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Cinema Oxide's Carbonite Scope Delivered - Review

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Jean Bernard

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So I finally took delivery of the Carbonite Scope from Jason Comparetto after 5months of wait(Ordered March 30th) and being kept in the dark with zero communication all this time and it finally showed up.

ry%3D400


ry%3D400


FYI: I payed $595 for the Pre-Order and now it looks like it is in stock for $499!!!!! something wrong with that picture.

Okay, SO... 1st impression out of the box, it is really light and looks like a well design and somewhat does what it is supposed to do. On close look however it is not quiet all that it was hyped out to be in my opinion, the concept is great but lack the level of craftsmanship you find on lets say Small HD's EVF attachment! There are some flaws and I have some concerns!!

My unit came with some aesthetic imperfections in the carbon fiber work and bindings/fasten/glued and here are a few:

ry%3D400


ry%3D400


There were some "cuts" scratch in the carbon fiber work. Not a dealbreaker, but it could've been smoother and the glueing isn't top notch.

ry%3D400


Mine came with some weird residues on some of the screws and not quiet pleasing. Will try and clean it up, although I may run into a major issue if take the brackets off...

ry%3D400


Because as you slide the brackets on (by gently wiggling in-wards each bracket to the center, alternating top/bottom) as shown in the video on the website... you still pulling the rubber off the metal especially when passing over the raised part on the monitor. This is a major flaw for me because if you have to take the brakets off and on again... the rubber would come off in no time.

ry%3D400


the diopter was dirty from packaging and I took it off to clean it properly and found this screw on mechanism to be greasy! I guess this is normal? in order to allow smooth diopter adjustment? Should've been a better design with an actual diopter ring found on evf especially at $600. Also this version of the scope doesn't have the rubber eye cup that was on the initial model on the website(at least mine doesn't) but rather an eyepiece cushion which pops off easily.

ry%3D400


Another flaw is that the scope doesn't sit on the monitor fully, at least mine doesn't. The light leak is insignificant to be honest, but I guess if it is at a specific angle and the sun penetrates though then it may be problematic. Also, once you hook on the hood to the bracket... there is a bit of play and with no lock or magnet to hold it in place it wiggles a bit, although not terribly.

ry%3D400


And finally looking through the scope... you'll notice the monitor's light bouncing all over the place and I found it distracting, ohhh look there are a couple of lovely screws on the top :-) I am going to put tape closer to the diopter from the inside and use it as a flag/cutter to block all that light.

Overall: Great concept, promising prototype, bad customer service (communication) if only Small HD would've made one.
 
SmallHD did make one... it's called the DP4, and for the same price it includes a monitor :laugh:
 
HI Jean,

Thanks for the great review. I really appreciate your attention to detail.

Now I'd like to respond to your concerns:

1) You stated many times that there was no communication, but my records show that I sent out emails once a month since May updating everybody that ordered one. I apologized many times regarding the wait and offered many opportunities to get a refund. Perhaps my emails were going into your spam folder?

2) The "residue" on the set screw is actually by design. This is called a "locking element" which holds the screw in place and creates friction so that it is not over-tightened, and prevents damaging the monitor. If it bothers you then I can send out set screws without the locking element, but you may risk over-tightening the bracket.

3) The lubricant on the diopter adjustment is to maintain a smooth even turn. Many lenses have a lubricant of some type to facilitate smooth adjustments. If it bothers you then I can send you out a diopter without any lubricant.

4) If you would like to downgrade to the rubber eyecup from the previous generation just send me a request by email (I have not received any emails from you). I will send you one right away.

5) The light leak can be sealed by simply turning the 4 adjustment set screws on the back of the monitor. That's mainly what they are there for.
It also states this in the installation video at 2:59. Please watch the installation video:
http://vimeo.com/39893876

6) The rubber spacers for the monitor might come off if you slip them on and off many times. The idea was to design these brackets to be left on the monitor indefinitely. They protect the monitor and allow for additional functionality. The installation video states this as well, at around 3:07. If you plan on removing the brackets many times, then I will send you out more rubber spacers so you don't have to worry about that.

7) I can see the imperfections on the Carbon Fiber. Please return the unit and I will ship you out another one. I can't tell exactly from the picture why that's there, but I want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. I will do everything I can to help you.

Thanks again for the review Jean.
 
Jean Bernard said:
Also this version of the scope doesn't have the rubber eye cup that was on the initial model on the website(at least mine doesn't) but rather an eyepiece cushion which pops off easily.
Click to expand...

