I've probably invested 50% more on additional parts to turn my RedRock Micro DSLR Field Bundle into a more usable rig. Tonight I got in my counter weight kit and the Hood Loupe Bracket.

The counter weight kit is built very well, it's a very clean well machined hunk of metal. However it seems they decided to use aluminum- so as you can imagine it's not very heavy at all! This makes no sense to me- other than the fact it practically FORCES you to go back to them and order an additional $60 aluminum brick to give it enough weight to at least get close to counter balancing it.

The Hood Loupe Bracket works as advertised and keeps my Hoodman Loupe very secure against the back of the camera. However the bracket is made to work with the newer DSLR baseplate which is another $200 which is essentially a quick release system that allows you to connect your camera on and off 15mm rails rather quickly. Of course this creates yet another hole to fill in regards to what you need to now connect your camera attached to the DSLR baseplate to a tripod.

The Hood Loupe works very well however it's not built very strong. The metal it's constructed out of is literally so thin it can give you a paper cut. Not something I'd expect from an accessory costing $55.

Overall my experience with RedRock Micro components has been quite a love-hate relationship. I love how their equipment makes the 5D infinitely easier to use for true cinema style shooting. However it can become quite a money pit when you start adding accessories to build something that works for you. I also find quite disproportionate pricing for some items that boil down to a think sheet of metal and two rubber o-rings. Though it may seem like a bargain compared to products from Zacuto.

Here is a few shots of my current rig and a few un-retouched timeline stills from today's shoot unfortunately FedEx was a day late in deliverying my Red Rock acessories- I could have used the Hood-Loupe Bracket in the bright, hot sun, today:

http://www.msprotege.com/members/LazerBlueP5/dslrrig2.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/LazerBlueP5/field00b.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/LazerBlueP5/field01b.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/LazerBlueP5/field02.jpg

Yikes Glen, the model looks like she is feeling your pain - good photos but evocative of the "trying to get this all to work" experience. I loved and promoted the Red Rock mattebox for the EX 3 but felt a bit dragged over the coals when I ordered some parts that did not work as advertised and got stuck with them - no return, no exchange. One solution is to buy from one of their few dealers who will take stuff back for a restock fee. For me, I'll move on, but Zacuto, great as it is costs too much. A shoulder mount that costs more than the camera is just nuts.
I'm using an old Leica table top tripod and an IBC "U boat commander" rig (I bet they regret that name by now). With that and occasionally a monopod I'm happy for handheld work.
We're local - we should start a bull***t session over a beer someday - send me a PM (or let the world know - they can all join us for a beer and some Canon talk). Bringing the model gets you extra points.

Hey Denis, I was just down your way last weekend for a wedding in Conshohocken/Villanova : www.gmelliottvideo.com/kenneytrailer.mov

I'm actually located about 25minutes outside of the city in S.Jersey. Let me know if you ever want to hang out. PS I'm looking for a shooter and especially an editor (local and on FCP) do you fit the description? :)

Hey Glen,
Images look great. I was playing around today at a shop with the 24 - 70mm lens and the 5D. How do you find the 5D with this lens for shooting? and can you remember what settings you shot those stills in?
I'm so close to getting the 5D. Would mean I would have to sell the EX1.

Thanks

Hey Glen, very nice images. Care to share what Picture Style settings you used? Or was it all set to out of the box defaults?

By the way, I got/tried the indian "imitation" of the RR shoulder rig. It's ok, but as already posted somehwere around here it's very front heavy.. well, it's overall very heavy. Another downside: while the hand grips are very nice to hold they are made of very cheap rubber... after a few minutes your hands start to become grey/black from it and after a shoot they "stink" as if you've just repaired an old bike ;-))

Money pit indeed Glen. I am right behind you all the way. My biggest problem with Redrock and even worse, Zacuto products is that the seem to be soooo over priced. But then as long as people like you and I shell out the money they will keep charging. Great products, but not sure why so high priced.

