OT: Aftermarket Upgrades to the Z1u

mjroddy wrote on 12/5/2005, 10:23 AM
I'm thinking abou t tricking out my company's Sony Z1u.
To that end, I've been looking at RedrockMicro's Micro35 (also checked out the Letus35 and the g35, but think that the Micro35 looks best).
http://www.redrockmicro.com/micro35.html
I'd go for the full setup with rails and gear along with my Nikon 35mm lenses that I already own.
I'm also going to be in need of a follow focus. I can't really find it in my checkbook to afford the Chrosziel for over a grand - unless you guys tell me it's by far the best and don't think about anything else. This one, http://www.indifocus.com/ looks darn nice for the price. Is it like most things, "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is?"
I've already got a nice matte box and french flag, so that part is covered.
Any other suggestions or modifications to the above?

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 12/5/2005, 10:56 AM
Haven't tried the indifocus, we emailed and asked if they'd like us to show it on the HDV tour, but no response. However, it looks pretty good.
mjroddy wrote on 12/5/2005, 11:30 AM
Wow... How could they NOT reply to an invitation like that. With all the folk you'll be reaching over the tour, they stood to make a bundle - assuming the product is worth while.
hmm.... so I wonder if it's similar to a major motion picture not releasing to critics before the flick hits the market...
farss wrote on 12/5/2005, 1:12 PM
If you got the money buy the Crossy, as far as I know that's the only one that'll cope with the WA adaptor on the camera.
Also they are built like tank parts and they hold their value. When your Z1 is a museum piece the matte box will still be in service.
Just remember though that with the WA adaptor on the camera you need the Panavision size filters and thing get expensive, so much so that a good selection of glass filters will cost more than the matte box. For that reason a good matte box that stops you dropping filters can pay for itself real quick.
Bob.
MH_Stevens wrote on 12/5/2005, 7:36 PM
The really bad thing about the Z1 is the hood with the closing aperture will not fit on the WA adapter AND the 72mm filters for the standard lens will not fit the WA adapter that isn't even threaded. I bought a whole selection of Sony 72mm filters from B&H with the camera that are useless so I guess I need be in the market for a matte box too. What matte box and circular Polaroid filter will work at the cheapo end of the scale?

farss wrote on 12/6/2005, 12:55 AM
I did a fair bit of research at the last NAB and the only one that'd handle the WA adaptor was the Crozzy. Factor in that your 72mm filters are useless with it and you're really looking at some big bucks.
I think most of our 4x4 glass filters were around the AUD 500 mark, I'd imagine the 4x4 5/8 ones are even more expensive.
As I said before the only consolation is these things hold their value very well. I've seen vey old Arri matte boxes go for 1000s at auction.