I've attached some pics of the new Genus wide angle mattebox I’ve been using on my latest trip. Genus (http://www.genustech.tv/product.php?section=product&id=29) It's low profile, light weight and wide angle coverage made it the only Mattebox I've found suitable for my style of run and gun shooting with the 5dmkII. As an added bonus is that it also works with my EX-1, EX-3 and broadcast lenses on my DSR-500. It has two aluminium filter stages which rotate and lock into place firmly and the whole thing looks as well built as possible for a lightweight product.

The best thing though is the Genus advanced adaptor bar system http://www.genustech.tv/userfiles/image/Optional%20Accessories/partextendedl.jpg As you can see from the pictures it allows rapid extension of the bars to accommodate different lenses without having to change the rods, pure genius. It also gives you limited horizontal and vertical placement of the 15mm support rods. On the 5dmkII you can clip the lens onto the Mattebox too making a very secure setup.

Next I plan to devise a shoulder rig based around this and my existing Redrock Micro shoulder support system, although Genus say they are working on a solution too. I’ve also ordered the new Redrock Micro v2 follow focus microFollowFocus Complete Package (http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.442/.f) which I’m hoping will work well with this rig. The other product I’d like to try with this is the Zacuto zwing-away Zwing-away adapter - Zacuto (http://store.zacuto.com/zwing-away-adapter.html) which would make changing lenses even quicker, but it is not cheap.

I've looked long and hard at Matteboxes before plumping for this one, my previous collection include the Cinevate, Formatt and Cinetactics offerings but none really worked well with the 5dmkII. I like the look of the Redrock Micromattebox but ruled it out for run and gun due to its size and weight. The Vocas mattebox looked nice but was expensive for the same config. I really like the Genus because I can finally use a Mattebox with my Nikon 17-35mm lens without cutoff for video (it cuts off with stills but not the 16x9 video crop) The only caveat is that you need to take the screw in skylight or UV filter off but then I'd do that anyway with a Mattebox. I bought the optional top flag which I think is essential, there is currently no option for side flags but for my shooting this is less of a concern. All in all it's the best Mattebox for my needs.

Dan

I second this set up (as from another post).
A question: how do you find this Beachtek adapter? Is it sufficient enough for what you're shooting? I know they are planning to introduce "5D" model, but as it seems it will be heavier and more expensive... I rather go with "2S"...

Here is where I came so far.
Some parts missing (step ring, Hoodman 3",follow focus,...). All in time... All part but the mic were already in the inventory from my EX1 kit.

Steven,

I'm actually not too happy with the DXA-2s, mainly because there is absolutely no way to monitor even what is going to the camera. I'm hoping the 5D Beacktek will solve a number if issues. If they add the ability to add an output to an external recorder as I suggested, then I'll be buying it.

Is that a Really right stuff quick release on the bottom of your camera? looks good. The Vangard grip also looks well made, have you thought about mounting it on the rails and using a shoulder mount?

Dan

Dan,

I am considering getting Redrock shoulder Kit, for 5D as well as EX1. I tried that piece sold/made by Cine City in India (and promoted by Mr. Bloom) - and it ended up in garbage so now I am really on the fence for getting something else.
I do have RRS L bracket on all my DSLRs. Even my M8s have L bracket in a Kit. I keep in permanently attached to each DSLR body I have (protection, convenience, cool, you name it...)...

Steven,
there is absolutely no way to monitor even what is going to the camera.

Dan

Even with new model, you won't be able to change/adjust what ever sound is recording in to 5D... Monitoring will be available by earphones jack, but that's it... Is it worth it buying it just for earphones jack?

Steven,
For me yes, ONLY if it allows recording to an external recorder at the same time. I could use a regular mixer for this but I'm trying to keep the kit small for run and gun. The headphones are really useful if only to check that the signal from radio mics etc is coming into the camera clean, I know that the camera then uses auto anyway but that's why the external recorder is a useful backup.

Dan

Cavision.com makes really good mattebox / railsystem etc.

Check them out.

Olof,

Thanks for the pic.

