Robert Rodriguez shooting music video on badass Canon 7D rig

Nathanael Iversen · March 2nd, 2010, 01:35 PM

It is expensive. It is also very light, 100% adjustable, expandable, can be skinnied down, etc. The machining is first rate. I bought a Sniper rig with the follow focus and it just gets out of the way. I don't think about it. That is what gear is supposed to do - it just works. I could have bought an EX-1 for what I have in my rig, but made this choice. Better in some ways, worse in others. But I'd be saying the same thing on the other side of the decision.

Ger Griffin · March 2nd, 2010, 03:32 PM

looks like the peak cap is coming in very handy.

Brian Luce · March 2nd, 2010, 03:53 PM

What is the box with the red strap?

Daniel Weber · March 2nd, 2010, 04:02 PM

Do you mean the Sony V-mount battery with the red tape on it?

Daniel Weber

Brian Luce · March 2nd, 2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Weber

Do you mean the Sony V-mount battery with the red tape on it?

Daniel Weber

I guess. Big battery, that drives the monitor?

Have to laugh at the producer's concerns about keeping a low guerrilla filmmaking profile. This is more like GORILLA filmmaking.

Christopher Drews · March 2nd, 2010, 06:35 PM

Charles has recently posted on how these boxes are powered- some inline adapter you can get from RadioShack. He could explain more. This doesn't look like the AJA box but rather the Blackmagic HDMI > HD-SDI converter. One feed is going to the Panasonic HD-SDI monitor, the other feed to video village / wireless focus puller.

7D really is the only option right now, since it is always 1080i, even when the record button is hit. You couldn't use this setup with the 550D or the 5DII, as it would switch to 480i video out. Not sure about the 1DIV

-C

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan Mitchell

This is interesting - it's part of the reason I went with an HDMI monitor instead of SDI because I need to feed both my 7D and EX1. However, he appears to be using a HDMI->SDI converter to feed his monitor and an external monitor. I've seen the HDMI->SDI converter from AJA but what isn't clear to me is how to power the thing without being tethered to a wall socket - and apparently in these shots he's got it figured out. Can anyone comment on that?

Lance Watts · March 2nd, 2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathanael Iversen

It is expensive. It is also very light, 100% adjustable, expandable, can be skinnied down, etc. The machining is first rate. I bought a Sniper rig with the follow focus and it just gets out of the way. I don't think about it. That is what gear is supposed to do - it just works. I could have bought an EX-1 for what I have in my rig, but made this choice. Better in some ways, worse in others. But I'd be saying the same thing on the other side of the decision.

I have no doubt that you are 100% satisfied with your Zacuto Sniper. It's an ingenious solution. However, it is wildly overpriced. I can't imagine paying $3,200 for 4 aluminum rods, a handful of connectors, a baseplate and a few rubber pads and grips. Seriously, the price tag is certifiably insane. And, of course "it just works". How could it not? It's just a modified version of the rods and connectors that optics companies like Thorlabs sell for about $10 a piece.

That said, I must admit that I own a Zacuto Rapid Fire and a Z-Finder. I'm happy with both products - especially the Z-Finder. However, a part of me really feels gouged.

Thankfully, there's a friendly Korean fella who is providing a nearly identical solution at a fraction of the price.

Charles Papert · March 2nd, 2010, 08:00 PM

Hi folks.

As a comparison, check out the setup we've been using at:

So what does an HDSLR Hybrid Shoot Look Like? Vincent Laforet’s Blog

My build can be glimpsed in a few pix, like #37. Many of the same pieces as on the setup in this thread (a bit more tidy though)!

What I'm seeing on this rig is (on the rear, from top down):
Camcorder battery and cradle
Blackmagic HDMI to HD-SDI converter
Preston MDR (for remote focus)
Main Battery (Swit, I think).

Main battery would be powering the Preston, the Panasonic monitor and the BM box (via stepdown conversion); no clue what the camcorder battery is powering.

As noted above, you can see the focus puller at the monitor (with blackout hood) with the Preston hand unit hung around his neck.