Bruce

Hey Glen, does the one plate help to balance out the rig pretty well? I'm about to order the balance weight kit and am contemplating purchasing a second weight, do you think it's necessary?

At least Zacuto has their products in stock and stands behind them....can't say the same for Redrock.

Z-Finder from Zacuto still back order :-)

Hey Glen,
Images look great. I was playing around today at a shop with the 24 - 70mm lens and the 5D. How do you find the 5D with this lens for shooting? and can you remember what settings you shot those stills in?
I'm so close to getting the 5D. Would mean I would have to sell the EX1.

Thanks

The 24-70 is my widest lens thus the reason I used it for the low angle shot set at full wide (24). The 16-35 is really nice but only 8mm wider than the 24-70 which, IMHO, didn't justify owning another 1k+ lens (just for 8mm more width).

I use the Neutral Preset and lower the contrast to the bottom and the contrast 2 clicks.

Hey Glen, very nice images. Care to share what Picture Style settings you used? Or was it all set to out of the box defaults?

By the way, I got/tried the indian "imitation" of the RR shoulder rig. It's ok, but as already posted somehwere around here it's very front heavy.. well, it's overall very heavy. Another downside: while the hand grips are very nice to hold they are made of very cheap rubber... after a few minutes your hands start to become grey/black from it and after a shoot they "stink" as if you've just repaired an old bike ;-))

I explained my picture settings in the reply above. I haven't seen the Indian made imitation rig. Though I don't know why some company can't come up with the same (or VERY similar products) and easily undercut Zacuto and RedRock and STILL make a killing in sales. This stuff doesn't have moving parts- just machined metal and thumbscrews.

Bruce have you invested in any support gear for your 5D? If so what did you get?

Hey Glen, does the one plate help to balance out the rig pretty well? I'm about to order the balance weight kit and am contemplating purchasing a second weight, do you think it's necessary?

Unless you are using a very small/light lens I can't see how you can get away with only one weight. I need it with my 24-70 and 135 f2.

I'm annoyed that they chose one of the LIGHTEST metals to make the counterweight. It should be made out of iron. It can provide many times more weight at a MUCH smaller size.

Hey Glen

Yes I got the Capt. Stubing with shoulder mount and follow focus, and then got the offset kit and a couple of longer rods for the shoulder mount. I am not seeing the should mount much help. It is very front heavy and the camera seems to need to be up higher so I am constantly holding my arms up higher than I would like. Poor design for that part. Mounting on a tripod though is very nice and i really like the follow focus. Stops on a dime.

Bruce

Though I don't know why some company can't come up with the same (or VERY similar products) and easily undercut Zacuto and RedRock and STILL make a killing in sales. This stuff doesn't have moving parts- just machined metal and thumbscrews.

+1

Zacuto and Redrock are so overpriced it's not even funny. I don't know how some people can pay $3k for a 35mm still/video camera with state-of-the art sensors and microprocessors and then pay half or equal to that for some crappy aluminum with thumb screws. It's completely ridiculous. Granted Canon can R&D for cheaper and sell in larger numbers but, Red is a smaller company and they're releasing camera capable of 120fps at 3k for just $2500. Spend that on Zacuto and Redrock gear and you'll get, essentially, some aluminum tubes and bike handles.

Yikes Glen, the model looks like she is feeling your pain - good photos but evocative of the "trying to get this all to work" experience. I loved and promoted the Red Rock mattebox for the EX 3 but felt a bit dragged over the coals when I ordered some parts that did not work as advertised and got stuck with them - no return, no exchange. One solution is to buy from one of their few dealers who will take stuff back for a restock fee. For me, I'll move on, but Zacuto, great as it is costs too much. A shoulder mount that costs more than the camera is just nuts.
I'm using an old Leica table top tripod and an IBC "U boat commander" rig (I bet they regret that name by now). With that and occasionally a monopod I'm happy for handheld work.
We're local - we should start a bull***t session over a beer someday - send me a PM (or let the world know - they can all join us for a beer and some Canon talk). Bringing the model gets you extra points.