I actually have some Cavision gear, including the shoulder support from your picture. Problem with the Cavision Mattebox is that it is just too cumbersome for my purposes, you really need to compare with the Genus to see how much lighter/more compact it is while still offering wide angle coverage. If I wasn't worried about the size and weight I'd say the Redrock Micro mattebox is better constructed and I'm pretty sure about the same price if not cheaper than the Cavision.

I do like the Cavision magnifier though, I wonder if they will bring out a 5dmkII version with some kind of attaching mechanism.

Dan

Here is where I came so far.

Steven, what rails are those?

-- peer

Steven, what rails are those?

-- peer

Genus comes with those rails in some configurations.
£400 ex.VAT for all this

T

Peer,

Toenis is right but I believe that price is for the standard Genus mattebox not the newer wideangle version in my picture. If you look at the Genus site you can see both versions Genus (http://www.genustech.tv/product.php?section=product&id=27) and this one Genus (http://www.genustech.tv/product.php?section=product&id=29)

Dan

Peer, Toenis is right but I believe that price is for the standard Genus mattebox not the newer wideangle version in my picture.

Dan, so how much was yours, including the matte box and french flag?

-- peer

Dan is correct.

My Genus Kit (with base and rods) I got on eBay last summer for my EX1. It was $550 (matte box and rails system)... This was heavily discounted for a new kit since the seller was getting rid of the old stock. The bottom (grip) is Vanguard, from ebay for a couple of $$.

I hope this helps,

Here is where I came so far.
Some parts missing (step ring, Hoodman 3",follow focus,...). All in time... All part but the mic were already in the inventory from my EX1 kit.

Steven, I'm curious to know how heavy your setup is when handheld. Have you yet shot long sessions with it handheld? To me, where the grip is located, it looks a bit forward balanced, or perhaps it's just the picture that gives that impression..?

-- peer

Steven, I'm curious to know how heavy your setup is when handheld. Have you yet shot long sessions with it handheld? To me, where the grip is located, it looks a bit forward balanced, or perhaps it's just the picture that gives that impression..?

-- peer

It feels pretty nice in a hand. With prime Nikon's that I use it's balanced perfectly... I recommend it...

The best thing though is the Genus advanced adaptor bar system http://www.genustech.tv/userfiles/image/Optional%20Accessories/partextendedl.jpg As you can see from the pictures it allows rapid extension of the bars to accommodate different lenses without having to change the rods, pure genius. It also gives you limited horizontal and vertical placement of the 15mm support rods. On the 5dmkII you can clip the lens onto the Mattebox too making a very secure setup.

Dan

Dan,

That looks very similar to the kind of light weight rig I'm trying to put together. A couple of questions:

Is the beachtek mounted directly onto the advanced adapter bars and the camera then mounted directly onto the beachtek? No other parts involved?

Have you tried rigging up the advanced adapter bar system with a redrock shoulder mount or similar?

Thanks,

Jeremy Nicholl

Jeremy,

Currently there are no other parts involved but this setup does have a problem with shorter lens as the camera is not far forward enough to give enough space for a follow focus. It's a work in progress, hopefully I'll get my red rock follow focus in a few days to test it all, I plan to get the new Beacktek 5dmkII as well if so that may improve the setup.

I have the advanced adapter bars on a basic shoulder rig but I'm waiting for the new version of the red rock shoulder mount to arrive so I can test fully.

Dan

Jeremy,

Currently there are no other parts involved but this setup does have a problem with shorter lens as the camera is not far forward enough to give enough space for a follow focus. It's a work in progress, hopefully I'll get my red rock follow focus in a few days to test it all, I plan to get the new Beacktek 5dmkII as well if so that may improve the setup.

I have the advanced adapter bars on a basic shoulder rig but I'm waiting for the new version of the red rock shoulder mount to arrive so I can test fully.

Dan

Thanks Dan,

That all raises some more questions for me. I don't immediately see how you'll mate the RR shoulder mount to the Genus since the RR is designed to mount on individual bars; or is that what's new about the new RR shoulder mount?

I'm also curious about the RR follow focus. I can see why it would be useful in a controlled situation on a tripod, but how usable would it really be trying to work hand-held on the street? I've never used one, but I imagine it might be more of a hindrance than a help.