Ryan, to answer your question about the AJA convertor--it's just voltage, babe. Simple voltage regulation circuit and you are off and running. We had the AJA on "Nocturne" but weren't aware that the box ran on 5v (I've used AJA downconverters before, they can be powered direct from the 14.4v battery via p-tap) and we fried the sucker immediately. Vincent and I have since switched to the Blackmagic as it handles the slightly oddball signal out of these cameras better. Still requires regulation down to 12v nominal but that's not a big deal.

Perhaps they are using the camcorder battery to run the Blackmagic--not sure if it will run on 7.2v nominal though.

The question about matteboxes is a really good one, and I think I'll open a new post about that. Chris, Danny--see you guys over there!

Danny Dale · March 2nd, 2010, 10:35 PM

This is from Jimmy Lindsey - the DoP on the shoot giving some info on the rigs (posted on Phil's site):

"Jimmy Lindsey here. The man in the brown hat with the Z finder. I was Robert’s DoP on the ‘Bob Schneider’ music video (as well as his last feature ‘Machete’) and those are my 7D rigs at work. After seeing all the questions, I thought I might shed a little light on the subject. The rig Robert is using was set up to allow him to see an HDSDI image on a 7″ Panasonic onboard monitor while his AC (the insanely talented Sebastian Vega) pulls focus with a Preston FIZ from a 17″ Panasonic monitor. Very necessary as you know when shooting on a 200mm at a 2.8. The signal was split from HDMI to 2 HDSDIs using the Aja Black Magic powered by a Nebtek adapter and Sony M batteries. Both the Preston and the onboard were powered with a D tap cable and a Sony onboard battery. We also got some beautiful shots with my 50mm 1.4 and a lensbaby composer with single glass and plastic optics."

Ryan Mitchell · March 2nd, 2010, 11:41 PM

Chris, Charles, and Danny - thanks much for the info. Trying to find a monitoring solution for both the 7D and EX1 that doesn't trade off too much can be difficult, and knowing that I can power a converter without having to hack power cables together is what I was looking for. Thanks!

Charles Papert · March 3rd, 2010, 01:37 AM

I did pretty well overall (didn't peg the fullsize battery as a Sony--who uses THOSE?!)

Ha, I'll have to give Jimmy a call (we worked together on a series some 14 years ago in New Orleans)--seems pretty bizarre to have to resort to a separate battery to power the Blackmagic. I hate having multiple batteries onboard a rig, too much to keep track of. Have to tell him about our cable.

Christopher Drews · March 3rd, 2010, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny Dale

Jimmy Lindsey (posted on Phil's site):

"...The signal was split from HDMI to 2 HDSDIs using the Aja Black Magic powered by a Nebtek adapter and Sony M batteries."

Think Jimmy has his manufacturers mixed up, read this on Phil's site too.
No such thing as an Aja Black Magic. ;)
They just used the mini converter from Black Magic, which provides two HD-SDI taps out.
(photo attached). Retails for $500.

Jose A. Garcia · March 3rd, 2010, 06:08 PM

It's great to know that I'm filming with the exact same camera Robert Rodriguez is using...

COOOL!!

Ryan Mitchell · March 3rd, 2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Papert

I did pretty well overall (didn't peg the fullsize battery as a Sony--who uses THOSE?!)

Ha, I'll have to give Jimmy a call (we worked together on a series some 14 years ago in New Orleans)--seems pretty bizarre to have to resort to a separate battery to power the Blackmagic. I hate having multiple batteries onboard a rig, too much to keep track of. Have to tell him about our cable.

Charles - pardon me for being dense, but I don't quite understand what cable you're referring to - can you send a link or something so I can capture that and keep it handy for future reference? Is this a custom cable that you made or something that you found somewhere, and what battery are you powering it off of, exactly?

