I would like to purchase the following gear:
Redrock Follow Focus
Redrock Shoulder Mount

I am trying to figure out all the pieces I need to get these products to work with my Canon 5D. I am unsure if I can mount this camera directly to the shoulder mount and still get the follow focus to work? I am thinking since the camera is very low I will need some sort of riser, so does this mean I will need to purchase a Redrock base plate and mount that to the shoulder mount?

Also, what length of rods should I get for the shoulder mount and or baseplate that would be optimal for my 5D.

Thank you.

I would just call or email this question to Red Rock.

What about one of Redrock's DSLR kits:

DSLR Field Cinema Bundle (http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl;jsessionid=0a01074d1f43835f736a5aed4aefa95795a19927d5d9.e3eTaxaQbxmTe34Pa38Ta38Nc350?c=472981&it=A&id=593)

I spoke with a woman yesterday from Red Rock and she directed me to the Red Rock message boards. She told me she wasn't sure about the 5D. I haven't found anything that resembles the set up I would like. The DSLR bundle is a little out of my budget and so I am trying to put this together myself.

I have seen that Dan Chung uses the shoulder mount and I think he mounts the 5D right on top. Not quite sure. I am just concerned that the follow focus won't line up properly if I try to do this.

I already had a list for that... For the Red Rock shoulder mount you need:


12" 15mm Iris rods - professional grade <http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/n.1/it.A/id.398/.f>
M2 Shim Kit <http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/n.1/it.A/id.92/.f>
microSupport baseplate, 15mm high riser <http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/n.1/it.A/id.414/.f>

optional:

microMatteBox Standard Bundle <http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/n.1/it.A/id.552/.f>
microFollowFocus Indie Bundle <http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/n.1/it.A/id.405/.f>

Pete,
So I do need a baseplate? I can't just mount the follow focus to the rails on the shoulder mount?

If I go with a baseplate. It needs to be the high riser version not the low riser? This will allow me to align the follow focus?

Thanks for your help.

I talked to a guy at Redrock and this is the setup they gave me. They told me the 5d had to be raised. I don't have the Redrock yet, so I can't confirm it.

Pete,
So I do need a baseplate? I can't just mount the follow focus to the rails on the shoulder mount?

If I go with a baseplate. It needs to be the high riser version not the low riser? This will allow me to align the follow focus?

It all works together with what I believe is the "high" riser. You can see my rig with RR gear here:
Index of /canon5d2 (http://matthewroddy.com/canon5d2/)

Thanks Matthew. How do you like the setup?

Jon,

I do indeed have the Red Rock rig and personally mount the camera straight to the included baseplate. I don't however have my Red Rock follow focus just yet. I am planning to use a Beachtek instead of a riser to get the height I need in future, coupled with a height adjustable bars mount. I'm currently playing with this one http://www.genustech.tv/userfiles/image/Optional%20Accessories/partextendedl.jpg The beauty of this setup is that it extends rapidly for long lenses without having to reposition the camera itself or fit different longer bars.

I've also just bought the new Genus Wide angle Mattebox which seems perfect for the 5dmkII due to its low profile and light weight. I'll try and post more about it later. Anyone going to NAB should check it out along with the Red Rock Mattebox.

I hope to get some more Red Rock parts to experiment with too. I may even try some Zacuto gear.

Sorry its not a finished solution yet, but I'm working on it.

Dan

Thanks Matthew. How do you like the setup?

I like it a lot, but I've only shot with it a SMALL handful of times.
Be aware, that you loose the camera's small footprint (and anonymity) and you increase it's weight by a LOT if going with my RR rig setup. Their stuff is awesome and very functional, but it's not light.
In some ways, that's a good thing. A light camera is a bouncy camera (in many cases). I personally like the heft of this rig.
To be honest, the thing that weighs the most is the Mattebox. While I don't own the carbon fiber rods, mine are just fine.

Wow the Genus stuff looks pretty good. Whaz the price range? Some kinda combo with the redrock shoulder mount + Genus matte box + Redrock follow focus would be cool

Sean,

I'm not sure exactly how much the whole rig is but prices in asia seem to be about the same as on the Zacuto website. Here's a pic of the rig, I still need to add shoulder support parts and there needs to be some kind of way to move the camera forward for shorter lenses but I think it's all solvable. I'll post more tomorrow.

Dan

Thanks Dan. That is one SEXY looking setup! A shoulder mount+follow focus would really make it pretty complete. It is really difficult to hold it steady handheld. Just waiting for good people like yourself to lead the way.

Is Redrock Micro always painfully slow to ship? Perhaps others should be warned!

I placed an order over a week ago when their "lead time" was supposedly 5 days. Today, the website says 10 days. If I wait long enough, the lead time might grow to the point they never have to ship, eh?

I've sent two emails and a phone call with no reply, even though they charged my credit card the very first day (which they say is normal since they supposedly "make it when you order it".)

Fine. What I didn't expect was zero customer order support.

Clearly frustrating. And with other, less expensive follow focus products around (like INDISystem), I'm starting to wonder why I went this way.

Sean,

I'm not sure exactly how much the whole rig is but prices in asia seem to be about the same as on the Zacuto website. Here's a pic of the rig, I still need to add shoulder support parts and there needs to be some kind of way to move the camera forward for shorter lenses but I think it's all solvable. I'll post more tomorrow.

Dan

Dan,
first: I am your BIG fan!
Your short stories are amazing... I have been following them since you posted a first one done with 5D MKII on Vimeo...
I do have Genus wide angle matte box. I got it dirt cheap (1/2 regular price) on eBay last fall for my EX1 set up. I loved the small size and lightweight.
Than I got 5D in January and I started using it with Genus matte box. I also added Vanguard Tru-grip at the bottom for hand holding it. It works great. Only issue is that once I got follow focus (eventually) I will have to add Manfrotto 357 sliding plate to offset camera body position on the base in order to mount follow focus when using very small Nikkor AIS prime lenses lenses.
If there is interest, I can post the image of the "rig"...

Cheers from Toronto.

I hear you Derek. I placed mine a few weeks ago and haven't heard a word on shipping. I also inquired this morning because it has been very challenging to find what I believe to be the correct parts to work with my 5D. I believe I bought an extra part and asked if I could substitute something of equal value for this part I don't need and was told that I would probably need that part in the future and it was good to have. No option for getting what I actually need. This company is a little crazy.

Steven,

Thanks for the compliment. I've started a new thread on the Genus here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-eos-5d-mk-ii-hd/145866-my-new-mattebox-rig.html so as not to confuse this Redrock thread any more. I'd love to see pix of your rig, that grip looks interesting.

Jon,

I think there are some minor improvements for the Redrock in the works that might be why your order is a little delayed. What did you order. I noticed their new v2 follow focus is ow available and I'm glad I waited to order.

Dan

Thanks for the info Dan. I must say that I am a huge fan as well and seeing some of your video helped push me in the direction of the 5D. Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing some new material from you in the near future.

Any word on the new Beachtek for the 5D?