I don't think I was misleading. Yes one can replace the other and that's what I said.

It doesn't matter whether its the Z-finder or CAVISION I don't like this style of shooting with the 7D, partly because I'm not sure of the resolution of the 7D's LCD, so magnifying it might be the way to go either, I don't know. Plus with the focus assist I'm not sure its necessary. That's why I made the point that I swing the Viewfinder out of the way much of the time.

I believe you can replace one for the other and get the same results if the result your looking for is good framing and critical focus. I didn't say the Z-finder was a bad choice, I merely pointed out that if you chose to use a monitor rather than a viewfinder the money you spend on an expensive viewfinder could be put towards a good monitor.

As far as viewfinders go the CAVISION is a very good viewfinder for much less but it lacks a diopter, the Z-Finder is a very good viewfinder but it doesn't swing out of the way. I'm not advocating for either, they are just different.

I guess my point was that if I had it to do over I might have gone the monitor route first, as it is I'll simply have both.

You are right, in a controlled / studio environment I'm sure you could do this. I'd still be interested in the cost breakdown of decent HD LCD set up to match the focusing capabilities of the 7D LCD + Z-finder.

I am 100% sure of the resolution of the 7D LCD for focusing.

I should have said for the kind of work I do, mostly documentary style in the field, I could not easily replace the simple viewfinder with a HD LCD and get the same results.

This is kind of the point of this thread (I think) to hear what others are using and how they're using it. Its certainly not to talk someone into a particular piece of equipment just because I might like or use it.

In fact I'm kind of intrigued with the DvRigPro. I think of the Zacuto and Red Rock appealing more to photographers who are accustomed to holding the camera straight out in front of them for stills and supports like mine, from Shape, appealing more to the videographer who might want a strong shoulder support to hang sundry accessories on.

However, the 7d isn't just a stills camera anymore and isn't exactly a video camera either so I see the DvRigPro as more a crossover.

I was out shooting at the airport for about five hours yesterday, boy was a pining for a larger LCD screen. For some reason I felt constrained by the viewfinder, which is why I kept swinging it out of the way. It might be different if the LCD on the camera articulated, but since it doesn't I think that's what I'm struggling with. Not that its that big of a problem. But I thought it was worth mentioning.

This thread is driving me crazy. I keep coming back while I am trying to decide.

Do I go cheap with the Spider II knowing I will later want to add on and replace it?

Or do I invest more now for the future?

I am leaning toward the spider but I wonder if it will be able to hold rails, quick release and other accessories as I grow.

Heck my 7D does not even get here to tomorrow yet I am so pumped about learning this new medium of visual expression. I have done stills professionally for 20 years. Very excited.

Mine doesn't have the Cavision viewfinder mounted on a riser plate like this one Mark. Although I now use a Z-Finder, the loup in this shot is the Hoodman which is attached to the camera by being glued to a cheap sunshade from Hong Kong. The sunshade clips onto the eyepiece on the camera and is easy to put on and take off taking about a second or so. There are various posts on the 5dMkII forum about how to fit it together. I find the beauty of this approach is that it's fixed to the camera, NOT the support, so you can use it hand held easily enough as well as simply mounted on tripod or shoulder support of pretty much any make.

And that's why it's cheaper.

When choosing a support rig I think you have to consider what rigs were designed for DSLR's and what rigs were modified from old rail designs to work for DSLRS. The Spider and Cavision were built for longer, heavier cameras that operate differently from DSLR's. They look clunky and awkward when mounted with a DSLR whilst the RedRocks and Zacuto's look sleek and usable, there is something to this design... they are overpriced in terms of construction and raw materials but not for thought and simplicity.

A craftsman invests in tools, good quality tools that will last a long time. There is something to be said for turning up at the job site and having 100% faith in your equipment in terms of form, function and reliability, it frees your mind to be creative.

I have characterized this differently and I think it depends on where your coming from. With the Zacuto type mounts you hold the camera directly in front of you, the way a still photographer would use a DSLR, the shoulder mounts hold the DSLR the way that videographers are accustom to shooting video.

