Opteka CXS-25 Universal Aluminum 15mm Rail Rod Support System Heavy-Duty High Riser DSLR Camera Mount for Follow Focus or Matte Box

I bought this rig as a cheap experiment to see if I wanted to start using the 15MM rod system, and now I NEVER take it off my camera and can't live without it!It's small enough (and I have a NEX 5N) that I can just leave the camera on it all the time. And because the rails protrude out the same distance (5 1/2-6") as say my Sigma 18-50 2.8, or my 28-300, I can put it right inside a medium camera bag made for a camera with a zoom lens, or right in my "AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR Cameras and Accessories-Black" that I also bought here… Which incidentally also serves me well!I mostly do video and use only manual focus lenses, and typically find myself hiking up the trails and mountains to catch a beautiful sunset that I see coming on… So I usually only have a few minutes (if that) to set up. My quick release plate stays on the bottom, and it mounts right on to my tripod or dolly track.I also bought an irreplaceable $25. Matte box, that I just slide onto the rails when needed, for flares and glare, and currently looking for a good follow focus that fits with this, so I can to do the same.If I have a complaint, it would be that I personally changed out the the thumb screw, for one with more grip in such a restricted area underneath the top plate. And with the NEX, I also needed to add a rubber washer, because of the bad design on the NEX tripod mount.One additional note: I will also be changing out the rods (which unscrew) for the same size rod, but threaded on both ends. (they're under $20 on EBay) This way, you can add more rods on as you see fit. They are typical M12 screw thread. And I will use the existing rods as the extra extension rods.Well made and solid 3/16" aluminum top and bottom plates. And priced well under anything else competitively. I might update after I get the additional items.

I got this as a solution to maybe lift my pocket camera up higher in my DSLR 6" cage rig. This didnt work out as it though because it raises the camera up too high. :( I was however still impressed by the solid built quality and its ruggedness and now I use this with my flycam to add a Matt Box for ND and a FF. If you are a beginner looking for a cheap real solution to not having a rig and you want to add a FF or an MB this is a really well built solution and it also acts as a riser which as I mentioned before you should look at the dimensions if your buying for that purpose. My only complaints are that A.The rods are a bit short so getting both a Follow Focus and a Matte Box on may be trick but not impossible.B. The rods are fixed so NO you cant swap them out for longer rods....but seriously for 30 bucks its a minor gripe. I have to admit I was kinda blown away that it was NOT a plastic POS...its metal and feels solid and rugged also it adds some weight to your set up which in my opinon is a good thing on these super "jello sensor" cams---so if shoot on the BMPCC or GH2/3/4 etc... or other DSLRs with Rolling Shutter.All in all a good investment and for 30 bucks its certainly worth checking out.

I wanted to add a low-cost plastic matte box to my Canon T3i DSLR and order this as a low cost rod system. The 4-7/8" rods are just barely long enough to put the matte box at the end of the standard 18-55mm lens, making it hard to reach the focus ring. I may get some longer ones so that I can use my telephoto lens and so I can fit my focus pulling ring and rods on the camera with the matte box. The rods just screw in, so replacements would be easy to add. Note that these rods do not have internal threading at the front end.The mount is well built with good screw holes (large and small) for camera and tripod mount and the mount itself is a sturdy single piece of metal.The matte box I got worked well on these - http://www.amazon.com/NEEWER%C2%AE-DP500-Matte-Suppot-Focus/dp/B0084Y5YAA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398176478&sr=8-1&keywords=matte+box

i got it the other day and the whole thing is aluminum. let me first off start by saying for 30$ everything is plastic....i like the stability of it. i got it to use a matte box. The set up is all good and stable BUT its alot heavier with the matte box and this and the mattebox is just plastic so all the weight is really in this thing. Which sucks cause i use it on a flycam stabilizer. it adds what seems like 2 pounds to the whole thing with the mattebox but i have no idea haha. Keep in mind i work out alot to i played football this year so ya. But its really stable and if you have like a 50$ budget get this cause you can keep looking for other better stuff around this price but u wont find s***

Surprisingly it's a solid build! I was worried the rods would be too short for the lenses I use for videography, but they juuuust fit. (in case anyone wants to know, for comparison with their own lenses, I shoot with a rokinon 8mm, nikon 50mm, and sigma 18-35, with the sigma being the longest in physical length).The rods are 15mm industry standard, and 60mm seperated, so it's likely your existing gear (if it also follows industry standards) will work with this. These rods are threaded male on one end (that connect to the base female thread) and unthreaded at the outer end (so no go on connecting to extend).For the price, it's a really good deal.Here's a photo of how I will be using it for locked down positions, connected to a manfrotto 701 head, and mounted on a 4' slider...https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10556217_10154386844530082_5137222670419236999_n.jpg

Short but solid and well built. This is my first Opteka product, I'm impressed.It is very well boxed and packagedThe rails are short but i bought as a run and gun handheld rail for my follow focus so it's exactly what I was wantingIt's really very solid and well built. I would have given 5 stars if it were a tad cheaper in price say $20 or $25, but it is worth $30. I'm happy with it

I bought a Matte Box Mattebox Shading Card for DSLR (simple one, mainly just for shade) and needed a camera mount to go with it (in my case, a DMC-GH2, using a 20mm lens).There were several mounts but all too expensive for what I needed, and I then came across this one... decided to give it a go acording to the reviews and specs, and it was the right decision, perfect for my needs!Well built, and it fits perfectly on my Hahnel 60 tripod and on my DMC-GH2, and it all goes in place with the Matte Box Mattebox Shading Card.Simple but effective, highly recomended if you're looking for a simple mount. ;)

This is strong, seems well build and adds a good rod system to your camera.The camera connector element also has a bit of space and allows a small clamp or connector to allow monitor/accessors to the rear of the camera.The rods themselves do appear to like to be loose (not to the looseness they will fall out, but just have a bit of 'give' to them spinning around) as a result dont place any grips/clamps to them. Good enough for my follow focus and some matt box on the end.

I didn't give it 5 stars just because i think for it to be perfect it should be 2cm longer, but in my case it works just fine

The build quality isn't amazing but when you are only paying this much, what do you expect?Attaches to my shoulder rig and works perfectly with small lens'. If you have anything over 70mm i recommend getting some longer rods to go with it.

It's a perfect product, trong and usable, but the rail are too short, i can't put on my matte box.