Luma Cinch fanboys...show me what you got!

Phoenixkh wrote in post #15793175
The membrane connector works very well with the RC2 plate. I wonder if it will still be available.

MattPharmD wrote in post #15795834
Excited to see what everyone thinks of the MKII. The Cinch is by far the best camera purchase I have ever made. If I knew how awesome it was going to be, I would have probably paid twice what I did. I rented a 70-200 2.8 last weekend and carrying that thing around would have been awful on my old strap.

Someone said something about upgrading from the MKI to the MKII, any idea about if this is true? If so, I will be anxiously awaiting ordering that kit.

gakoenig wrote in post #15622570
How's that "upgrade" feature going to work? We provide our cinch mk1 order#, and we get a discount on a mk2 order? Or more along the lines of sending the old cinch back to get a credit on a mk2? Guessing the former, though some companies (such as Wimberley) have instituted their own buyback programs on older models.

The most significant technical change with the MkII is the replacement of the CinchMount with the Luma ARCA plate and the availability of our optional Luma Secure Link system. With those two components, MkI owners have, with the exception of the modular construction, all the benefits of a fully optioned Mk II.

With the upgrade kit, we are essentially giving MkI owners every advancement we can short of having you return your Mk I Cinch and having us remanufacture it. We simply do not have the horsepower to perform that scale of operation with the level of quality and customer care that we would expect as customers ourselves.

gakoenig wrote:
I've been super busy and not much to report for a while, so I'll provide you all sort of the definitive update... right now!

The tooling for the MkII is being cut, validated and tuned right now. Quick introduction/preview video will be posted by Duncan next week from his final shakedown testing shooting a somewhat famous, week-long media event in Long Beach, CA. Final beta units with 3D printed hardware are inbound to some of our trusted testers right now.

I'll give you all a quick rundown of what to expect:

- Every Cinch will ship with our new composite ARCA plate with dual mounts.
- Dual, low profile, composite sliding adjusters front and back. The MkII is totally symmetrical now.
- Totally modular construction. Swap different size webbing. Change the hardware. Flip the shoulder pad (grippy on one side, smooth on the other). The MkII is future-prof.
- Ships with composite hardware, CNC machined aluminum hardware is now an option.
- Will ship *immediately* upon order, entirely new production process and materials are far more efficient. One of the biggest goals with the MkII is to keep the damn thing in stock so you can get one when you want it!

Also, our QR system, Luma Secure Links:

- 3mm wire oval links, made in France for Luma, hold over 550lb.
- Total security; absolutely no accidental release.
- Smoothly machined with no sharps or scratchy edges
- Multiple mounting options:
Dual mount on the Luma Plate (included)
Luma triangular split key for lugs and most brackets (included)
3/8" Web adapter for inset brackets (optional)
New CinchMount for lens feet or low profile body mounting (optional)
- Available as simple adaptors to the Cinch or sewn into the MkII's modular webbing.

The Luma Secure Link system is quite neat. It is not the fastest Quick Release system available; instead, we developed the system around these very compact, totally reliable quick links that balance speed and security. Honestly, I looked at what the most paranoid users on the camera forums were running and decided the goal would be to create a system that even they would be happy to run without worry. We did it.

We are also quite proud of the Luma ARCA plate. We see this big gap in the market for universal ARCA plates between the Really Right Stuff, Kirk and others at the $50 price point, and the super cheap eBay Chinese plates for ~$10. With the Luma plate, your getting something that has the same tensile strength of aluminum, weighs less, is actually more durable and offers strap/link mounts both right and left. And it's made right here in Portland, OR. We will be selling the plate as a standalone part for folks who want to significantly upgrade the comfort of their factory or aftermarket neck straps.

Just before the MkII launches, we will be offering an upgrade special for MkI owners that will include a set of Secure Links and the ARCA plate. Watch our twitter/FB/website (and I am sure someone will post about it here).

And for those of you worried we will be going out of stock, don't. MkII shoulder pads and webbing are already in production as we finalize the injection mold tools. We will be launching with units on hand, ready to ship.

This has been a long process with lots of delays. These were conscious decisions on our part with the goal of bringing the Cinch back to the market with a lot of new features, adaptability and options. This is the kind of product that will give you a lifetime of fantastic service; the couple of months of delays will be forgotten when you are out in the field, capturing fantastic frames!

gakoenig wrote in post #15785361
Nope.

We will be offering a CNC machined RC2 plate with dual side split key lugs that you can tie into with either the 3/8" webbing straps or Luma Secure Links (our QR system).

i-G12 wrote in post #15796631
I want this immediately.
Also, our QR system, Luma Secure Links:

- 3mm wire oval links, made in France for Luma, hold over 550lb.
- Total security; absolutely no accidental release.
- Smoothly machined with no sharps or scratchy edges
- Multiple mounting options:
Dual mount on the Luma Plate (included)
Luma triangular split key for lugs and most brackets (included)
3/8" Web adapter for inset brackets (optional)
New CinchMount for lens feet or low profile body mounting (optional)
- Available as simple adaptors to the Cinch or sewn into the MkII's modular webbing.



How about an estimated ETA?

ETA on both items for me.

MickeyCT wrote in post #15797020
How do we get one of these straps as part of the "soft launch"? I'm sure many folks have been patiently following this thread even though we only contribute when we have something new to say.

P.S. I think I probably have signed up on your mailing list several times already over the years. I just want to make sure I get the notification!