First Impressions of teh NEW DV MultiRiG
- Thread starter vegas06
- Start date
vegas06
Well-known member
Just wanted to post some additional quick observations only experience with the multi rig last weekend.
The rig works as advertised and enables you to shoot in many configurations, handheld, fig rig (love this style with the support pod), tripod etc.
I was able to get VERY stable fluid shots in Fig Rig style mode (especially with the support pod).
The only issue that I have to work out is when shooting with the support pod and then switching to tripod mode for tripod mounting. The problem is due to the fact that you have to screw/unscrew the support pod to change confirgurations for tripod mounting. This was probably due to the fact that the rig was loaded up with shotgun mic, wireless receiver on handles, and PAG battery slung over shoulder. I had some accessories on order from Adorama that didn't arrive in time for me to mount on my camera that would have made things easier for my shooting configuration.
Because of the multiple configs I wanted to try out, I didn't mount the PAG light battery on the back shoulder rest, and slung it over my shoulder instead (I had belt clips on order which didn't arrive in time and would have made my mounting of the rig on my tripod much easier).
Anyway it was very easy to change mounting configurations to and from the tripod when I had the support pod removed. I was actually able to mount the entire rig (with shoulder support) on the tripod and still stay perfectly balanced when panning with my Bogen tripod head (something not possible with my DVRig Pro, as the center of balance is not centered when mounted on tripod).
Shooting wa fatigue free and very easy on my body, which I expected for a 5 hour shoot.
I tried some nice moving camera shots, walking (fig rig with support pod mode) and shooting through a row of windows from the outside of the clubhouse looking into the dining room. I reviewed the footage and was really impressed on the smoothness of the shots.
Shooting in shoulder mode was very stable and steady (much better than monopod) for speeches and most of my clients won't know that I was shooting handheld as the footage is very stable.
Anyway, this is a quick post and I will have a more detailed review later when I post some quick clips to show what this rig can do.
The rig works as advertised and enables you to shoot in many configurations, handheld, fig rig (love this style with the support pod), tripod etc.
I was able to get VERY stable fluid shots in Fig Rig style mode (especially with the support pod).
The only issue that I have to work out is when shooting with the support pod and then switching to tripod mode for tripod mounting. The problem is due to the fact that you have to screw/unscrew the support pod to change confirgurations for tripod mounting. This was probably due to the fact that the rig was loaded up with shotgun mic, wireless receiver on handles, and PAG battery slung over shoulder. I had some accessories on order from Adorama that didn't arrive in time for me to mount on my camera that would have made things easier for my shooting configuration.
Because of the multiple configs I wanted to try out, I didn't mount the PAG light battery on the back shoulder rest, and slung it over my shoulder instead (I had belt clips on order which didn't arrive in time and would have made my mounting of the rig on my tripod much easier).
Anyway it was very easy to change mounting configurations to and from the tripod when I had the support pod removed. I was actually able to mount the entire rig (with shoulder support) on the tripod and still stay perfectly balanced when panning with my Bogen tripod head (something not possible with my DVRig Pro, as the center of balance is not centered when mounted on tripod).
Shooting wa fatigue free and very easy on my body, which I expected for a 5 hour shoot.
I tried some nice moving camera shots, walking (fig rig with support pod mode) and shooting through a row of windows from the outside of the clubhouse looking into the dining room. I reviewed the footage and was really impressed on the smoothness of the shots.
Shooting in shoulder mode was very stable and steady (much better than monopod) for speeches and most of my clients won't know that I was shooting handheld as the footage is very stable.
Anyway, this is a quick post and I will have a more detailed review later when I post some quick clips to show what this rig can do.
vegas06
Well-known member
BTW, I have had several people contact me and ask if it's steady and fluid like a glidecam and such. As well as, doesn't the stabilizer move when it's attached to your waist like that.
Here's a brief answer to both of those questions.
"When the camera is resting on that stabilizer attached to your waist, wouldn't it move around as you walk?"
Actually there isn't much movement at all. This is because the support pod is actually 2 stage spring loaded.
When you want to walk you release the top portion of the support pod to give you a more stable shot. The spring loaded pod work like a set of shocks on your car.
