Any opinions on a shoulder mount?

My grip and I are coming up with a franken-rig.

I have a zacuto baseplate with 5 pounds of stuff on it. I have a shoulder mounted brace. It has a curved part that rests on my shoulder. That comes out to a single handgrip. The camera is mounted on top of all this. I want to attach another handgrip to the left side ofr double gripping. Then, coming off the shoulder brace, we have one of those sticks that connects with a belt on your waistline.

What I hope to end up with is a balanced system with most of the weight towards the back on my shoulder and absorbed by my waist. The two handgrips and overal config will force me to move around like a robot, which translates to an even horizon and a more human "eyeball"- type POV look.

Handheld can ruin a DV film if you don't operate EXTRA smooth.

I've become nauseated on blowups I've seen that have been operated from the wrist.
 
spiderbrace.com
get the spider brace 2, for the price you cant beat it.
i have shot all day with this thing and it was great!
 
The DVRigPro is the best handheld solution I have used so far with the HVX. It's not cheap, but it is well-built and heavy duty. The pogo stick that attaches to the nylon belt and the underside of the rig really helps to make sure handheld shots stable.

A Steadicam Flyer is nice solution at about ten times the cost of the DVRigPro.

Depends on what kind of money you can throw at this issue.

Best,

Dan
 
I'll chime in for the spiderbrace as well... I rarely use my HVX without it when i'm handheld.... Great product! Plus, you can actually use the HVX eyepiece, wheras with other shoulder supports it is necessary to use the flip-out LCD... The Spiderbrace is lightweight and versatile and I really love it!!!
 
AbstracTheory said:
Plus, you can actually use the HVX eyepiece, wheras with other shoulder supports it is necessary to use the flip-out LCD...
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This is not accurate...
 
AbstracTheory said:
I'll chime in for the spiderbrace as well... I rarely use my HVX without it when i'm handheld.... Great product! Plus, you can actually use the HVX eyepiece, wheras with other shoulder supports it is necessary to use the flip-out LCD... The Spiderbrace is lightweight and versatile and I really love it!!!
Click to expand...

I (happily) operate a Steadicam Flyer on occasion with my HVX-200. I recently was contracted to do some live action sports stuff – beach volleyball to be specific. The mental picture I have of stumbling across the sand on the beach with my Flyer is not a pretty sight.

I don’t really have to move the camera but would do well to be somewhat mobile so I can get a lot of different angles and perspective. What to do? After devouring a number of threads here at DVXUSER, taking into account the advice so many have offered, and taking a long look at the old cost vs. benefit thing I decided the SpiderBrace was the strongest candidate.

Last Friday after lunch I placed my order on-line, deciding to pay the few extra dollars for express shipping (not sure why . . . don’t need it for another week). A couple hours later I received e-mail telling me it had been shipped. Now here’s where it gets a little crazy – the US Postal Service delivered it to my home on SUNDAY! I never heard of that before . . . on a normal weekday it can be challenging just getting regular mail delivered to the right address ;-)

So I open the nicely packaged box and find . . . no surprises, a SpiderBrace. It appears to be well conceived, lightweight but strong, nicely finished (as opposed to some DIY erector set looking thing) and has soft rubber cushioning. Pretty much what I expected and well worth the price I paid. I mounted my HVX and, sure enough, it’s definitely a workable solution. Hey, it’s not a Steadicam but it is what I need for this project and I don’t have to worry about it collapsing on me in the middle of the shoot like something held together with screws.

Yeah I know, this is something of a windy post but I’ve not always had the best experience when acquiring equipment that grew (or is growing) out of a DYI situation. I think that when “the little guy” takes the time to put something together (and is actually able to deliver it) that does the job and doesn’t rip our faces off at the cash register that he (or she) deserves a plug (even if it does have a little wind in there with it).

Oh yeah, and by the way, AbstracTheory is absolutely correct . . . you can actually use the eyepiece with your mounted HVX . . . no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it.

Nice going Marcos G. I hope you sell a lot of them!

P.S. This experience mirrors that satisfaction I had when receiving the IndieSnap mattebox . . . kudos to you too, DakotaPod!
 
dregenthal,

All I tried to say was that I do not agree with AbstracTheory saying: "...with other shoulder supports it is necessary to use the flip-out LCD... "

Most other supports, not only my products, can be used with the eye piece, and most can be used with either eye piece or LCD.


Here is a quote from this forum guidelines:

"If you’re using DVXuser to promote something, you should also be contributing something to the DVXuser community."

If you read all my posts you will see that I am following the rules.

I am sorry if I have upset you in anyway.
 
dregenthal said:
Look man, my opinion only but it just isn’t cool to trash the other guys product when you are (about to) introduce a competitive product.
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I don't see anyone trashing another guys products here. All the guy was saying is that you can also use the HVX eyepiece on many shoulder mounts, not just the Spiderbrace. How is that trashing someone's product?

On a side note I got a Magiqcam, but I'm thinking of upgrading to the Flyer. How do you like yours? Is it worth the price tag? I wish I could get a HD monitor with the same price tag.