Hey Jean - I don't know what your level of experience is, but… Every 1st & 2nd A.C. and every D.P. usually has a bag of Eyepiece Chamois in their AKS bag / kit. The camera gets a fresh one every shoot day, and in hot weather / blast furnace studio 2-3 new ones a shoot day. If anyone runs out they are on the package truck and production pays for them:

http://www.filmtools.com/eychamsmal.html

I know a couple of A.C.'s / operators who will put 'their' eyecup on every time they look through the eyepiece!

So in my mind this is a feature - much better than those rubber eyecups that stay on forever, and never really get cleaned.
 
Hi Jason,

Thanks for addressing some of my concerns.

1) The one email(group) you sent out regarding updates was "Sun, 6 May 2012 08:41:04" where you officially admitted having a manufacturing setback and the next one was 3 months later on "On Aug 7, 2012, at 10:34 PM" Informing about shipment of August 15th an hour AFTER (On Aug 7, 2012, at 9:38 PM) I had just sent an enquiry to the group email on the status of the scope but my other emails were not answered and spam folder was constantly checked and there is a long line of people on here and on the group email who were kept in the dark. I don't want to get in another finger pointing bash on here but that is what I have for my records.

2) Thanks for the residue clarification. At 1st glance it really looked like mold :-)

3) I get it about the lubricant.

4) I prefere to put the cushion over the rubber eyepiece which actually keeps it place

5) I had followed the video instructions to the letter and tighten the adjustment screws to the best fit but the issue was not because it was not holding on tight or loose, it is the clamp on where it attaches that is not as tight so there are some slight movements either way. How can this part be tighten? I am being a perfectionist here by the way and the slight light leak was insignificant. Solution suggestion here is to perhaps in another upgrade use some sort of small rubber flaps contouring the edge that stretches out when tighten. Sort of like a suction cup to the flat surface. Just a thought.

6) I gathered this much. I don't have the desire to keep it on all the time as it does not quiet fit in the monitor pocket of my razor cut case.

7) Thanks for the return/exchange offer but sadly I think I am going for the refund.

Thanks
-JB







Jason Comparetto said:
HI Jean,

Thanks for the great review. I really appreciate your attention to detail.

Now I'd like to respond to your concerns:

1) You stated many times that there was no communication, but my records show that I sent out emails once a month since May updating everybody that ordered one. I apologized many times regarding the wait and offered many opportunities to get a refund. Perhaps my emails were going into your spam folder?

2) The "residue" on the set screw is actually by design. This is called a "locking element" which holds the screw in place and creates friction so that it is not over-tightened, and prevents damaging the monitor. If it bothers you then I can send out set screws without the locking element, but you may risk over-tightening the bracket.

3) The lubricant on the diopter adjustment is to maintain a smooth even turn. Many lenses have a lubricant of some type to facilitate smooth adjustments. If it bothers you then I can send you out a diopter without any lubricant.

4) If you would like to downgrade to the rubber eyecup from the previous generation just send me a request by email (I have not received any emails from you). I will send you one right away.

5) The light leak can be sealed by simply turning the 4 adjustment set screws on the back of the monitor. That's mainly what they are there for.
It also states this in the installation video at 2:59. Please watch the installation video:
http://vimeo.com/39893876

6) The rubber spacers for the monitor might come off if you slip them on and off many times. The idea was to design these brackets to be left on the monitor indefinitely. They protect the monitor and allow for additional functionality. The installation video states this as well, at around 3:07. If you plan on removing the brackets many times, then I will send you out more rubber spacers so you don't have to worry about that.

7) I can see the imperfections on the Carbon Fiber. Please return the unit and I will ship you out another one. I can't tell exactly from the picture why that's there, but I want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. I will do everything I can to help you.

Thanks again for the review Jean.
Click to expand...
 
Yep and I do as well on all of my viewfinders and my ACs replaces them as needed.
ry%3D400



But I like mine OVER the rubber eye piece. I personally like it to stay put and not have to pock my eye with the naked eye piece in case the cushion fell off!

ry%3D400


Glen Powell said:
Hey Jean - I don't know what your level of experience is, but… Every 1st & 2nd A.C. and every D.P. usually has a bag of Eyepiece Chamois in their AKS bag / kit. The camera gets a fresh one every shoot day, and in hot weather / blast furnace studio 2-3 new ones a shoot day. If anyone runs out they are on the package truck and production pays for them:

http://www.filmtools.com/eychamsmal.html

I know a couple of A.C.'s / operators who will put 'their' eyecup on every time they look through the eyepiece!

So in my mind this is a feature - much better than those rubber eyecups that stay on forever, and never really get cleaned.
Click to expand...
 
