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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Element Technica Breakout Box - any good?

Essential. Should be standard equipment.

Good shooting!

Leo
 
Should be an essential part of your package. Works great.
 
YES!!

If you are using the camera in a professional context you need it.

If you are working on personal projects without paying clients, and don't use a monitor you might survive.

In my opinion you'll need the ET Base Plate, Top Cheese Plate and EVF bracket ( if you have the RED EVF that is, which is also essential. )

Matt Uhry
 
I agree..the breakout is a hands down must have, dont think about it, just get it. I also installed and have never removed.

I am trying to decide now if the EVF bracket is worth the price, I have used it and appreciate the design but now that I have the EVF in my hands, I like the RED ARM and find it versatile and easy to adjust although I have not been in the field with it yet.
 
Ever since I beta tested the prototype of the ET Breakout Box they've been standard equipment on all the RED cameras I own.

I also beta tested the prototypes of the the following ET accessories and now use them continually on my RED cameras: Shoulder Mount (with View Factor Origo integrated), EVF Mount, Shock Mount (for RED Drive), 12" and 18" ARRI V plates, 15mm and 19mm ARRI base plates (sold through RED), Top Combo (cheeseplate + Top Brackets), Handle Risers, 12" and 18" aluminum rods in 15mm and 19mm, Quick Clamps, and aluminum back plates for RED power plates.

Note: Shoulder Mount, Shock Mount, Quick Clamp, and aluminum back plate for RED power plate are in various stages of prototype testing and not yet available. I'm one of the guys testing the protos of them. I would guess they will be available to buy sometime soon.

I have a very high opinion of ET accessories...I can't seem to break their products...
 
Haskell said:
I am trying to decide now if the EVF bracket is worth the price, I have used it and appreciate the design but now that I have the EVF in my hands, I like the RED ARM and find it versatile and easy to adjust although I have not been in the field with it yet.
Click to expand...

There is no question that the ET EVF mount has a pretty hefty price tag, however it's worth every penny. I've struggled for years with Israeli arms holding LCD monitors and even the most heavyweight models are barely adequate.

The ET mount puts the EVF exactly where you want it and it stays put even in challenging environments. The clutch is absolutely wonderful; you can adjust the viewfinder angle even in-shot; it moves easily without having to unlock anything and then stays in position.

Not only have I never seen a more effective mount, I can't even imagine one that would be an improvement.

It's rock solid and very well made. I was initially concerned about the sharp edges on the locks, but have yet to draw blood with them. It's still my only gripe about the mount. I intend to cover them with something; my studio guy made a small leather cover for the lock down lever on the ET base plate and it's very nice.

Bottom line; if you can spring for the ET EVF mount you won't be sorry.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo
 
ET's stuff is excellent and rock-solid. I can't think of a single product that they make that doesn't offer an enhancement to the performance of the RED rig, so their product line is very thoughtfully produced. And their customer service is quite good, too.

I have one camera with the break out box and one without it (which I hope will one day turn into an EPIC when the RED fairy brings it, eliminating the need for the ET box....), so I would say that it may not be essential, but it is very, very nice to have.

I really hope that they follow through on their Canon mount. That's one to watch...
 
Leo Ticheli said:
I was initially concerned about the sharp edges on the locks, but have yet to draw blood with them. It's still my only gripe about the mount
Click to expand...

Do your locks tighten in different directions? They seem like the same device with directions reversed on mine so one pulls to loosen and the other pushes to loosen. That's been the one thing that's always driven me a little nuts. And they are sharp. Other that that I like it. I've had my red arm loosen and fall several times. No worry of that with the ET mount.

Wish the whole rig between the mount and EVF was lighter though.
 
At first it did seem a little crazy that one lock tightened in one direction and the other in the opposite.

I've tried to rationalize that they turn in an intuitive manner, but perhaps not.

Yep they are sharp; I got slammed pretty hard for suggesting that once before and was tempted to run a piece of leather against them and post a photograph to illustrate my point.

They are actually mostly out of the way, but I think they should be more rounded off. The chief offender to me is the lock lever on the base plate; it just shouldn't be so sharp.

This is not a slam at ET; yes they make terrific products that I consider essential with the Red camera and they give customer support unsurpassed in the industry.

We're accustomed to modifying everything we buy anyway, so a few sharp edges on a fantastic product is not a big deal.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo
 
IMHO the ET EVF bracket is essential (for now), the ET breakout box is also essential (for now, but I ordered the toys4red bo box because sound is already complaining). It's not what you can do without but what they won't do without.


Ted Chu
310.254.5396

http://tedchu.com
tedchu@tedchu.com
 
What about it is so useful? What does it get you that the mini-BNC adapters don't?
 
Agreed!
while it is one of those things that at first thought you might not think is such a big deal, day in and day out it can make a big difference.
I usually work with 2 reds that both have the ET breakout and i just finished a 4 day shoot where the production co. rented a red without the breakout box. It was a music video, so it was very fast paced, multiple locations per day with tons of setups, lots of switching between handheld and car mounts/ sticks, and while having the little adapter cables wasn't killer, it was a hassle, and lacked the clean simplicity and professional feel of the breakout box.
Another reason i can't imagine not having it on a camera in the commercial production market is that if - for whatever reason - someone trips on a cable or some other tragedy should place excess strain on the bnc connector, I'd rather have to replace an add on box than ship the camera back to red for service.
actually, having typed that i'd have to say that that is more than enough reason to get one :biggrin:

-christopher
 
I guess no one here has seen the viewfinder mount for the Genesis. Element Technica did a nice job making a version of it.
 
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