julio Quintana]

The top handle is actually very strong if you get the top handle extension (http://www.red.com/store/110-0022). It allows you to mount with 4 screws instead of 2.

[Shawn Nelson]

Stefan,
Were you using the handle extension (and thus four screws contacting the body) or just the two screw handle you get with the production pack?

[Curran Giddens]

I use the one from Element Technica. Works great!

http://www.elementtechnica.com/products/view.php?p=36

[Stefan Scherperel]

Thanks guys, all of the suggestions look great. Looks like there are quite a few options out there. I have just been using the single top handle Shawn. Guess it really wasn't made to carry quite as much weight as a fully kitted out Red one.

[Shawn Nelson]

If you hadnt yet broken it, i'd say get the handle extension. But since you've broken it, get the ET cheesestick

[ericyoung]

Thanks guys, all of the suggestions look great. Looks like there are quite a few options out there. I have just been using the single top handle Shawn. Guess it really wasn't made to carry quite as much weight as a fully kitted out Red one.

Those two bolt holes were always too flimsy when you consider the amount of leverage you can get with the top handle alone. The top handle extension is pretty essential in my opinion if you don't want to spend more on third party solutions, but as your top handle is already cracked I'd go with a machined third party over the cast RED handles.