SteadiHub
2010Brackets/Widgets forum

Low mode mounting solutions for HDSLR cinema rigs using cage systems

16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

What the thread found

  • A cage equipped with a Bogen universal plate and sturdy rod-mounted motor can support low-mode shooting by designing the top rod mounting to allow dovetail positioning.
  • Complete rebuilding of certain MK-V style rigs may be required to switch between normal and low mode configurations.
  • Poor man's low mode involves flipping the image in post-production rather than physically inverting the camera.
  • A dual-dovetail design with nut caps creates enough clearance to place the cage on the ground while keeping bottom plates elevated, allowing quick mode switching by detaching only the video cable.
  • Flipping video images in post without embedding orientation metadata into traditional video formats results in a lossy process, whereas raw formats like Redcode preserve orientation information losslessly.

Depends on

  • Poor man's low mode requires post-production image manipulation, which may be undesirable depending on workflow and format requirements.
  • Some cage designs prioritize normal mode operation and rely on post-production flipping as the low-mode solution.
  • The discussion references specific equipment from 2010 and may not reflect current mounting systems.
  • Specific practical details about rebuilding MK-V rigs remain unclear from the discussion.

Parts

Dovetail Plate, Low Mode

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