Part 2 continued
The CINE X ONE PRO
‘When you can’t find it on the market you can only build it yourself’. This is the summary of the evolutionary history of this camera. Without a doubt, the Cine X One (featuring the FUJIFILM X-H2s in its core) is one of the most capable hybrid cameras on the market these days. Especially on the video-side of things. Feel free to jump back to Chapter 2. The only downside in an actual production or on a film set was the rigging of the camera and mounting of all the various accessories like different types side handles, microphones and audio recording systems, (follow-) focus systems etc. Maybe even my Number 1 headache factor was the (missing) robustness of the rig itself. Cine lenses are quickly large and heavy. The X-mount of the FUJIFILM cameras is designed for APS-C photo lenses that are rarely heavier than 1kg. All longer Tele-Photo lenses come with a lens support bracket which makes it easy and safe to mount the combo on a tripod or to hold the camera-lens combo at the lens and not the camera itself. PL-mount cine optics can easily weigh two to four kg or more. The first design consideration was therefore to free the camera (mount) from any mechanical stress by connecting both the camera in its cage and the PL-mount adapter to a solid base plate. Three 1/4-20” screws provide a strong connection (One for the DZOfilm Octopus Adapter and two for the cage-bottom plate connection). The top plate is also attached to the cage with two 1/4-20” screws. A dedicated rear end panel with integrated V-mount plate as well as two side panels close the box. All around there are 1/4-20” and 3/8-16” threaded holes, offering endless possibilities when it comes to different rig-builds. The flip-out LCD-screen of the camera is nicely sitting in its dedicated opening in the left side panel, protecting it and allowing fast and easy control of all camera settings during shooting. So, let’s have a closer look at the Pro edition - Bringing together a FUJIFILM X-H2(s) and the Cine Expansion Kit: The Cine X One Pro .
The main idea was to build a cine expansion kit, resulting in a cine camera that would be familiar to camera assistants and cinematographers right away. High end productions require additional accessories like monitors, FIZ motors, wireless video transmitter, audio recorders etc. The Cine Expansion Kit has power distribution to power everything, and the ability to use run/stop functionality, which is a must for most for any serious film maker. Every single centimeter of the housing is made from cheese plates, allowing for countless mounting options.
Various setups for different filming scenarios will be presented here from now on. All components used in this build are listed down at the end of this article. Due to the exact same size of both the FUJIFILM X-H2 and X-H2s , the user can choose between two different ‘sensors for their cine camera’ by simply choosing one or the other camera to be installed. Higher resolution (8k in the X-H2) or 6,2k Open Gate, stacked sensor and 120p in 4k (with the X-H2s). That’s pretty cool, isn’t it?
Image 1:
Cine Expansion Kit panels.
Image 2:
Cine Expansion Kit assembled.
Image 3:
Cine Expansion Kit with DZOfilm Octopus adapter (allows the use of PL-mount cine optics.
Right now, the first prototype of the Cine Expansion Kit is in testing. Naturally, improvements, design changes will come.
Here YOUR input is more than welcome: Please share, like and comment (using the Hashtags #cineexpansionkit #dreamrig.global on all social media channels). We hear you and want to come up with the best possible ‘final version’.
You can also directly contact our partner in this project:
SmallRig @DreamRig to share your thoughts and ideas.
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Image 5:
Cine Expansion Kit with FUJIFILM X-H2s and DZOfilm Octopus Adapter : The Cine X One Pro!
Image 6:
Cine X One PRO with Run/Stop Top Handle, 15mm rods and VB99 V-Mount Battery.
Cage & Baseplate with Rods:
SmallRIG Cine Expansion Kit (beginning 2025!)
SmallRig FUJIFILM X-H2S Cage #3934
SmallRig Universal Base Plate #2092B
Falcam Tripod Base plate #3228
SmallRig Rods 15mm (various length, set)
Top & Side Handles:
SmallRig NATO Rec. Start/Stop Top Handle #3322
Falcam Mushroom Side Handle #3040
Monitor:
SmallRig ARRI Monitor suport #2903B
Sound:
Hollyland LARK M2 (combo set)
Image 7: (left side)
Cine X One PRO with DZOfilm Catta Zoom 18-35mm T2.9 and Polar Pro Stage 3 VND Matte Box.
Optics:
DZOfilm Octopus Adapter X to PL mount
SmallRig 4x5,65” ND filter #4224 (1 to 7 stops)
Smallrig Modular Matte Box #3641
PolarPro Base Camp VND Stage 3 Kit
Focusing:
Tilta Nucleus Nano II Wireless Lens Control #WLC-T05
Power:
FOTGA Dummy battery NP-W235
ATOMOS Dummy battery-plate
SmallRig VB99 V-mount battery #3580
SmallRig V-mount batters plate #3016
Accessories:
Image 4:
Internal SSD-drive. An upcoming firmware update will enable the ‘direct to SSD via USB-C’ recording.
Image 8: (right side)
Cine X One PRO with V-Mount battery, Run/Stop Top Handle, Hollyland MARS M1 Monitor and DZOfilm Catta Zoom lens..
There is still a long way ahead of us - But up to now things come together well and much faster than expected.
Let us finish by saying … Go out and shoot .. !