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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 :)

New ET EVF tube mount - issues

OK, the edges aren't "razor" sharp, but they are definitely not nicely rounded and I can assure you that if your hand happens to slip and hit hard against the ET plate or EVF levers, you are quite probably going to get cut. They are sharp.

Just because a product is superior in most aspects or sold by terrific people does not mean that deficiencies should not be noted and addressed.

I believe I duly noted the many positives of ET products and service, and I've been consistent in highly recommending them, but the locking levers should be rounded. I'm covering mine with plastic.

Surely this forum is more valuable when it's more than a cheer-leading exercise.

Best regards,

Leo
 
I beta tested the ET EVF mount last Autumn, and I've owned one since last December. I've used it extensively in cine-style and EFP style production in a wide range of genres and locations from Hawaii to Alaska to the Rocky Mountains and on and on. This included a lot of mobile work with multiple setups per day. I have never noticed a problem with sharpness of the levers or edges on the EVF mount.

For about a year now I've been one of the first beta testers of ET prototypes and subsequently one of the very first receivers of ET production versions, of all their products. Almost nobody you can find shoots in more challenging conditions than me and our crews. I've had no problems with any of my ET equipment. I can't seem to break it! I recommend it highly.

The above isn't cheerleading - just the results as I've experienced them.

The one pic attached is of me a few weeks ago deep in the wilds of Alaska putting one of my REDs, with my Canon 150-600 zoom and ET equipment through it's paces. ET equipment on the rig includes: EVF mount with tube mount, ET ARRI base plate (15mm), and ET ARRI V plate. The other pic is a closer image of the same ET-equipped rig in action recently on the California coast during another wildlife session.
 
It's good to hear that you are finding the ET gear so durable and trustworthy Steve.

85% of what I shoot is cine style. With that kind of shooting you always have a focus puller and often a 2nd AC to make sure that all the gear is treated very well. I do not doubt for a second that with Gibbys often fast paced shoots sometimes with small crews that his gear would get tested harder then pretty much anyone elses (I believe sometimes you are having to get a number of shots all by yourself.)

I would really like to hear any tips from you Steve on what items you have found to need extra care. Also a your advice on what problem solving solutions you have found to help with the typical gear challenges and problems every pro runs into here and there.
 
Finner said:
I do not doubt for a second that with Gibbys often fast paced shoots sometimes with small crews that his gear would get tested harder then pretty much anyone elses (I believe sometimes you are having to get a number of shots all by yourself.)
Click to expand...

Yup - the type of work we do can really take its toll on equipment. We now have seven RED ONE cameras. Sometimes they're used in large crew setups, sometimes smaller mobile crews, and often by single operators. We transport our stuff from setup to setup constantly and use it on boats, in aircraft, underwater, and all over the land. We're right in the middle of production on several television programs and two features - all of them in the wildlife and adventure travel genres. Out in the boonies like that we just can't have cameras or accessories breaking because its a nightmare to replace them or jury rig them. The RED cameras and the ET accessories have performed real well.

BTW - sometime back I gave ET some suggestions for their prototype shoulder mount. Sometime soon I'll be beta testing their prototype ET shoulder mount. I'm looking forward to that. Judging by the good quality of the other ET accessories I've used, I'm guessing that the shipping version of the shoulder mount will be very good.

Finner said:
I would really like to hear any tips from you Steve on what items you have found to need extra care. Also a your advice on what problem solving solutions you have found to help with the typical gear challenges and problems every pro runs into here and there.
Click to expand...

Off the top of my head, here's just one: Doing a lot of setups and breakdowns, being able to quickly assemble and dis-assemble the rigs is critical. At first we found that the fit of the ET ARRI base on the ET ARRI V plate is so precise that sliding the base plate off the V plate took a little more time than we had for it. The solution was very simple: we went to a bicycle shop and got some spray cans of silicone chain lubricant. A little shot of silicone spray on each side of the V plate runners made the ARRI base plate slide easily and quickly down the V plate - thus saving us time on each setup and breakdown through the shooting day.

We've amassed a lot of field workflow shortcuts, workarounds, and extra care situations over the past 10 months of shooting with RED. I'm mobile right now, but when I get a chance to breathe I'll type some up and send 'em over to you.

Your finnerknowsbest.com web site rocks...
 
weirdcrew said:
By the way. Anyone who has an opinion between RED CF rods and ET's alu? I'm just about to order for 2 more RED's and are not sure which way to go?

Thanks,

Fredrik
Click to expand...

I've touched Reds CF Rods.

Well, it's just me of course but CF is not nice to touch. CF is all about power and durability AND weight. But CFs surface feel is not nice, IMO. You have to coat CF to make it feel nicely (say fishing rods or sailing masts). Obviously you cannot do that with cine rods. To me CFs abrasion feels kind of hurtful, surely an overstatement and totally subjective.

I've got ETs rods and they are second to none (including Arri, etc...) IMO. They are sturdy, haptically very pleasing and of course very light.

Hans
 
Hans von Sonntag said:
I've touched Reds CF Rods.

Well, it's just me of course but CF is not nice to touch. CF is all about power and durability AND weight. But CFs surface feel is not nice, IMO. You have to coat CF to make it feel nicely (say fishing rods or sailing masts). Obviously you cannot do that with cine rods. To me CFs abrasion feels kind of hurtful, surely an overstatement and totally subjective.

I've got ETs rods and they are second to none (including Arri, etc...) IMO. They are sturdy, haptically very pleasing and of course very light.

Hans
Click to expand...

i am with hans....ET Rods are f*cking cool.....i mean as cool as a rod can be :)
 
Typical of their terrific customer support, ET contacted me offering to fix any problems I thought existed with their gear.

I actually prefer to cover the sharp edges with plastic, but it proves once again what a customer service oriented company they are.

Best regards,

Leo
 
I've not had any sharp edge problems on the ET handles ( EVF or 15mm Base )... You could probably dip them in "grippy" latex paint easily if you wanted. Might be nice if you shot in cold or wet enviorments all the time.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com
 
Couple of things.......


1. Is the low rise Red top handle spacer a series of washers?... can't see from the pic.

2. LOVE the way you can place the EVF on either side of the camera. HATE the way I've gotta stand on my head to view the image correctly on RHS.

3. If others are interested, is it worth asking Red to add option to mirror evf image (unless the option is already there)?

D
 
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