SL2s, looking for an affordable camera cage

[ruskkyle]

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6 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

"Anyone for writting a collective "rant" email to lockcircle or a request to Smallrig or 8Sinn ?"

I asked small rig months ago, they collaborate with people to make new products.. they said not interested!

they don't see the potential of selling 10 cages LOL

I had an email exchange with Smallrig a few years ago offering constructive feedback on one of their products (FS5 baseplate) and they responded positively, redesigning the product and sending me a free sample. I like them.

[Photoworks]

what about this cage?

https://kondorblue.com/collections/panasonic/products/panasonic-s1h-cage-with-start-stop-top-handle

 

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[Aaron Daniel]

Moment has just released a video talking about how they rig the SL2-s for video, and I think it's a really decent-looking choice (timestamp @ 9:10) 

 

[Svetozar]

16 minutes ago, Aaron Daniel said:

Moment has just released a video talking about how they rig the SL2-s for video, and I think it's a really decent-looking choice (timestamp @ 9:10) 

Saw it already  Yes it is something very similar that I was referring in previous posts on this thread. Some kind of a half-cage.

[Slender]

I wrote to 8sinn to ask if they would consider doing something for us and our SL2(s) cameras.... even a slightly modified version of their existing S1 cages could do nicely, I tried to suggest that would be minimum R and D and I would get this in a heart beat.

If anyone want to write them with a similar agenda dont be shy

[hansvons]

For me, the issue is resolved:

 

[hansvons]

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On 3/11/2021 at 11:33 PM, Aaron Daniel said:

Moment has just released a video talking about how they rig the SL2-s for video, and I think it's a really decent-looking choice (timestamp @ 9:10) 

 

I find the centre of gravity much to top-heavy with this monitor mounting system. Otherwise, a great showcase of the SL2-S video capabilities (but I'd chosen Leica's Classic LUT).

[Photoworks]

I found the Kondor cage on B&H and just trying it out

I think it works almost perfectly , the only issue is the strap ring touches on the side, something that can be probably modified .

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[Slender]

Is it arca swiss plate?
Thanks for the feedback by the way. The only thing I dont like with this design is the single screwhole on the top...

Edited March 15, 2021 by Slender

[Photoworks]

4 hours ago, Slender said:

Is it arca swiss plate?
Thanks for the feedback by the way. The only thing I dont like with this design is the single screwhole on the top...

if you are referring to the cake it is a 501 Manfrotto plate.

I would have loved the Arca plate, but I have don a test by keeping the RRS bracket on it and it still mounts ok

[Slender]

Cheers.

[Slender]

@hansvons and @Svetozar did you guys get your cages? I did order one from the same shop... its a bit delayed I guess because of brexit.... can't wait for it!

Would you share any picture of your respective set ups?

How is it working for your SL2 cameras so far?

[hansvons]

I’m working with Brits and other European friends on environmental issues (traditionally, the UK is at the forefront of nature protection). I can tell you Brexit is a catastrophe on multiple layers. I sincerely hope that something will be learned from this disaster on the continent and the isles. We’ll see how this will pan out. Hopefully somewhat bearable. But for sure, your delayed cage delivery is only a minor aberration of a more giant landslide. 

From heartbreaking developments to creativity. I haven’t had the chance to use the camera on a job yet. But I took tons of photos, and all I can say is that the SL2-S does what I suspected it to do. It’s a low light beast with second-to-none colour science. Holding colour well when 5-6 stops underexposed isn’t trivial. The same applies to high ISOs. Skin tones, which I regard most when evaluating a camera, are close to Alexa’s domain. Haven’t seen it elsewhere better or even close. 

Video is what it is. The SL2-S is a video-capable photo camera and not a cine camera. It sports only an HDMI output. When rigged up, it’s a fine palm-style camera similar to the Blackmagic pocket cameras (albeit better colour). But no proper shoulder design, adjustable EVF for shoulder or tripod operation, and the list goes on. No wonders, it’s designed as a stills camera. When I need a proper video camera, I rent one.

But the video colours are excellent. L-log isn’t working with ACES yet due to a missing IDT (and Alexa C-Log isn’t a proper match, but somewhat close). Hopefully Leica will close that gab in the future. But for a Rec 709 or Rec 2020 workflow, when using the official LUTs, there is no comparison elsewhere in the hybrid camera world - if the colour rendition and highlights handling is your primary concern.

Attached my setup. Works a treat! The best thing is the convenient swapping from video to photo mode by just slipping the camera off the cage. A thing of a second, no screwdrivers involved. Brilliant. 

The ND filter is from NISI and wedged snuggly into the 24-90 matte box. It covers 5 stops when fully rotated to the right side.

Let me know what you think when your cage arrived.

 

 

 

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Edited March 23, 2021 by hansvons

[hansvons]

Slightly off-topic. The 24-90 is a no-brainer when documentary-style filmmaking is on the table. The fly-by-wire focus is much better than I feared. It somewhat works almost predictably if you set it up correctly in the menu. I'm used to reasonably long focus throws; thus I'm using 270 degrees. 

With the cage and the Ninja, the lens fits nicely into the ergonomics. The whole thing is about 2.4 kilos which are, from a filmmaking perspective, a light setup. The convenience of having 5 typical focal lengths in one lens is hard to beat. But zooming with the 24-90 will lead to soft pictures, it's not parfocal. 

I own an Angenieux 16-42 Optimo zoom and the classic beast 20-100 from Cooke. Both are trusty cinema workhorses but S-35mm and PL mount. I've been thinking of getting myself a PL-mount adaptor but yet refrained from doing so. I don't believe that a hybrid camera will ever be a meaningful basis for such lenses.

