Shoulder mount anyone tried this?

[rzr219]

I just got a email from a company and was wondering if anyone has used the before. I am still looking for a shoulder unit that is priced right as I will not use it that much and this looks ok from what I can see in the specs.
56046
This is the link (http://www.digitaljuice.com/products/products.asp?pid=2387&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=DJ%20All%20Subscribers%20-%20Last%20Updated%2020080416%20-%20AutoSync&utm_campaign=20120704%20-%20Wednesday%20-%2011am%20july%20deals)

[mmaller]

I have a similar shoulder mount that I got from IKAN which was being discontinued, I think I paid something like $40 for it. It was too cheap to pass up and my intention was to use it with my HMC40 which is much smaller and lighter than the HPX250. The only difference between the two that I can tell is that the Digital Juice one comes with the shoulder strap which seems like a very good idea. Mine has a ring for the shoulder strap but no strap was provided.

The unit I have is a little plastic-ey and you need to attach the larger plate for cameras other than DSLRs. It feels a little cheap and with the larger attached plate it gives me some concern over it cracking due to the leverage stress. It works fine with the HMC40.
I just tried it with HPX250 and it can be adjusted to accommodate the camera but I wouldn't feel secure unless I had the Camera tethered some other way in case the unit did fail.

In this case you do get what you pay for, so don't expect a high quality unit for that price.
My comments are based on the Ikan unit not the Digital Juice one, but they look identical and Ikan no longer sells this unit it was a closeout when I got it.

[rzr219]

Thanks for the info. I will keep it in mind

[kabtv]

i use my cowboy rig with this:

http://express35.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=59

no problem with my HPX170+wide angle+Mattebox, didn't try it with my HPX250 yet.

As far as i can say, it works well, pretty solid, can be a little tricky if you try to walk or simulate a steadycam movement.

For some long shooting, i use this with the belt:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/745025-REG/VariZoom_VZ_MT_SPINGPOD_2_VZMT_SpringPod_2_Dual_St age_Spring.html

[brynsank]

I've wondered about these too as they seem like they'd be hell on the lower back, with all of that weight to the front of your body and no counter balance.

[capt chuck]

Looks a whole lot like this generic version on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Shoulder-Mount-Support-Pad-Stabilizer-For-Video-Camcorder-Camera-DV-DC-/140715516394?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c34c61ea

[rzr219]

Looks a whole lot like this generic version on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Shoulder-Mount-Support-Pad-Stabilizer-For-Video-Camcorder-Camera-DV-DC-/140715516394?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c34c61ea


Too funny, its the same as far as I can tell(except I like the girl better than the guy in the photo). Thanks for finding this.

[ChrisHarding]

Hi Guys

Take a look at : http://www.thecinecity.com They have some fairly nice rigs there and you can also get the Gliders Rig that includes the spring rod. The biggest drawback is the fact that the LCD in sunlight or even brightish light is unusable and if you use the EVF the camera is awfully far forward so you need the spring rod!! My solution when I still had my AC-130's was to mod a Hoodman Loupe and slide it over the LCD so you have a shoulder mount style EVF at the LCD so the cam is further back and easier to control.

Chris

[Steve Eisen]

And another:
http://www.lcd4video.com/dot-line-dl-0370-hands-free-video-stabilizer-for-dslr-and-camcorders/

[Jase]

With a larger camera, these are difficult on the lower back, having tried one with an XH A1. Much better with a smaller camera such as the XA10. But the real problem with them is that unless you breath very deep from your diaphragm, ie no rib cage movement, the camera will rise and fall with every breath.

[kwkeirstead]

@Jase... I don't think the Gliders Rig/belt/spring rod suffers from this rise/fall problem. Easy to understand that anything that relies on the combination of a shoulder support plus chest support might be problematic.

I have the Gliders Grey and put the camera (5 lbs) on the horizontal bar. Mechanically, it is quite solid.

I don't have enough experience with it yet to comment more but it beats hand holding.

[ChrisHarding]

I have been using a spring rod on the front of the cam for years and it's magic!! The belt is sorta almost near your hips so it doesn't really move as you breathe and the spring rod takes up any cam movement if you need to tilt up or down but more importantly it takes all the weight off the front of the camera .... the chest pod is really useless as the support is sitting right on your rib cage!!! If you ask nicely, Cine City will also sell you just the belt and spring rod..however I have added a mini ballhead to the top of my rod so it alllows the camera to move in any direction.

Chris