Neither way is right or wrong, just different. But I think its incorrect to say that the one "looks" better than the other. I assure you the build quality of the equipment I have is every bit as good, if not better, than more expensive equipment.

Nigel if you own the Zacuto, fine, please tell us why you purchased it, what you like and don't like about it so that others here have more information to base their purchase decision. But please loose the platitudes, if you believe that "craftsmen" invest in tools then why stop at the camera support? Why didn't you purchase a Red or F35?

Shawn, most of the supports in this thread will support ALL of the accessories you mentioned, especially shoulder mount supports. In fact I'd think that if you plan on using the 7D in more of a Cine style production, using mounts similar to the Zacuto Rapid-Fire would be very difficult. You might be surprised at the additional weight of a follow focus, rails, matte box, filters, LCD monitor w/battery, etc.. However if you want to use the 7D in more of a Run-N-Gun style or want to be more stealthy then I think mounts like the Rapid-Fire would be a better choice. It really depends on how you want to use your 7D. You may need to eventually get both.

Also, I'd like to clear some misconceptions up, there is nothing cheap about the Spider II, it is just less expensive than some other models of support. But it is as capable and well built as the more expensive supports. Its very easy to use, very easy to balance and I can think of no reason that it wouldn't last as long. There would be no reason to replace it in the future unless you changed your style of shooting. And I think you'd find the same is true with some of the other shoulder mounts.

Right tool for the right job, Chuck. You wouldn't see the RED or F35 in the environments I am accustomed to shooting in... although it would be funny to see a crew of REDDIES running around trying to keep that thing working :-)

As for the reasons I like the Zacuto type supports, I listed them in my last post. The most important thing is that you are happy with your Spider and it works for what you need it for. Simple.

I understand where both Chuck and Nigel are coming from.

I will get the Spider just because I don't have the money for the other. But that is eventually the look and feel I want my system to have.

Great info, thanks for the debate.

A bit late responding to this, finally had to refer back to it for someone else.

At age 71 I need to stay simple and lightweight. Mattebox, I get by without or would use tripod mounted.

ND filters and polarizer mount on the lenses fine for me.

Follow focus, well, thats where I grab the 3rd grip centered between the two outside ones with the right hand (for balance) and grab the lens focusing ring with the left. Takes a lot of practice but I've made it work.

Squinting into the eyecup? The eyepiece diameter is about 52mm, there's no squinting into anything. It's like looking into the viewfinder of a larger ENG cam, and with the eyepiece having 6X magnification fairly critical focus is somewhat easy. Especially using the 5X and 10X camera function on the magnify button.

Big zoom? I wish I could afford one. But then at my age I'd have to use a howitzer trailer to drag it along...That would make a picture!

I would highly recommend the DVMulti rig for practically anything. As it is indeed the Swiss army knife of support rigs. I have been using it exclusively for video production for the last 4 years. The rig is actually tricked out with everything for a days shot attached to it, audio, lighting, monitor etc. And I get rock solid shots with no fatigue after an all day run and gun shoot.

When I recently purchased my first HDSLR (Canon 550D) I was actually all set to drop the money on a Cinevate uno, but decided to try out my DVMulti Rig for my first. Glad I did, as I found that because of the lightness of the camera I was able to fly it without any problems. It was actually even easier to fly than with a video camera.

Normally I always use the 2 section support pod for a video shoot. But was able to sue a DSLR on it without the need f it, if desired. However with the support pod I was able to develop some new configurations in which I could shoot, with or without a follow focus. One of the configurations came out in a similar manner to the Cinevate Uno. Except because of the support pod, it's even steadier.

Anyone reading this, try out the DVMulti Rig before you buy ANY support rig. It's more versatile than any rig on the market. And while it's not a Steadicam, you will get great moving camera shots as well as rock solid stationary camera shots.

I agree with Michael 100%... ok 99%. I also like the Bushhawke for dslrs. It's almost the same thing as an UNO but it only Costs about $150. Best cheap gunstock support out there IMO.