Any opinions about the FIG RIG?
- Thread starter abalex
- Start date
I used it once. Never again. Just too big, too heavy, too much arm strain, very little benefit.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Michael Caporale used it extensively up at the Iditarod. He really likes it because it removes the wrist joint from the equation. I thought it seemed cumbersome if you don't have at least a VariZoom focus/iris/zoom controller; when the cam is in the Fig Rig you don't have any hands on it so you're pretty much limited to running in auto-everything mode. If you had the VariZoom (or other remote controllers) you could at least focus and zoom while Figging.
I don't know that I'd use it, but I will say that it definitely garnered a LOT of attention. Everyone wanted to see it and talk about it. If you want to go low-key, don't Fig. If you want to attract attention, the Fig Rig definitely does that.
I don't know that I'd use it, but I will say that it definitely garnered a LOT of attention. Everyone wanted to see it and talk about it. If you want to go low-key, don't Fig. If you want to attract attention, the Fig Rig definitely does that.
I love mine. It's the lowest learning curve of any stabilizer I've tried and I like the way the steering wheel lets me pass it way up and around my head to below my knees withing 360 degrees. I've done shots with it where I have stood on a chair and got an acceptably smooth crane like shot, just some down motion with it.
You can do that with a sled (if you are hercules) or with a sled vest system, but the point is that the fig rig allows you to use muscles that you already know how to use without learning how to balance things.
It's much lighter than a glide cam, but it is not a replacement for a glidecam. It can be a substitute for a glidecam in some instances - but not a replacement. In other words this is not for super floating smooth flying or almost dolly like shots like a glidecam can give you.
This is between handheld or a shoulder brace and a glidecam in terms of smoothness. That may be enough for you particularly if you are doing a guerilla shoot. But if the story requires super hollywood smoothness then a glidecam would be required.
Devil's Rejects was shot "hand held" meaning, 16mm film cams on shoulder supports and it looked polished and professional within the shooting vocabulary of the film, which was somewhat documentary like.
A fig rig can give you more flexibility than a shoulder mount and as smooth or smoother shots, and can be easier to use and more convenient than a glidecam for some things.
It has some benifits of both camera stabilzers and camera supports and some benifits and limits of its own.
You can do that with a sled (if you are hercules) or with a sled vest system, but the point is that the fig rig allows you to use muscles that you already know how to use without learning how to balance things.
It's much lighter than a glide cam, but it is not a replacement for a glidecam. It can be a substitute for a glidecam in some instances - but not a replacement. In other words this is not for super floating smooth flying or almost dolly like shots like a glidecam can give you.
This is between handheld or a shoulder brace and a glidecam in terms of smoothness. That may be enough for you particularly if you are doing a guerilla shoot. But if the story requires super hollywood smoothness then a glidecam would be required.
Devil's Rejects was shot "hand held" meaning, 16mm film cams on shoulder supports and it looked polished and professional within the shooting vocabulary of the film, which was somewhat documentary like.
A fig rig can give you more flexibility than a shoulder mount and as smooth or smoother shots, and can be easier to use and more convenient than a glidecam for some things.
It has some benifits of both camera stabilzers and camera supports and some benifits and limits of its own.
Jim Brennan
VHS Member Old Skool
I used it once, and I was impressed. Then again, I didn't expect much. I will second Jack Daniel's comments about the learning curve though. I set it up, and was shooting pretty confidently in just a few minutes. I had to stay wide to not worry about focus. But I was happy with the results. It's not a substitute for any kind of a real stabilizer with an experienced operator for super smooth shots, but it has legitimate applications in my book.
Kevin Lee
Veteran
I enjoy using it, because I enjoy being the center of attention!! I see everyone pointing and whispering. I know what they are saying "Look at that idiot with the steering wheel" I just walk by, pretend to shift gears and make the motor sounds. They all laugh.
But seriously, there is a bit of a learning curve. If you used it once you wont like it. I stuck it out, and now realize how easy it can be. I actually had a news cameraman tell me that it was a fantastic Idea. He's never seen one before.
But seriously, there is a bit of a learning curve. If you used it once you wont like it. I stuck it out, and now realize how easy it can be. I actually had a news cameraman tell me that it was a fantastic Idea. He's never seen one before.
Interesting a news guy would say that.
Cuz while I love it for film work, it would get heavy as heck with an HVX, MArshall monitor, wireless mic receivers, etc. That's why I got a spiderbrace for event work.
With a film you let it hang down in one hand between takes, lean it against a wall, hand it to a friend, or do what I used to do which is carry some quality bungees around and bungee it to fences and things. But I tried to shoot comedians performing with this thing and it just gets to heavy. And that was with only my HVX.
Cuz while I love it for film work, it would get heavy as heck with an HVX, MArshall monitor, wireless mic receivers, etc. That's why I got a spiderbrace for event work.
With a film you let it hang down in one hand between takes, lean it against a wall, hand it to a friend, or do what I used to do which is carry some quality bungees around and bungee it to fences and things. But I tried to shoot comedians performing with this thing and it just gets to heavy. And that was with only my HVX.
DC
Cinematographiliac
mikkowilson
Steadi-Guru
- Mikko
Jim Brennan
VHS Member Old Skool
If Only...
*sigh*mikkowilson said:
- Mikko
That old chestnut. I think the first time I saw you post this was in '05.
Let it be stated again, that no one here has claimed the fig rig is a substitute for Mikko's holier than holy, the one, the only, steadicam.
heheh, :beer:.