Documentary / Run & Gun Setups

[Robino_J]

If I'm by myself and will walk around a lot, I'll use lightweight lenses - usually little Pentax Ks 24mm and 50mm and I place the battery in my backpack (using a power extension cord) along with spare batteries. I also carry a macbook air + rugged 1TB drive and red station in backpack to offload. I mount a 50mm swat rail with a sliding top handle (with the front cap removed) on top of the camera and mount the 5" touch monitor on the front of the handle.

Camera is mounted on monopod(Manfrotto XPRO Prime Base 3-Section) with a Matthews ball head(BH-20).

For sound I mount a Senheiser 416 with a small arm or directly on top cheese plate. Connect microphone using the WC A-Box.

I find this rig very lightweight and versatile for me.

I Don't have a good image but you can see a "version" of it... just picture the ball head on the mono and the battery back removed(that would be in the backpack.), the mic is also not installed on the mount in this pic. ..and even though it's a very stable system - don't leave your camera hanging by itself like in this picture - ever!

 

[Kevin D'Haeze]

Yes! The camera doesn't provide power on the port it uses (CTRL) so you have two options...... The standard latitude has a 2pin lemo for power (so you can attach it to an output from one of the larger RED modules, or a DTAP source)... We also have a BATTERY POWERED version, basically a plate for a Canon LP-E6 battery cut directly into the metal case. For super light weight run and gun this might make sense!

Kris

Very intrigued by this. Is it possible to run two thumbwheels at the same time, one on each end of a dual outrigger handle - one for focus, one for iris?

 

[Robert Gustafsson]

How do you like the Optitron 2 Robert?

It's a great piece of kit. I wasn't too convinced when I ordered it but after using it a couple of times it doesn't leave my camerabag, especially when I'm using Sigma or Canon glass. Of course there's breathing on most electronic lenses but for those hectic R&G scenarios when you need a lightweight rig, the Optitron 2 is just great and I can't recommend it enough. You can also use the Optitron 2 for iris control, 1:1 focus and even start/stop.

 

[Kevin D'Haeze]

It's a great piece of kit. I wasn't too convinced when I ordered it but after using it a couple of times it doesn't leave my camerabag, especially when I'm using Sigma or Canon glass. Of course there's breathing on most electronic lenses but for those hectic R&G scenarios when you need a lightweight rig, the Optitron 2 is just great and I can't recommend it enough. You can also use the Optitron 2 for iris control, 1:1 focus and even start/stop.

Hey Robert. In picture 2 & 3, what is the Optitron2 mounted to? It's hard to see since the photos are fairly small.

 

[Kris Bird]

Very intrigued by this. Is it possible to run two thumbwheels at the same time, one on each end of a dual outrigger handle - one for focus, one for iris?

Yeap!

 

[Quinton Weiskittel]

I'm confused about some of this...

Optitron connects to the brain to allow FF with EF mount lenses?

Foolcontrol uses wifi to accomplish the same?

And RT works with Foolcontrol via a traditional FF style device?

 

[Kevin D'Haeze]

don't leave your camera hanging by itself like in this picture - ever!

No kidding. It makes me nervous just looking at that photo.

 

[Detlev Eller]

What's up fellas. Fairly new on here as I'm about to adopt into the Red eco system with the Raven. (Currently have a preorder for the Base I/O package)

Just wanted to get some advice from those of you who have shot docs / run&gun type jobs with any of the red cameras. Appreciate any input.

have batteries. have redmags. ...

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

I'm confused about some of this...

Optitron connects to the brain to allow FF with EF mount lenses?

Foolcontrol uses wifi to accomplish the same?

And RT works with Foolcontrol via a traditional FF style device?

Yes (serial, bluetooth)
Yes (wifi, wifi + ethernet, wired serial with special version)
Yes (wired serial, wifi, long range radio). Compatible with foolcontrol but also standalone.

All leveraging the amazing RED RCP protocol.

 

[Terry Delahunt]

It's a great piece of kit. I wasn't too convinced when I ordered it but after using it a couple of times it doesn't leave my camerabag, especially when I'm using Sigma or Canon glass. Of course there's breathing on most electronic lenses but for those hectic R&G scenarios when you need a lightweight rig, the Optitron 2 is just great and I can't recommend it enough. You can also use the Optitron 2 for iris control, 1:1 focus and even start/stop.

Hi Robert,
What shoulder rig is that? Is the pad comfortable? Are you using it with Red Quick Release System?

 

[Terry Delahunt]

I use a WC v2 shoulder rig and Miller sticks with a DSMC Quick release platform/Dovetails (and a Optitron 2 FF with Sigma Art lenses and Canon L zooms.)
Great match for most R&G scenarios, easy to balance and it's pretty lightweight and easy to pack/transport.

Just noticed that you mentioned yesterday that it is the WC v2 shoulder rig

 

[Robert Gustafsson]

Hey Robert. In picture 2 & 3, what is the Optitron2 mounted to? It's hard to see since the photos are fairly small.

It's attached to a RED rib and a quick release that came with the Optitron 2 unit (similar to a 16x9 quickrelease)
I mounted one quick release on the camera rib and one on the handle of the shoulder rig for easy re-positioning.

 

[Jeffery Anderson]

The Run-n-Gun Set up has a few basic elements

• fixed zoom length

doesn't really mean you need a real fixed zoom, but you will need a zoom lens, something from S35's 20-120mm

• weighted for shoulder mount and/or hip mount

• able to expose quickly

sounds easy, but you need built in NDs or be handy with a variable ND, able to read a waveform or false color

• Hold Focus through the range of the zoom

this can be two parts, one with being able to expose at a f4-8-stop(maybe f5.6-12 on a larger sensor) and two with the lens being parfocal



IMHO, it's is asking a lot for a Red Raven(or Scarlet-W)... seems like the Raven is directed at the DSLR crowd, as a lightweight camera with a fixed lens mount. If you're doing Run-n-Gun with a DSLR you'll probably be able to use that shoulder rig or gimbal with the Raven.

 

[Mat_G]

Anyone out there use both the WC Shoulder Rig and Zacuto Cine Recoil Rig (The "next gen" version)? Care to chime in which is the leanest/meanest/cleanest looking build, but ultimately feels best for all day shooting? I'll be using it with an EVF and not a display.