Thoughts on the Fig Rig?
- Thread starter mixer28
- Start date
Brass Monkey Productions
New member
I think the Fig rig is pretty expensive,
I mode my own from plumming suplies from B&Q for around £40 and used the head from an old tripod, many users from this forum have done the same.
It takes a bit of getting used to but the results are very good, I mostly use it for filming snowboarding but i have used it for docs, it gets peoples attention aswell.
I would recommend it.
Andy
I mode my own from plumming suplies from B&Q for around £40 and used the head from an old tripod, many users from this forum have done the same.
It takes a bit of getting used to but the results are very good, I mostly use it for filming snowboarding but i have used it for docs, it gets peoples attention aswell.
I would recommend it.
Andy
Zack Birlew
Veteran
This is what I use. Cost $40 and you can find these in camera stores here and there. Sunpak also makes accessory shoe adapters like this but they charge $50 each. I tried them with a DVX camera and it just fit, the LCD was much bigger than the GL1's.
When I did try it, I was doing my finals for one of my film classes and we were also using a FigRig and the other students and my teachers compared that with these and the teacher said that this was a better solution as it was lighter and offered even smoother motion.
However, don't get your hopes up too much, as I said, these are in a few camera stores at a time and sometimes they stop carrying them for a while. So if you stop by someplace that does have them by chance, I would highly recommend you pick a pair or two up. All you need to do is unscrew one of them and flip it and make it a right-handed side.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/zack_birlew/detail?.dir=63b8&.dnm=c0b6.jpg&.src=ph
When I did try it, I was doing my finals for one of my film classes and we were also using a FigRig and the other students and my teachers compared that with these and the teacher said that this was a better solution as it was lighter and offered even smoother motion.
However, don't get your hopes up too much, as I said, these are in a few camera stores at a time and sometimes they stop carrying them for a while. So if you stop by someplace that does have them by chance, I would highly recommend you pick a pair or two up. All you need to do is unscrew one of them and flip it and make it a right-handed side.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/zack_birlew/detail?.dir=63b8&.dnm=c0b6.jpg&.src=ph
Thanks for the feedback and I agree the fig rig is not cheap - I guess the manfrotto brand means doubles the cost - I heard this week the fig rig was originally about £50 at the video forum a year or so ago... not sure what happened there.
There is a company in India selling on Ebay UK producing something similar to your support Jack - though it is a shoulder support design. It is under $100 so its more affordable than the FR.
Andy - I don't think I could build my own FR though - welding and plumbing supplies I generally know little about
but if you have the skills I can see it could be relatively easy to replicate.
Will hire one for a couple of days to see if I like it enough to buy one.
There is a company in India selling on Ebay UK producing something similar to your support Jack - though it is a shoulder support design. It is under $100 so its more affordable than the FR.
Andy - I don't think I could build my own FR though - welding and plumbing supplies I generally know little about
but if you have the skills I can see it could be relatively easy to replicate.Will hire one for a couple of days to see if I like it enough to buy one.
Joe Julian
Member
Have a look, the best of all worlds.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=81984&page=2&highlight=multirig
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=81984&page=2&highlight=multirig
mikkowilson
Steadi-Guru
Note that non of these discussed rigs will produce Steadicam type shots.
The Fig-Rig and other handheld supports are exactly that. They are grip options on how to handhold the camera.
If you want Steadicam type shots, you will need a Steadicam.
- Mikko
The Fig-Rig and other handheld supports are exactly that. They are grip options on how to handhold the camera.
If you want Steadicam type shots, you will need a Steadicam.
- Mikko
Gauranga
Active member
Mikkowilson is right. The Fig Rig is not a stabilization device. If you need a stabilization device, look at Steadicam products (or Steadicam type products).
That being said, I used the Fig Rig on a TV pilot that I shot over the summer. I loved it. I was able to get some really interesting shots.
However, it isn't without it's problems. First, it can get very heavy with a camera and accessories (doesn't happen with steadicams). Which is a big deal on a long shot. And, as it has been said, it is expensive for what it is.
Having used one, would I buy it? Probably not. I liked it enough on that shoot but if I were to make the investment I'd buy a Steadicam Merlin; which is roughly the same price and I feel it is a more useable solution. If I wanted those Fig Rig type shots again, I'd rent or borrow one.
That being said, I used the Fig Rig on a TV pilot that I shot over the summer. I loved it. I was able to get some really interesting shots.
However, it isn't without it's problems. First, it can get very heavy with a camera and accessories (doesn't happen with steadicams). Which is a big deal on a long shot. And, as it has been said, it is expensive for what it is.
Having used one, would I buy it? Probably not. I liked it enough on that shoot but if I were to make the investment I'd buy a Steadicam Merlin; which is roughly the same price and I feel it is a more useable solution. If I wanted those Fig Rig type shots again, I'd rent or borrow one.
Having used the fig rig for the last week on a project I totally agree with Gauranga.
Some interesting shots - some extra stability when doing walking/ tracking type shots.
I used the unit for about 8 hours solid one day and my arms did ache for about 2 days after.
Some irony is that it can facilitate a one man operation of camera and sound with the clamps, but on the flip side the design is such that the unit cannot stand up on its own - this is a real pain when trying to swap cables and make adjustments on the move so you end up balancing it between your legs and hoping your camera won't tip over
I think the fig rig is a useful tool but I agree that a steadicam set up is possibly the right long term solution.
Some interesting shots - some extra stability when doing walking/ tracking type shots.
I used the unit for about 8 hours solid one day and my arms did ache for about 2 days after.
Some irony is that it can facilitate a one man operation of camera and sound with the clamps, but on the flip side the design is such that the unit cannot stand up on its own - this is a real pain when trying to swap cables and make adjustments on the move so you end up balancing it between your legs and hoping your camera won't tip over
I think the fig rig is a useful tool but I agree that a steadicam set up is possibly the right long term solution.