Jean Bernard said:
Yep and I do as well on all of my viewfinders and my ACs replaces them as needed.
ry%3D400



But I like mine OVER the rubber eye piece. I personally like it to stay put and not have to pock my eye with the naked eye piece in case the cushion fell off!

ry%3D400
Click to expand...

Yeah I see he's using something completely different...
 
Like I said, if you want the previous generation rubber eyecup than just send me an email and request one. Please indicate what address you would like it sent to...
 
Jean,
the tite of this tread should read,"Cinema Oxide's Carbon Scope did not deliver.
these third party providers must understand that they are dealing with a community who is used to the RED level of products.
i will do exactly the same. Ask for full refund.
 
Shapour Daneshmand said:
Jean,
the tite of this tread should read,"Cinema Oxide's Carbon Scope did not deliver.
these third party providers must understand that they are dealing with a community who is used to the RED level of products.
i will do exactly the same. Ask for full refund.
Click to expand...

YEAH!! Tell em'
Just like the side handle battery clip that doesn't hold in the battery, or the RedMote that doesn't hold a connection more than 5 feet from the camera, or the sometimes buggy software that causes random shutdowns, or the flare issue from a silver surround on the sensor, or the extended period without playback, or sound playback…

Oh wait - those were all problems from RED...

*/end sarcasm/*

These are small batch products from small companies
 
Last edited:
Whether RED sends out cameras with issues or not shouldn't have anything to do with the quality of products that come out of my shop.

If Jean isn't happy with the eyecup all he has to do is let me know and I can send him the rubber eyecup that he prefers, or I can issue a full refund.
 
Shapour Daneshmand said:
Jean,
the tite of this tread should read,"Cinema Oxide's Carbon Scope did not deliver.
these third party providers must understand that they are dealing with a community who is used to the RED level of products.
i will do exactly the same. Ask for full refund.
Click to expand...

Jason is a good guy i recently got wrench set from him and few weeks later he pm'd me on here and ask about iam happy with the torx set or not.
 
I received my scope a few days ago and have to say that I am very satisfied. The only gripe I have is the fact that the bracket has to stay on in order to prevent the rubber from coming off. Otherwise, it's light, sturdy, and works great. Glad you persevered, Jason.
 
Jay A. Kelley said:
Well I have the older version, but I like mine quite a bit.. Does exactly what I need it to do.

Glad to see you on here Jason!

Jay
Click to expand...


After all the disparaging remarks you made about me I really appreciate your positive comments about the product I designed and manufactured. You're fortunate to have an original loupe that came out of my factory. It's a shame the copy doesn't meet my high standards. Sad that it took over 5 months to copy my original design.
 
Jason Comparetto said:
HI Jean,

Thanks for the great review. I really appreciate your attention to detail.

Now I'd like to respond to your concerns:

1) You stated many times that there was no communication, but my records show that I sent out emails once a month since May updating everybody that ordered one. I apologized many times regarding the wait and offered many opportunities to get a refund. Perhaps my emails were going into your spam folder?

2) The "residue" on the set screw is actually by design. This is called a "locking element" which holds the screw in place and creates friction so that it is not over-tightened, and prevents damaging the monitor. If it bothers you then I can send out set screws without the locking element, but you may risk over-tightening the bracket.

3) The lubricant on the diopter adjustment is to maintain a smooth even turn. Many lenses have a lubricant of some type to facilitate smooth adjustments. If it bothers you then I can send you out a diopter without any lubricant.

4) If you would like to downgrade to the rubber eyecup from the previous generation just send me a request by email (I have not received any emails from you). I will send you one right away.

5) The light leak can be sealed by simply turning the 4 adjustment set screws on the back of the monitor. That's mainly what they are there for.
It also states this in the installation video at 2:59. Please watch the installation video:
http://vimeo.com/39893876

6) The rubber spacers for the monitor might come off if you slip them on and off many times. The idea was to design these brackets to be left on the monitor indefinitely. They protect the monitor and allow for additional functionality. The installation video states this as well, at around 3:07. If you plan on removing the brackets many times, then I will send you out more rubber spacers so you don't have to worry about that.

7) I can see the imperfections on the Carbon Fiber. Please return the unit and I will ship you out another one. I can't tell exactly from the picture why that's there, but I want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. I will do everything I can to help you.

Thanks again for the review Jean.
Click to expand...