Jeremy Nicholl

Jeremy,

Currently the only easy way to mount the Genus bars on the Red Rock support is to use it on top on the Red Rock, ie two set of bars stacked up much like the Red Rock DSLR kit. I'm looking for alternatives. I'll post a picture when its set up.

As for the follow focus I think it will help in the street, but I'll let you know about that too.

Dan

Jeremy,
...but this setup does have a problem with shorter lens as the camera is not far forward enough to give enough space for a follow focus. ..

Dan

Dan,

I have the same issue with short (prime) Nikon lenses on my Genus rails (lack of space for FF). I don't have the FF yet, but this is what I am getting to solve the distance issue:
Manfrotto 357 Universal Sliding Plate Tripod Accessories 203570 Bogen - Vistek Canada Product Specs (http://www.vistek.ca/store/129758/manfrotto-357-universal-sliding-plate/Specs.aspx)

Steven,

I have this plate already and it does work, but I'd like something a little lower profile if possible.

Dan

Well, I could not resist... Some time to kill, and I finally got the Hoodman 3" viewer and LCD frame/shade for 40D. A little elbow grease, filling and gaffers tape: I have perfect "direct view" on 5D Mark II. I got all adapters for Nikon primes, so now there is no light leaks on the matte box. Enjoy the camera porn...

Steven,

Congrats, glad you like the Hoodman setup. Maybe we should go into production!

Dan

Well, I could not resist... Some time to kill [...]

Very nice, indeed -- but Stevie, will a follow focus work on that setup... if so, what are your plans?

-- peer (who's still on the fence until the xl2 is sold)

Do you need to get the wide angle matte box for this to work?
I can't tell if B&H is selling the standard or wide version:
Genus | GCMBFF-77 Matte Box with Base, French Flag | GMCBFF-77 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/544778-REG/Genus_GMCBFF_77_GCMBFF_77_Matte_Box_with.html)

Very nice, indeed -- but Stevie, will a follow focus work on that setup... if so, what are your plans?

-- peer (who's still on the fence until the xl2 is sold)

For FF, I will add Manfrotto 357 sliding plate to gain extra room on rails for the big know and gear. I will do that once I get Redrock kit.... One thing at the time...

How wide lenses can you use with 4x4 Genus Wide Matte Box?

As of today and after speaking with Cavision representative I can assure that their mini FF is the best for 5D MKII (if the gearbox is good enough that is). Advanced Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus (http://www.cavision.com/followfocus/RFD15Smp.htm) ($600)
What I like most is that I can reverse the gear to the back of the unit so I can mount the ff more forward than the others - eliminating the problem described by Dan.
Also you can get different dimetre gears for it so for manual lenses you can use bigger diametre and for AF ones you can use the smaller one - so you can lenghten the focusing distance/precision of those modern lenses. Follow Focus Gears (http://www.cavision.com/followfocus/gears.htm)

Speaking of which this Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus (http://www.cavision.com/followfocus/RFD15B.htm) for sub $400 would be of my first interest but I don't know if the gear is removable, flippable or reversible sure it will work with 5D as pictured and with short lenses but I don't know how it interferes with different matte boxes. If the gear part is the same and you can use different diametre gears in front and back of the unit it would be a bargain.

It sure looks kind of balanced in size on a 5D MKII Canon 5D Marik II Accessories (http://www.cavision.com/pictures/5DMII/D5II-2.htm)

Cheers
T

I've tried my 17-35mm and it works with the Genus in video mode (not stills) as long as you take any screw mounted uv filters off the lens first.

I've seen the Cavision gears at shows and generally haven't been too impressed with the gearbox. I've just received the Red Rock Micro so will test that to see if its better.

Dan

I've tried my 17-35mm and it works with the Genus in video mode (not stills) as long as you take any screw mounted uv filters off the lens first.

I've seen the Cavision gears at shows and generally haven't been too impressed with the gearbox. I've just received the Red Rock Micro so will test that to see if its better.

Dan

Dan, I look forward to your impressions on the Genus + Redrock FF combo, as I am considering that myself.