If my video experience with the SL2-S grows to something sustainable, I might invest in manual glass. The question is whether to go the M route or the R route.

[Photoworks]

31 minutes ago, hansvons said:

Slightly off-topic. The 24-90 is a no-brainer when documentary-style filmmaking is on the table. The fly-by-wire focus is much better than I feared. It somewhat works almost predictably if you set it up correctly in the menu. I'm used to reasonably long focus throws; thus I'm using 270 degrees. 

With the cage and the Ninja, the lens fits nicely into the ergonomics. The whole thing is about 2.4 kilos which are, from a filmmaking perspective, a light setup. The convenience of having 5 typical focal lengths in one lens is hard to beat. But zooming with the 24-90 will lead to soft pictures, it's not parfocal. 

I own an Angenieux 16-42 Optimo zoom and the classic beast 20-100 from Cooke. Both are trusty cinema workhorses but S-35mm and PL mount. I've been thinking of getting myself a PL-mount adaptor but yet refrained from doing so. I don't believe that a hybrid camera will ever be a meaningful basis for such lenses.

If my video experience with the SL2-S grows to something sustainable, I might invest in manual glass. The question is whether to go the M route or the R route.

I have a question for you. I am testing follow focus on the Leica L lenses with 180` rotation. I am finding it hard to turn in the beginning, almost like it is to had for the motor to turn. I wonder if you had this issue. Not sure if it the magnet in the lens are the issue.

To your 24-90! Did you do a firmware update on all your lenses to get linear M focus?

I found that I am not pulling focus most of the time, I set camera to M focus and then push the Joystick in to focus right before I film.

M or R? I am using some canon EF cinema lenses with MC-21 adapter.  Sometimes I will use M lenses 50 and 35, they work great if you don't need focus gear, the focusing tub get in the way. Plus the minimum focusing on most of the is 0.7m . Leica make a cinema series called 0.8
The R lenses are very different looks from the production year, 70-80 vintage soft, 80-90 modern look the start with serial numbers 340... most people pick the summicron series from the R with ROM. You will need the Leica R to L adapter to benefit from distortion and vignetting.

[hansvons]

10 hours ago, Photoworks said:

I have a question for you. I am testing follow focus on the Leica L lenses with 180` rotation. I am finding it hard to turn in the beginning, almost like it is to had for the motor to turn. I wonder if you had this issue. Not sure if it the magnet in the lens are the issue.

To your 24-90! Did you do a firmware update on all your lenses to get linear M focus?

I found that I am not pulling focus most of the time, I set camera to M focus and then push the Joystick in to focus right before I film.

M or R? I am using some canon EF cinema lenses with MC-21 adapter.  Sometimes I will use M lenses 50 and 35, they work great if you don't need focus gear, the focusing tub get in the way. Plus the minimum focusing on most of the is 0.7m . Leica make a cinema series called 0.8
The R lenses are very different looks from the production year, 70-80 vintage soft, 80-90 modern look the start with serial numbers 340... most people pick the summicron series from the R with ROM. You will need the Leica R to L adapter to benefit from distortion and vignetting.

Hi Photoworks,
My 24-90 has firmware 2.0. I can't replicate any stiffness or hard-to-turn issues with the focus barrel, nor annoying lag that stops me from nailing the focus timely.

Even in stills mode, I'm mostly manually focusing on my subjects. I'm often using your described technique of pressing the joystick for a quick focus set. But I also use AF with face recognition when I'm in a fast pace of documenting social action and want to forget focussing in favour of catching moments. In that, the SL2-S isn't particularly great but better than its reputation. I have some hopes for the upcoming firmware.

I've had 0.8 series Leica M lenses in my hands, albeit never shot a project with them. They are insanely expensive for what they are and need an M-mount; thus, using them on a PL-camera isn't working. They are out of the question. The R lenses aren't since I already own one of the many 50mm Summicron R MK2 lenses that came with my old R4 back in the early nineties.

The original Leica R adaptor is expensive. Does using other brands lead to unexpected issues?

 

 

Edited March 24, 2021 by hansvons

[Photoworks]

10 minutes ago, hansvons said:

The original Leica R adaptor is expensive. Does using other brands lead to unexpected issues?

My understating it that it only make a difference if you are using ROM lenses ( this lenses have electronic contacts made more for R8 R9 cameras)
With any other adapter you select the lens from the menu to get IBIS.

Yes the Leica R adapter is crazy money for what it does.

With the Leica M adapter I have noticed that you only get Meta EXIF information of the lens, as well corrections if you are using the original adapter plus 6Bit coded lens.
Leica M adapter and non 6Bit lens you pick the lens from menu and EXIF data is applied and IBIS is on, but no vignetting or distortion correction is applied .

with generic M adapters you can select the lens from the menu and the only benefit is the IBIS working correctly.  

Most Leica lenses have minimal correction applied where a correction does not make a difference . I use the Noctilux and the 35 Lux and wide open both have a visible difference 

[Slender]

Thank you very much indeed @hansvons and the others for such a quality feedback! Cage has arrived, I need to figure the proper way to do a clean job to remove the location pin on the 501 sliding plate. I attached an 8sinn top hanlde pro on the top it looks and feels good... only have to put the camera inside when possible and show you too!

Yeah being french residing in the UK I can only hope the situation gets better on all fronts.. it was a deplorable episode long in the making.

[Slender]

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Slender]

Here it is! Will test it properly this weekend.

Holds nicely in a Dr-Bag SC001

Too bad you can't put the camera body against the camera plate stopper... it might spin a little when under pressure.... Shame Leica had to suppress the location pinhole b/c IBIS.

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