Basic GH1 rig with accessories

[Cavemandude]

I added a couple pics below of one of my basic GH1 rig setups for tripod or handheld use. I can also mount this frame on a shoulder rig, if needed.

Here a link to the company that makes the frame:

http://www.b-hague.co.uk/hague_pro_camframe_fig_rig.htm

Randy

 

[Cavemandude]

Here is my most stripped down and simple handheld rig. It's only mounted on the tripod so I could take the pics.


Randy

 

[jeracravo]

How are you supposed to pull focus when you're holding the first rig?

 

[Cavemandude]

Just like anyone else without a "real" follow focus setup. It is light enough to hold the right vertical grip on the frame with just my right hand while focusing with my left hand.

I can also screw in the hand grip from the second rig to the bottom of the frame so that I can hold it with one hand. My other option is to mount that frame on a shoulder rig I have that will allow focusing with my left hand.

Step 1 - Arrange the camera and the two subjects so that one subject is in the foreground and the other is in the background.

Step 2 - Decide which subject will start off in focus and which subject will end in focus.

Step 3 - Adjust the focus ring until the subject that will end in focus is in focus.

Step 4 - Mark this point on the barrel of the lens by placing a small piece of tape next to the marker of the focus ring.

Step 5 - Adjust the focus ring so until subject that starts in focus is in focus.

Step 6 - Proceed to take the shot and at the point which you want to do the focus pull turn the focus ring until the marker aligns with the piece of tape.

Randy

 

[Cavemandude]

Here is the frame from the first setup attached to a basic low cost shoulder rig with adjustable chest support. This particular setup has two external mics with the Rode Stereo VideoMic connected to the GH1 mic input and the Sennheiser ME64 connected to a Zoom H2. I also have a Samson wireless transmitter Velcroed onto the frame next to the Rode mic to show where that would go if I was using it.

Randy

 

[dmpsk8]

interesting.

I really like the stripped down setup too.

 

[Cavemandude]

Another thing that came with the shoulder rig was a 2-inch wide adjustable nylon strap that clips to two O rings located where the swivel joint is for the chest support. I had put off trying this strap out, thinking it wouldn't do much, but finally got around to testing it and it works great. The nice thing is that is greatly reduces the weight/pressure that the chest support puts on your body so that the shoulder rig doesn't move when breathing.

With the strap it attached, the shoulder rig also feels much more secure if you are letting go of it with both hands while making adjustments to the camera, mics, light, lens or audio recorder. Here are some promotional pics from the manufacture of the shoulder rig with the strap connected.

Note on the pics: I don't use the elevated piece between the camera and the flat platform, I mount the camera directly on the platform instead.

Randy

 

[RandyQ]

Isn't this the China made "Haida" shoulder mount? Nice of your to recommend it because its very cheap - almost a no-brainer. I'm going to get one myself very soon, so thanks for recommending it.

 

[Psynema]

Here is the frame from the first setup attached to a basic low cost shoulder rig with adjustable chest support. This particular setup has two external mics with the Rode Stereo VideoMic connected to the GH1 mic input and the Sennheiser ME64 connected to a Zoom H2. I also have a Samson wireless transmitter Velcroed onto the frame next to the Rode mic to show where that would go if I was using it.

Randy

Do you have a link to that chest support? cost?

 

[John Caballero]

Do you have a link to that chest support? cost?

This is similar to that:

http://www.adorama.com/Als/ProductPage/SVCS1.html

This one is even cheaper:

http://www.adorama.com/Als/ProductPage/FACSS.html

 

[Cavemandude]

No brand name on the box but the swivel joint has the name TR.EN™ on it.

I got it from the seller e-retailing on eBay from Shenzhen, China for $37.99 with free shipping.

The cheaper Adorama link doesn't show the strap in the pics or description but it probably comes with it, might want to call them. Good reviews from people at Adorama:

http://www.adorama.com/Als/ProductPage/FACSS.html#Reviews

Here is a pic of the strap

Randy

 

[Cavemandude]

Here is another stripped down handheld setup for indoor use and interviews like at a wedding reception. Lens is the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 (rubber hood added) and added an LED light, cardioid condenser mic connected to a Zoom H2 and an LCD hood.

Randy

 

[tyampel]

Nice setup, Randy.

I am just wandering why you don't use the remote control when you don't connect the external mic to the camera ? It seems easy to strap it to this setup.

 

[Cavemandude]

Nice setup, Randy.

I am just wandering why you don't use the remote control when you don't connect the external mic to the camera ? It seems easy to strap it to this setup.

What would be the advantage of using a remote control in this setup and what would it control?

Randy

 

[tyampel]

The remote for the shutter release, of course.
Would definitely reduce vibrations caused by the finger pressing the button on the camera.

 

[Cavemandude]

I'm shooting video, not photos, plus you were commenting on a handheld setup in which I use my right thumb to press the REC button on the back of the GH1 while still holding onto the right side grip.

Adding the remote and also the remote cable, you would still need to attach it somewhere on the GH1 camera rig and press the REC button on the remote just like the REC button on the GH1 body. Still don't see any advantage to this.

Randy

 

[Beernardo]

Hi, would you mind letting me know the brand of the two hand supports you have in your striped down setup?

 

[Cavemandude]

Bottom grip:

http://www.amazon.com/BARSKA-Accu-Handheld-Tripod-System/dp/B001JJCI5Q/ref=pd_bxgy_p_text_b

Side grip with shoe mounts. Note that the shoe mounts on this bracket are glued on and not screwed on so they can potentially break off. I broke the top one off and had to super-glue it back on:

http://www.amazon.com/Adorama-Heavy-L-bracket-Standard-Mounts/dp/B002A92OVM

Randy

 

[Beernardo]

thanks for the info!

 

[Beernardo]

Oops, I think is not such a good idea to use glue on rig setups then