15mm rod mount for monitor

[Nikhil Kamkolkar]

Returning the SHAPE shoulder pad, and the handles... it doesn't get as close to the camera as I'd like because of its curve. Going to look at the Zacuto shoulder pad. And looking at these CAVISION handles instead. Anyone have any experience with these specific wider handles? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...and_Grips.html

[Les C.]

Returning the SHAPE shoulder pad, and the handles... it doesn't get as close to the camera as I'd like because of its curve. Going to look at the Zacuto shoulder pad. And looking at these CAVISION handles instead. Anyone have any experience with these specific wider handles? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...and_Grips.html

I have the Zacuto shoulder pad. It is quite comfortable and can slide forward or backward (but doesn't slide while camera is mounted on shoulder). It's quite small.

The Shape looked interesting, but ... didn't think it would fit underneath my Zacuto Studio Baseplate if they quick release plate was in place.

I also added the Lanparte Side Grip 2 handles from CoollCd.

They are quite flexible in how you can arrange them. I have the top segments angled outwards which may appeal to you as you want wider handles (that's how they end up).

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthr...t-shoulder-pad

I think I applied two coupons, and got it for $309 including shipping. Ordered late Sunday nite and they arrived from China on Wed, which I thought was amazing.

I like their length. It's a lot more comfortable to have my arms close to right angles.

[Nikhil Kamkolkar]

Les, were you concerned at all about the quick-release system for the Lanparte? I kind of like the rods going through vs being tightened while sitting in a half-circular opening. If your rig was on the heavy side, would you feel concerned about pointing the rig towards the ground with all the weight resting on those tighteners?

btw, you probably have this info, but the hoodman is 5 1/8 " deep... I did get it too.

[Les C.]

Les, were you concerned at all about the quick-release system for the Lanparte? I kind of like the rods going through vs being tightened while sitting in a half-circular opening. If your rig was on the heavy side, would you feel concerned about pointing the rig towards the ground with all the weight resting on those tighteners?

btw, you probably have this info, but the hoodman is 5 1/8 " deep... I did get it too.

The quick-release is not a problem. It extends up and over the rods slightly, and is very tight.

They easily support all the weight of the rig.

I haven't taken them off since I put them on, had the rig (which seems heavy to me with the O-Box, O-Focus, Side-Handle, etc.) setting on the handles and shoulder pad for a new nights, now on the tripod - and there's not the slightest trace of looseness.

I expect they gave this a lot of though in the design and testing, as the one thing above all others that would give you a bad rep is for the handles to come off.

One person who owned some said he thought there was a slight 'play' in the handle joints, but ... I haven't seen that at all, so this must have been corrected in manufacturing.

I put some Zacuto end-caps on the front (and 4 on the rods holding the Zacuto shoulder pad) just to make sure, but the handles are not in contact with the end-caps - so they are not holding it in place.

The only thing I wish were different about the handles is - you can position them in a very large range, but they move in small increments, so you can't put them precisely where you want, they will be a few degrees from that position.

That hasn't been a problem, but ... just wish that was different.

[John Galeano]

Hey Les, How are you making out with your rig? I hope everything worked out for you!

[Les C.]

Hey Les, How are you making out with your rig? I hope everything worked out for you!

John - I'm mostly happy except that the LCD is so close to my face, it's hard to focus. I use reading glasses, but they don't work so well when the image source is only 5" away from the eyes - so I've got to figure out how to deal with that.

I noticed that your photo shows the ikan arm mounted on a rod coming out from in front of your FF (mine is mounted on a rod coming out of the left front of the Zacuto Studio Baseplate).

What are you using to mount in front of the FF?

BTW - I'm definitely glad I went with the RedRock microMount and Spud (they sell both together in one package), as the more expensive Zacuto version with it's single tightener would have been a real pain to operate!!!

I have no way to compare the arms, but ... if I grip mine way up higher than the handles (where I think many handles would extend to), it doesn't feel as good as having the handle grips much lower so my arms are straighter.

But - I'm going to have to come up with a 'workflow' for focusing - and even pressing the start button. Never having used a rig, it's harder to do than I imagined!!!

Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it!!

[Nikhil Kamkolkar]

The CAVISION handles went RIGHT BACK today. Horrible build quality. I think after all this, and given I'm invested in the RED quickrelease system, I'm settling on a RED version for the front handles. What I'm thinking now is that having a rosette-based connection between handle components is more solid than just friction-based. And that a 19mm solution with just the handles alone would be better in terms of strength and for isolating the handles from my matte box/ff which sit on a 15mm LWS system above the 19mm rods.

Considering this combo now -
DSMC Universal 19mm mount = $200
Two 12" 19mm rods - $100
Rod to Rosette - http://www.red.com/store/products/ro...sette-bracketn - $200 x 2 = $500
Dogbone Jogged - http://www.red.com/store/products/dogbone-b-jogged - $125 x 2 = $250
Fixed Handle 300x2 = $600 (or go with the ball and socket handles - which would be $900)

~$1700. Compared to the CAVISION handles which were $170.

Damn. Anyone has a less expensive, yet equivalent solution?