Element Technica's Cheesplate+mounts & RED's top handles

[Mark de Jong]

Earlier this week we finally got our camera and we've been playing with it already since it came over the doorstep. Now we have the Element Technica cheeseplate and the topmounts all three of them mounted on top of the camera. And now we even want the RED handles on top of that.
What we discovered was a difference in 'hole spacing' between the mounts of the top handles. We only can either fix the first handle (top handle) or just fix the back handle (extension). appearantly the spacing is way off to fix them both at the same time.

Did anybody else also discover this problem with the cheeseplate from E.T. and the tophandle and - extension from RED?

 

[Johan Pabon]

Solution is easy, you'll find a "screw' at the back of the handle. You can adjust there, and then you can place the handle.

 

[Mark Phelan]

I thought I had the same problem, but all is not lost. I have both the top handle and the extension with the ET topside combo, it all works, trust me. You might want to get the 3/4" or 2" risers from ET to give yourself a bit more room above the topside combo. I can take a photo if you need to see it all fit together. Take another look at it, I was stumped at first, then realized what I wasn't doing correctly.

 

[Mark de Jong]

thanks a lot guys.

I might just take the handles and the camera with me for some intimate private time and get to know them a little better. Taking them apart might help me a lot and solve the problem.

@Mark ('fellow name'-being)
If you could, yes please. Would always be good to have a reference to check if I'm doing things right in the end.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Mark Phelan]

Here's a shot of the Red handle with extension attached to the ET topside combo. It also shows the ET 3/4" risers.

 

[Stacey Spears]

ET sales a bushing that fits between the top handle and top handle extension for use with the ET top side combo.

 

[Mark de Jong]

it was definatly worth it to take some time with it and just figure it out. I just switched the blunt end from the top handle and the mounting part from the extension all together and then it all fits perfectly.
Thank you guys.

 

[Jonas Rejman]

Are those topmounts those from the ET cheeseplate combo, meaning that the holes and the rods are 15mm, compared to the 19mm rods, you put on the bottom of the camera (if you are like me in Europe and 19mm is standard)?

I am a little torn between having the 15mm rods on the top vs. the 19mm rods. I would like to get the cheeseplate combo from ET, as I think that even the topmounts might be a bit lighter, than RED's top mounts, but then I need a 15mm batteryplate (also from ET), a 19mm to 15mm adapter when I want to get the Action Products swapplate, and of course also the 15mm rods, which then I cannot interchange, in case I want to put them on the bottom of the camera, for some reason.

Now I am not sure, if going the 15mm path for the top part of the camera will not cause me more potential trouble in the long run, with eventually more accessories. I have seen only 19mm rods in Europe, but then, mostly got them before the ET cheesplate combo was available.

Can you give me an advise?

 

[Mitch Gross]

I would suggest that if you are in 15mm land like LA or other areas that are expecting all accessories in 15, then get 15mm top. But if you are in 19mm land and are using 19mm on the bottom, then use 19mm up top. All your rods and accessories will be compatible and the difference in weight is negligible.

 

[Mark de Jong]

we also found out that once we got all the accesories in our hands that a 19mm top mounts from ET would've been better. now we cant mount our cradle onto the rods. we now fixed it with the bolts to the cheeseplate. which is very inconvenient, i must say.
So if you have the choice of going for the 19mm topmounts or the 15 mm i would have to go with what Mitch said.
Although I am here in China right now, I'm not sure what size they use here generally. Basically we ordered the 15mm just to have a nice lightweight camera. But now we found out this problem with the size of the rods and the mounting of the cradle we also have to find a solution for this. Either getting an adapter or going for a different size of top mounts.

 

[Florian Stadler]

Get the Element Technica Shockmounts for the drives and the Element Technica Batteryplate replacement with quickrelease Rod Clamp. They both clamp onto 15mm AND 19mm.

http://www.elementtechnica.com/vdock/