DSLR Rigs for Sony a7s

I suppose that we shouldn't refer to the Sony a7s as a DSLR, after all it is a mirror-less camera. OK, we still have to use a rig, if we are going to shoot professional video. Deciding what to get can be daunting and expensive. I'll let you in on some of my choices and hopefully you can get something out of it.

Matte box, the best way to implement ND filters

I've said it many times, I prefer the camcorder form-factor, but since I decided to get a Sony a7s I need to acquire all the accessories that will allow me to make it work for me.

The most common item to mount the camera and all its accessories on is a 15mm rod system. We'll get into that later. Lets look at the accessories we are going to use first.

First thing that comes to mind are ND filters. Pro-video camcorders normally have ND filters built-in. These allow one to use fast lenses on bright days. It is also the way we narrow our depth of field to create the beautifully blurred backgrounds we love. See DOF for more on that.

For a still camera with no built-in ND filters we can use a matte box. Matte boxes allow the efficient use of filters and also keep lens flares to a minimum because of their french doors.

The FOTGA M2 matte box is a Chinese knock-off. Try one of the Pro US video or photo equipment matte boxes, you'll end up paying $800 - $1200+. This one is made of hard plastic and metal. Works great for me. $88 free shipping on eBay!

V-Mount

I have two V-Mount batteries and two Anton-Bauer batteries I used to use with my large video camcorders a few years back. 

I decided to use them to run both camera and recorder for my set-up.  So I got a V-Mount Power station that will mount on the 15mm rods. I already have an Anton-Bauer to V-mount adapter that will allow me to use the AB on the V-Mount power station.

Power Station with multiple voltage taps

The third thing I decided to get was a cage. This one had me going for sometime. I looked at, or should I say, I researched on-line for over a week to decide which one to get. 

Because this is a new hot camera there are a few to choose from. I decided to get the CUBE from Motionnine in Korea. 

When I got it I was quite impressed. Very good system. I did't like the wood at first but after using it a little, I don't mind it. 

It has a top handle which is very useful and cable clamp that protect your HDMI cable from being pulled or damaged. Mounting holes everywhere and the cage envelopes the Sony a7s in a protective armor that can't be beat.

I'll talk more about the cage in another post soon.

CUBE cage

Lets not forget the follow-focus. Another FOTGA product made in China. Hey, it may not be a name-brand here in the US, but it works well and doesn't break the bank. I wish I could afford US made, but that's another blog post.

Here you can see the follow-focus, also FOTGA

The wood grows on you - The French flags are not attached

This brings us to the 15mm rod system. There are so many of these to choose from and they all are pretty much the same. They consist of two 15mm rods and a mounting point for the camera and a bottom mounting point to attach your whole system onto a tripod. The rods are there to mount everything in alignment to the lens and you can also mount all sorts of stuff to them; like monitors and wireless mic systems and more.

I am still figuring out the best way to set it up so I can quickly switch from hand-held to tripod shooting in the most efficient way. At this point I have the large battery on a separate rod system from the camera, attached by a quick disconnect system - still working on it - I'll let you know what I decide to go with.

In the meantime you give it a whirl - research your way of doing it. Google: "15mm Rod Support System." Have fun searching!

To insure no conflict of interest I would like to be clear, I have NOT been given any of these products in exchange for positive reviews. These items have all been purchased and payed for by me with no help from their manufacturers.

FEB. 27 UPDATE:

I have decided on a rig/15mm rod system. See my 4K Producer Blog:

http://4kproducer.blogspot.com