Red Cradle Alternatives?

[Thom Steinhoff]

I have the Red Production pack and the drive Cradle seems pretty bulky and I'm having trouble mouting it anywhere but at the back bottom. I'm looking for any and every way to cut and redistribute the weight.

It seems to me that something could be made to hold the drive and battery separately to put one on the top and one on the bottom or on a side handle?

To hold the drive: maybe a half cage to give the rails on the side of the drive something to slip in to, but then have a flat plate at the back to mount it directly to a side handle.

The Quick plate seems like an option for the battery, but it's expensive and I already have the plate and cable that I could unscrew from the Cradle--it seems like a lot of money to get a metal plate and hinge for $500 (when I would end up with a duplicate of the plate and cable).

[Shawn Bannon]

I'm looking for the same option. I would like there to be a more integrated solution for using onboard battery and on board Red Drive instead of just clumping them together. If anybody has some clever solutions please post some photos.

[Matt Uhry]

Here's What I came up with... I put the battery on the right because the soon to arrive EVF is quite heavy. The Drives slide in and lock solidly, I'm happy with how it works and how it keeps the camera small light and with a decent CG. Top handle removes easily, I found Red's to be too short while shooting and too tall in while it's in the camera case...

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

[Andrew Benz]

Matt, I like it a lot. Did the guys at ET machine the hard drive bracket? Where did you get the handle? Looks familar, does this also work well for you in low mode?

[Matt Uhry]

Matt, I like it a lot. Did the guys at ET machine the hard drive bracket? Where did you get the handle? Looks familar, does this also work well for you in low mode?

I have a primitive machine shop in my basement... A little bored during the writers strike... It's getting busier now.

I've shown it to ET... I think they are making something that holds the drive, if you don't like what they come up with ( doubtful, but possible ) we can bug them to make something more like mine. Similar story with the handle, I think they are on it.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

[Thom Steinhoff]

Matt,

Looks great. looks like it could easily be bolted to the side handles as well. That would be perfect.

Notes to self:

1) Put a machine shop in my basement
2) Buy tools
3) Make top mount for drive

Wait. I live in California--on a slab of concrete.

1) Buy jackhammer...

Wait...

1) Wait until someone else offers one for sale


:)

[sander kamp]

I don't have a RED drive yet and I hate the bulk and weight of that awkward dual hinged thing so I made something myself the other day.

Made out of 3 mm aluminum and spray painted so it's going to chip. It is sturdy enough so but maybe I will make a second version that is a bit more stiff. I detached the battery plate from the cage which is very easy. For the weight-conscious: there is a 3 mm steel plate at the back of the battery plate that seems to have no other function than to add weight. Without it is feels just like a very light weight piece of plastic - probably because it actually is.

This would be very easy to make if you go to a basic metal workshop.

[Shawn Bannon]

all looks good, those are some pretty good solutions. thanks.

[Jarred Land]

cool hard drive bracket..

[Michele Gavazzeni]

cool hard drive bracket..

The worst looking thing i've ever seen!
but if it works!!! ... no it's not enough :) lol