Victory for Vocas!
Posted on Nov 27, 2024 by Pro Moviemaker
A rig to transform the handling of the Sony Burano has won one of the Pro Moviemaker Gear of the Year awards
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Whenever a major new camera is launched onto an eager market, it’s never quite the finished article in terms of handling. It’s impossible to design a complete camera to be perfect for every user and type of shooting, which is where Dutch brand Vocas comes in.
The well-established company takes a popular camera, then custom-designs and builds a huge range of solutions to make it fully customisable for different filmmakers. So, when Sony launched the awesome new Burano, Vocas was quick to get hold of the camera and make a range of parts to get it into the hands of working professionals as soon as possible.
Although its parts can be bought individually, the most flexible solution is to go for the Production kit. It’s a fantastic solution to make the camera work infinitely better on a tripod, on the shoulder and to mount on various accessories, such as an EVF.
It transforms the Burano into the basis of a serious production-ready machine for use on sticks, handheld or free-form shooting. Vocas’ precision-engineering quality keeps equipment firmly locked into place, eliminating any twisting or the need for constant tightening.
Using high-grade yet lightweight materials that will last for many years, even in tough conditions, the Vocas Production kit is packed with all the essential features for filmmakers without any unnecessary extras. Every Vocas unit is designed by experts with extensive experience in making equipment for camera operators who rely on it daily and can’t afford failures.
For both shoulder and tripod set-ups, the seven-piece Sony Burano Production kit starts with the well-established Vocas Sliding System that accepts standard 15mm rods – ideal for matte boxes, lens supports and follow focus systems. It’s a height-adjustable shoulder baseplate with a unique quick-release system, and comes with a soft shoulder pad and 15mm rail holders.
To make the kit more comfortable for on-shoulder use, there’s an adjustable handgrip extender equipped with standard rosettes and a quick-release length adjuster with a range of 165-235mm. The classy-looking wooden handgrip bolts onto this for a safe, comfortable grip. It’s also adjustable so can be rotated to a user’s perfect angle.
On the top of the camera goes the Vocas top cheese plate, precision-engineered for swift rig customisation. It features an integrated dovetail for handle attachment and a selection of pin-lock threads for mounting accessories.
This is where the Vocas Universal sliding Top Handle fits in to provide a safe and convenient place to hold the camera. To the right of the camera goes the Vocas side plate, a compact accessory that incorporates 3/8in and 1/4in threads with pin-lock for further secure accessory attachment.
The final piece in the kit is the Swing Away viewfinder bracket, allowing the LCD screen to be swung 90° towards the camera operator for easy touch access when the magnification loupe is flipped up. The whole kit makes the Burano more usable for various projects – from cinema shooting to ENG – while also boosting operator comfort, allowing the focus to remain on getting great shots rather than dealing with handling shortcomings.
It’s this Production kit that has been voted a winner in the Pro Moviemaker Gear of the Year Awards – but it’s not the only parts Vocas makes for the Burano. To attach more accessories, there is a front right-side plate, lens adapters to fit LPL lenses for use with or without rails and a mic holder with a built-in shock absorber. To customise your Burano – or any of a range of cinema and mirrorless cameras – Vocas has the answer with professional-level kit that gives a noticeable improvement to the quality of your films.
This feature was first published in the November/December 2024 issue of Pro Moviemaker.