Hi:

This is for Dan and the others using the Genus matte box. It looks awfully shallow to me to be of much use in actually shading the lenses from reflections. Have you shot in bright sunlight with it and have you had any flares or light pollution creeping in on the edges? I have the Cinevate matte box right now but I agree with Dan's assertion that the Cinevate or the Red Rock boxes are too damn bulky for such a small camera and rig. I barely use my Cinevate right now on my HPX170 because it is too big and bulky, especially with the side flags on. I have kind of gone back to mostly screw in 72mm filters as I find using the matte box to be a nuisance unless we have permits or I have an AC with me.

I do mostly run and gun type of shooting and when you put on a matte box and rods, you instantly look a lot more obtrusive. That begs another question. Dan, I love your Beijing footage sequences, do you find it is more difficult to shoot observational documentary footage when your 5D looks like a film camera than when you were shooting with the just the naked 5D? It seems that for just a while longer, we can pass as tourists with an SLR rather than videographer/filmmakers with an HD camcorder. Often, still photographers can get away with shooting in places where videographers get grilled for permits and "will this be used for a commercial project?" Comments? Are we kind of losing one of the best features of the 5D MKII by turning it into a motion picture camera-looking rig?

Thanks,

Dan

Are we kind of losing one of the best features of the 5D MKII by turning it into a motion picture camera-looking rig?

Dan

Somehow matte box loses it instantly but it comes down to morals anyhow.

How, how is the mod for the rig? I saw a setup that Stillmotion uses with the rails from Cinevate. Pretty interesting solution too.

I've just received the Red Rock Micro so will test that to see if its better.

Dan

Please Dan, can you check then if adding a RR follow focus to your actual Genus+5D rig works with shorter nikkor lenses as well?
Thanks (also for all the beautyfull Guardian videos)

Dan,

I have the same issue with short (prime) Nikon lenses on my Genus rails (lack of space for FF). I don't have the FF yet, but this is what I am getting to solve the distance issue:
Manfrotto 357 Universal Sliding Plate Tripod Accessories 203570 Bogen - Vistek Canada Product Specs (http://www.vistek.ca/store/129758/manfrotto-357-universal-sliding-plate/Specs.aspx)


Hi. Steven. Have you found if we can use Redrock ff with shorter Nikkors (worst case probably been 50 1.4) and Genus rails?
I already have all this stuff but still waiting for my 5d.
Thanks

Hi. Steven. Have you found if we can use Redrock ff with shorter Nikkors (worst case probably been 50 1.4) and Genus rails?

If you put the Manfrotto 357 adapter on top of Genus rails, it works even with the shortest Nikon prime..

Great. Thanks. BTW I sent you an email 1 hour ago

Alvise,

A word of caution. If you do a lot of running around with your rig you might find that the 357 quick release plate moves a little on the 5dmkII causing issues with matching the follow focus gears. I see Steven uses a RRS bracket on his camera and I think this may alleviate the problem by giving a better surface for the rubber of the 357 to grip to. Your mileage may vary.

I'm actually thinking about using the Redrockmicro DSLR2.0 mount in preference to the Genus version, or until Genus has a better alternative.

Dan

Alvise,

A word of caution. If you do a lot of running around with your rig you might find that the 357 quick release plate moves a little on the 5dmkII causing issues with matching the follow focus gears. I see Steven uses a RRS bracket on his camera and I think this may alleviate the problem by giving a better surface for the rubber of the 357 to grip to. Your mileage may vary.

I'm actually thinking about using the Redrockmicro DSLR2.0 mount in preference to the Genus version, or until Genus has a better alternative.

Dan

Thanks. But then Redrockmicro new mount doesn't solve the problem with follow focus (Redrockmicro v1) and shorter nikkors ai/ais, or am I missing something?

Alvise,

Sorry but I'm not too sure about that one, I use the Redrock V2 FF unit. Even with this unit I imagine very short Nikkors might be a problem unless you reverse the FF.

Dan

Ok. I don't think there's a difference between v1 and v2. Gear box is the same one in the same relative place. I'll wait for my 5d to arrive and I'll try out something.
Thanks again Dan for sharing all those infos