this not and adapter, its an actual DSLR 35MM camera that captures video. Adapters still have advantages because you can use them on Cams with more advanced and professional options.

I know that. I was just saying that to answer his comment about there not being a cheap, lightweight, compact way to record 35mm video, but there is, a 35mm adapter.

"35mm video," huh? Man. that's so STUPID!!! I heard of 35mm MOTION PICTURE FILM CAMERAS, however. Maybe that's what you're talking about, Darth? Confusing, all thwse newfangled gears are, huh? ;-))

It's not film because the adapter ultimately records to a digital source, your compact high-def camcorder. All the adapter is is a piece of ground glass on which the lens projects onto.

I agree, can they really be asking so much money??? This is more expensive the the Canon 7D which I find ridiculous.
The price Zacuto wants is 35mm money. We all got sick of paying £18k to Sony for Digibeta Canon got us thois now the accessories are silly money!!

Stefan, I'm with you. (It's called Slick Marketing)

A Hoodman Pro Loupe attached with a rubber band, a shoulder brace out of India, and you are done, for about $300.

The bottom line, this camera works very well on a light weight video tripod . Just pick up the rig and walk with it.

Happy Shooting.

Sounds good in therory but this camrea is terrible at just picking it up and walking with it. It is awkward to hold away from your body enough so you can focus on the screen. It tends to have lots of wobbly side to side motion. I haven't been able to do a lot of great handheld work just holding the raw camera.

The purpose of a gunstock shooter is to do with this camera what we've done with every camera, turn it into a form factor that is usable for real handheld situations. This is not a steadicam, that's a different esthetic. You need 5 points of contact and or counter-balance to create a steady platform for shooting, including doing pans, tilts & and reliable focus.

As far as the Hoodman, it doesn't magnify the image as stated, plus the resolution is :(

We don't start the design process saying, "lets make a optical viewfinder for $200". We say, "let's make the best quality, highest optical resolution viewfinder we can." Somone needs to make products this way, we do, and we understand they are not going to be affordable for everybody.

That being said, most of you who know me, know that I am an avid believer in people being the intregal component to filmmaking NOT EQUIPMENT. It might not line up with my business model as a seller of equipment, but it's true.

Hello, Ron Coker. Man, you see the thing is, if YOU move to India, you can buy the Indian loop with the Indian shoulder brace for US$2.50, and they probably throw in the rubber band for a nickel.

Look out for them sacred cows on the road, though.

I think we have too many kits and it confuses some.
The actual base model gunstock shooter support system is $1411 without a viewfinder.

Without all of the little bars and connectors it won't be very configurable for future cameras.

The rest of the kits include many things that some of you may already have, if not, things like matte boxes and follow focuses are pretty fixed in price and don't really drop like camera costs do. Why, becuase they are meant to last you through multiple cameras.

With the logic you've posted, if the camera is eventually $500, would then all of your accesories be $200. That's never going to happen.

The camera is priced so you buy a new one every 2 years. My gear meant to last a lifetime and is warrentied as such.

I'm not confused, but I think maybe you are if you consider 14-hunnie w/o a viewfinder to be a good value. No thanks.

In the pro gear world that is a good deal. Getting that camera up to your eye and keeping it stable is no easy task. Previous versions had flex in them. Plastics will eventually break. Try some other solutions and let me know how they work?

I agree with Len. You guys are making bank on this support system, if you are selling any at all. I built my 35mm adaptor and all aluminum rod support for my video camera for $150, and that includes the cost of the $70 ground glass AND having a machine shop custom mill the parts for the fully adjustable (X,Y, and Z axis) rod support system.

Hi Steve,
Glad you're working on these things. A 5D + gunstock kit is the same price as a naked EX1 - before letus, rails, handheld kit etc.

About the confusion, a feature grid would be great. It's not always clear if the more expensive kits only add features or if they substitute. For instance, is a particular handheld kit a superset of a tripod kit? Or are other parts needed.

Also, since much of your gear is interchangeable, it would be great on the site to be able to say "I have X kit", "I want to make Y kit" and then it generates the "upgrade kit".

Also, a description for the basic model, and then just "Adds the following features to above model..."

Sean,
Our kits are nothing but Zacuto parts. You can create your own kits or use the parts to make future kits. Like a tinker toy.

We have 3 new kits under $1000 we designed form existing Zacuto parts and we are going to introduce them next week.
Steve

I was looking at an EX 1 or EX 3 but now will most certainly get either Canon 5D or the Nikon version when it comes out because of your gunstock kits.

Well engineered, well thought out products cost more and are usually worth it. And pleese keep using the blond model. :)

see kits here: store.zacuto.com/DSLR-Gunstock-Shooter-Kits/

It's call amputation.
Kneeling or sitting.
Sorry buddy, most of the tall shooters I know have sore backs from underslinging. You have sit or kneel.

