F3 rig for ENG/EFP style work at DVinfo.net

Thierry Humeau · December 29th, 2010, 11:59 AM

Does anyone have a recommendation for a simple, light and compact F3 rig for ENG/EFP style shooting? I am thinking about a simple plate with short rails, a couple handles and a compact shoulder pad. Also, I am wondering if there is an opportunity to built a viewfinder adaptor (aka EX3) that would fit on the LCD and allow for most of the F3 body weight to sit on the cameraman's shoulder.

Jim Tittle · December 29th, 2010, 12:53 PM

I'm looking for solution to the same problem. Short rails, shoulder pad, counter balance battery plate, quick mount to tripod, easy to store. Price $400-$800. Is anybody working on one?

Andrew Stone · December 30th, 2010, 09:40 PM

You will be hard pressed to find a general rails solution for that price range although probably a couple of people will build a rails/baseplate/shoulder mount solution specifically for the F3 and you will see it advertised here, no doubt.

There is the Hoodman Loupe for the EX1 that should work without modfiication but the LCD screen is so far back that you will have to put a rails shoulder device on the camera to make it truly comfortable to use for any length of time...

EX KIT PRO-Hoodman Corporation

Alister Chapman · December 31st, 2010, 06:51 AM

I think Genus are looking at a new camera plate that will allow their DSLR shoulder mount to be used with the F3.

Genus Shoulder Mount System - Genus Video and DSLR products

Doug Jensen · December 31st, 2010, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Stone

There is the Hoodman Loupe for the EX1 that should work without modfiication

I've already tried the Hoodman Loupe with an F3 and it didn't work. If you compare the design of an EX1 to an F3, you'll notice that the LCD is in an entirely different position. That difference is enough to make the Hoodman unusable on the F3. However, I'm sure Hoodman and other manufacturers will design something that will work comfortably.

Thierry Humeau · December 31st, 2010, 10:29 AM

It would be great to see a sturdy, clip-on LCD viewfinder adaptor that could be flipped in and out like the PMW-350 color viewfinder (see attached pic). When running and gunning with a wide lens, I prefer to look at the LCD but when on the sticks or when using longer lenses, I'd want to be more precise and look at my shots through a good viewfinder. I don't like the Hoodman design because it does not allow that kind of flexibility.

This would fall right within Zacuto's capability. Their Z-Finder product is excellent and very well made.

T.

Steve Kalle · January 2nd, 2011, 07:34 PM

Not many people recommend them due to cost, but the Zacuto 'Newsman' rig is great. I am waiting for my Zacuto rig to arrive this week but I added a few extra pieces to the back to hold V-mount batteries and wireless receivers in addition to a Varizoom zoom controller. With an EX3 and Dedo LEDzilla, 2 wireless receivers and an 88whr battery, the rig is almost perfectly balanced. Plus, the Zacuto has a lifetime warranty and really should be considered an investment because it will outlast all other video gear, not to mention that it holds resale value better than other video gear.

Ola Christoffersson · January 3rd, 2011, 04:30 PM

Steve - I've been looking at that. Do you know if the "zoffset" is fixed in a position or if the offset hight and sideshift can be adjusted? The Zacuto website is not clear on that.

Steve Kalle · January 3rd, 2011, 04:52 PM

Ola,

Are you looking to use the Offset? If so, it appears that only the height is adjustable; however, adjusting the height slightly adjusts the length. I think this is the best picture of the zoffset.

Henry Epstein · January 3rd, 2011, 06:28 PM

This looks wonderful!

Creative Video - Features Sony PMW-F3 review

Ryan Hollings · January 3rd, 2011, 07:21 PM

nevermind, read the article. doh.

Brian Drysdale · January 4th, 2011, 03:41 AM

That particular rig set up looks rather front heavy. Moving the V/F plus the shoulder pad a bit further forward would improve the balance.

Don Parrish · January 4th, 2011, 06:52 AM

With all due respect, I do not know if I would be brave enough to run and gun with this thing. I am not sure that it would fit my personal opinion of an ENG camera. From the discussions, focusing this thing correctly is a task, VF is to small and LCD not sufficient for quick focus. Add to that it's very shallow DOF and it would be at the bottom of my list. And then there is the pricing, it is 13k without glass and other options, with glass it is approaching the price of some pretty nice fully equipped ready to shoot cameras.

Tony Partamian · January 4th, 2011, 02:32 PM

It's strange that CREATIVE VIDEO did the test 5 days ago and they still didn't know that the kit lenses with the F3 are all PL mount and not F mount as they stated in the review.
Don't they read the net??

Nate Weaver · January 5th, 2011, 02:02 AM

That in no way is a handheld rig, not with an Optimo 15-40 built like that. I suspect he put the shoulder pad on for yucks, but never intended to actually shoulder it like that. Same with the O'Connor ogrips up front.

I saw that eyepiece at an AF100 demo last week, and immediately thought of it for the F3 for handheld.