THE RESIDUE WILL NOT PREVENT THE SCREWS FROM BEING OVER TIGHTENED AND DAMAGING THE MONITOR

TIGHTENING THESE SCREWS TO CORRECT A LIGHT LEAK CAUSED BY IMPROPER CONSTRUCTION AS SHOWN IS ILL ADVISED AND COULD RESULT IN A DAMAGED DISPLAY
 
In response to Jean's critique:

As the designer and manufacture of the original product from which this poor iteration was copied I'd like to weight in on your concerns.

I created the original version of this product in an abbreviated design cycle (weeks not months) while I was busy designing and manufacturing a host or RED specific parts including a camera cage (Cloud) which my former business partner continues to pass off as his own. To call this process rushed is an understatement. My goal was to create a high quality product to fulfill a pressing need in the RED community. With an additional half year of product development Jason has managed to create a close copy with two questionable improvements. The significant new flaws affecting his copy (and not my original incarnation) are pathetic.

The new eye cups strike me as a cheap ($5) ill fitting replacement for a proper, pricey ($30) molded silicon rubber eye piece. None of my customers demanded a different eye piece. They did demand Jason return their money and answer their correspondance for months on end.

The seamless carbon fiber shell is the result of molding the hoods in a cheap composite mold instead of a dedicated two piece mold machined from billet aluminum and painstakingly polished to perfection. Rest assured my version is one piece carbon fiber (abeit with evidence of mold seams on either side). The imperfections and blotchy look to the carbon fiber shell he's using is likely the result of insufficient molding pressures and a compromised mold most likely molded off my original carbon fiber hood.

The mystery "locking element" on the 4 allen screws on the mounting brackets is indeed a sort of locktite to prevent the allen set screws from unscrewing.


THIS RESIDUE WILL NOT PREVENT THE SCREWS FROM BEING OVERTIGHTENED AND DAMAGING THE MONITOR.

TIGHTENING THESE SCREWS TO CORRECT A LIGHT LEAK CAUSED BY POOR CONSTRUCTION LIKE ON THE SCOPE DEPICTED IS ILL ADVISED AND COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE DISPLAY


These four screws were incorporated in the design merely to compensate for the odd display which as a result of production tolerances might be significantly thinner than typical. Judicious tightening of the screws could compensate for RED's own production tolerances but I hae yet to see an instance where a user has had to touch them in order to attain optimum fit. This is a testament to the quality of RED products.

The rubber pads are an admittedly poor design which is workable for users who mount the assembly brackets to the display permanently. I prep the part surfaces for optimum bond strength but an improved design with encapsulated rubber pieces would be a necessity if you plan on constantly installing and removing the brackets. No prep work appears to be used on this copy.

The light leak Jean is seeing is attributed to poor assembly and possibly a distorted trim bracket. I got around these issues by a developing an assembly fixture and a slick assembly process that Jason was not privy to.


AGAIN, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TIGHTEN THE SCREWS ON THE BACK OF THE DISPLAY TO CORRECT A LIGHT LEAKAGE SITUATION. YOU RISK DAMAGING THE DISPLAY.


I would expect significant wiggling on Jason's copied loupe because he left out a relevant machining operation to avoid the use of a specialized cutter. The wiggling condition on his product is further aggravated by the large machining burr on the underside of the latch piece that rests against the stainless steel mounting rod. A recess on my design which creates two distinct mounting points for a defined attachment and the omission of this detail reflects an obvious ignorance about how the latch is designed to function.

I appreciate all the positive comments about my products. An enormous amount of work, time, and infrastructure has been invested in creating these accessories. Please note I designed and manufactured the following Cinema Oxide accessories (pre split in March 2012)

1. Epic-to-Bottom Plate Adaptor
2. Epic Battery Plate Adaptor + Pin Guard
3. Epic Top Mount
4. Epic to Element Technica Riser Plate
5. Brick Back Plate for Epic + Scarlet
6. Anton Bauer Adaptor Plate for Epic + Scarlet
7. The Cloud
8. Carbonite Scope


Note the lack of new products in the months following my departure.

At this time I am designing accessories for other cinema cameras to be sold through a legitimate camera parts distributor.

David Munz
Munz Machine LLC
 
David can you please take this fight to court where is belongs and get it off this forum? Really, it just makes both of you look like idiots.

If Jason is the horrible thief you say he is, then you should be able to win a lot of money in court, but seriously I could care less either way.

If Jason's product is a rip off, and you can prove it, then I have no doubt you should be able to get an injunction to stop him from selling it.

Jumping up and down on here telling everyone how horrible he is just makes you look like a strange person with a grudge.

Seriously, take this fight outside man. The people on here can decided if something is good or not without the vendor's help..

It's the purpose of the forum after all.

Jay
 
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