Uh, yes, the sore back. Don't remind me, please ;) But the only problem I see to set up the camera in an other way is that - awesome - viewfinder. Maybe with mirrors? Or stacking it on an external monitor? I know, the whole compact design would go out of the window. But there should be a marktet for gear for people like me... (and I'm not talking about wheelchairs ;))

Couldn't have said it better my self. Awesome DOF. Crappy exposure/audio control

Gunstock shooters are extrememly universal and are adjustable to work with any DSLR or any body shape to get your eye comfortable in the viewfinder. The Viewfinder is universal and works with any camera.

Wait until Nikon comes out with their verison, they don't have a pro video market to protect.

I mean a full HD version, in answer to the 5D.

The problem with the GH1 is the use of the four thirds system, it's a smaller sensor so you don't get the DOF control of a full frame cam.

Thanks Rick, I appreciate it. Was hoping to see you at NAB.

The Z-Finder has a custom die cut velro. It's the industrial Velcro/NASA type. You can pick the whole camera up from the viewfinder. It's actually a little hard to get the viewfinder off. It does come off if you want it too, but it's rock solid. I entertained many solutions to holding the view finder on, this is best, other solutions where to hard mount it to the body but then if it takes a hit it would damage your body. Rubber bands are in the way of the buttons plus they snap, break and don't give you a perfect seal. If you have one light leak then you have glare on your screen. You know me, every solution has been tried and this is best.
Steve

I'm going to make a whole how to video on the Gunstock Shooters and post it May 1st, which includes adjusting it to ones eye. Their are a lot of adjustments and mounting the Z-Finder.
We use this same velcro on our wireless plates and we've never had one wear out, but remember Zacuto products have a lifetime warranty. I'll even warranty the Velcro for life and I don't even make it. I'm that confident with it.

It's posted now.

Hang in there Javier, we are coming out with a lower end line of products that will range in between $315 - $995

The low end line of Gorilla kits are here: zacutodslr.com

You can use the battery pack, although I don't recommend it. It'd work better if you just get additional regular batteries and swap out those. But if you want to use the heavier battery, you will need a Z-Riser which adjusts the rod height higher to accomidate the larger battery. Both things add front weight which we are trying to reduce.

It works great for me, but we have our new ver. 2 Z-finder, snaps on and off and has two other ways of mounting as well.

Exactly right, Mike. All we see are people grabbing the handle bar w. one hand, and the follow focus know with the other. How do you START/STOP, what do you use? How do you hit AF? How do you zoom, for cripe's sake?

Hey, maybe digital camcorders are not such bad ideas, after all?

Agreed, these DSLR's have advantages and disadvantages. I'm not here saying they are the end all be all. Like all cameras they have there good and bad.

Advantages:
1. Shallow DOF at a low cost.
2. Super light and small, compared to other shallow DOF setups out there.
3. Large sensor
4. can take photos and video
5. lenses are much cheaper then video lenses.

Disadvantages:
1. No manual controls of iris or audio
2. non convenient start/stop switch.
3. Audio is a total pain, not good quality or easy to do.
4. not a good form factor for shooting video.
5. zoom lenses don't have motors.

There are points I've missed too. The only reason we are using these cameras for video is because they have a large sensor and do shallow DOF. Otherwise, we would use a video camera. So we are willing to overlook everything to get those two great features.
Steve

I will be doing some shooting with this very soon to show online. Been a bit overwhelmed with gear to test out, gh1 etc, and with working....but put it this way...testing out the gunstock has made me go out and buy a 5dmk2 which I thought was too difficult to use handheld until I used this.

that's great to hear! please let me know when you have example footage online

Exactkly, We see loads of talking heads and pretty tthings and whatnot, but never what any CAMERA LENS sees. Why not, Steve!?

Good point. I actually never thought about it. We talk about it, we show it. It wasn't intentional, I just never thought to show footage from the camera. We did actually do it in our new Advanced Sound for DSLR's video. There it made sense to me because we wanted to hear the sound and see it synced coming from the on-board camera. I have a new video coming for the Gorilla kits and I'll take your advice and show some footage show while hand holding with the Gorilla kit. Good idea and thanks. Now that you mention it, the model Jenny lynn said she had an idea to see the footage from her camera while we were shooting her. I kind of laughed but I guess I should have listened.
Steve

Thanks Josh, we are really working hard to figure these cameras out. If you are interested in something let me know, I have some demo gear on some items that I can give you a deal on.

John,
No all of the DSLR rigs will mount to a tripod. The Mini-Baseplate on the bottom of the camera has a 1/4-20 thread and a 3/8-16 thread so you will be able to mount any tripod plate to the bottom.

-Scott

Hi Mungkey,
The D300 has a 3" screen just like the D90 so the Z-finder will work with both. You just have to be sure to mount the frame above the raised area at the bottom of the screen.

The matte box is a Petroff 4x4. It's a really sturdy matte box and has two rotating stages.
-Scott