Need to hear from shouldermount users on HVX200

[Flintstone]

Urghhh! I'm beat! I own a DVX100B for work I do as a freelance. I also work part time at a network with broadcast shouldermount cameras. Because of that I'm starting to hate using my DVX. It's starting to feel awkward.

I need to step up to 4:2:2 SD and in the coming months to HD for my freelance gigs. I would like to have a nice HPX500. I may be able to scrounge around and get the budget for the body, but not the lens, let alone the cards. So, I'm sad to say my budget would only allow me to get the HVX200 (with cards and other options).

My real dilemma is the form factor. I am too used to shouldermount now.

So my questions to you cameramen (and women) that are use to shouldermount cams AND DVX or HVX style cams.... How do you cope? Do you simulate the shouldermount with tools such as the DVRig, the Zaguto, etc? Which do you prefer? Do you use separate zoom, focus/iris controllers on each handles? What are your picks? Any other tools? And how do you overcome the overwhelming urge to curse at the camera when it comes to spot on focus... compared to shouldermount cams.

 

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

Cavision makes a nice shoulder shoot rig with rods and pistol grips. Use a follow focus on the rods for ease of focusing.

If you want cheap the spider brace works great for me.

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

I had the DV rig and traded up to the Cinetech Hipcam. Far more robust, able to take a LOT more weight although it IS more expensive. I can go all day with a fully loaded HVX200 no problem.


http://www.cinetechonline.com/HC02.html

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

Cavision makes a nice shoulder shoot rig with rods and pistol grips. Use a follow focus on the rods for ease of focusing.

If you want cheap the spider brace works great for me.

I second the Cavison. But since the HVX isn't on your shoulder you'll want to consider some more support otherwise your arms will get a workout, and quick.

 

[Ted Spencer]

I just ordered a DV MultirigPro. Haven't got it yet, but from what I've heard it's a great piece. I'll chime in again after I've used it for a bit.

 

[RWM]

Build your own rig! It’s easy and cheap! Take a search on “how to” here or in Google, you will find some cool ideas.

 

[Jeff Anderson]

I'm a big fan of the multi rig pro mainly for its versatility. Using the support pod I can go for hours, no fatigue in the arms. For me the fact that it folds up and can turn into a few different styles of mount is a big plus.

 

[Bob Gruen]

I second the Cavison. But since the HVX isn't on your shoulder you'll want to consider some more support otherwise your arms will get a workout, and quick.

I second that... Whatever you pick the center of mass of your entire rig should be over your shoulder. Build out your entire rig and balance it on your tripod. Wherever that point is should be as close to your shoulder as you can get.

Bob

 

[danny]

I second that... Whatever you pick the center of mass of your entire rig should be over your shoulder... and Wherever that point is should be as close to your shoulder as you can get.

Bob

Yes. This is exactly the design of the DvRigPro HD. + a shock absorbing support pod.

 

[wgzn]

i HATE the cavision stuff. feels way to plastic and cheap for my taste. played with the zacuto stuff a time or two and its solid as a brick outhouse! im about to pull the trigger on a zacuto setup myself.

pricey, yes. but ive always said buy once - BUY WELL.

 

[Nathan Beaman]

i have the zacuto - and its nice and sturdy - but heavy, uncomfortable and unweildy. Plus it costs more than the hvx - looks nice though

 

[Stephen Pruitt]

I have the Cavision shoulder and hand grips. They work pretty well, but something others posters haven't mentioned is that the closer you get the HVX over your shoulder, the more trouble you are going to have getting the LCD monitor in a spot that you can actually see it. At some point, it just gets too close for my eyes. I have my set up so the majority of the weight is on my shoulders, but it is still a bit heavy on the arms. But if I moved it back any further, I wouldn't be able to see the LCD!

Stephen

 

[Evolve]

I've got the DVRig Pro. It's one of the essential pieces of my equipment. I shoot with an hvx almost every day, and the rig is beautiful. For interviews, steady CU shots from afar, etc. the rig is great. For the 600 cost, it's indespensible. Setup time is minimal. From start to finish is a couple of minutes, including hvx setup.
I don't know why someone would pay 2700 for the cinetech version, but hey, that's me. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Fade to Black]

And if you need something really cheap (and comfortable) you can use the shoulder mount that I have: http://cgi.ebay.es/For-Panasonic-DVX100-HVX200-DVC30-DVC80-operators_W0QQitemZ220157350161QQihZ012QQcategoryZ23780QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Zak Forsman]

the Zacuto will let you truly get the HVX up on your shoulder. The DVRigProHD, gets close, but is still putting the weight in front of your shoulder.

