Struggling with 15mm vs. 19mm decision

[Dan McCain]

Im based in L.A. and was planning on going with 15mm support system based on the fact that most of L.A.s rental houses support 15mm. However I have been talking guys over at Birns and Sawyer in Hollywood who claim they are getting more 19mm accessories every day. It seems 19mm gives more options in the way of supporting heavier lenses etc.

I dont own any accessories yet (other than the minirods style) and i have to decide soon for the adapter for my ff4.

I have heard opinions both for 15mm and 19mm I am interested to hear some more thoughts...

[Paris Remillard]

Me too. My camera is ready to ship, but I'm holding out on ET's and others accessories, Birger Mount, etc.... But I also can't decide on 15mm vs. 19mm.

[Maz Mawlawi]

well I can tell you that for now, 15mm accessories are much easier to find and are more available... All our accessories were 15mm bases (matteboxes, Follow focus etc..)...be we had someone create custom parts for us to mount on 19mm... so we now we can use both. If you mainly intend to use the stock RED camera and lens, then I think 15mm should be just fine. Also keep in mind that 15mm accessories are compatible with more cameras and mounts...

[Mike Prevette]

You will be safe for years with 15mm (100mm center) rods. And 19mm stuff can almost always fit 15mm stuff with the proper collets. I have never in the USA ran into a situation where being 15mm based was a problem. I can't speak for Europe.

[Alexis Hanawalt]

What are rods for besides mattebox, follow focus, and lens support? Everybody enumerates a world of accessories that you would need rods for, but it's just those 3 things, right?

What would anyone be in desperate need of that wouldn't be available because they've got the wrong rods?

[Brook Willard]

You will be safe for years with 15mm (100mm center) rods.

I assume you're talking about 15mm Studio offset, yes? The 15mm centered standard isn't very common at all, and there's currently no bridge plate for the RED that supports that standard.

[Dan McCain]

There are hefty lenses, like cookes angenieux zooms etc. that really need the strength of 19mm right? Perhaps, the Element technicas 15mm rods are strong enough to support the heaviest lenses with no flexing? If that is the case probably 15mm is the way to go, otherwise 19mm give more options. Does this sound right?

[Matt Uhry]

There are hefty lenses, like cookes angenieux zooms etc. that really need the strength of 19mm right? Perhaps, the Element technicas 15mm rods are strong enough to support the heaviest lenses with no flexing? If that is the case probably 15mm is the way to go, otherwise 19mm give more options. Does this sound right?

Not really. I think both ET and other brand rods are strong enough in 15mm for any lens you will find... If we're talking true monster lenses like the clairmont 1000mm T4.5 they come with special custom dovetails with a front brace for them, still 15mm based btw.

19mm is theoretically better, but I think it was just a mean marketing thing Arri did to increase profits. No reason to re-buy that well made follow focus or matte box ? now there is.

However, if you are NEVER going to rent and are going to buy ALL your stuff new get 19mm. It's probably the future and will probably have better resale value.


Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

[Mike Prevette]

Yes I was speaking of the 15mm OFF center studio size.

In 10 years of AC'ing I have never had a problem with 15mm rods under the weight of lenses. They handle the HR, and the Thermos 150-500 just fine.


Cinewalt,

Your always working with different people, steadicam ops, jib ops, car rigging guys, etc etc. They always have their own bit of kit, lens motors, etc etc. Or quite often your rentong some specialized bit of kit for a specific shot, and so it makes sense to use the most universal standard you can.

[Cam Crowley]

Hi all

Fun day for me today....

I'm finalizing my RED order as of this moment. I'm hoping I have my bases covered but the decision about whether to go for the ET 19 or 15mm base plate is my final hurdle.

The Base Prod Pack and RED Cheesplate are on my list. Specifically my RED is going to sit on a Sachtler Video 20II for a fair amount of its time and there has been quite a few rumblings about the RED Dovetail/baseplate being a bit on the tricky side.

I'm leaning towards the 15mm. If somebody who has hands on knowledge of the RED/ET15mm/Sachtler equation could chime in I would really appreciate it.

Will I be a happy boy on Unboxing Day (should become a legitimate holiday for those concerned!) or left scratching my head and reaching for the gaffer tape?

Thanks

Cam