Ray Bell · March 3rd, 2010, 09:47 PM

Hey Ryan, Zilker will be packed with folks this coming Sunday.. Hope the weather holds out.
Bring out your camera... :-)

March 2nd, 2010, 08:00 PM	#23
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Hi folks. As a comparison, check out the setup we've been using at: So what does an HDSLR Hybrid Shoot Look Like? Vincent Laforet’s Blog My build can be glimpsed in a few pix, like #37. Many of the same pieces as on the setup in this thread (a bit more tidy though)! What I'm seeing on this rig is (on the rear, from top down): Camcorder battery and cradle Blackmagic HDMI to HD-SDI converter Preston MDR (for remote focus) Main Battery (Swit, I think). Main battery would be powering the Preston, the Panasonic monitor and the BM box (via stepdown conversion); no clue what the camcorder battery is powering. As noted above, you can see the focus puller at the monitor (with blackout hood) with the Preston hand unit hung around his neck. Ryan, to answer your question about the AJA convertor--it's just voltage, babe. Simple voltage regulation circuit and you are off and running. We had the AJA on "Nocturne" but weren't aware that the box ran on 5v (I've used AJA downconverters before, they can be powered direct from the 14.4v battery via p-tap) and we fried the sucker immediately. Vincent and I have since switched to the Blackmagic as it handles the slightly oddball signal out of these cameras better. Still requires regulation down to 12v nominal but that's not a big deal. Perhaps they are using the camcorder battery to run the Blackmagic--not sure if it will run on 7.2v nominal though. The question about matteboxes is a really good one, and I think I'll open a new post about that. Chris, Danny--see you guys over there! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

March 3rd, 2010, 01:37 AM	#26
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	I did pretty well overall (didn't peg the fullsize battery as a Sony--who uses THOSE?!) Ha, I'll have to give Jimmy a call (we worked together on a series some 14 years ago in New Orleans)--seems pretty bizarre to have to resort to a separate battery to power the Blackmagic. I hate having multiple batteries onboard a rig, too much to keep track of. Have to tell him about our cable. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

March 3rd, 2010, 06:08 PM	#28
Jose A. Garcia Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sevilla (Spain) Posts: 439	It's great to know that I'm filming with the exact same camera Robert Rodriguez is using... COOOL!! __________________ Jose A. Garcia - Freelance camera operator, web designer and VFX artist - http://www.sinproblema.net/

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March 2nd, 2010, 01:35 PM	#16
Nathanael Iversen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 34	It is expensive. It is also very light, 100% adjustable, expandable, can be skinnied down, etc. The machining is first rate. I bought a Sniper rig with the follow focus and it just gets out of the way. I don't think about it. That is what gear is supposed to do - it just works. I could have bought an EX-1 for what I have in my rig, but made this choice. Better in some ways, worse in others. But I'd be saying the same thing on the other side of the decision.

March 2nd, 2010, 03:32 PM	#17
Ger Griffin Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 579	looks like the peak cap is coming in very handy.

March 2nd, 2010, 03:53 PM	#18
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	What is the box with the red strap?

March 2nd, 2010, 04:02 PM	#19
Daniel Weber Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 696	Do you mean the Sony V-mount battery with the red tape on it? Daniel Weber

March 2nd, 2010, 10:35 PM	#24
Danny Dale Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 56	This is from Jimmy Lindsey - the DoP on the shoot giving some info on the rigs (posted on Phil's site): "Jimmy Lindsey here. The man in the brown hat with the Z finder. I was Robert’s DoP on the ‘Bob Schneider’ music video (as well as his last feature ‘Machete’) and those are my 7D rigs at work. After seeing all the questions, I thought I might shed a little light on the subject. The rig Robert is using was set up to allow him to see an HDSDI image on a 7″ Panasonic onboard monitor while his AC (the insanely talented Sebastian Vega) pulls focus with a Preston FIZ from a 17″ Panasonic monitor. Very necessary as you know when shooting on a 200mm at a 2.8. The signal was split from HDMI to 2 HDSDIs using the Aja Black Magic powered by a Nebtek adapter and Sony M batteries. Both the Preston and the onboard were powered with a D tap cable and a Sony onboard battery. We also got some beautiful shots with my 50mm 1.4 and a lensbaby composer with single glass and plastic optics."

March 2nd, 2010, 11:41 PM	#25
Ryan Mitchell Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 120	Chris, Charles, and Danny - thanks much for the info. Trying to find a monitoring solution for both the 7D and EX1 that doesn't trade off too much can be difficult, and knowing that I can power a converter without having to hack power cables together is what I was looking for. Thanks!

March 3rd, 2010, 09:47 PM	#30
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	Hey Ryan, Zilker will be packed with folks this coming Sunday.. Hope the weather holds out. Bring out your camera... :-)