Trouble deciding on rod system

[Mike Halper]

I'm trying to decide which rod system to go with. In one regard 19mm seems to be the new global standard. However, I'm in Los Angeles, where 15mm studio is still the standard and though I have seen some 19mm rigs, the vast majority are 15mm studio. And then there's the 15mm lightweight which seems to make more sense for the Epic since it is a bit smaller for factor, or at least capable of being a smaller form factor. I also really like Red's quick release system and Clutch rig, which is 19mm, though I can assemble my own 15mm lightweight one if I want. In that case there's no 15mm studio option though. I will be getting a MB20II and FF4, which are 15mm lightweight by default. Any recommendations? What is everyone else in LA doing?

 

[Brook Willard]

If you're in los angeles you should stick with 15mm studio... no questions asked. Being prepared for a 15mm lightweight is a given either way in my book - everybody should be prepared for it.

 

[David W. Jones]

I have both 19mm and LW15mm.
Some of the larger zoom lenses I have used seem to work better with a support mounted to 19mm rods.
Just something to think about.

 

[Mike Halper]

15mm Studio means no Red QR, which is a bummer. Thinking about different accessories, if I rent it out I'd rent it out with a MB20 II matte box and FF4 follow focus, and I can't think of anything else that would need to use both rods. If they want to put a Preston on it, for example, that would only need one rod to attach so 15mm LW would work, right? Am I missing something?

 

[Brook Willard]

For me it's mostly local rental house support. If you take a 19mm camera package into nearly any rental house in the Los Angeles area, you'll run into trouble. Their accessories won't fit your camera and your accessories won't fit theirs. If you own a long zoom, for example, and decide to buy 19mm support bracketry for it... you won't be able to rent that zoom on to any "normal" production in the area since they're going to have a 15mm sliding baseplate. If a piece of your gear goes down on a shoot and you need another follow focus or matte box you will not be able to just rent one from any rental house... you will be limited to the rental houses that carry 19mm support.

With all of that said I have a 19mm baseplate available for when my camera works in NY or internationally.

 

[Mike Halper]

That's good food for thought. Thanks for your insight. I hope Red comes out with a 15mm Studio (offset) version of the quick release. Compatibility is important, so if not, then I have to look at solutions other than Red for the rod and support system.

 

[Mike Halper]

That said, does anyone know of a quick release system that would allow the camera body to detach from the rod support system like the Red QR system, but in 15mm Studio offset? I can see being able to quickly detach from the rod system for ultra portable/small form factor use being advantageous in certain situations where you'd otherwise have to opt for a DSLR insert camera or cheating the shot.

It would be awesome if the quick release used an Arri dovetail system. You'd have a dovetail plate on the bottom of the camera, a receiver for the rod support assembly, and another dovetail plate on the bottom of the that receiver. This would allow the camera to still be put on a tripod head minus rods without having to ever change the plate on the bottom of the camera. I do this exact same thing with my AF100 setup using the Manfrotto quick release assembly and have found it to be very very convenient for different configurations, and would like to have that same convenience available to me as I move up to this pro level with the Epic.

 

[Ned Wilson]

I use 15mm studio in NYC and have run into compatibility issues with rental houses, but most here in NYC will have 15mm studio support. The only time I use 19mm is for 24-290. I find 19 gives better support. That said, 15mm is lighter. I tend not to use 15mm LWS since the rods often bump into larger MB's like MB 20 or 18. This can be a real POA. Not an issue if your lenses are all about the same length. The other thing to consider is material. I personally find stainless steel rods get the best bite, great rigididy and stick the least. Stay away from aluminum rods (Zacuto, etc). The more worn they get the more the stick. They're also not rigid enough. I think Arri makes the best rods. Tapered ends make for easy on/off.