T2i Advice on indisystems rig

C

cwminor

Member
Hey everyone - Quick question, I am currently using a t2i to do video work, and I have been in the market for a multipurpose rig that would allow me to stabilize my t2i during shoots. I have heard mixed reviews on the company "indisystems" and I just wanted to see if anyone had experience using them.

I am thinking about getting the "bulldog" rig, it seems to be affordable and multipurpose. Anyone have experience with this?
Here is the link:
http://www.indisystem.com/products/Bulldog.html

Thanks!
 
I have the ULTRACompact. For what it is, especially for the price, I like it. It's a little tricky to adjust, but once you have it figured out it's good. I ditched the C-bracket/handle. It's just added bulk/weight that I have no need for.

The rig isn't the lightest out there, but it's not bad. It is front-heavy, though, unless you counterweight it. And I recommend the counterweight. Otherwise, your hands spend all their energy trying to support the rig instead of operate it. That kind of defeats the purpose of the rig, since tired arms are shaky arms.

Also, the counterweight blocks that he offers aren't that great. I went to the sporting goods store and bought three 2.5lb barbell weights (a couple bucks a piece), then went to the hardware store and bought a 3.5" bolt, a heavy washer, and a wing nut. These are very easy to mount on the plate at the back of the shoulder mount, and give me the counterweight I need. I do find, though, that the shoulder mount needs to be tightened a bit to keep it from slumping at the joint up front. With added counterweight, it's more likely to give when it's not on your shoulder, so care must also be taken when lifting it up or setting it down.

I'd also recommend a case to store it. I use a Pelican 1610. Trying to keep up with that thing without a case is a major PITA.
 
I researched a whole bunch of rigs and I ended up getting this one for my other camera, but now use it only with the T3i:

http://www.dynamicmotionvideo.com/index2.php#/fgallery1/1/

I modified it a bit and ended up moving the plate to the left side where one of the bottom handles goes (sold separately)..and now I have the whole plate to mount other accessories that I tweaked a bit. This company is a no name, but I love the 6lb counterbalance that's included, soft cushion and the built-in handle in the rig.

If you're using rails, FF system, etc. there are much better (and expensive) solutions out there. IndiSystem has good products, but the customer service isn't the best. Maybe it's changed.

Either way, I got a slider and a jib from there and they are nice. I don't have experience with the shoulder rigs.
 
I've been using their, now discontinued, indiRAILSpro XV SM for close to a year now. Honestly, it has some play and takes some adjusting and tweaking to get it to the way you like. It seems that the build quality of all the indiSYSTEM rigs are similar, which is why I'm saying this. However, I do like it for the price!
 
Thanks guys for the feedback!
Alex (or anyone) - Can the ULTRAcompact be changed to do handheld shooting? Or is it shoulder only?

Thanks
 
the huge, HUGE ergonomic issue with these rigs is they dont effectively address counter balance. with all that weight out front (even without a camera on them) your arms are going to get fatigued nearly immediately. it seems there is an accessory mount on the back of the indirigs shoulder pad, but to be really effective, the weight would need to be further behind you rather than directly on the back of the pad.
 
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