The lower portion of the pod is used to adjust your camera height (low, eye view, overhead) and if you wanted to do booming or dutch style shooting you would have both portions of the pod free flowing and not locked down. I did find shooting is Fig Rig style (Arms turned up. Non shoulder mode) along with the support pod to be very smooth and fatigue free.
"Will this give me smooth shots like a Glidecam or Smooth Shooter?"
No. It's not a stedycam or Glidecam, and will NEVER give you ultra smooth walking or running shots like they do. But for all intensive purposes, the walking footage is good enough for a wedding video, not for cooperate work where a glidecam, smooth shooter is best served.
For all day, unobtrusive low profile, fatigue free, live event style shooting, where you can't setup your shots and have to get the shot at a moments notice with no second takes It's perfect.
My shooting style for example is as follows:
1. Anticipate the action
2. Get into position for the shot (Move from point A to B at a moments notice)
3. Capture the shot as it happens and follow it to it's completion. (This include some slight walking and camera movements on my part.)
So the advantage of a unit like this is:
1. I can shoot Fatigue FREE all day long (The unit weighs practically nothing so there is no added weight to my shooting)
2. Get steady stable shots in any position. (The rig is very compact and takes up no more space than my big fat body )
3. Apply, multiple steady handheld moving camera techniques. (This is done by just changing the rig configuration)
4. If needed, I can still mount my camera with the rig on a tripod, and continue shooting tripod lock down style.
Here's a brief answer to both of those questions.
"When the camera is resting on that stabilizer attached to your waist, wouldn't it move around as you walk?"
Actually there isn't much movement at all. This is because the support pod is actually 2 stage spring loaded.
When you want to walk you release the top portion of the support pod to give you a more stable shot. The spring loaded pod work like a set of shocks on your car.
The lower portion of the pod is used to adjust your camera height (low, eye view, overhead) and if you wanted to do booming or dutch style shooting you would have both portions of the pod free flowing and not locked down. I did find shooting is Fig Rig style (Arms turned up. Non shoulder mode) along with the support pod to be very smooth and fatigue free.
"Will this give me smooth shots like a Glidecam or Smooth Shooter?"
No. It's not a stedycam or Glidecam, and will NEVER give you ultra smooth walking or running shots like they do. But for all intensive purposes, the walking footage is good enough for a wedding video, not for cooperate work where a glidecam, smooth shooter is best served.
For all day, unobtrusive low profile, fatigue free, live event style shooting, where you can't setup your shots and have to get the shot at a moments notice with no second takes It's perfect.
My shooting style for example is as follows:
1. Anticipate the action
2. Get into position for the shot (Move from point A to B at a moments notice)
3. Capture the shot as it happens and follow it to it's completion. (This include some slight walking and camera movements on my part.)
So the advantage of a unit like this is:
1. I can shoot Fatigue FREE all day long (The unit weighs practically nothing so there is no added weight to my shooting)
2. Get steady stable shots in any position. (The rig is very compact and takes up no more space than my big fat body )
3. Apply, multiple steady handheld moving camera techniques. (This is done by just changing the rig configuration)
4. If needed, I can still mount my camera with the rig on a tripod, and continue shooting tripod lock down style.
vegas06
Well-known member
danny said:
I have to agree with Danny on this one, that this is only a support tool, and that the creative shooting is in the hands of the camera man.
As I said it's not a Glidecam. But, a support device that enables you to shoot stable handheld shots in a multitude of ways, fatigue free, all day long.
vegas06
Well-known member
psts said:
It compares rather favorably. :thumbup:
They are similar in a way but really are different tools.
I love my DVRig Pro to death and still swear by it, for one time load up (Pag C6 light and battery, wireless receiver, LANC controller, and shotgun mic.) and shoot for an entire day.
With the Multi Rig you can load up for an entire day, but you will lose some functioablility when you do, as your accessories will get in the way of re-configuring the unit for different shooting situations. I am however still experimenting to see if I can setup a way to shoot fully loaded and still have the ability to change to any configuration.
So far I have figured out to place my LANC on the left handle to free up the remaining 2 handles for multi configurations. These 2 switch places depending if you want shoulder mode or free fly mode.
The support pod works great on both units, but you have more freedom with the Multi Rig as you don't have the restriciveness of having to always be in shoulder mode, like on the DVRig Pro. Actually I found that not being in shoulder mode and just using the support pod in free fly mode gave me very stable and free moving shots.
