“We used a spherical lock to allow the shoulder pad to articulate and the shoulder pad is made from an ultra-soft synthetic polymer. This polymer was first used in the medical industry and its super soft gel is the key to its softness,” says Zacuto Product Designer, Bob Zajeski. “The outer fabric is a specially coated Lycra which allows pressure to be absorbed by the ultra-soft synthetic polymer inside and the shoulder rails are machined as one piece for strength and lightness. The Scorpion’s design had to be thoroughly tested and redesigned so it would support the weight of the rig.”

Watch Steve and Jens tell you all about the Scorpion below!

Zacuto didn’t want to release the rig before they were completely satisfied with it, but now after almost a full year of adjustments and modifications, Zacuto is extremely excited to announce that the Scorpion is now for sale and ready to ship to our customers around the world!! This brand new DSLR camera support rig features a new ball-joint technology that allows the user to fine tune the camera rig’s positioning while still maintaining that familiar Zacuto look and feel. While the shoulder assembly may be completely new, the Scorpion still utilizes the DSLR Baseplate, Z-Lite weights and other classic Zacuto parts, so owners of these Zacuto accessories can easily adapt their current rig into a Scorpion by adding the Scorpion Shoulder Assembly.

“The Zacuto Scorpion rig is ultra balanced and comfortable,” says Hollywood Cinematographer, Jared Abrams. “I did not have to take it off once during the shoot. It really is the best DSLR rig I have ever used.”Zacuto lent the Scorpion prototype out to a few notable professionals for a couple of test runs. Here’s what they had to say:

To see Jared’s video review of the Scorpion, click here.

“This is a serious bit of kit for serious jobs. As you would expect it’s incredibly well made,” says Director of Photography, Philip Bloom. “The shoulder pad is very comfortable, the ball joint makes it fit your body perfectly and the handle is a simple but clever idea very well implemented. When you want to put the camera on the tripod simply take it off the QR plate and stick it on your tripod which has a corresponding one. Also it’s very balanced when using the handle just walking with it.”

To see Philip Bloom’s video review of the Scorpion, click here.

The Scorpion’s new form-fitting shoulder pad is what sets it apart from other Zacuto DSLR shoulder mount rigs. The Zacuto shoulder pad uses a cutting-edge permeable gel padding that conforms to any user’s body providing maximum comfort for long shooting days. This unique design lets the user articulate the shoulder pad in multiple directions allowing the rig to fit any shooter’s body type by simply turning a red lever.

The Scorpion’s collapsible handle is another new modernized feature. This handle is great for lifting the rig onto your shoulder or for capturing low sweeping shots. When not using the handle, simply turn the Zacuto quick-release lever, fold it up and tuck it away for storage making your rig more compact. The handle can be positioned up or set down into the shoulder pad.

The Scorpion also lowers your rig’s center of gravity which makes it easier to position your EVF and balance your rig. At the center of the Scorpion is the highly adjustable DSLR Baseplate, which allows users to mount any DSLR camera to the rig and mount the rig onto a tripod. Like all Zacuto DSLR kits, users can also quick release the camera from the rig by turning the red knob on the side of the baseplate and pulling up on the camera. This unique feature allows users to quickly switch between using the camera on its own or as part of the rig.

The Scorpion’s shoulder assembly connects to the back of the DSLR Baseplate via two 2” M/F rods. The rods screw into the back of the DSLR Baseplate and connect to the front of the Scorpion shoulder pad via 15mm quick release ports, making the switch from shoulder mount to tripod quick and easy. The Scorpion can be used on either the left or right shoulder.

The Scorpion kit also includes a 7lb Z-Lite Double counterbalance weight and dual handgrips with 4.5” rods. With the shoulder pad and counterbalance weight coming directly off of the back of the baseplate, the rig is perfectly in-line with the camera and ready to be used with a Zacuto EVF. You can mount your EVF to the side of the rig using the included EVF mount.

This kit is compatible with any 15mm lightweight accessories. If you’re interested in adding a follow focus or any other Zacuto accessory, please visit our online store or contact your local authorized Zacuto dealer. The Scorpion rig challenges the conventions of previous DSLR support systems and is guaranteed to be one of if not the best solution to DSLR camera stabilization.

