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15mm vs 19mm RODS

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Jason Rudd

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Anyone here going with a 19mm ROD system by choice (not because that's what they have left over from their RED ONE?).

I have a Canon mount and lenses now, but would like to purchase Red pro primes next year. Should I just go straight for 19mm gear to avoid buying two sets of gear? Does anyone use 15mm rods with their RPPS or other Cinema lenses like Panchros? Conversely, does anyone use 19mm rods with light, smaller still lenses and can you tell me why?

Just want to hear the pros and cons on why people made their decisions. Thanks.
 
I have panchros, and I use 15s and 19s (RED carbon fibers). I have the 19s because of my cooke zoom. (12lb lens).

On my scarlet, I find it easier to just bolt the camera to the 19mm Element technica hybrid plate, and use the dovetail. Even for the primes.
 
Bigger is better =].

Yeah I went with 19mm, I have always wanted a studio setup and Red's baseplate for the DSMC system is awesome. For me it is not too big, I prefer bigger cameras with some weight to it, it is just a super solid system.

Oh, and I am on a PL system like Timur (though not his pretty glass), though not that its a must, it will help with heavier setups.
 
I think 19m is the way to go. Especially if you use CF rods. The weight difference is minimal but the support is much more solid. Future proof yourself and be done.
 
I assume if you're thinking 19mm your also going with a studio rod spaced setup. I've noticed that from a rental standpoint the LA area has seemed to have primarily adopted 15mm studio setups...though the rods are usually steel and very stiff. On the east cost (and pretty much everywhere else) its a 19mm standard. So I guess it depends where you live and how you want to use the cam.
 
I went with 19 because I wanted to get in bed with the clutch, and my producing partner has a 19mm R1 system w/ RPPs. Coming back to bite me as I try to find a decent follow focus for under $2K... Intend to get a nikon mount/adapter once that issue firms up, didn't want to have two sets of gear. There are various adapters also.

Not such a weight issue. Agree with the future proofing and east coast 19mm-land.
 
Other than the foliow focus I think 19mm is the safest way. That said, I'm moving back to LA and opted the other route after talking to 4 different DP's I work with. I figure I can always get sleeves or adapters to go up to 19mm. Just think of it this way. My pops always said "buy the best, cry once", get a nice 19mm FF system, you can down convert whenever you need but you'll probably only have to buy it once.
 
Mack Dawg! I actually think you shot me skating back in the day. I used to ride for Walker and then later with Paul Schmitt at New Deal...also Vans and Indy. Somewhere I have a shot of you tailing me riding at a midwest demo with an old Nizo or Bolex. I think it was an H-Street thing. Pretty rad. Huge props man, you've been killing it forever.
 
If ou don't have 19mm accessories I don 't think there is much point to go for 19mm rods. They are bigger , heavier, take more space and more expansive . 15mm rods are very strong and good enaugh for a scarlet and cinema lenses... You can easily find them in carbon fiber.
 
I'm a 15mm LWS rod man myself (60mm spacing). I tend to see that and 19mm on set all the time. However, I almost never see studio spacing on 15mm anywhere. That's sort of a standard that many don't love. Usually if people go that route they just bump up to 19mm.

For shoulder use I can see why the 15mm LWS "up top" and 19mm below works out so nicely. You can put accessories on the LWS 15mm and handles on the 19mm and not have either get in the way of each other. I'm pretty sure that concept influenced Red's Clutch shoulder rig as well as other's.
 
I thought that 15mm will be just fine, then I got a chance to just hold an Epic-X with Touch LCD and 35mm PL Illumina Prime and realized that 15mm is just not enough, 19mm system is a lot safer.

Plus when you use a 19mm system you don't have any problems with rental gear 95% of which is designed for 19mm.
 
Paul Schneider said:
Mack Dawg! I actually think you shot me skating back in the day. I used to ride for Walker and then later with Paul Schmitt at New Deal...also Vans and Indy. Somewhere I have a shot of you tailing me riding at a midwest demo with an old Nizo or Bolex. I think it was an H-Street thing. Pretty rad. Huge props man, you've been killing it forever.
Click to expand...

