FAQs/Support



1. Why do I need a video breakout box and will it hurt the stock connectors?
This video break-out box converts the RED One's mini-coax connectors to industry standard HD-SDI BNC connectors in a tough, securely mounted package. It is low-profile and routes video to the rear and gen-lock toward the bottom. The chromed knob at the center of the unit actuates the four push/pull locking connectors simultaneously for easy installation and removal. The camera-hugging tab at the bottom utilizes one of the camera body's mounting holes for added security.

As far as the functionality of the breakout box, the idea is to install it and leave it in place until you have a reason to access the original connectors. We did not conceive of it as a macro connector for the 4 signals. The stock connectors are high quality and high bandwidth commercial RF connectors. Like most high quality RF connectors these were designed to survive 500 mating cycles just like the HD SDI BNC connectors in our breakout box. This unit makes it possible to eat up the available mating cycles on an easily (and inexpensively) repaired component rather than on the camera itself. Had RED selected PCB mounted BNC connectors in the same place and orientation as the minis, we likely would have still built the breakout box if for no other reason than to take the stress off of the camera's connectors and to re-route the cable toward the rear. The right side of the camera has a huge amount of IO going on. The current configuration makes the camera as slim as is physically possible while still offering all the IO options.
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2. Can I use an Arriflex bridge plate with the RED One?
The short answer is no, not if your intention is to get your existing Arri accessories to line up properly with the lens. The mounting holes on the bottom of the RED One are in a different position relative to the lens than the mounting holes on a 435 or Arricam. If you mount an Arriflex bridge plate to the RED One you will discover that all rod based accessories are off in all three axis; x, y and z. Some dimensions will be off by a couple of millimeters while others are off by over half an inch. The Arri style bridge plates sold by RED, have been designed by Element to make your RED One compatible with all rod based Arriflex accessories.

Our bridge plates function exactly like the Arriflex units. The dovetail brake is controlled with a single lever on the left side of the bridge plate. Forward is locked, to the rear is unlocked. The bridge plate is compatible with the safety on all the existing dovetails. The safety on our dovetail is either a spring actuated button or a spring actuated lever.

REDUSER discussion: http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread....php?t=8237
Demo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ9g5lmV4ZY
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3. What is the difference between a base plate, a bridge plate and a dovetail plate?
For the first two, just the name. They both refer to the accessory designed to connect the camera to the male dovetail on the top of the pan/tilt head via a dovetail interface. It also provides a secure mounting location for the iris rods to which all kinds of accessories are mounted (mattebox, follow focus, lens support and much more). Arriflex has two studio standards and several light-weight and low-mode standards. The studio standards are 15mm (100mm centers) and 19mm (104mm centers)

The dovetail plate is often called the bottom plate since it goes below the bridge plate. The dovetail plate is the male part of the dovetail while the bridge plate is the female part. Our dovetail plates all conform to the Arriflex standard on top and adapt to other heads either natively or with the addition of a quick release plate mounted to the bottom of the dovetail plate.
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4. Why does Element make two different bridge plates for the RED One?
We currently make two different bridge plates for the RED One. A 15mm rod version and a 19mm rod version. Arriflex has two different accessory standards depending on your location: 15mm in the western US and 19mm on the east coast and Europe. The rest of the world can be either. 15mm in the western US and 19mm on the east coast and Europe. For new RED owners with an existing Arri camera package the choice is pretty simple; pick the bridge plate that matches your current system. Here in LA it is 15mm only. Either way, by using the Arri standard you can integrate your package with gear from other users and rental houses.

Once you have the right bridge plate you'll find that any Arri accessory of the same rod system will line up on the RED just like it was made by Arri. The bridge plate also interfaces with many Arri-style dovetails. Ours is handy for the OConnor users since the bottom is machined to go directly into the top of the fluid head without the Ronford-Baker adapter. This gives you all the fore-aft adjustment with a minimum of interconnects and a low stack height. Our dovetail can be used with other systems as well thanks to the 3/8-16 threaded inserts along the center.
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5. Element Bridge Plates only have rod mounts at the front. Do the rods pass all the way through, are they strong enough?
Our Arri style Bridge Plates (as well as Arriflex Bridge Plates) have only front mounting clamps and are strong enough to support a 30 lbs zoom, 3 Preston DM-1 motors and a 6x6 studio matte box. This design has proven itself with decades of hard service. The rods can still pass under the RED and extend beyond the rear for accessory mounting.
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6. Will my 19mm RED accessories like side brackets or universal mounts work with your 19mm Arri-style bridge plate?
Yes. Our Arri style dovetail puts the lower iris rods in the same position relative to the lens as RED's base plate.
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7. What is the difference between your cheese plate and the one sold by RED?
RED’s cheese plate is designed to mount to the bottom of their RED base as an alternative to mounting the RED One to a pan/tilt head. Element’s cheese plate is designed to go on top of the RED One in between the rod mounts and offer a flat mounting interface with both _-20 and 3/8-16 threaded holes.
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8. What do I need to use the Element cheese plate?
Our cheese plate requires either RED’s 19mm top rod mounts or our 15mm top rod mounts. When our cheese plate is purchased along with two 15mm top rod mounts we refer to it as a combo.
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9. Does your EVF mounting system require your cheese plate?
No. The only requirement for mounting is either RED's 19mm top mount or our 15mm version. Since the cheese plate has the RED _ hole pattern repeated along the top, using the cheese plate will offer more mounting options than just the front or rear.
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10. Are you guys making your own version of all the RED accessories?
No. RED has not only created an amazing camera they have created an entire system which covers everything from acquisition to post. This includes their own accessory system. While the entire RED system will undoubtedly eventually impact nearly every facet of filmmaking, our goal is to create immediate solutions for the cameraman to help integrate the RED One into existing on-set work flows. Because many of the RED early adopters also have significant investment in Arriflex support gear, our accessories consistently involve adapting the RED One to industry standard systems like Arriflex’s ubiquitous dovetail/bridge plate system. Whenever possible we attempt to incorporate RED’s accessories into our functional solutions.
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11. Which 1030 dovetail do I need; 9” or 12”?
If you already have your camera and the lenses you plan to use, build the camera with the different lenses and find the center of gravity (CoG). The CoG can be found by balancing the camera on an iris rod. See how much difference there is in the different configurations and this will give you a rough estimate of the minimum balance travel you need.

