Compact Setup for BMCC 2.5K

Hey,
I started this topic because I couldn't find answers elsewhere, and although I'm registered to bmcuser.com I'm still not eligible to post... :S
So searched all the topics here and there, but couldn't find a good solution I liked.

Here's the facts:
For a project which I originally wanted to shoot on a DSLR, I purchased a Kamerar shoulder rig.
(http://kamerar.com/products/socom-video-shoulder-rig).
I wanted to use this rig as a straight rig with my SmallHD DP4, or when I needed static shots I wanted to use this on my Manfrotto photo tripod with the Manfrotto 500AH video head (the successor of 701HDV).

However with the price drop etc... I decided to invest in a BMCC 2.5K..... And now I want to revise my camera setup.... As it's mainly a one-man-band fiction project I wan't to be as COMPACT and MOBILE as POSSIBLE.
What I have:
-BMCC
-SmallHD DP4
-(Atomos Connect SDI-HDMI)
-Manfrotto photo tripod+(500AH video head)
-Swit battery with D-tap
-Lanparte magic arm (It can be used on a two-rod system, or just screw in the magic arm into holes where needed...)
-Kamerar rig shown above... (I can use this, or its part, like shoulder pad, handles, but get a cage etc..)

I put in brackets the stuff that I don't have at right now, but they're on order, or I intend to buy them... I need two setups:
1, Interior scenes
2, External scenes, public places.

For the external scenes I need something run and gun (I won't use tripod there), for interiors a more elaborate setup can be used, but still small and compact enough for FAST AND MOBILE WORK.

I found this ePhoto cage that some people use (http://www.ebay.com/itm/330913624235). I thought that maybe buying longer rods, I could place the external battery on it with velcro, under it the Kamerar shoulder pad if needed + handles on the front.

The only thing which makes me to consider a cage is the top handle..... BMCC, although I never touched one, I think is a pretty flimsy camera to hold and handle. So a top handle makes it easier I think.

What solution would you advise me? And of course, it must be affordable as hell (++ COMPACT, SMALL, LOW PROFILE SETUP).

+ Is the Manfrotto photo tripod + 500AH videohead a usable solution?

+
I would also need a small, compact bag for the camera, some filters, battery + SmallHD DP4...

I thought of two options:
1, Arri Production bag, medium (I'm still looking for options to buy it somewhere in europe)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 ... tml/ARAPBM

2, Cinebags CB33
http://www.cinebags.com/#!cb33-skinny-jimmy/c1yo7

Would the CB33 fit the BMCC well?

I found this about ARR Basecamp 22L:
http://www.arricamstore.com/bags-pouche ... it-bag-p66

Hey,

The only thing which makes me to consider a cage is the top handle..... BMCC, although I never touched one, I think is a pretty flimsy camera to hold and handle. So a top handle makes it easier I think.

Well that's what I thought at first, but after receiving mine I can say it feels pretty damn solid and heavy for it's size. Isn't the whole outer body just machined aluminium? Should be sturdy enough.

Hey,

The only thing which makes me to consider a cage is the top handle..... BMCC, although I never touched one, I think is a pretty flimsy camera to hold and handle. So a top handle makes it easier I think.

Well that's what I thought at first, but after receiving mine I can say it feels pretty damn solid and heavy for it's size. Isn't the whole outer body just machined aluminium? Should be sturdy enough.

Ok, but how you handle it? Just grab it as it is and go?

Hey,

The only thing which makes me to consider a cage is the top handle..... BMCC, although I never touched one, I think is a pretty flimsy camera to hold and handle. So a top handle makes it easier I think.

Well that's what I thought at first, but after receiving mine I can say it feels pretty damn solid and heavy for it's size. Isn't the whole outer body just machined aluminium? Should be sturdy enough.

Ok, but how you handle it? Just grab it as it is and go?

I use the top handle from this, http://www.cinegearpro.com/lpt-lanparte ... g-541.html

and a v-mount battery plate from the same brand on some longer rods.

The Manfrotto 500 head is good, but be careful not to put too much stuff on it (around 11lbs / 5kg max.) My configuration no.3 (below) is pushing it, so I wouldn't add a cage and external monitor to it as well if you're using the camera on a tripod. I never understood why so many people are getting cages anyway. It adds so much weight to the camera and yes, it adds mounting points, but there are three 1/4" threads on top of the camera (to which you can also mount a handle by the way), and things can also be mounted to the rails (e.g. via a cheeseplate). Also, if you do go with this fluid head, you can get a regular magic arm that attaches to the the head itself: there is a 1/4" screw thread on its side.

For mounting your battery, this could work as an affordable alternative to a V-Mount. Mounted behind the shoulder pad, it will act as a counter balance. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vertical-Moun ... 416e96655b

(...) it's a surprisingly good fluid head, especially for the price. I don't, however, like having too many items on my rig. I only ever use 3 setups:

1) Simple: 055CX3 Tripod + 500AH Head + Switronix PB70 + BMCC with lens (and microphone)

2) Slider: 055CX3 Tripod + 2ft Rhino Slider + 500AH Head attached to slider + Switronix PB70 + BMCC with lens (and microphone)

3) Rig: 055CX3 Tripod + 500AH Head + Kamerar Shoulder Rig + Switronix PB70 + Kamerar FF3 Follow Focus + Kamerar MAX-1 Mattebox + BMCC with lens (and microphone)

I haven't had any issues with any of these configurations so far.