Check out the instructional video below for more information on operating the Scorpion.

The Zacuto Zwiss Plate is a multi-functioning camera accessory mounting plate. This unique cheese plate enables you to mount a variety of accessories to your camera support system.  Some of the more common accessories used with the Zwiss Plate include rods, articulating arms to hold LCD monitors, converter boxes (including the AJA Ki Mini) and batteries (either V-Mount or Anton Bauer 3-stud or gold mount style.) 

The challenges of video camera accessory mounting have met their match thanks to the Zacuto Zwiss Plate.  This cutting edge product is filled with loads of ¼” 20 and 3/8” 16 holes to provide shooters with a screw hole tap to mount almost any accessory they can dream up.  The difference between the Zwiss Plate and other industry standard cheese plates is that the Zwiss Plate is equipped with two sets of 15mm holes. Our plate also has the hole pattern to mount the AJA Ki Pro Mini.  These holes are spaced 60mm apart and can be used for mounting an additional set of 15mm rods to the top of the Zwiss Plate.  This feature is perfect for anyone looking to extend their camera mounting system to a higher level or build an extension handle for the camera rig.

The Zwiss Plate is designed to accommodate both 3-Stud and V-Mount style batteries.  These batteries can also be used to counterbalance your camera rig when shooting handheld.  If the batteries aren’t heavy enough to achieve the counterbalance weight you require, extend the rods out the back of the Zwiss Plate and add a couple of our Z-Lite weights.  A regular Z-Lite will add about 3.5 pounds to the back of your rig.  A Z-Lite Double adds 7 pounds.    

Our quick-releasing Zamerican arms also mount directly into any of the Zwiss Plate’s standard 15mm holes and are great for mounting monitors, lights or audio recording devices.  Use the Zwiss Plate’s red levers to securely mount the Zwiss Plate onto your baseplate rods.   Once those levers are tightened, you can guarantee that the Zwiss Plate or any of its attached accessories aren’t going anywhere. 

  Zwiss Plate with a Zamerican V3 Large Arm  & The Wireless Plate screwed into the Zwiss Plate

The Zwiss Plate was made as a companion to our new Wireless Plate Pro so you also have the option of mounting multiple wireless receivers.  The Wireless Plate Pro comes with a strip of Velcro to attach to your wireless receivers, securely mounting them to your rig.  

The Zacuto Zwiss Plate is the only cheese plate you will ever need to mount the new AJA Ki Pro Mini to your rig.  With the Zwiss Plate, your accessory mounting options are essentially infinite.
 

Check Out More Images in Our Photo Gallery

The DSLR baseplate is fully adjustable and expandable. You can adjust the height of the plate for compatibility with all DSLR cameras with and without battery grips simply by using the Allen screws on the front of the baseplate. The DSLR baseplate is also the platform for building your kit into a shoulder mounted rig. The plate also has multiple 1/2" 13 threads on the sides so you can expand the cage into a shoulder mounted rig if you ever choose to change or create your own system.

A huge advantage we have over competitors is that your camera can be quickly released from the rig by turning the red knob on the side of the DSLR baseplate then pulling up on your camera. The camera quick release plate stays mounted to your camera so you can quickly switch between using the camera as part of the cage or on its own. Your tripod plate mounts to the bottom of the plate by using the standard tripod screws, (2) ¼ 20” and (1) 3/8 16”. The 3.5" rods on the front of the baseplate are perfect for mounting a follow focus or matte box. If you are using longer lenses, rod extensions might be needed.

Zacuto's DSLR Z-Cage ~ Pimped Out!

Get the first peek at Zacuto's new DSLR Z-Cage. Steve Weiss, Jens Bogehegn and Photographer Andrew Wehde put together a pimp daddy of a rig with the top performing DSLR Canon 5D MKII. The Big Daddy rig is showcased with our new DSLR baseplate, which comes standard with every Z-cage and is fully expandable. In this video, nothing is left behind and yes, the Z-boys get a little crazy with the addition of the iPhone Grip and possible cup holder. Don't miss our DLSR Z-Cage Photo Gallery below for all the pimped out options.

DSLR Z-Cage Images