What is the Cheapest, Lightest way to Mount RED Batteries on the EPIC-M?

[Meryem Ersoz]

I'm looking for the cheapest, lightest way to mount my RED batteries to my EPIC-M.

While we were running it for a feature film configuration, weight was not an issue (har, it was so incredibly light no matter how much junk we rigged to it...)

But now, I'm switching gears to a documentary configuration and am looking to strip down my EPIC-M configuration.

Is this it?: http://www.elementtechnica.com/products/view.php?p=51

All of the choices on the ET battery mounting page have me terribly confused.

Are there any other lightweight options out there? I'm most likely, at the moment, attaching to 19mm top rods. Trying to stay away from heavy baseplates or bottom rod systems.

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

Zacuto Zwiss Plate as a multi-purpose mounting plate enables you to mount many batteries either V-Mount or Anton Bauer 3-stud or gold mount style.

Zacuto Zwiss Plate Price: $149.00

LINK>>>


Mount with 15mm rods on back of Epic and you'll get perfect balance for any front heavy lens.

 

[Mark Toia]

We just use the old RED V-lock and slide it onto the rails..
Simple, fast, effective... CHEAP!!!!
But mostly I click the battery onto my belt and walk around with it.

 

[Curran Giddens]

I think you already found it. This is the exact same configuration that I am using and it is very light.

I'm looking for the cheapest, lightest way to mount my RED batteries to my EPIC-M.


Is this it?: http://www.elementtechnica.com/products/view.php?p=51

 

[Meryem Ersoz]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys, and for the confirmation, Curran. The speedy clamp seems to be the lightest option, although I wonder if there's a way to get a nanoclamp to do essentially the same thing - it would be nice to have a clamping option which is not limited by the size of the rods. Maybe a nanoclamp and an old cheeseplate could do the trick. Time to go see what widgets are lurking on my RED cart, I guess....

 

[Curran Giddens]

I have two ET Speedy Clamps. One for 15mm and one 19mm. Takes a couple minutes to switch the clamps. You may be able to fit a nano clamp on the plate instead of the Speedy Clamp. But it attaches with one screw and it fits into a slight groove that helps keep the plate from spinning loose.

 

[Steve Marshall]

If you're hand held all the time, why not use a battery belt clip?

 

[Meryem Ersoz]

I have a battery belt clip - I don't hand hold all the time - my question is about stripping the EPIC down to its lightest possible configuration for self-motivated travel.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

The ET battery plate with v-dock and speedy clamp are the lightest it gets. I'm using that config myself. The ET aluminum plate is great and lightens the load considerably. One issue I have is that the magnet on the ET replacement plate doesn't seem to transfer voltage info to the EPIC... But it works on the RED One... Hmmm....

I also use the battery belt clip, and occasionally the RED QuickPlate... The ET aluminum battery plate (without v-dock) is good to back the RED plates with, even with the magnet issue I'm having. 80% of the weight of RED's battery plate is the steel back plate itself. That's the first thing I get rid of!

 

[Curran Giddens]

That's the first thing I get rid of!

It is funny that the last two Red Battery plates I got from Red didn't even come with screws attaching the metal plate. It is like they already knew I was going to replace it and figured they could save me the effort.

 

[Meryem Ersoz]

I'm just trying to avoid spending a lot of $$ on it - once those REDVolt batts start shipping, I'm sure I won't look back and will be using the battery grip all the time, except in a feature film config where weight is much less of an issue, anyway.

I did get the ET plate, though, it still seems like a good tool to have for longer battery life without much weight - thanks for the advice, y'all. The cheeseplate/nano was a bust for exactly the reasons you described, Curran, too much spinning.