Best Matte Box + Shoulder Support Combo For 7D?
 

i was just trying to figure out what the best shoulder mount/matte box combo that matches up with each other is the best for the 7d, and in my price range...

my max budget for the box and shoulder mount is $500

thanks

A Matte box is hardly a necessity if you are on a budget - it would swallow the entire amount anyway. If you are worried about flaring you can get a large rubber lens-hood on ebay for $10.00. Does the same job except for carrying filters - again just buy screw on filters and a step-dwon ring to match all lens sizes - you can get away with 2 ND's.

Spend the money on your shoulder mount - for a budget like yours I would go with one opf the indie style supports - eg, IndiSYSTEM - Studio 4 Productions - The indiRAILSpro DSLR and then add a follow focus.

I recommend getting something that uses 15mm rods for everything. I find myself putting my hand grips in unusual locations for certain things or mounting stuff on the side. I use mostly redrock micro stuff, which may be out of your budget, but it's fully modular, compatible with just about any camera, and super durable! Not to mention they design things very well. If I ever have an issue they address immediately too, so that's nice.

Just out of curiosity, what do you plan on shooting and why do you think you need a shoulder mount?

If you are still looking for a shoulder mount solution, I am selling a dvrigPRO from DVTECH for only $250 shipped to you. I paid $600, don't need it anymore. It is very adjustable, confortable on your shoulder, and it also has a waist belt with a rod that take the weight of your arms, for prolonged use. That would live you with some spare change to get a matte box (or filters - suggested). If you are intetested, I can send you some picts.


Best regards.

Carlo Zanella
The Santa Fe TV Show

send me some pics please very interested...does it come with follow focus?

FWIW, I've got a DVRig Pro and I love it. I hadn't used it in about 2 years but pulled it out when I got my T2i and it works great for it.

DVRIG PRO pictures
 

Here are some pictures. No follow focus.

Best regards.

Carlo Zanella
The Santa Fe TV Show

when the camera is mounted on this, can it slide towards the handles and back towards the person?

follow focus on this shoulder mount would be impossible as most if not all follow focus setups are 15/17/19 mm rod supported....

am i right?

Yes, the camera can slide back and forth quite a bit. You can use a FF system, I use my 7D with ff, rails, and matte box. I just insert the quickrelease plate of the camera system into the quickrelease of the dvrigPRO.

Best regards.

Carlo Zanella
The Santa Fe TV Show

YES, you can use ff and rails. An it works very well: this rig puts the 3" screen very visible in front of you. Look at the pictures.

would you include the follow focus? if not which brand is that? and do most follow focus setups come with rails and a plate? also what brand mattebox is that?

that looks cool, a very nice setup...i will take that shoulder mount from you...perfect working order?

location?

Wow, that's a great rig Carlo. Where did you get the rails from?

Mauricio

Sorry Corey,
I just saw your reply today. Somebody already emailed me and intiated the PayPal transaction to purchase the DVrigPRO. In case it doesn't finalize, I will let you know.

The carbon fiber rails, ff, and C mount grip are all from www.indifocus.com. They make very nice and affordable stuff. The rig feels very good in your hands as well as on tripod, slider, and shoulder.

The matte is a Chrosziel with aftermarket side flaps.

Best regards.

Carlo Zanella
The Santa Fe TV Show

will this lense work with the 7d?

Canon | EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens | 2042B002

Yes it will, its designed for the APS-C size sensor so it will not have a crop factor like a full frame still lens.

Yes, it will work. but remember, the aperture will change according to your focal lenght, so, in case you try to zoom in or out, you will see automatic aperture changes in well definite steps...not very pleasant. The Tamron 17-50 will work a lot better, and you can get the non stabilized version for a little bit over twice the price of that one. Very sharp lens too.

Carlo Zanella
The Santa Fe TV Show

They do have interesting products at Indifocus. I purchased some stuff from them in the past, and most recently, three weeks ago, but so far I haven't received any contact confirming my order. I tried contacting Tim (the owner) several times but so far no luck.

I hope he is well.


Mauricio

I would try calling Tim if you've already emailed him. Usually he gets back to you pretty quick but gets tied up with orders. He recently sent me one of his new compact rigs to test out during SXSW here in Austin. Works great and very solid. He also has a new handle that attaches to the rods and comes over the top of the camera. Really handy for just grabbing the rig and throwing it on your shoulder. I'll try to post a still of the setup if I get a chance this week.

This might be the most economical way to go.
With the spiderbrace.
home

I use the Cavision Cavision Shoulder Pad System Package with Dual Handgrips system which is now $195 at BH. Seems sturdy enough for me especially with a 7D and i especially like the grips and the price, only annoyances are the rods are fiberglass and scratch easily and the camera plate isnt easily adjusted without an allen key.

Then I got a new matte box on ebay from an indian seller that from what i can tell is exactly the same unit that indifocus sells but is only $99 compared to $349. surprisingly good matte box for the price, my only problem with it is that the connection from the plastic matte box to the metal rod mount is a little flimsy and i may add some reinforcement myself. The matte box is almost exactly this one http://thecinecity.com/tcc/product.p...0&bestseller=Y but without the rod system and with extra adjustable top and bottom flags built in inside of the unit which i really like since the french flag isnt great. if you want something like that, you might want to email them, they'll usually give you a discount if you talk to someone over email and they might sell the matte box by itself for cheap. when i ordered mine the one i got was constantly listed on an ebay store but they dont seem to be anymore.

I have a DXA-5D under my 7D and I think with this setup you would want a quick release system or mixer under your camera as a riser since most accessories dont work with a 7D as it sits very low to the rods without something underneath it. More than anything the DXA-5D is awefully flimsy especially with a bigger lens. I also have a <$300 cinecity indian follow focus which is ok for the price except that cavision has a basic follow focus that looks more worthwhile now.

Overall its a shoulder support/mattebox system I'd recommend for $300 considering ive used worse systems for twice the price, every system seems to have its issues unless you have $4000 to spend on arri gear (even then im sure there will be minor issues). I've had zacuto and redrock equipment break in my hands without misuse...