Handheld with this thing is gonna be awkward. Not many lenses are going to encourage "supporting the whole camera in front of you while using the rear eyepiece" method.

December 29th, 2010, 11:59 AM	#1
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	F3 rig for ENG/EFP style work Does anyone have a recommendation for a simple, light and compact F3 rig for ENG/EFP style shooting? I am thinking about a simple plate with short rails, a couple handles and a compact shoulder pad. Also, I am wondering if there is an opportunity to built a viewfinder adaptor (aka EX3) that would fit on the LCD and allow for most of the F3 body weight to sit on the cameraman's shoulder. __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

December 31st, 2010, 06:51 AM	#4
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	I think Genus are looking at a new camera plate that will allow their DSLR shoulder mount to be used with the F3. Genus Shoulder Mount System - Genus Video and DSLR products __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

December 31st, 2010, 10:29 AM	#6
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	It would be great to see a sturdy, clip-on LCD viewfinder adaptor that could be flipped in and out like the PMW-350 color viewfinder (see attached pic). When running and gunning with a wide lens, I prefer to look at the LCD but when on the sticks or when using longer lenses, I'd want to be more precise and look at my shots through a good viewfinder. I don't like the Hoodman design because it does not allow that kind of flexibility. This would fall right within Zacuto's capability. Their Z-Finder product is excellent and very well made. T. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

January 3rd, 2011, 04:30 PM	#8
Ola Christoffersson Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 462	Steve - I've been looking at that. Do you know if the "zoffset" is fixed in a position or if the offset hight and sideshift can be adjusted? The Zacuto website is not clear on that. __________________ Ola Christoffersson, Kamrat produktion, Stockholm - Sweden www.kamrat.tv

January 3rd, 2011, 04:52 PM	#9
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Ola, Are you looking to use the Offset? If so, it appears that only the height is adjustable; however, adjusting the height slightly adjusts the length. I think this is the best picture of the zoffset. Attached Thumbnails

December 29th, 2010, 12:53 PM	#2
Jim Tittle Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 114	I'm looking for solution to the same problem. Short rails, shoulder pad, counter balance battery plate, quick mount to tripod, easy to store. Price $400-$800. Is anybody working on one?

December 30th, 2010, 09:40 PM	#3
Andrew Stone Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 975	You will be hard pressed to find a general rails solution for that price range although probably a couple of people will build a rails/baseplate/shoulder mount solution specifically for the F3 and you will see it advertised here, no doubt. There is the Hoodman Loupe for the EX1 that should work without modfiication but the LCD screen is so far back that you will have to put a rails shoulder device on the camera to make it truly comfortable to use for any length of time... EX KIT PRO-Hoodman Corporation

January 2nd, 2011, 07:34 PM	#7
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Not many people recommend them due to cost, but the Zacuto 'Newsman' rig is great. I am waiting for my Zacuto rig to arrive this week but I added a few extra pieces to the back to hold V-mount batteries and wireless receivers in addition to a Varizoom zoom controller. With an EX3 and Dedo LEDzilla, 2 wireless receivers and an 88whr battery, the rig is almost perfectly balanced. Plus, the Zacuto has a lifetime warranty and really should be considered an investment because it will outlast all other video gear, not to mention that it holds resale value better than other video gear.

January 3rd, 2011, 06:28 PM	#10
Henry Epstein Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Guayaquil, Ecuador Posts: 58	This looks wonderful! Creative Video - Features Sony PMW-F3 review Attached Thumbnails

January 3rd, 2011, 07:21 PM	#11
Ryan Hollings Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 118	nevermind, read the article. doh.

January 4th, 2011, 03:41 AM	#12
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	That particular rig set up looks rather front heavy. Moving the V/F plus the shoulder pad a bit further forward would improve the balance.

January 4th, 2011, 06:52 AM	#13
Don Parrish Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tavares Fla Posts: 541	With all due respect, I do not know if I would be brave enough to run and gun with this thing. I am not sure that it would fit my personal opinion of an ENG camera. From the discussions, focusing this thing correctly is a task, VF is to small and LCD not sufficient for quick focus. Add to that it's very shallow DOF and it would be at the bottom of my list. And then there is the pricing, it is 13k without glass and other options, with glass it is approaching the price of some pretty nice fully equipped ready to shoot cameras.

January 4th, 2011, 02:32 PM	#14
Tony Partamian Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lebanon Posts: 51	It's strange that CREATIVE VIDEO did the test 5 days ago and they still didn't know that the kit lenses with the F3 are all PL mount and not F mount as they stated in the review. Don't they read the net??

January 5th, 2011, 02:02 AM	#15
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	That in no way is a handheld rig, not with an Optimo 15-40 built like that. I suspect he put the shoulder pad on for yucks, but never intended to actually shoulder it like that. Same with the O'Connor ogrips up front. I saw that eyepiece at an AF100 demo last week, and immediately thought of it for the F3 for handheld. Handheld with this thing is gonna be awkward. Not many lenses are going to encourage "supporting the whole camera in front of you while using the rear eyepiece" method. __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net