what mounts and handles are needed to use the camera comfortably?

[Ivan Egorov]

I am getting the production pack, but I dont really understand, how does the top handle mount?
Do I need extra rods for it or not?

What items do I need in addition to the production pack to operate the camera comfortably?

I am pretty sure the production pack aint enough. I'll be doing pretty much hanheld shooting.

Thanks,
Ivan

 

[Jens Jakob Thorsen]

Hmmmmm experience? The topmount maybe?(included)....A left handle? The rods you can stick where ever you want. And dont forget a small leathersack filled with rice and some bluehandles. An EVF will be handy as well....

Joking aside: 3 extra universal mounts, a set of bluehandles, lightweigth rods and something soft to put on your shoulder. And the Element Technica EVF mount.

 

[Shawn Booth]

You should have two top mounts IMO - never know. I really like the top handle extension with the top handle unscrewed from the mount. I wish I could have just purchased it this way.

The EVF is amazing, but you're not getting that RIGHT away, so you'll need a LCD too.

 

[Harky Jewett]

I'd second the two top mounts. It will allow you to put longer rods on top and mount the battery on top which gets it out of the way of the controls. Plus if you want to use side handles this is the way to go. You'll want to get the top handle extension also with this configuration.

The main problem with the production pack is that you'll be getting the Red bottom mount and if you want a really stable mount to a tripod you'll need to get the cheese plate.

However, you have to remove the bottom mount (which involves taking off four screws) to attach the cheese plate. And with the cheese plate on you cannot use the shoulder mount.

This is the main problem with using the Red bottom mount (that comes with the production pack). For tripod work the Element Technica arri base plate is the best thing.

But this doesn't solve the handheld issue, since the Red shoulder mount only works with the Red bottom plate. Element Technica is working on a solution (anyone go to Cinegear, did they have one yet?), but that doesn't help you right now.

For me, for handheld, I like the ET setup, with Ronford Moose bars. Still looking for a good shoulder mount that works with this setup.

So this all was just a round about way of saying, if you mainly do handheld, the Red Bottom mount with shoulder mount and Red Handles (though I'd still recommend the Ronford moose bars) might be the way to go for now, just be aware of its limitations.

 

[Ivan Egorov]

What would be the RED-only setup?
I am very limited in funds, and I'd like to get all items delivered in one box, so I'd go RED way.

So,
I shoud get:

1. top handle extension
2. two top mounts (or is it one EXTRA top mount in addition to the production pack?)
3. left handle
4. two extra rods (longer ones)
5. two side handles
6. maybe cheese plate

thats it, I guess?


PS yeah, and what is the handle mount??

 

[Harky Jewett]

The Ronford Moose bars are around $450, so they're a reasonably priced alternative.

But if you want to go Red and spend as little as possible, I'd say get the production pack, one left handle, and, if it's possible for you to do so, wait and see if this set-up works out for you.

The second top mount and Red top handle extension are not absolutely necessary. You don't have to mount your cradle to rods on the top of the camera, and if you're doing a lot of handheld you probably want the cradle mounted to the bottom rods anyway for balance.

The handle mount allows you to mount the Red handles further out to each side making handheld more comfortable. If you were to add some items to the production pack plus one left handle configuration, I suppose I'd recommend this first, but a universal mount is required with it.

The next thing I'd recommend is 24 inch rods. They allow you to balance the camera much better than the 18. The carbon X would be ideal here but they are expensive.

If you were going to add even more items here's where I'd start recommending the 2nd top mount, 12 inch rods for the top of the camera, the red handle extension.

But again. The best way to not spend more than you have to is to get just the basics, see how it works out for you, and go from there. However not everyone has the time to do that.

 

[Jason Ing]

What would be the RED-only setup?
I am very limited in funds, and I'd like to get all items delivered in one box, so I'd go RED way.

So,
I shoud get:

1. top handle extension
2. two top mounts (or is it one EXTRA top mount in addition to the production pack?)
3. left handle
4. two extra rods (longer ones)
5. two side handles
6. maybe cheese plate

thats it, I guess?


PS yeah, and what is the handle mount??

For handheld, you need the handle mount. The handle mount spreads out the space between your left and right hand grips. For handheld, it's a must, unless you have the chest and shoulder width of a 5 year old.

Not sure why you would need the side handles for handheld.

Cheese plate for the tripod.

I got the 24 inch carbon x rods. They make a difference as everyone has already said.

You only need one more top mount.

 

[Ivan Egorov]

So,

1. one handle mount
2. one EXTRA top mount
3. left handle
4. two extra rods (24)
5. cheese plate

What are side handles for, then?
to use handle mount, I need an extra universl mount, right?

Thanks for the help

 

[Jason Ing]

So,

1. one handle mount
2. one EXTRA top mount
3. left handle
4. two extra rods (24)
5. cheese plate

What are side handles for, then?
to use handle mount, I need an extra universl mount, right?

Thanks for the help

Yes, a universal mount for the handle mount.

and 1 top handle extension to connect to the extra top mount to the top handle you already have.

i've seen people use side mounts to attach additional accessories (connectors, etc.) and to mount the entire camera setup onto something else from the side.

 

[Ivan Egorov]

Thanks

How bad is the play when mounted to a tripod with the dovetail?