Shouldermount for EX-1 + adapter-- what's feasible?

[Roy42]

I am shooting an über-low-budget art film in a few weeks, and we are hoping to get some relatively smooth moving handheld shots. I am wondering what is the cheapest / DIY shouldermount that can possibly work with a heavy set-up like an EX-1 and a Letus35 extreme adapter. For the shots in question, it's a pretty bare-bones set-up: the EX-1, the Letus, and Zacuto rails. No follow focus or mattebox, just a 24mm lens.

I am already using a mini-dolly for some tracking shots, but now we need to follow a character through a crowd. Will dinky shouldermounts like a spiderbrace (http://www.spiderbrace.com/) be able to hold the weight? Is there a homemade solution I should pursue? We really have no money for this shoot, most of the equipment is being lent/donated. I don't need the shot to be shake-free, I just need the camera's weight to be supported safely.

Any advice, warnings, scoldings, etc., would be appreciated.

Thanks guys!

[Mike Harvey]

Try Indifocus (http://www.indifocus.com/products_indirailspro.htm). I know they make a complete shoulder mount system for lens adapters for under $300. Can't vouch for the quality one way or the other, I just know they exist. They also make some dolly stuff as well.

[Sherlock256]

Consider the Redrock Shoulder Mount system. Its about $300. Quality like all Redrock products is A+. Focus is always a challenge with handheld shots.

[Michael Y Wong]

Hi Roy.

The Spiderbrace in theory could hold the weight but from to personal experience with the Brevis I would recommend against it.

There is just too much flimsy wobble/play that would leave too much bending around to deem it secure for my tastes.

Keep in mind tho that following someone through a crowd via a shoulder mounted setup with thata mount of weight will give you the Bourne look; personally I love that look when used in proper context of the story :)

Hope this 'somewhat' helps.

Cheers!

-MYW.