Comments on: Episode 005: Mobile Hybrid Rig

By: Caleb Pike

Caleb Pike — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 04:07:49 +0000

Thanks for the suggestions. I used black because of the camera I was using (hv30), trying not to show how shallow the depth was. And the strange angle was because of a small space. Totally agree, can't see the camera I am holding well at all. You can see a improved BG setup here: http://dslrvideoshooter.com/episode-008-turn-any-lens-into-a-macro-lens/

By: Steady

Steady — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:52:08 +0000

hello Caleb,
I just came across your site. Good job. Nice mix of articles and tutorials. I will be back. There is always something else to learn from another person.

I watched this video article and have a couple of very simple suggestions for improvement.
1. Don’t use a black background. Why? Because every time you lift up the camera, the black camera and parts disappear. Use a gray or mid-tone BG instead so the viewer can see the shapes of the objects while you handle them.
2. Keep the objects/camera in camera view (chest high) as several times the camera you are holding disappears “off camera” (when you lowered it out of frame) during the crucial points where you are describing it. Show the viewer, don’t take that “off screen” in your lap.

3. Hold the object (camera/rig) up to the camera for closeup and slowly rotate it so the viewer can see the rig better.

I hope these quick comments help you, just as you are helping others.

Keep up the good work!

By: Caleb Pike

Caleb Pike — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:57:07 +0000

You would need to add a second rod but it does work. That is what I use for my smaller film rig (episode on that coming up).

By: tom n

tom n — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:49:24 +0000

With a longer rod, could that base accomodate a follow-focus system such as the D-focus?

By: Caleb Pike

Caleb Pike — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:13:37 +0000

Glad to hear it worked for you! That “Record” button also doubles as an LCD toggle button.

By: Brad Bell

Brad Bell — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:30:10 +0000

The Z-finder DOES block the 2 little sensors below the eye piece.

The record button did the magic! Thanks very much.
(Previously, I was reliant on auto-focus and pure meter reading for stills which produced very mixed results.)

By: Caleb Pike

Caleb Pike — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:31:32 +0000

Does the Z-finder block the 2 little sensors below the eye piece? When you switch to manual photo mode try pressing the record button. This should tell the camera to switch from the eye piece to the LCD.

By: Brad Bell

Brad Bell — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:25:06 +0000

Do you shoot stills using the LCD?

I am using a 550D. I bought it as a video camera. Very happy shooting video with Z-Finder. I want to shoot stills with the Z-Finder, but it seems the camera won’t let me. Does it have anything to do with the Z-Finder frame blocking the sensor? Does an unmodded 550D allow you to do this?

By: Joel Washing

Joel Washing — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:38:09 +0000

I really love your small rig. And I’m so glad to find out about Redrock. I’m a filmmaker and I’m new to the world of shoot video with a DSLR. I’ve been looking at the rigs on Zacuto and found them to be pretty awesome, but a little pricey. Redrock looks really solid and a bit more affordable.

I have some shoots planned for this fall involving a couple of Canon 5D’s which I’d like to outfit with a cinema style support rig. Thanks for your support tip and turning me on to Redrock as a possible gear source.