Red EPIC rig.... lightweight AND robust!

[Filippo Guerra]

I'm going to order a RED EPIC any time soon,
but my main concern is about the support system...

I'm coming from a C300 with RedRock, I've found that it's a bit too light, too much vibrations in macro shots.

I'm going to buy ARRI or OCONNOR follow focus and matte box, with 15mm rods.
I've seen the quick release plate from RED, it looks great but it seems a bit too much pricey and I don't have any idea about the weight... It seems heavy!
But I like the idea to have the camera attached "directly" to the tripod, and 1 pair of rods that passes from front to the back of the camera, though the 2 universal mounts (15mm).

My main doubt is about the height of the camera, if i'm going to have problems with FF and MB... without using a front riser...

 

[Chris McKechnie]

You can do wooden camera stuff, which I have A LOT of. Ryan is great (owner of WC). You can rock his 15mm studio bridge plate then his easy riser and that brings the camera up to standard height.

 

[Colin Sheldon]

Wooden camera is great - reviews of a bunch of their products are in our youtube channel.

youtube.finnerknowsbest.com


Colin

 

[Victor Lazaro]

Wooden Camera aall the way.
The Mantis is an amazing shoulder rig and their top and bottom plates are mandatory for a good rig.
Victor

 

[Filippo Guerra]

this stuff looks great!!! I'm gonna dig more... but it seems they have everything i'm looking for!
thanks everyone!!

I'm gonna come back for more questions, that's for sure

 

[Filippo Guerra]

Some informations about the weight? Is the stuff from woodencamera heavy?

 

[Ned Wilson]

Forget 15mm rods. Accessories don't grip as well. I bought WC's 19mm baseplate and it's almost half the weight of ET's Hybrid 19mm BP. It's about half the price too. Well machined - quality stuff. For rods, ET's Ultra Rods 19mm are lighter than Stainless Steel 15mm rods and stiffer. Nickel plating on aluminum prevents dings and burrs you get on cheap aluminum rods (Zacuto, etc).

I use WC's handheld bars and House of Power shoulder pad. I'm not a fan of baseplate mounted shoulder pads because they're often a pain to mount (Mantis), you can't slide back and forth on your shoulder while shooting and you can't get as low as strap on shoulder pad. In terms of weight, it's not the biggest issue with any handheld rig. It's all about balance. I prefer an Alexa on my shoulder to most Epic rigs because they balance like a news camera. The trick with Epic is getting as much weight to the back as you can. So find a way to mount the battery far back (I use Anton Bauer Matrix plate) and your eyepiece way forward (WC's EVF holder works like charm for getting eyepiece out in front). In short, I'd take a 40lb Panavision on my shoulder that's balanced than an HVX supported just by my arms.