shoulder support

[JoeyG123]

Hi all,

can anyone recommend a good shoulder support to hold an HVX and sgpro with matt box rig,

I have looked around and found a few, just wanted to know peoples preferences and experience using the equipment,

Thanks in advance

[Spec-Comm]

On the higher end, I would suggest the Zacuto rig. On the more cost effective side, switronix has a decent one.

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!

[bbguninteractive]

This works pretty well
http://cgi.ebay.com/For-Panasonic-DVX100-HVX200-DVC30-DVC80-operators_W0QQitemZ220172828387QQihZ012QQcategoryZ 23780QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[wgzn]

that cb105 thing on ebay is handy but wont work with an adapter and mattebox without serious rigging.

i suggest zacuto products - way pricey but very worth it!
here is my zacuto rig - it was like $2700 but i dont regret it for a second:

http://understandinc.com/samples/IMG_0136.JPG

[mattistupid]

The only one I have experience using is the spiderbrace, it definitely helped but there's no doubt that there's far better. I'm in the market for something right now thats affordable and just for camera mounting, no 35 rig or monitor. cb105 thing looks interesting but I would like grips at the front I think.

Any affordable and effective suggestions?

[bbguninteractive]

I like the CB105 + you can order additional weights to balance with whatever acc. you are using. The grips on the front on the others only make them more front heavy. The CB105 balances just setting on your shoulder without holding it

[soarprod]

the new dvrigpro hd works great with my sgpro setup.

[wgzn]

bbgun - you clearly havent used used a good grips setup. ; )

and matti, i have the cb105 and its great, but i too would like to see a grips option added to it. you could pretty easily rig and bolt on some grips with a trip to home depot and a bike store... but like bbgun says, youd want to add additional rear weights to counter balance the extra front weight

[3xm]

I also suggest the DVrigpro HD....I do hand held SGpro shoots all the time with it.

[Dan_Dabisch]

wgzn - do you have the zoffset on your rig?

[Joseph Stunzi]

Dan,
You can see he doesn't have a Zoffset because the rails are parallel throughout. The Zoffset is quite an ingenious piece of engineering. It also really helps when filming outside without an external LCD monitor ... because you can use the viewfinder with its custom sunshade. Check it out here (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzacuto.com%2FZoffset.htm&ei=YrVER6GeLqHSggTupaX4Dw&usg=AFQjCNFVwGGeAl4Xj9puGw3tJQXRSh4sTw&sig2=pCJtX90wKQIvBXIYO3q4TA).

http://myskitch.com/jstunzi/zoffset-20071121-174618.jpg
http://myskitch.com/jstunzi/0216alg-20071121-174645.jpg

[JoeyG123]

thanks for the replies peeps, helped me alot,

i really like the zacuto rig looks sturdy and professional, but i also really like the look of the dvrig pro hd, i had not seen that one before, a question for the dvrig hd users......can the existing sgpro rail system be mounted straight onto the dvrig hd or is it a separate plate system?

cheers everyone and thanks for the pics......anymore 35mm adaptor rig pics are welcome......:)

[wgzn]

no. i dont have the zoffset. i did SERIOUSLY consider getting it. but i got to the point where id spent more than enough money on the rig and thought that for MOST of my uses i would be using an external monitor anyway.

if i did more ENG stuff i'd DEFINITELY have bought it. i did though get the Q-release to put the shoulder mount UNDER the rails as opposed to on them and an additional minimount (which i may be selling soon) because i wasnt sure how id mount the zamerican arm for the monitor.

[Joseph Stunzi]

Edit: (I stand corrected)

I'd never have to do that with my Zacuto rig. Neither would WGZN. Main diff.. is customizability. Zacuto opens up a lot of doors. They even have equipment to integrate 19mm Cine style equipment with 15mm rails. Zacuto's stuff balances fine as well. So what's your price range here? Zacuto can get you a great discount... just tell them Joseph Stunzi sent you. I have somewhat of an "in" with Zacuto.

