An accessory I would like someone to create...

[Meryem Ersoz]

Can someone make a single 4'' rod (19mm or 15mm) that can bolt onto the back of the original RED handle (1/4-20 thread). All I really need is a single top rod to finish my super lightweight set-up.

A single small rod that doesn't add a lot of weight would also add a ton of mounting space and flexibility...

I would be so grateful and I bet you could sell a lot of these...

 

[Meryem Ersoz]

never mind - Zacuto with the win...again. they make what I need...

thanks for playing, everybody!

 

[Lee Saxon]

Also Redrock has them in carbon fiber

 

[Meryem Ersoz]

I bought my 4'' rods from Ikan - they're about 1/3 the price and are working nicely. Just waiting on one more item, my Canon mount, and I'll have the ultimate lightweight portable, no-compromises rig...very excited.

 

[Julio Quintana]

Meryem, how do you bolt a rod to the top handle? I'm having trouble visualizing what you're trying to do.

 

[Meryem Ersoz]

I'll post a picture when I get to my studio - I think this is a solution that a lot of people will like - it is cheap, it keeps the battery clear of the REDMote, so you can see and operate it, allows you to use the battery as a counterbalance, and it is extremely light weight and allows for the longer run times of the original RED batteries. And it is all quick release. And re-uses the RED top handle to do it, so doesn't incur any new purchases.

I've been studying this rigging problem for awhile, how to get maximum function of the RED batts with minimum weight - the RED batteries present a bit of a conundrum because the longer run times are great but the only way to use them is a rod system and that adds a lot of weight, with the heavy metal of a Quickplate and the need for dual rods. Even the much lighter ET speedy clamp system has meant that you need extra mounts to run rods across the top. The Backpack looks very nice, but once again adding weight, when I am trying to take weight off.

It has been an either/or situation - longer run times and more weight of RED batts and the requisite mounting gear - or superlight with REDVolts but the battery grip only holds one, for a 20-minute record time.

I just took the weight out of the mounting system for the RED batts, and all is right with my world. My EPIC weighs nothing but I can still shoot for hours without a battery change.

 

[Meryem Ersoz]

Here's my solution - keep in mind that this is just for superlight setup - I have a totally different feature film configuration...

The problem is: how do I get the long life of a RED brick while NOT adding any weight to the camera - in fact, this removes it, because you don't need any plates or top mounts or other heavy metal add-ons (I'm just using the inexpensive Easy Plate here for the LCD and handle)

Zacuto Zicromount screws directly into my old RED top handle, 4'' Ikan rod

Battery mount is ET speedy clamped to the rod

it's quick release, clears the REDmount, and counter-balances the camera, and reuses old bits (RED top handle and bricks, I already owned the Zicromount)

total cost: Zicromount $70
Ikan rod $25
ET speedy clamp + battery plate $200

total cost to me, since I owned the parts: $25