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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

an even CHEAPER EVF mount!

Mike Prevette

Mike Prevette

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My camera just came back from a long rental, and of course my EVF showed up a day before the camera left. So I never ordered the ET EVF mount , instead I've decided to hack some stuff together until I decide if I'm going to go for the ET mount. Keep in mind I have no affiliation with Zacuto, and for the most part I used to dog on their stuff. Now I think it's all pretty handy.

Here is a pretty cheap and very usable solution I came up with. It's pretty simple and only needs a few parts If you have the ET 15mm top mounts. It's great and allows you to adjust your horizon and then keep it fixed. You can also under sling it and flip the Z-mount upside down to get everything lower.

1 short rod
1 Zacuto 90 degree coupler (Zmount I or Zmount II)
1 1/4 male ZUD
1 Zacuto male rod extension (any length but I used 3.5")

WATCH IT IN ACTION:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1pLaJ4h1RI


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I think the two rod extenders are like $50, the Male 1/4-20 Zud is $50, and the Zmount is $144. In the end $250-$275-ish

You only really need one of the rod extenders as the camera side rod can just be any normal 15mm rod.
 
It actually seems very tough. I get no spin or movement when everything is locked down. I did some handheld tests and it held together very nicely. WAY more sturdy than trying to use the RED arm. And less bulky than the ET mount. I think it will hold up nicely.
 
Mike Prevette said:
It actually seems very tough. I get no spin or movement when everything is locked down. I did some handheld tests and it held together very nicely. WAY more sturdy than trying to use the RED arm. And less bulky than the ET mount. I think it will hold up nicely.
Click to expand...

If you are using the 19mm top mounts are there pieces you know of that could work for 19mm?
 
mikeburton said:
If you are using the 19mm top mounts are there pieces you know of that could work for 19mm?
Click to expand...

Yes there are. It is very easy to configure and certainly the least expensive way to go. And yes, the Zacuto clamps are very strong. You could probably carry the whole camera from the thing once you clamped down.

Of course it goes without saying that Abel can supply anyone with the Zacuto products. ;-)
 
Monstercine's 19>15mm Sleeves would set you up if you had the 19mm topmount. http://www.monstercine.com/

And yes you can add end caps to the Zacuto rods to keep them from slipping out. What you can't really see in this is that I have a second ZUD with a 3/8" screw mounted to the front of the lower rod, and that does keep at least the lower half traped in. I personally threaded my Zacuto rods with a 3/8th female on the ends so I could thread a bolt into them, and that would keep them from slipping out. With the thing all set up I don't feel like it would slip out very easily, but accidents do happen.
 
Great idea Mike. Is it possible to move the EVF behind the top mount instead of in front of it? I usually like the EVF farther back for tripod or dolly work.
 
Yep, Just tested it. It fits very nicely behind the mount, and even out the rear mount. If you have a 8" or longer rod you can actually span the two top mounts and slide it anywhere in between. The only caveat is that right next to the top mounts the RED body has little bulges for the attach points. Those can start to block the lever on the Zmount. This really isn't an issue as you can tighten the mount then slide the rod forward and it snugs up to the top mount.
 
Thanks Mike. That is exactly what I want to do - slide it back and forth between the top mounts. OK, Mitch, let's hear about your 19mm options.
 
I'll note prices below as they are published on the Zacuto website.

You can kit out something very close to what Mike did in 19mm or in 15 to 19mm using a set of Zacuto parts. Mike used the Z-mount II ($144) but you could use a RED Camera Zdapter Mount kit ($249) which also includes the Zud ($44) that is the part that mounts directly to the viewfinder. Add a 3.5" rod for $25 and you're in business. If you want an end cap on the rod that's available as well for $12.
 
Thanks Mitch. And thank your web guys. The Zacuto parts are much better laid out and easier to sort through on your website than on Zacuto's.
 
That would be web gals actually. And I'll let them know.
 
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