No way! That is pretty funny. That must have been when we were working on Hokus Pokus for H-Street. I still own the camera you are referring to. It is a Beaulieu ZMII super 8 with a Century Optics 1.8mm fisheye in C-mount made for Super 8. That lens was the original Death lens. I think Cow Skates put up the money for that tour. Good to see you survived and are here now.
Take care
Mike
 
Alexandre Arch said:
If ou don't have 19mm accessories I don 't think there is much point to go for 19mm rods. They are bigger , heavier, take more space and more expansive . 15mm rods are very strong and good enaugh for a scarlet and cinema lenses... You can easily find them in carbon fiber.
Click to expand...

Actually 19mm aluminum or carbon rods are not much heavier than 15mm rods and they are stronger both in the sense that they bend less and also in the sense that accessories clamp better because there's just more surface to hold on to.

The problem with 15mm light weight rods is with wide angle lenses and matte boxes. Since you can't slide the rods under the camera because of the height of Epic/Scarlet, if your rods are too long they are going to be visible in the frame. Similarly the rods will hit the back of a matte box if they are too long. So basically if you have lenses in different lengths you will have to have matching rod lengths for every lens en change them with every lens change. Not fun.
 
Mike McEntire said:
No way! That is pretty funny. That must have been when we were working on Hokus Pokus for H-Street. I still own the camera you are referring to. It is a Beaulieu ZMII super 8 with a Century Optics 1.8mm fisheye in C-mount made for Super 8. That lens was the original Death lens. I think Cow Skates put up the money for that tour. Good to see you survived and are here now.
Take care
Mike[/QUOTE

Totally! I believe the Beaulieu was the cam I remember. I'll see if I can dig up the pic...def remember the death lens on front. Prob was the Hokus Pokus thing...Ron Allen, Hensley, Shef. Good to see you here as well!
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If I can chime in. It's also dependent on your body type. Broad shoulders, maybe you need the studio rods for your shoulder, if for nothing else for comfort and added stability. I am not huge not small, I am 6' and weigh 225. I find the 15mm with a full package digs into me more than the 15mm setup. This is why I used 19mm rods exclusive for handheld. In a pinch, sure,, on my B camera for short setups I can use the 15mm rods. 19mm spread out the weight much better.
 
Phil Holland said:
I'm a 15mm LWS rod man myself (60mm spacing). I tend to see that and 19mm on set all the time. However, I almost never see studio spacing on 15mm anywhere. That's sort of a standard that many don't love. Usually if people go that route they just bump up to 19mm.

For shoulder use I can see why the 15mm LWS "up top" and 19mm below works out so nicely. You can put accessories on the LWS 15mm and handles on the 19mm and not have either get in the way of each other. I'm pretty sure that concept influenced Red's Clutch shoulder rig as well as other's.
Click to expand...


I agree that 19mm probably should be the standard after a certain level, but I wasn't exaggerating about the 15mm studio standard in LA. I shoot some pretty big commercials and I've always noticed the 15mm system on my sets out west...I don't understand why, but its been prevalent.

When I bought my Scarlet I talked to a couple DP heavies I know and they all told me to go 15mm studio if I wished to rent the cam in LA, but 19mm if it was pretty much anywhere else. I trust these guys, they've made me look good for years. ;-)

http://www.martinahlgren.com/
http://www.skouras.com/reelProfile.php?clientID=70

I will agree that you really can't go wrong with the 15mm LW higher and 19mm down below. Its more just a question of doing some research in your area if you plan to rent it out.

Depending on which way you go, I really like these rods. So light and so strong. Prices not catastrophically bad.

http://elementtechnica.mybigcommerce.com/products/19mm-Ultra-Rods.html
http://elementtechnica.mybigcommerce.com/products/15mm-Ultra-Rods.html
 
I have a simple Redrock rig with 15mm carbon fiber rods that I have been using with a 5D. I was hoping I could use it for the Scarlet as well.

Can anyone confirm whether this would be sturdy enough for use with Zeiss ZF primes and a lightweight MB? I'm especially curious to hear from anyone that is using the same or a similar setup... Let's take the rental factor out of the equation for now.
 
I use 15mm carbon and steel. Never had a problem with strength. I have a redrock shoulder mount and have used it with EX1's, R1's and 7d/5d setups. I don't think this setup will last me forever but it will last a long time.
 
Patrick Stringer said:
I use 15mm carbon and steel. Never had a problem with strength. I have a redrock shoulder mount and have used it with EX1's, R1's and 7d/5d setups. I don't think this setup will last me forever but it will last a long time.
Click to expand...

Great, thanks. I will give it a try.
 
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