I got a dvrigpro for the same reasons as you got the spiderbrace. I admit it was a hard decison when weighing the old cost vs. benefit, but my need to carry on a few extras to the HVX made my decision.
 
konton said:
I don't see anyone trashing another guys products here. All the guy was saying is that you can also use the HVX eyepiece on many shoulder mounts, not just the Spiderbrace. How is that trashing someone's product?
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It's not. My brain completely ignored the reference to "others." I have deleted the post and apologized to Danny. I probably don't need to post at 3 in the morning any longer either.

On a side note I got a Magiqcam, but I'm thinking of upgrading to the Flyer. How do you like yours? Is it worth the price tag? I wish I could get a HD monitor with the same price tag.
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I owned a Magiqcam II (or IIa?) before attending a week long Steadicam workshop (which I benefited from). I have nothing but good things to say about John and his product. I just felt, at the time, that I had the time and commitment to justify moving up to the Flyer . . . a decision I have not regretted. The Marshall 7" monitor works nicely with it.

I got a dvrigpro for the same reasons as you got the spiderbrace. I admit it was a hard decison when weighing the old cost vs. benefit, but my need to carry on a few extras to the HVX made my decision.
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I agree completely. This is a case where I was able to make the perfect selection *for its intended purpose.* There are limits to what may reasonably be accomplished with the SpiderBrace but, for this project or others like it, it fits like a glove.
 
Thanks for the intel. I got the Magiqcam IIa after attending a two day Steadicam Flyer workshop in San Francisco. At the time I didn't have the money to move up to the Flyer. But now things have changed and I'm looking to make the same commitment.

I hope sometime you post some of your works or give a URL. Id's like to see the great work you can do on the Flyer.

Did you choose the sony V mount batteries to power everything? Or did you get the Flyer without a monitor and add one later? I was hoping to buy it without the monitor and add the monitor later. I'm getting the money in soon and will have the time to really make use of the Flyer.

After getting batteries, holder, multiple charger, and a monitor for the Magiqcam which I bought used, it still only cost me under $1600. So at the time it was the best deal I could get. But since I have been using it I've seen all the great things I can accimplish with a steadicam and dammit, it's time to upgrade! When I do, I got a magiqcam all decked out for sale!
 
konton said:
" . . . I hope sometime you post some of your works or give a URL. Id's like to see the great work you can do on the Flyer. "
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Hmmm. You would probably be more interested in some of the flying done by the pro's. I've barely been at it for two years and very much a newbie, although having hit it really hard over the Winter months feel like I'm starting to "get it." Mikko or Haakon, right here on this board might have something worth looking at. . . http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=55664&highlight=flyer

Did you choose the sony V mount batteries to power everything? Or did you get the Flyer without a monitor and add one later? I was hoping to buy it without the monitor and add the monitor later. I'm getting the money in soon and will have the time to really make use of the Flyer.
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I went with v-mounts (but I already had some other equipment that required them). You can save a fair amount of money if you shop for you power solutions -- I got mine from batteries4broadcast.com Why not go with the less expensive LCD monitor (and maybe add a Marshall later)? You are going to have to have something to frame your shots--the camera LCD is not going to cut it (for that) when you're moving/flying a rig.

After getting batteries, holder, multiple charger, and a monitor for the Magiqcam which I bought used, it still only cost me under $1600. So at the time it was the best deal I could get. But since I have been using it I've seen all the great things I can accimplish with a steadicam and dammit, it's time to upgrade! When I do, I got a magiqcam all decked out for sale!
Click to expand...

I did well marketing my Magiqcam on eBay--ended up that the guys who bought it were local. You will probably find someone who is interested right here at DVXUSER or DVINFO. You can secure your new Flyer through EVS, B&H and a lot of places . . . although Peter Abraham is really a great resource for the Flyer (PM me if you need his e-mail or website address). If you are fortunate enough to live close enough to a dealer that stocks them you might be able to do an in-store demo/try-out . . . but if you do have you checkbook (or cc) with you because you're going to want to take it home with you. If decide on the Flyer I'm pretty sure you will be very happy with it -- the days of "$1600" will be long gone however if you are or become proficient enough to earn money operating it, it will pay for itself long before you can wear it out, no?
 
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...Be fair...

DvRigPro is lot more then just a dual grip shoulder brace: (Partial List)

- Sliding QR base and plate - to adjust the camera back and forth for comfort and LCD or Eyepiece use.

- Adjustable left right camera position.

- Adjustable length to match all body sizes.

- Shock absorbing support - totaly eliminating arm fatique, especially with heavy front 35 adaptors.

- Folding to a nice carry on bag size.

- Ready for acc. on the back plate.

If you do not find all these features important and helpful then go with the lower cost solutions, Just don't straight compare the cost only...
 
You're right danny, my apologies for not being clearer on my reasoning for the post.

I just don't think the cost to value is reasonable for the dvrig pro, whereas a $65 spiderbrace is pretty darned great in that aspect.
 
Mr. Blonde said:
a $65 spiderbrace is pretty darned great in that aspect.
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I agree with this, I wish I was a US manufacturer, No dealers, No taxes, shipping Etc.
 
I have the DV rig Pro and the Spiderbrace and they both have their uses.

If you are going to go handheld and won't be shooting straight for a long time the spiderbrace will work fine with keeping your shots steady. I just shot about 5 hours of a TV show using it and my arms were burning in the in because of the time I had to shoot.

I've also got a BTS coming up next week which is why I got the DV rig because I"m going to be on set for 8 hr days and I would be able to hold the spiderbrace that long
 
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