Right, I want some rails, and I was looking at INDIrails, but where the camera connects is also the base plate, which means that the camera is seated directly above the tripod head, so anything in front of it - i.e. an M2 35mm adapter, a lens, matte box, follow focus etc - is going to make it massively front heavy.

I want rails where I can affix the camera to a sort of stage, then the base plate be a few inches in front to set the camera BACK from the tripod head.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=335222&is=REG

Would that do this job? Or can anybody recommend anything better?

Bear in mind the height of the 'stage' needs to be adjustable to make sure my A1 can align with the M2 perfectly, of course.

My only other concern with that cavision one is that the base plate appears to be in the exact place where the M2 would sit.

What would be ideal is if here:

http://indifocus.com/products_indirailspro.htm

The rods could be raised, and another plate be put underneath those rails connecting to the base plate (I presume it's called that) already ON the rails... if you get me. So, there'd be a larger plate underneath the rails, and the tripod (shoe?) would affix to the centre of this, underneath aroundabout where the M2 would sit.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

There is an attachment for the indirails to fix the balence problem - I have an A1 with a Letus and while it is heavy at the front, I don't find it a major problem (I'm getting the new attachment in a couple of days.

Have a budget set?

Have a budget set?

Was that a question or a statement moulded into the form of a question? Haha...

If it was a question, er, uber cheap.

You don't mention what kind of tripod you're using. Some tripod heads, like my Manfrotto 503, have an extended mount plate that can be repositioned, forward or backward, until the point of balance is achieved. The extended mount plate mounts to the camera or rail mount plate.

You don't mention what kind of tripod you're using. Some tripod heads, like my Manfrotto 503, have an extended mount plate that can be repositioned, forward or backward, until the point of balance is achieved. The extended mount plate mounts to the camera or rail mount plate.

Ahh... yeah I have a 503 but I don't recall an extended mount plate... cheers though, that makes sense. Is it an extra purchase, this mount plate?

yes...here>
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/3938/Head_Accessories_Quick_Release_Plates_Wedges_.html/bsi/3

yes...here>
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/3938/Head_Accessories_Quick_Release_Plates_Wedges_.html/bsi/3

God that's expensive. Cheers

cheaper than rails

cheaper than rails

Yeah but I'd need the rails as well anyway. I just mean $80 is a lot for... a plate. But it's fine, it's still affordable