Thanks Christian! Really good experience based insights!

I think most people like cages, or I like the notion of it, because you feel your precious camera is more secure that way. I saw some people attach only a top handle directly to the BMCC, but somehow it seems so fragile for me... (note: I haven't even touched a BMCC before...). But I think it also gives a better point of contact where you can grab your camera...... Plus it looks cool, more manly

I don't have a mattebox yet, cause I want a simple as possible setup, plus I use Tiffen screw in NDs. I have the Kamerar Follow Focus, but to tell you the truth as a want to keep things simple, I will simple focus directly with the focus ring.

I was thinking of getting a cheeseplate, just you mentioned, a cheap one for the battery. But what else do I need to attach a Swit battery to my rig?
http://www.swit.us/s8082s-vmount-bat.html

Maybe I should just get a top handle like this:
http://www.coollcd.com/top-handle-v7-le ... p1200.html
http://www.coollcd.com/qr-handle-v3-mul ... p1132.html

However I'm still concerned about the baseplate...

What I really like is the Arri style setup:
http://www.arri.com/uploads/tx_arriprod ... a_side.jpg

or the Shape:
http://www.3dbroadcastsales.com/product ... 2_zoom.jpg

They seem really usable and ultra compact.... I want to achieve something like this.. However I'm not ure how practical is the battery as it seems to block the view from the monitor of the BMCC.....

I found Camtree cage, it's basically a rip off of the Shape cage...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Camtree-Hunt-Bl ... 3f26928774

Any experiences with it?

I also considered this setup:
Wooden Camera Basic Kit
http://www.photocineshop.com/en/sales/p ... ic--U56J3I
It's basically a top handle and a mini baseplate designed for the BMCC.

I'm still hesitant to go for "only a top handle" option without the cage, but I see that many brands, like Zacuto, Lanparte, Wooden Camera sells solutions like this.... What's more, RED cameras are used really often only with a top handle attached to directly the camera body, so let's hope BMCC is built like a tank too....

How could I mount this V-mount battery,
http://www.proav.co.uk/Swit-Shop/SWIT-S ... 18008.aspx

To a rod based rig, or a cheeseplate (http://www.coollcd.com/cool-cheese-plat ... p1093.html)?

I really like this solution what he shows as 1:10

What do I need for a similar solution?

+

How could I mount the Atomos Connect Sdi-to-Hdmi adapter?

Anyone?

I'm likely to go with a top handle + baseplate...

I really like this solution what he shows as 1:10

They're using a Switronix PB70 battery, which has a quick release plate. Mount this to a cheese plate and you've got the same thing

I want to achieve something like this.. However I'm not ure how practical is the battery as it seems to block the view from the monitor of the BMCC.....

If you put the battery on a cheese plate, you can keep the cheese plate flat or move it towards the end of the rig, basically letting it "hang" off the 15mm rods (behind your shoulder when using it on a shoulder rig).

I'm likely to go with a top handle + baseplate...

I don't think there's anything wrong with just a top handle (without a cage). When you receive the camera, you'll see just how sturdy and heavy the BMCC's body is. It really feels like a block of aluminium. If you get a handle that attaches to all three 1/4" mounting points at the top of the camera, the connection should be rock solid. To put things into perspective about the weight, the 5D Mark III isn't the lightest of DSLRs and weighs 860g, the BMCC weighs 1.7kg.

Thanks Christian!

That sounds heavy for sure! But I like stuff that's heavy, thats a plus for me. However I'm more confident now that I'll need some kind of rig for it.... the question is, which one?

But how I attach my Swit battery to the cheese plate????? I need help with this. Tried to find answers on the google and youtube, but didn't find any.

What do I need to mount this:
http://www.proav.co.uk/Swit-Shop/SWIT-S ... 18008.aspx

On this:
http://smallrig.com/camera-support-plat ... clamp.html

In a way, that my battery can be mounted and de-mounted quickly...

+
I would appreciate if anyone would tell me about how would the BMCC would fit in this bag:

Arri Basecamp 22L
http://www.arricamstore.com/bags-pouche ... it-bag-p66

Internal dimensions:
22.9 x 31.8 x 17.8 cm

Here's a video about it. The girl takes out a RED EPIC from it...

I want to house my.....
-BMCC + Swti battery + small charger
-SmallHD DP4 + EVF + Nikon batteries + small charger
-ND filters etc...

Batteries and stuff can go in the pockets, so in the main compartment I have to fit in the BMCC, SmallHD DP4 and the EVF for it...

As for cheap and solid rigs:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lanparte-15mm-S ... 3cd17c3b96

Already bought my stuff and now I find this, pretty darn cheap. So for those still looking to buy with a tighter budget.