Stupid Question #5: 19mm or 15mm rig for RED ONE?

[Jaime Vallés]

Hello, all.

I'm putting together a rig for my upcoming RED ONE, and I'm having a hard time deciding which system I should use: 19mm or 15mm Lightweight?

From everything I've gathered, 19mm is more robust and used around the world. But it's heavier and more expensive.

The 15mm lightweight rigs generally cost less and weigh less, but I'm not sure about how well they fit into the whole RED ecosystem.

Since I don't have any investment in either type of accessory or rig at the moment, I need help figuring out which is best for my needs. The weight of the rig isn't really a factor for me (it'll be a heavy beast regardless of which I choose) but cost is a big factor. And don't say "get both" because I can't afford that right now. I want to pick one system and stick with it to make sure everything is compatible.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jaime Vallés]

I should probably add that I won't be shooting with any massive lenses. It'll be still photography Nikon lenses to start with. And I'll mostly be using the camera mounted on a tripod, so the weight isn't a big concern at the moment.

 

[John Stamets]

I have a 15mm LWS (Light Weight System) I used with my 5D that I am modifying for the R1, but I am finding that things fit one or the other and crossing the streams is a little awkward. If I were starting from scratch I would go with 19mm for the bottom at least.

 

[Jaime Vallés]

Another thing to consider is that eventually I want to move up to an Epic, so I'd like for whatever system and accessories I choose now to work with that camera whenever possible.

 

[Pouya Nia]

I actually went the 19mm route by default because of the Red One bottom plate but half way into it i realized that there is A LOT more accessories for 15mm than 19mm available. There is also more competition in the 15mm market because of the dslrs, therefore prices are more competitive and affordable! A few things I got fit both which is great! like the Tilta front handles (well built!) and I can use it on either rig. Now I think I found a solution for my 15mm accessories from my dslr rig being used on 19mm rods.

here it is: http://www.ebay.com/itm/15mm-19mm-R...420?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416cca7f44
It does take a while to ship though about 15 days, but if you're a Red costumer, you've probably learned to be pretty patient
19mm definitely looks beefier and is scientifically more balanced (I don't how, I'm not a scientist) but if you do a google search you'll find some lit on it.
A guy at a so cal rental house i was at had 15mm rigs and he claimed that 15mm is West coast and 19mm is East coast.
So take see what kind of budget you have and what gear you already have an go from there. I know a company called Tilta makes pretty cool looking rigs that are reasonably priced.

Hope this helps Merry Christmas!

 

[Greg M]

New York is 19mm.
Generally you should have both. 15mm LW for times when you want to rig for steadicam or hh...but 19mm for basic set-ups. Most accessories are compatible with either, but you will find it easier in your market to rent 19mm.

Its generally 19mm vs 15mm studio that is considered, not 19mm vs LW 15mm. LW 15mm is very limiting

 

[Christopher Mills]

Jaime.. as I am trying and fitting accessories to my R1, and have rented and worked with Epics as well I have bad news:
The majority of your accessories are not going to be a great fit for the Epic.
Unless, you go with the more expensive, and heavier 19mm non RED oem systems.
the Epic/Scarlet top mounts will not fit on the R1.. Baseplates will need risers and spacers, increasing stack height and promoting odd center of gravity issues.
VF mounts will only be the same at the VF side.... you are going to be able to re-use magic arms, maybe your baseplate (While there is a riser to let you use the original r1 19mm, it will not look sanitary, and will be unwanted extra weight).
The 19mm system is super rugged, and you can always rent extra tools from pro houses in that format..
The 15mm "studio" system is the same 100mm spacing as 19mm rods.. but is a lot less available in the rental houses..
15mm lightweight is 60mm spacing, and has served me well on DSLR, HDCAM, Varicam, and my F3... but will not always be a good fit for my R1... the Long Valley lw 15mm on camera setup is where I am headed at present for my FF and Mattbox, with my power system on a Matrix plate with Ki pro on the back of the camera on 15mm lw rods with a berkey system plate.
However, as soon as I can get a Base Produciton pack setup together, that will become my tripod rig, with some 19mm to LW 15mm spacing brackets to hold my other parts on the rails.
FInal step for me will be all 19mm stuff for my cameras.. present and future..
As I expect to be using heavy and large lenses as needed and when rentable.

 

[Shane Kelly]

go 15mm lightweight. I'd say 80% of my jobs are that. I do have both but the 15lw wins out most of the time.

 

[Jaime Vallés]

Thanks John, Pouya and Greg!

I didn't realize that East coast is 19mm and West coast is 15mm. I'll definitely be doing 99% of my work here in New York, so it looks like I'm going the 19mm route. Since I'm starting from scratch, I might as well do it right from the get go.

Next up on my list of purchases that I won't be able to afford for a while: a heavy-duty tripod for a RED ONE. ***sigh***

 

[jordan levy]

its weird but true, all big NY rental houses are 19mm, in LA they almost all have both but 15mm is generally used.

 

[Jaime Vallés]

Thanks for the tips, Christopher, Shane & Jordan.