Big Lens and Little Camera, How to mount?

[Matt Gerard]

I am trying to figure out a solution to properly rig our EPIC and the RED 18-85 Zoom lens (aka the Potato Canon). We bought this lens (along with the prime set) for our AF100, so we were using the Hot Rod tuner kit PL mount and rod system. With that system the whole works was mounted on the rods and could slide back and forth to get the center of gravity in the right place on the tripod.

I have a few bits and pieces that we got for mounting and rigging the camera, but I can't seem to get a setup that is stable and adjustable. I will post a photo of what I knocked up today with the adapters and rods that I have. I know I need something different, but not sure what. Need to get the center of gravity to the center of the tripod head, which as you well know can't be done with a lens like this and the mount plate way back on the camera.

Here you go, have a larf, and give me some suggestions.

Thanks!

Matt

 

[David Carstens]

A longer dovetail plate would make your balance setup more flexible.

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

I am trying to figure out a solution to properly rig our EPIC and the RED 18-85 Zoom lens (aka the Potato Canon). We bought this lens (along with the prime set) for our AF100, so we were using the Hot Rod tuner kit PL mount and rod system. With that system the whole works was mounted on the rods and could slide back and forth to get the center of gravity in the right place on the tripod.

I have a few bits and pieces that we got for mounting and rigging the camera, but I can't seem to get a setup that is stable and adjustable. I will post a photo of what I knocked up today with the adapters and rods that I have. I know I need something different, but not sure what. Need to get the center of gravity to the center of the tripod head, which as you well know can't be done with a lens like this and the mount plate way back on the camera.

Here you go, have a larf, and give me some suggestions.

Thanks!

Matt

Arri dove tail plate from ET
19mm base plate with Arri dovetail from WC
Epic/Scarlet shim plate from WC
19mm support bridge such as Arri LS 9 or similar.
I think Zacuto makes the least expensive one.
You can also use the old RU mount with a $50 adapter kit that we sell.
Hope that helps.....

 

[Mark Pedersen]

I would just use the RED QR sliding dovetail plate with 19mm rods. Forget trying to use any 15mm rods.

We have a "potato canon" as well (love that name) and used Optitek's lens support on our Red One and it worked great.

M

 

[Will Keir]

So if camera's are getting smaller, does that mean the day of big/larger lenses is coming to an end too?

I am trying to figure out a solution to properly rig our EPIC and the RED 18-85 Zoom lens (aka the Potato Canon). We bought this lens (along with the prime set) for our AF100, so we were using the Hot Rod tuner kit PL mount and rod system. With that system the whole works was mounted on the rods and could slide back and forth to get the center of gravity in the right place on the tripod.

I have a few bits and pieces that we got for mounting and rigging the camera, but I can't seem to get a setup that is stable and adjustable. I will post a photo of what I knocked up today with the adapters and rods that I have. I know I need something different, but not sure what. Need to get the center of gravity to the center of the tripod head, which as you well know can't be done with a lens like this and the mount plate way back on the camera.

Here you go, have a larf, and give me some suggestions.

Thanks!

Matt

 

[John Redfern]

I use the ET Universal Plate+19mm rods - with a 12.8mm Riser (ET or Ronford Baker). Then I have a long Ronford Baker/Arri dovetail. As you can see that goes right back under the Epic. The centre of balance without a matte box is just in front of the T-stop ring, with a matte box it will be further forward but this set-up allows about another 3" to move back.

John

 

[Colin Sheldon]

The cheapest solution is to use a Wooden Camera baseplate (with riser) and switch to either 15mm studio offset, or 19mm studio. For large lenses 15mm LW (Light weight) just doesn't cut it.

Here is a video we did about rod standards:
http://finnerknowsbest.com/item/85-finnercation-rod-standards



cheers,


Colin

 

[Will Keir]

Thanks for the video. I'll have to watch for more.

 

[Perry Ho]

I am trying to figure out a solution to properly rig our EPIC and the RED 18-85 Zoom lens (aka the Potato Canon). We bought this lens (along with the prime set) for our AF100, so we were using the Hot Rod tuner kit PL mount and rod system. With that system the whole works was mounted on the rods and could slide back and forth to get the center of gravity in the right place on the tripod.

I have a few bits and pieces that we got for mounting and rigging the camera, but I can't seem to get a setup that is stable and adjustable. I will post a photo of what I knocked up today with the adapters and rods that I have. I know I need something different, but not sure what. Need to get the center of gravity to the center of the tripod head, which as you well know can't be done with a lens like this and the mount plate way back on the camera.

Here you go, have a larf, and give me some suggestions.

Thanks!

Matt

Use camera riser, Base Plate and Dovetail Plate, then you won't have any problem to mount any big lens...
Here's mine with Century Optic 150-600mm T5.6 + 18" Dovetail Plate & Base Plate setup...

 

[Matt Gerard]

OK, I minimized my setup, and borrowed an arri LS-7 bridge support from the local rental house. So, my setup now is the RED QuickRelease mount on a 12" dovetail, 19mm rods and the arri ls-7 (LS-9 is the current model, on order should be here soon) and the duclos lens ring and support. The nice thing is that I can keep the ring on the lens, and use the 15mm LW support on it for use on my AF100 rig as well.

I look at the first rig I posted in the beginning and I slap my forehead. Sheesh. I think I tend to overthink things sometimes...

Anyway, happy now. LS-9 bridge support is on order, gonna get some longer 19mm rods for my Sound Devices mixer on the back, and order the vmount battery kit from wooden camera for the rear of the epic brain. Then I'll be good to go.

Thanks all!

Matt

 

[Will Keir]

Now that's a lens! Perry, what kind of shots do you use the 600mm for?

Use camera riser, Base Plate and Dovetail Plate, then you won't have any problem to mount any big lens...
Here's mine with Century Optic 150-600mm T5.6 + 18" Dovetail Plate & Base Plate setup...

 

[Perry Ho]

Hi Will!

I am shooting my new feature film here in Mainland China, the century optic I use to shot on street, cause I wanna get more natural feel... Kind of steal shooting...

Now that's a lens! Perry, what kind of shots do you use the 600mm for?