C300 Rigs to feel like a real camera

Looks like the Wooden Camera EVF holder is the way to go - especially if one already has the Zacuto studio plate.
 
Dino said:
View attachment 64247 Here's my Arri/Sympla hybrid rig with counterweight. Balance is good until reaching for follow focus. Yeah, definitely prefer a Varicam.
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Thats the issue really. Single operator focus pulls. Havent seen a lot that really have this down. All these rigs add weight which makes that harder. Most of these rigs are pretty useless for times when you need to be on the shoulder for extended periods. Watch your backs!

For narrative handheld, I can shoulder with pretty much any set up as you're not under it long enough to kill yourself on it. I just want freedom - sometimes a bare bones C300 is lighter to just hold out in front to get what you want (lens depending). For a lot of the narrative shoulder mount set ups, Im also not a huge fan of the camera height and angles - works for some things of course and is subjective to taste.

Sorry just realised Im not helping any - OK well heres some options:

ZACUTO - http://store.zacuto.com/Stinger-Plus-for-Canon-C100-C300-C500.html

REDROCK MICRO - http://store.redrockmicro.com/Canon-cinema-eos-c100-c300

ARRI - http://www.arri.com/camera/pro_camera_accessories/ready_to_shoot_kits.html?item=173&cHash=9c5d56b7fd4bf05d4eaad5a14d1bbef8
 
Noel Evans said:
Thats the issue really. Single operator focus pulls. Havent seen a lot that really have this down. All these rigs add weight which makes that harder. Most of these rigs are pretty useless for times when you need to be on the shoulder for extended periods. Watch your backs!
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Yep you're right, I wish this camera came in a Betacam housing. Thats a proven design that just works. I used to have a hand grip for my left hand, but did away with this as it caused too many wobbles while my left hand left its perch hunting for the focus ring on the lens. Single operator focus pulls are easier now that I have a Zacuto follow focus, now my left hand just rests on the rod with easy access to the follow focus.
 
Noel Evans said:
For narrative handheld, I can shoulder with pretty much any set up as you're not under it long enough to kill yourself on it.
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Thats why I tried the Easy Rig after a fellow cameraman here let me try his. I heard they are used on Masterchef here where the operators are handheld all day long. Its really improved my ability to handhold for a long period, easy to use and comfortable to wear.
 
Erik Naso said:
I’ve wanted an EasyRig for a while now. I tried to rent one locally but no one has them.
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I reckon once you've tried one you see how it could save your back, especially if you are planning on having a long career as a cameraman. You can't opt not to shoot handheld, if that is what is required.

I started as a cameraman in 1977, and my back is still in good shape, touch wood.
 
Easyrigs are great to redistribute the weight off the shoulder and help a lot with front-heavy cameras, to be sure. When the still-current handheld craze revved up five or six years ago, I used them for a period of time on loaded up Panaflexes and Genesis setups. I did find that there is a tendency during lockoffs for the very slight movement of one's hips to translate up to the top of the arm, resulting in a pendulum-like swing that translates as a certain amount of tilting up and down in the frame. Also, I found walking with the rig would also result in erratic motion, as separate forces are applied to the camera via the operator and the Easyrig mount. Below: on an early F35 gig, 2009. easyrig.jpg
 
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Charles - always appreciate your input. You've really helped us a lot over the past several years.
 
Cheers--and it is a two-way street. Via this thread I learned about Wooden Camera. Looks like they have good stuff.
 
Also using Easy Rig ( the New Mini) works well with the Canon C300. Mostly classroom Doc shooting. Would really like a good quality diopter on the LCD as the point of contact.
 
C300 Rig with Arri, Movcam & Chrozeil

C300 Rig with Arri, Movcam & Chrozeil

Thanks to everyone posting on this thread, and in particular Dino - his rig was the basis I used in my decisions. I finally got my rig built and here are the pics. This uses the Arri baseplate, extension arms & grip relocator; Movecam top handle with front extension removed (will post details on this mod in another thread), Movecam shoulder brace; and Crozeil mattebox and studio follow focus that can pull from either side. Still to do: add a little weight to the rear just to balance the rig. It's not off by much but everything counts if shooting for a full day. A neat benefit of the Movcam top handle is the LCD cables thread inside the rear arm and stay out of the way.

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P1010496-720-size.jpg
 
Like that Movcam top handle. I would think it's going take more than just "a little" extra weight on the back to balance - based on my experience trying to build a usable rig for this camera. My back is already not-so-good from years of heavy ENG equipment.
 
I found after 4 months of shooting with my C300, I hardly use the shoulder rig, grip relocator and left handgrip. They do work great for shoulder height shots and if i had to shoulder it all day I would use the rig, but most of what I shoot demands a a full range of angles and heights and usually I like to switch up shots quickly, on the go. When I have the full rig on the extra weight and length restricts my movement and ability to get unique angles. I try and keep the camera as compact as possible, the center of gravity close to my chest, like the way I shoot with the EX3.

I have taken the handle off the C300. The LCD sits right on the camera and this is what I use to focus and expose. I have a great Hoodman HD450 on the LCD to keep sun glare off. At first all the buttons on the side of the camera perplexed me but now I've gotten really used to tapping the buttons without looking. I routinely switch between no display, waveform and the peaking buttons. I have the color focus assist on the peaking cranked so I can see color in the subjects eyes and nail the focus.

Even with a mattebox on front rods into a Zacuto baseplate, I find by griping the right handgrip with my right hand and keeping my left hand cradling the bottom and front of the camera with fingers extended around the lens for focus and zooming, I can hold the C300 just below eye height without a shoulder mount. I can't hold it there all day but long enough to shoot a scene. If I keep my right elbow locked up against my body this helps to stabilize the camera. In this setup I can easily drop the camera for a change of angle. Sounds complicated but it's not. With this method I have freedom to really take advantage of the cameras small size and weight. I keep saying it. I love this camera.
 
I would prefer a Rig with one handle.....in the middle.....because with a C300 on Manual focus one of my hands is going to be close to the focus at all times.
Which rig works bet for that?
 
anatusa said:
tilta is perfect rig for c300! cam sits right on your shoulder and the monitor on top handle can be flipped so that it will be right in front of your eyes - the exactly right spot! - just a perfect rig! (just to clearify i am not talking about their new c300 rig, i am talking about their standart rig)
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The Tilta baseplate with the new Zacuto ENG style grip relocator would put the camera in the perfect spot for me. With a nice battery plate on back I think it would balance well.
 
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