We like the 12" since that length has been the standard for decades for 16mm and 35mm pro cameras. Some folks can get away with the 9" without compromise because they primarily use one configuration. Others choose the 9" because it fits in their existing head case.
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12. Why do you make dovetails that are specifically suited for the OConnor??
The two styles of dovetails are named after the type of OConnor they mate with natively. Both styles are Arri standard dovetails on the top and are identical in this respect. The reason we make dovetails that are specifically suited for the OConnor brand is because their interface makes it very easy. There are other high quality heads but they do not lend themselves to a dovetail replacing the QR system.

Either of the dovetails should be able to work with most if not all the Sachtler heads. The 1030 is a little lighter and is narrower with the 2060 is a bit beefier. The 2060 traditionally has 4 threaded holes at 75mm spacing while our newer version will have 7 holes at 37.5mm spacing. The 1030 has 7 holes at 25mm spacing to accommodate some of the smaller quick release plates on the smaller fluid heads.

The 2060 is definitely regarded as the standard. Something very similar is made by Arri, Chroszeil, OConnor and many others. We are roughly $200 less than anyone else and ours is very well made and very durable.

The 1030 is unique to Element Technica and was made specifically for all the REDUSERS that were trying to use their 1030 with their new RED. Early on we added threaded 3/8-16 mounting holes along the center for other QR plates. The one caveat is the threads are recessed and start .250” up from the bottom face. This has made longer hardware necessary for some users.
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13. Does the viewfinder mount allow for self leveling rod? If so, is it compatible with standard cine-style tripod head, like Ronford-Baker?
We wanted to get the basic mount out in the field as quickly as possible rather than delaying the launch until the extension and leveler were finished. In addition to our own leveler, we are making every attempt to be compatible with other popular levelers.

The EVF mount we currently have for sale is meant to work much like the short or standard eyepiece on a professional film camera like the 435 or Arricam. The big difference is that our unit offers a great deal more adjustability and flexibility in positioning.

The attached photo shows our prototype extension. This can be added to our EVF mount in seconds without tools and is compatible with the Arri leveler. It will be sold as a companion product or accessory to the EVF and will be available soon after CineGear.

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14. Can I use the Anton Bauer Battery Plate on the Mantis?
The short answer is Yes, using a Female V-Lock on the back of the MANTIS Shoulder Frame you can mount one of our Anton Bauer Battery Plates. At the time this was written, we were only able to test this with AB’s Dionics Battery. This Battery fits on the MANTIS, and only causes interference when the Shoulder Frame assembly is pushed all of the way forward on the MANTIS Dovetail. As long as you back it off a bit, the battery will clear the back of the dovetail. As we try other Anton Bauer Battery models in this configuration, we will update this FAQ.
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15. The sticky backs on the velcro tabs that hold the shoulder pad on my Mantis Hand Held have failed. Are there any plans for an alternate and more secure method of affixing the foam to the metal?
It sounds like your Mantis has the foam pad velcroed directly to the aluminum shoulder-pad frame. If so we need to upgrade your shoulder pad. We now ship the Mantis with a Cordura nylon cover that has Velcro stitched directly to the top side. The aluminum frame still uses adhesive to attach the Velcro but this has been very reliable.

We had planned on the cover from the beginning but it wasn't ready at the beginning. Most customers were eager to get the Mantis ASAP so we shipped about 100 units like yours. When the covers were ready we had someone ship them out to all the early Mantis recipients. It looks like they missed you. I'm sorry for the oversight.

Let us know where you want this new pad shipped and we'll get it out right away.
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16. I just purchased your RED Monitor Mount but I am having problems getting the V-DOCK onto the NOGA arm.
The NOGA arm contains a steel screw that goes into the back of the V-DOCK. To attach simply screw the NOGA arm in until it seats, then back off 360º. This prevents the NOGA screw from bottoming out on the V-DOCK lever. You then use the jam but to lock the monitor into place.
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17. Do you make an adapter for using 19mm female parts (my RED cradle) with 15mm rods? And if so, will the spacing be correct if I want to use your top mounts and cheeseplate with my RED cradle?
Unfortunately, the difference in spacing between 15mm and 19mm Studio is such that you can’t adapt between the two in the way your describing. There are companies that make bushings that would allow you to adapt an accessory that connects to one rod, but as far as we know, there is no way to adapt an accessory that uses two rods from one format to the other.
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