I did find a net configuration as well while in shoulder mode (using the support pod). If you takes the shoulder bracket and turn it sideways so it wraps around your neck, then the unit stays very stable and frees up your hands to operate the camera is you prefer. I was able to move my hand off of the left handles and operate my camera lens, and not notice any real dip in the rig, like I have in the DVRig Pro.
The Multi is definitely more functional, as you can configure many different shooting styles, it's ultra compact and folds up right into my case while still attached to my camera, and it's ultra light , rigid and solidly built.
The only knocks on the unit, with the edge going to the DVRig Pro right now, are two things.
1. The DVRig Pro can be outfitted with all of your accessories to shoot all day long. But you are limited to one style of shooting compared to several for the Multi rig.
2. The support pod snaps into the bottom of the DVRig Pro, which makes it very easy to remove and attach. With the Multi Rig, the support pod has to be screwed and unsecured from the bottom of the unit. This makes using unit with or without the support pod more difficult and time consuming when switching configurations.
All in all both units are great and which one is best suited for you depends on your shooting style. If you are a one time load up your camera and shoot shoulder style operator then the DVRig Pro is a better choice for you.
Although if you are not reliant on shoulder shooting only and prefer multiple shooting styles (Free Fly, Fig Rig style both pod supported and non supported, as well as shoulder supported), with allowing for conversion of the rig in between shots (figure 1-2 minutes tops when having to switch between pod and no pod), then the Multi Rig is the choice for you.
monkeyking
Well-known member
Shipping costs plus ?
Shipping costs plus ?
Vegas,
Did you have to pay any customs fees or duties in addition to the shipping cost from Israel? I live in Bethesda, MD USA.
Multirig is out of stock til Nov. according to site, so no rush orders.
chris
Shipment will be about 1 week as it's coming from Israel.[/QUOTE]
Shipping costs plus ?
Vegas,
Did you have to pay any customs fees or duties in addition to the shipping cost from Israel? I live in Bethesda, MD USA.
Multirig is out of stock til Nov. according to site, so no rush orders.
chris
Shipment will be about 1 week as it's coming from Israel.[/QUOTE]
monkeyking
Well-known member
BTW, I am in Damascus, MD if you ever want to check out the unit.
Michael[/QUOTE]
Thanks for offer, Michael. I may take you up on it before ordering one myself. My HVX gets pretty heavy pretty fast !
chris
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
Exactly. The more I experiment with this the more clear that becomes. You no longer have to hold your camera, you just have to point it. It's so cool.
vegas06
Well-known member
Actually, I just figured a way that I can load up the entire rig and still shoot in all configurations.HorseFilms said:
WHat I did was attach, everything to the left handle (LANC control on grip), screw in the grip extension into the top of the left handle with hot shoe adapter attahced (I then attach a Cool Lux MD-3000 bracket http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...229&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)
which I then attach my shotgun mic and wireless receiver to the bracket.
I then place my C6 PAGlight on my cameras hotshoe and attach the battery to my belt.
Now when I want to shoot in Fig Rig style with the handles turned up, I only have to turn up the right handle. SInce I have the grip extender attached to the top of the left grip, it now acts like a handle ad I can now fly Fig Rig style.
I can leave the shoulder attached together and use it in shoulder mode and still attach the unit to my tripod.
Since I have the accesories on the left handle and the shoulder handle becomes the right handle when in tripod mode, the rig actually balances out nicely.
Oh and BTW, I notice that the support pod screws in and out easier is you have the top portion of the support pod loose, as it turns nicely with no resistance which enables me to screw/unscrew the pod from the base quicker.
I'm stoked to try this out in the filed now.
Michael
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
I also use the grip extender on the left handle and mount my mic on that (the few times I've gone with a camera mounted mic). Great minds think alike.
danny
DVXuser Sponsor
vegas06 said:
It looks like both of you would like to have two grip extenders fixed on top of the joints, Or perhaps even have two extra grips fixed to the joints.
This is easy and I will make them as extra acc. or may be raise the price a bit and
include them in the package. What do you think ?
danny
DVXuser Sponsor
Yes, Detachable, Have to be.
Most DVTEC dealers have or are now getting small stocks.
see www.dvtec.tv > dealers
Most DVTEC dealers have or are now getting small stocks.
see www.dvtec.tv > dealers