 

[Pierre Petit]

I use the one from ebay but CB_105

 

[wgzn]

i just ordered my zacuto rig this afternoon. $2500. FRIGGIN OUCH!!! will be here friday afternoon. will post photos and detailed review in the next couple days

 

[ElektronBlue]

wgzn:

I'm almost taking the same plunge - i would like to know how much weight it's taking off your arms! ... can't wait for the review!

 

[wgzn]

ok, now ive only shot about an hour with it. put it together and walked it around the neighborhood and office a good bit - but so far im REALLY impressed. only have a couple VERY MINOR complaints.

elektron - to answer your question, its not really taken ANY weight off my arms, its just putting it on my shoulder. and it is REMARKABLY LIGHTWEIGHT for its size. the way i shoot a naked hvx is to cradle it in my right forearm with my left hand running controls and steering - and that works fine, with very little fatigue issue. the reason i got this is for times when i have to shoot ENG type stuff and NEED to be up higher with more stability than a handheld allows - AND for a sturdier base when im using my 35mm adapter and larger lenses. and for these uses it'll change your world!

ok, so the box gets here friday afternoon and my first impression is "is that all?" it was one box, about the size of two shoeboxes. and weighed only about 10lbs. i open the box and sure enough - its all there. very well packed!

it was very easy to set up. very intuitively designed. there is some fine tuning that you'll want to do but from a basic setup standpoint. it took about 5 min from in-box to on-shoulder (and it only took that long because i was in awe of the beauty and was taking extra care!). all adjustments are a breeze and super fast. there isnt a lot of play needed in the thumbscrews, the margin from open to locked is very slight. and once its locked - ITS LOCKED WELL!

the build quality and precision is amazing. its a lot lighter weight and lighter looking than id expected - but neither of those is a bad thing.

use: love it! looks great, feels great works amazingly and im really looking forward to getting it out on the field. but there are a couple of things that bother me. first is the zgrip arms. im confused by the way they mount at the top. the arm itself has a ball joint at the grip end but fits into the top joint in a fixed manner, the only way it adjusts is a forward and back pivot within the socket. this is kind of a drag because i was hoping to be able to swing the arms up and out wider into a nearly horizontal position. to make it worse, once the left and right arms are in, it seems that they must be adjusted forward and back in unison. you cant pivot them forward and back independent of each other. i wonder why they wouldnt have just made the same ball joint at top as there is at the grip end??? it wouldnt really be a big deal but at $700ish, this is the most costly part of the setup and it kinda feels like an oversight...

keep in mind, ive only spent about 90min with it so far, there may be something im missing - but i doubt it...

another nit-picky thing i dont like is the shoulder pad. its kind of a joke. especially at $200. its just a piece of rubber coated foam, with two rods pressed into it. now dont get me wrong, it works just fine. but compared to all the other shoulder mounts out there, theres just not much to it. and its not that comfortable. im contemplating velcroing some thick neoprene or a gel pad onto it to give it a bit more meat

overall im super pleased with it. the only complaints i have are super nit-picky. when shooting naked, id still prefer to simply cradle the hvx in my right arm. but for situations where you need to shoot shoulder height or if you are attaching a 35mm adapter, monitors, firestore, follow focus, etc... i simply cant imagine a better choice - if you can justify $2000+

things i like:
- very light weight - but STRONG
- nearly infinite adjustability
- super easy to use
- micromount and zamerican arm make upside down monitor use a BREEZE!
- their customer service is TOP NOTCH! thanks becky!

things i dont like:
- PRICE!
- zgrips adjustments at the top
- the shoulder pad is kind of a joke

-----------------------

side note: you are also going to need remote focus/zoom control if you use the zgrips. i have the bebob foxi and zoe controls that work amazingly - so you'll have to factor in another $700 into the overall cost for that.

