Actually liking the Quad Module

[Mark Phelan]

Of all the parts available to the Epic or Scarlet owner, none has caused more discussion it seems than the Quad Module. Since I decided to give it a go under the "why not" decision making process, I've come to like a couple of the "unintended consequences" features.

1. Balance. You might think it would make the camera very back-heavy, but it doesn't. On the contrary, it actually helps a great deal to give the camera a good balance with pretty much any lens I've used thus far.
2. Built-in shoulder pad. OK, there's no pad whatsoever, but it does allow for a very quick shoulder shot as compared against just using the side handle. Again, one might think using the side handle would be easier, but I've found the opposite to be true. The camera tends to be front heavy and is more of a challenge to support than with the quad module attached. I'd be curious to hear what folks using AB or V-mount batteries do when handholding without any sort of additional clutch, gunner, mantis, zacuto, etc., type of device. The quad module affords me enough eye-relief to be comfortable.

Just thought a couple positives needed mentioning against a sea of opposition.

 

[Daniel Soderberg]

I love the quad module set up... My favorite part is being able to be hot swapping the volts as they run out of power and keep the camera going without restarting ever...

 

[Terry VerHaar]

I bought it early on (thankfully, at a reasonable discount) and continue to like it a lot. I added some REDvolts XLs, which are great batteries. I almost always use it when working on sticks. I would love to add a Dual Battery Module but I think they are a little pricey in the RED store. :-(

 

[Bob Gundu]

I don't mess with shoulder mounts anymore because I attached velcro to the bottom of the Quad Module to attach the Letus shoulder pad which is velcro based. Perfect balance when using my atomos too.

 

[Louis Maddalena]

Unfortunately I made a bad call on mine. Right before they started being flooded on reduser, I traded a 5D Mark II for it, so I over paid slightly, but having said that, I love it. I have 6 regular Redvolts and I have some XLs on their way. The only thing that I'm worrying about is I plan on getting the proIO and I worry that the camera will be too long and awkward with both of those on at the same time, especially if I add a rear SSD module along the way as well.

 

[Mike 'Fireman' Ross]

I would love my quad module... if it was a quad *storage* module... if I could plug in a RAID of four cheap computer store SSDs instead of four REDvolts...

No promises, but watch this space ;-)

Mike

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Mark/Bob, what is the total weight of that setup with a small lens on there?

 

[Bob Gundu]

As seen in the picture it's 20 LBS. Thats with a samurai, 1 Redvolt XL, and 2 regular ones on the other side, side handle, WC plates on tip and bottom, Bomb EVF with mounts, and a Leica lens.

Mark/Bob, what is the total weight of that setup with a small lens on there?

 

[Mark Phelan]

When it is configured as is shown in this photo, with two Redvolt XLs and the Canon 24-70mm, the weight it about 15.5 lbs according to my scales.

 

[Sven Seynaeve]

love it incredible as well, also for the backweight and ease of removing it when needed.

anyway, just don't understand why it's a no go with the Meizler???? don't understand the incompatibility between 2 epic products.

 

[Will Keir]

Velcro shoulder mount... Bob, you might be a genius. I'll look into this.

What method did you use to secure your shoulder pad Velcro securely? And what kind of shoulder pad is that? A old catchers mitt? Finally, I can think of a use for my Quad Mod.

As seen in the picture it's 20 LBS. Thats with a samurai, 1 Redvolt XL, and 2 regular ones on the other side, side handle, WC plates on tip and bottom, Bomb EVF with mounts, and a Leica lens.

 

[Will Keir]

Mark, looks like a light weight handle you got on top. Is there enough room to slip a fat set of fingers beneath it? Who makes that?

When it is configured as is shown in this photo, with two Redvolt XLs and the Canon 24-70mm, the weight it about 15.5 lbs according to my scales.

 

[Will Keir]

I don't mess with shoulder mounts anymore because I attached velcro to the bottom of the Quad Module to attach the Letus shoulder pad which is velcro based. Perfect balance when using my atomos too.

Bob, would you show us a shot of the shoulder pad in use or a side perspective view? Thanks Bob.

 

[Bob Gundu]

The shoulder pad from Letus already is velcro ready. You just have to add some to the bottom of the quad module and viola! Very solid. I added the back brace to help secure on my shoulder. It also acts as a stand when rested flat.

http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/mcs-shoulder-pad.html

Velcro shoulder mount... Bob, you might be a genius. I'll look into this.

What method did you use to secure your shoulder pad Velcro securely? And what kind of shoulder pad is that? A old catchers mitt? Finally, I can think of a use for my Quad Mod.

 

[Mestizo Devon]

When it is configured as is shown in this photo, with two Redvolt XLs and the Canon 24-70mm, the weight it about 15.5 lbs according to my scales.

Ha, just did the same and came up with the same weight

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Yea the Quad is great and offers a great on the moment shoulder resting options, the only reason I'm selling my kit is because the Meizler Module does not accept any other modules behind, and since it wil remain on camera 90% of the time, there is no reason to keep any other Modules around.

But the Quad Module/Module Adapter combination do bring additional mounting options that unfortunately the MM will not longer allow.

 

[Will Keir]

Great, the quad mod will be worth even less.

Yea the Quad is great and offers a great on the moment shoulder resting options, the only reason I'm selling my kit is because the Meizler Module does not accept any other modules behind, and since it wil remain on camera 90% of the time, there is no reason to keep any other Modules around.

But the Quad Module/Module Adapter combination do bring additional mounting options that unfortunately the MM will not longer allow.

 

[Nick Burridge]

Hey Ketch, quick question about your WC top plates on the quad module and module adaptor - did you find it impedes airflow out of the brain at all? We have the VF top plate and would love to stick a top plate on our quad and adaptor as well, just wondering if having the module adaptor's top plate flush against the rear vent out of the brain top plate caused any issues for you?

Oops slight thread diversion there. But we like our quad module too - weirdly running both it and V-locks simultaneously on this current job, Redvolt XLs for camera power then a VLock sitting on a WC plate on the back with d-tap out for accessories. Bizarre, but the steadicam op did want as much weight on the rig as possible...

 

[Nate Fu]

I just finished DPing a feature with A cam as Quad module (17 Redvots) and B cam as Vmounts (6 V mounts) and I have to say, both were great. D-tap was a big deal for vmounts since we were running the wireless hdmi transmitter but the hot swapping of the quad great too. Had a couple issues with the quad disconnecting when putting pressure on the back and still have that issues with my Scarlet. Btw anyone else have issues with disconnecting Quad Modules?

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Hey Ketch, quick question about your WC top plates on the quad module and module adaptor - did you find it impedes airflow out of the brain at all? We have the VF top plate and would love to stick a top plate on our quad and adaptor as well, just wondering if having the module adaptor's top plate flush against the rear vent out of the brain top plate caused any issues for you?

Oops slight thread diversion there. But we like our quad module too - weirdly running both it and V-locks simultaneously on this current job, Redvolt XLs for camera power then a VLock sitting on a WC plate on the back with d-tap out for accessories. Bizarre, but the steadicam op did want as much weight on the rig as possible...

NO issues at all with this set up, and again, only reason I'm selling it is because of the MM not allowing for any modules, but this Quad set up will be missed, and so its insane added mounting options.