Hey Denis what are your thoughts on the IBC U Boat commander? Does it work well with the 5D Mark II? (stability, ease of use, etc.)I currently use either a monopod or tripod right now. As everyone like Glen has indicated, Red Rock and Zacuto parts are pricey.

It is clear to me that Zacuto has chosen a path of designing for a look, as well as for usability. I used one of their expensive rod and plate system for a shoot last year. Beautiful colors and brushed aluminum design. I know the guy who had it paid $ 1,500 for it. It worked fine. We used it because it was there. I would not have bought it. But I could have put something together with aluminum and screws in my crude shop for about $ 30. if I had not had that. In fact, I had already built a cage for my HV20 to shoot that same film with a 35mm adapter, when the HVX200 we ultimately used suddenly became available.

In the end, it is clear to me that Zacuto makes a fine product. In addition to usability, they put a premium on design aesthetics and marketing- much the way Apple does, and it asks for a higher price much like Apple does. People who spring for that, believe the look and reputation of the product is worth something to their image.

But when I see pics of rigs set up on movie sets, its clear to me no one is worried about how the camera set up looks, and how things are dangled of it, as long as it does the job.

I know a lot of people are "hung up" that the support gear costs more than the camera.
For me, this is a non-issue. If we were obliged to buy cameras of this quality from just a few years back, the support gear would pale by comparison. The fact that we have a killer camera for only a few grand is a bonus and the support gear should not be held up to that standard of expense.

Also, I figure my rails, matte box and follow focus from RedRock (heavy as they are) will follow me through this camera and on into the next few. I consider good support gear to be an investment for my productions for years to come. I hope they will WELL outlast this camera and the next - and the next. That makes an expensive purchase a bit more palatable - assuming the gear is quality and will last.

That all being said, I do look for the best cost vs. quality I can find. And I agree with most of you here that Zakuto has awesome product, but is over priced. I haven't purchased any of their gear, but would if it were more affordable to a guy like me.
I think the problem is (well, one of them anyway) that they won't be selling a gazillion of these products. They have a very niche market, and need to make money where they can, overhead or no. If they sold a bunch, they could likely drop the price.

I wonder where the bean counters draw the line: "If we price this unit at $1000.00, we'll sell 2. If we price it at $400.00, we'll sell 5." Hard call to make.

Functionality aside, Zacuto is about looking good and professional. For shooting with friends, this doesn't really matter. A home built job can make great video. But when shooting for clients, looking professional can get you that next gig that pays for the kit.

Sure, we can knock the high prices, but boutique gear has its place.

This is my absolute favorite of boutique design by Z:
http://www.lcdvf.com/competitors/Zacuto_8072c.jpg

Sure this looks better, but still this is the best selling Z DSLR product:
http://www.lcdvf.com/competitors/z-finderNEW4.jpg

... streamlined to VDSLR design?

Sorry for derailing,
T

Responding to Allan from hours ago, I really like the IBC product, it is very well made and with the hoodman and a monopod I find I can get some really steady shouts. WHen I use it with my Leica table top tripod against my chest/shoulder it helps a great deal for hand held work. Several weeks ago I had to mount the Canon on the hood of a car, I wish I had the U Boat Commander then, it gives me a lot of places to bolt and mount stuf, and I can easily change things around.

The Red cameras and Cinevate have their versions of a "cage", for the Canon I think the IBC product best. I just ordered some Red Rock stuff to use a small matte box. My fingers are crossed.

I must say I do think "U Boat Commander" is a dumb name, but so far a really good product, and not unreasonably priced.

I bought one and am very happen with functionality AND pricepoint

I use the Neutral Preset and lower the contrast to the bottom and the contrast 2 clicks.[/QUOTE]

can anyone clarify this setting, thanks... love the picture profile on this thread

Where can I find the U Boat Commander? Google isn't helping me.

Billy:
Go to idcphotography.com.

Ah...I was doing iBc etc. Misread the D for a B, I guess.

Ah...I was doing iBc etc. Misread the D for a B, I guess.

Thats funny...I had the same problem at first.