 

[ElektronBlue]

ok, now ive only shot about an hour with it. put it together and walked it around the neighborhood and office a good bit - but so far im REALLY impressed. only have a couple VERY MINOR complaints.

elektron - to answer your question, its not really taken ANY weight off my arms, its just putting it on my shoulder. and it is REMARKABLY LIGHTWEIGHT for its size. the way i shoot a naked hvx is to cradle it in my right forearm with my left hand running controls and steering - and that works fine, with very little fatigue issue. the reason i got this is for times when i have to shoot ENG type stuff and NEED to be up higher with more stability than a handheld allows - AND for a sturdier base when im using my 35mm adapter and larger lenses. and for these uses it'll change your world!

ok, so the box gets here friday afternoon and my first impression is "is that all?" it was one box, about the size of two shoeboxes. and weighed only about 10lbs. i open the box and sure enough - its all there. very well packed!

it was very easy to set up. very intuitively designed. there is some fine tuning that you'll want to do but from a basic setup standpoint. it took about 5 min from in-box to on-shoulder (and it only took that long because i was in awe of the beauty and was taking extra care!). all adjustments are a breeze and super fast. there isnt a lot of play needed in the thumbscrews, the margin from open to locked is very slight. and once its locked - ITS LOCKED WELL!

the build quality and precision is amazing. its a lot lighter weight and lighter looking than id expected - but neither of those is a bad thing.

use: love it! looks great, feels great works amazingly and im really looking forward to getting it out on the field. but there are a couple of things that bother me. first is the zgrip arms. im confused by the way they mount at the top. the arm itself has a ball joint at the grip end but fits into the top joint in a fixed manner, the only way it adjusts is a forward and back pivot within the socket. this is kind of a drag because i was hoping to be able to swing the arms up and out wider into a nearly horizontal position. to make it worse, once the left and right arms are in, it seems that they must be adjusted forward and back in unison. you cant pivot them forward and back independent of each other. i wonder why they wouldnt have just made the same ball joint at top as there is at the grip end??? it wouldnt really be a big deal but at $700ish, this is the most costly part of the setup and it kinda feels like an oversight...

keep in mind, ive only spent about 90min with it so far, there may be something im missing - but i doubt it...

another nit-picky thing i dont like is the shoulder pad. its kind of a joke. especially at $200. its just a piece of rubber coated foam, with two rods pressed into it. now dont get me wrong, it works just fine. but compared to all the other shoulder mounts out there, theres just not much to it. and its not that comfortable. im contemplating velcroing some thick neoprene or a gel pad onto it to give it a bit more meat

overall im super pleased with it. the only complaints i have are super nit-picky. when shooting naked, id still prefer to simply cradle the hvx in my right arm. but for situations where you need to shoot shoulder height or if you are attaching a 35mm adapter, monitors, firestore, follow focus, etc... i simply cant imagine a better choice - if you can justify $2000+

things i like:
- very light weight - but STRONG
- nearly infinite adjustability
- super easy to use
- micromount and zamerican arm make upside down monitor use a BREEZE!
- their customer service is TOP NOTCH! thanks becky!

things i dont like:
- PRICE!
- zgrips adjustments at the top
- the shoulder pad is kind of a joke

-----------------------

side note: you are also going to need remote focus/zoom control if you use the zgrips. i have the bebob foxi and zoe controls that work amazingly - so you'll have to factor in another $700 into the overall cost for that.

Thank you for the in depth review! Woo! To drop that amount on a brace where it's nearly a cost of another accessory monitor etc - I rather be well informed from an enduser's perspective.

Now just to clarify - it's a great choice for using a 35mm adaptor - however you are saying it does not take weight off your arms? So it still feels front heavy? Such as using a spider brace?

I understand it being propped up on your shoulder sort of. If I visualize the shoulder mount on your shoulder it looks like the butt of your camera still sits in front of your shoulder creating the center mass in the space between your chest and upright arms holding the grips. Then with that to imagine a 35mm adaptor (let's say SGpro) that lengthens the whole apparatus it extends it further away from you. Can you configure what you have such as below? If so - is this only capable of you have the univ.baseplate?

Regarding the grips - if in fact that's true what you are saying (in which I have no doubts) that is LAME! For the exact reasons for you stated - them nearly costing a grand and they state:

They are fully adjustable with arms that split with full mobility. The handgrips themselves are fully articulating]

Not fully adjustable by the sounds. And that they are not independent but only can be adjusted in pair. :thumbdown

Shoulder mount - well yeah - I'm not sure why the $250 price tag either - don't get me wrong - overall the product is as beautiful as they come - but how much price are we paying for that? I do like how they have a interchangeable plate for the shoulder mount so it does appears as you can attach it to your base plate.

If i can get this thing cranked back on my shoulder like you did as illustrated above - I'll probably go for it. But I just need clarification that this thing isn't going to feel exactly what I already have going with the weight being on my arms and starting to fatigue QUICK (yeah i know gym membership :beer.

I'll most likely just buy a few of the items and use the SGPro OEM equipment.

For a 35mm adaptor - is there a need for extra rods than what came with R3 version?

Thanks again for the review! Anything else would be great!