Hi List,

Looking for some ideas please. I need to come up with a robust mount solution to allow me to mount ultra-telephotos (800mm etc) on rails primarily with EOS bodies, but ultimately with any cinema camera. The primary reason being additional stability (shooting 4k) + sliding adjustment for tripod balance. With bare lens / EOS I can normally get balance using the lens foot, but adding mattebox, EVF and alternative power soultions is going to change this.

I'm expecting to end up using an Arri-type base plate or similar, but how to (affordably) affix rails to this, with plenty of adjustment back and forwards?

Thoughts appreciated.

Nick.

I mount an extended Arri dovetail along with bridge plate to my OConnor 1030D head which allows balancing of the camera and lens. I can then use 15mm or 19mm rails as needed.

Thanks David,

Yes, I think the Arri or variations thereof is the answer (and I have a 1030D), the question is one or multiple bridge plates and then the question of height adjustments between them?

It looks like Alan has had similar issues here with his FS700

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/under-water-over-land/517346-sony-fs700-wildlife-filmmaking-subjective-review.html

I have a few different risers depending on he camera I use.

I'm trying to remember, but I think it was David Winters that had a coupe of aluminum dovetails machined with camera riser built in. I'll try to dig up a link. http://dpwinters.com/products/

Thank you David, some very helpful information on David Winters' site - I'll make contact and perhaps look into having something machined here, it looks less complex than I feared.

Best,

Nick

Nick, let me know what you come up with. I'm always looking for a better way.

Dave

I use Arri style dovetails from Wooden Camera
2060/2575/120EX Dovetail (18) - ARRI Style Dovetail (http://woodencamera.corecommerce.com/2060-2575-120EX-Dovetail-18.html)

Either use a dovetail clamp on the lens feet and mount it with the camera hanging on the back
Dovetail Clamp - Mini Bridgeplate (http://woodencamera.corecommerce.com/Canon/Camera-Support-Canon/Dovetail-Clamp.html)

or use rails with a bridge plate.
Bridgeplate (19mm) (http://woodencamera.corecommerce.com/Canon/Camera-Support-Canon/Bridgeplate-19mm.html)

There are many options, you need to search to suit your own preferences.

You can also use this from Really right stuff. This is a photography styled lens support:
Kennan Ward Super-Tele Package - KennanWardPkg - Kit Configuration Page (http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=KennanWardPkg&type=3&eq=&desc=Kennan-Ward-Super-Tele-Package)