08Jan Warning about Clone CPM parts on ebay from seller Film City
A few of these clone CPM Cube cages have been showing up on ebay for around $75 from seller Filmcity. Although the price is really tempting, I thought I’d post a quick heads up. The hardware on these clone units might put your camera at risk of damage.
These pictures came from one of you guys who wished to remain anonymous. Basically while using the top handle on the unit it came loose. Luckily there was no camera damage, but these cages are designed to protect your camera, not send them crashing to the ground.
As you can see from this shot the only thing holding the handle in place was that little spot in the center. So if you do decide to risk it and pick up one of these clone CPM rigs up on ebay make sure you check it over very carefully before you mount your camera. A smashed lens or camera body is never good.
January 8th, 2013 at 3:30 pm
That’s why I’ve been moving more towards name brand stuff. Because a lot of the no-name Chinese stuff doesn’t have somebody in-between running interference handling quality control and customer service issues.
January 8th, 2013 at 8:24 pm
The broken handle assembly doesn’t look like anything sold at the Filmcity store. The broken handle is flat with a cold shoe, and the pattern on the handle appears to be spiraled. All of the handles on the cages advertised in the store (your picture included) are rounded at the top, and have a grid pattern on the handle itself. Considering the glaring differences in advertisement and actual product, why wouldn’t he try to get his money back Instead of using it?
January 9th, 2013 at 10:08 am
I think he did end up getting a full refund. I agree with you, if it were me and my product showed up looking that much different flags would have gone up. I haven’t ordered anything from filmcity so I’m just passing on the warning I received. But if anyone else has ordered one of these clones, send me some info on your experience.
January 10th, 2013 at 12:06 am
I brought one of these as a cheap back up for the un likely scenario i would need it (takes ages to get CPM parts down here)
I sent it back the day I got it as the aluminium rods had hairline fractures all along it, fortunatly they offered a refund which im glad i took after seeing this
January 11th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Yah Deejay, I must have confused you a bit. The broken handle was not from the Film City rig, but from a Chinese seller that puts those handles on all their rigs as top handles. Just check eBay for DSLR rig and look for the handle that broke.
Since I sent them back (was told I’d get a refund but not on the shipping but I’m asking for it all) the seller told me they’ve worked with the manufacturer to drill a bolt all the way through the handle stub and not just have it “touch” it as mine were.
Now I will say re: the Film City rig that it’s a pretty decent rig, except for one thing. The plastic quick release has some play in it when your camera is mounted on. Meaning that a solid turn from a follow focus WILL cause your camera to move a little.
I’m debating whether to sell it and get the CPM rig or start by getting the Giottos quick release as I assume it’s metal. Is the CPM quick release metal?
If you want I’ll email you a pic of the rigs they put that handle on.
January 11th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
I looked on eBay. I didn’t see rigs with that handle but did see just the handle alone. I forwarded you links to upgrade the post.
Since the seller did say they were upgrading the handles I’d ask before you buy to be sure they’re the newer handles.
April 16th, 2014 at 7:59 pm
Im glad I ran across this discussion. I was looking at the 4 footer earlier and thought wow! thats a good price. but like everything else I always do my research first. I ended up making my own slider last week just for under $20 with parts I got at Lowes. It works great and I’m happy to use it and feel secure with my camera being on something stable. All the parts you see on most of these things can be bought or re designed from things you find at your local hardware store. I actually have a friend who wants to rent my slider for a project he is doing because after seeing it he said its more sturdy that the others he has tried out and light weight as well. Since he is a friend I’m not going to rent it to him Im going to loan it to him and in return he is going to write a blog about it and we both will be happy.