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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 :)

Ultimate LCD config: ET + Monstercine

Z

zak forrest

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I've found the best way of mounting the LCD on the Red! For my needs, anyway. It's the best looking, too.

I've had the Zacuto Zdapter Mount for months, and after shooting with it for a long time, including an all handheld documentary following a band on tour through America and Canada for a month, I've noticed a lot of things that bother me about it. These are all really minor issues, but it all adds up, also aesthetically, I like my new solution a lot better instead of Zacuto (or perhaps even a Hydra, which I haven't used).

The Zdapter mount goes on the rails, usually on the left side, and it's square edges jab me in my sides when holding the camera, or carrying it (not shooting) with a shoulder strap. If you have to break everything down it's another step you need to go through, and if you are adjusting the rods the whole thing can fall, causing the LCD to bash against the side of the camera. Of course you are always careful, but it can still happen. Zacuto also sells a quick release "ZicroMount" that just screws into any 1/4-20 hole on the Red, however it always seems to come unscrewed.

SO - I took the Element Technica piece from the EVF mount, screwed it into the front side of the front top mount, slid a Monstercine 19mm-15mm adapter sleeve inside it, inserted the Zacuto spud which is permanently fixed to the Red Arm into the Monstercine sleeve, and then clamped it down with the ET mount. The clamp also (added bonus) keeps the LCD cable secured in place, with JUST enough slack for me to put the 5" Red Arm anywhere I want without being restricted. I just love the way the LCD cable can be wrapped around the camera and secured in place with this config. This is the most compact, streamlined, out of the way configuration with the least setup time. I love how nothing is getting in my way, and its not on the left side of the camera, the LCD cable will never be a problem for me ever again. I also think it's the nicest, aesthetically.

I just wish my Zacuto spud was in black, maybe the Monstercine Quick Spud is the answer, although I think it's 3" length is just a tad too long if I want an absolute perfect fit without anything sticking out. With the Red Carbon X rods I'm really loving the new look of my Red, it's the best config so far!



etmonsterrelease.isorear.jpg



etmonsterrelease.closeup.withlcd.jpg

etmonsterrelease.closeup.nolcd.jpg



In the black and white images especially, you can see how the unfinished pieces of the camera look (side handles). I can't wait till I have some time to let go of them for a while to get that new finish. Has anyone done this? How long did it take?


etmonsterrelease.side.jpg




I don't know if Element Technica sells the side to side adjustment piece of the EVF mount separately, but perhaps they will consider it..

-z
 
this is for LCD use only...

in the handheld situations I am using this in, weight is a concern, so no EVF usually for me in those cases... usually put an ND over the LCD screen as well so my face isn't lit up

Although maybe you could use the EVF without the side to side adjustment and keep the LCD mounted there, and have the side-to-side piece screwed in after the EVF mount? both going into the top mount? (I'm not sure if that would work, I don't have the stuff in front of me right now..
 
I've been using the 15mm Zspud's in addition to the ET 15mm top mounts for mounting my LCD and Battery Plate since I got my RED. It's by far the smartest, quickest, most adaptable system I have every used on any camera.

It allows you to quickly move the LCD or battery to any of the four corners of the camera. I tapped the back of the battery plate and added a short RED arm and a zspud so I can move the battery any where and reposition it to redistribute the weight.
 
Your battery is on a Red Arm?

can you post pics?

that sounds awesome.

I never need to reposition anything though.. When are you moving the battery around?

I had to mount the LCD on the rear of the camera once in my life when using a car hood mount in the snow and it was all inside a bag, besides that I've always had my setup the same.. I am really curious to see your pics though. So you are rocking 15mm rods on the top and bottom then?
 
hey Mike I don't quite understand what you mean. If the 15mm top mounts are on 15mm rods, there is no room to insert a Zspud. Where am I going wrong here? can you explain what you're doing more clearly?

are you saying you always have a red arm (with spud attached) screwed into a top mount, and you just move the top mount around? does your LCD have a zicro on it?
 
IMG_5296_s-2.jpg



These were all taken the first day I had my red so I hadn't nailed the battery position yet. No It spends most of it's time resting on the top of the ET brakeout box or the top cheese plate (w/out the drive).

It is very handy when going to a hand held configuration because I can put the weight off the back of the camera so it ends up very well balanced. The 5" Red arm holds the battery VERY securely. I have yet to have it slip or move on me, even when mounting the battery.

Since these pictures were takin I have added velcro the the back of the battery plate to mount down converters, transmitters, or FIZ/Bartech boxes.

Being able to mount the LCD instantly in the morning makes me so happy. I hated screwing in arms only to have them come loose half an hour later. Moving them was always a bitch. The Locking screw on the Zspuds is such a brilliant creation. I would never go out without them again.

I really never need to use the top rods, only in situations like under slung heads or jib arms can I see them as being very useful, so for 99% of my time with the camera using the Zspuds is a much better use of the rod mounts.
 
Also in these pics you can see the beginning of my drive mounting system. I added a 1/4" neoprene pad and velcro to the ET Cheeseplate, then I use a velcro cable wrap to secure the drive to the Cheeseplate. The rubber grippieyness of the neoprene and the cable wrap keep the drive locked to the camera, with the added bonus of dampening vibration. One added bonus is it keeps the drive near the center of gravity of the camera, and the center of rotation when the camera is on a head. This decreases the G-forces on the drive to make it less likely to drop frames.

I also no longer mount the handle like that. It has moved back towards the center of the camera. I only put the handle facing forward when I have drives or long lenses mounted.
 
Wow. Thanks for posting all the pics and info. That is really fucking sweet.

I've tapped my battery plate too, for mounting on a universal mount. I'm going to try the Red Arm battery mount tonight, that is really cool. Although I really like using the quickplate as of late, it perfectly fits in my right arm pit and helps me stabilize the camera when handholding it by the two side handles.. But maybe if tightened down enough, the Red Arm would do the same.

I really need the top handle, side handles, and the top rods, it's what I've become used to using to hold the camera when doing long days of handheld doc stuff, otherwise I would put my Zspuds in the top mounts as well.

When I was on tour we did a similar thing with the drives, only instead of that pad we cut a sock in half and used hair ties as that's all we had available on the road. I've been looking for a better solution, I'm going to try this one too.

Thanks Mike, this is awesome.
 
Yep 8mm.

And Zak, with the battery on the side resting on the ET brakeout box it is great for cradling under your arm. The battery rests right on the top of your arm and you can rap your hand around the lovely ET Arribase. The ET base has some nice curves and ridges which makes it very comfortable to grip. I added a little soft side Velcro to the top the it as well and that makes it even more comfortable.
 
HAhha I didn't notice that. But soon after these pictures were taking I did the same thing. I was shooting some scenics and just felt like a giant moron with "RED" written on the side of my big burly camera. It's a professional camera it shouldn't blaze it's logo all over the place.
 
Just curious, because I do the same thing when I'm out in public. The logo attracts the bees
 
Of course, Panavision and Arri have their logos emblazoned in large letters on some of their magazines... i'll always have the image in my mind of the production stills from Star Trek: TNG and the following movies of Panavision in large letters on those magazines.
 
Yes they do, but they also get covered in tape very often as well (film roll).
 
Additional Battery Mounting Options

Additional Battery Mounting Options

Here is another way to mount the RED Brick to the RED One.

More photos coming.
 
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