FreshDV writer Kendal Miller’s review of the Zacuto Camcorder Shoulder Mount System is in the September issue of DV Magazine and also available online at DV.com.

“…the Zacuto system is a counterbalance for handheld cameras such as Panasonic’s HVX200 and Sony’s Z1U. Everything is built on and around the company’s base plate and rod system. The base plate—completely universal with extensive adjustments on both the horizontal and vertical axis—can be easily adjusted to accommodate any camera. You can thread together the lightweight rod segments (available in lengths from 1â€? to 12â€?) to add or subtract length without resetting the system.”

The Zacuto system is an incredibly well-engineered and robust solution for both tripod and handheld usage. It is well-suited to fully outfitted 35mm adapter rigs, and serves as an invaluable base for all your disparate-branded accessories. This is not your momma’s run-of-the-mill handheld attachment, this is a full-on base for your fully-configured camera rig. The FreshDV crew shot with a HVX200 + Brevis 35mm lens adapter (fitted with the PL-mount option), huge 85mm PL cine lens (compliments of Fletcher Chicago) and a variety of matteboxes and follow focus units. The Zacuto rig handled everything we threw at it, and made camera rig build up and breakdown a joy. We were particularly impressed with the extensibility of the unit…Need some extra space on the front of the rods? No problem, just thread on another rod extension. Need a place for the external monitor? Use the Zamerican arm, a multi-articulated support arm whose joints can be locked in place using a single point of adjustment. What, you wanted that monitor upside down? Unlock, rotate with one hand, lock, done. It really is that simple to use. And to top it all off, the gear is beautifully machined and built. Read the review at dv.com for all the juicy details. I’ve also included more full rig pictures below.

FreshDV would like to thank the following companies for their involvement in making this review possible:
Zacuto for providing a fully-loaded handheld studio rig.
Fletcher Chicago for providing a Zeiss 85mm PL cinema lens.
Zeiss for providing a set of ZF prime lenses.
Cinevate for providing a Brevis 35mm lens adapter and PL-mount.
Bruce Allen for providing a Sekonic cine light meter.
Bartech Engineering for providing a remote wireless BFD focus system.
Palomar Engineering for providing the M-One focus motor for the BFD.
16×9 Inc for providing a Chrosziel matte box and follow focus.
Ste-Man, Inc for providing a Petroff matte box and follow focus.
Cinetech for providing a matte box and follow focus.
Redrock Micro for providing a follow focus.
IndiFocus for providing a follow focus and dolly system.
Ikan Corp for providing a HD reference monitor.
Lowel for providing a fully-loaded production lighting kit.
Mole-Richardson for providing a fully-loaded production lighting kit.