[JoeyG123]

Thanks Joseph, if i can afford it i would really like to go with the zacuto rig, whats the exact setup you have for use with your sgpro rig, which package/parts have you got?,

I appreciate the help.....:)

[wgzn]

to me one of the main differentiators with the zacuto stuff is the "pro-vibe" and "pro-feel" it does what its supposed to do and does it well, without any whining or crying. when i mount up my rig i can almost hear it saying "let's get to work!"

as a side note - and im SURE this sounds hella-shallow, but there is still a good deal of "cache'" associated with our industry. clients often are in a race to out-cool their competition (and to remain "cool" in the eyes of their employees) and when you get to a shoot and whip out your pre-rigged, aluminum and red anodized zacuto kit you WILL get looks. and clients notice that. and thats important.

[Ted Spencer]

Joey it's really up to your needs. I believe the DVRig Pro HD is great but it limits your monitoring/accesory capabilities. check out this image...
http://dannynatovich.bizland.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/image002.jpg

If the point of posting that pic (which is from the DVRigPro site) was to assert that the system can't hold an arm mounted monitor, then what about this pic, from the same site, just below it:

[Joseph Stunzi]

Yes to WGZN. I recently got a comment from a client
"What the hell is that on your shoulder?"
I replied...
"My Zacuto camera rig!"
He goes....
"Oh okay!"

I don't own an SGPro. So here's the deal... if you're starting out with follow focus, camera, and SGPro... you're going to want to also be able to balance it on your shoulder. So here's my itemized recommendation for a SGPro rig. Note I'm not a Zacuto employee and thus you'll want to talk to them first.

Consider the following...
Universal Baseplate Kit (mounts underneath camera)
Z-Grips (hand grips... they're amazingly adjustable and comfortable)
Shoulder Pad with Q-Release (so you can mount your shoulderpad directly under your camera for balance)

[Joseph Stunzi]

Ted... I stand corrected...
you are right.

You have a lot of room with rails and what not--- didn't see that at first. My main question is about weight. When does the DVRigPro cut off on weight. Can it support IDX batteries, a monitor, the HVX, and a 35mm DOFA with lenses? If so, then it looks like a great system. Only thing is... how do you transfer from shoulder mount to tripod? Does the rig detach somehow? That's one of the advantages of the Zacuto system... tripod to handheld and back again.

[wgzn]

with all that great stuff that jstunzi suggests on the front end ahead of the shoulder support, id really suggest either of the following on the back:

1. the zacuto "lunchbox" - though i have HUGE issue paying $200+ for an 11lb weight covered in rubbber/plastic. im reasonably happy with the near extortionate pricing on the rest of their stuff - but i have to draw a line somewhere!

2. do what i did (as seen in my photo) and get a "red plate" for the back end and either use gaffer tape or industrial velcro to strap a couple of weight plates to it to counterbalance the front weightiness.

[Joseph Stunzi]

WGZN.... do you counterbalance while using the Q-Release with the shoulderpad?
The Q-Release will really help out a lot with balance. The RED plate is pretty sweet. I have one with the wireless plate and the battery plate attachments.

Joey if you need anything... just PM me for assistance.

[wgzn]

i havent even used the Qrelease yet. havent had the need so far. but YES, based on current experience, i think i would. as i dont want all the weight to be carried on my hands. id rather pull slightly down with the grips than have to carry weight on my forearms.

[3xm]

I will post pics of the setup with an DVrig Pro...and yes you can mount the monitor directly on it and it uses the same quick release plate as the SGpro...it's extremely easy to slide on and off....

[JoeyG123]

cheers 3xm, i look forward to seeing your rig pics, the dvrig pro hd looks like the closest competitor to the zacuto setup and will work out a fair bit cheaper,

nice one for the help, i am getting the chosen support within the next month or so, I'll let you know my choises, and jstunzi... i might pm you in the near future as your zacuto setup seems very pro in looks and performance,

[Joseph Stunzi]

Joey... i haven't posted pictures of my setup yet... it's a secret shhhhhhh
No I'm just waiting to unveil my show before unveiling how we make it. Anyway I look forward to hearing from you soon!

[JoeyG123]

does any one else have any hvx+sgpro shoulder rig pics they dont mind sharing,

thanks all

[jetaddiction@mac.com]

my shoulder mount works great . best with the gyro bolted on the bottom. also have a water bag that covers the camera. it is on the home page of my web site www.jetaddiction.com

[JoeyG123]

anyone got any hvx + sgpro with dvrig pro hd handheld rig pics?

would love to see what the stup looks like,

cheers