Camera Rig

F

FaustZ

Member
Hi everyone. I've been thinking about getting a shoulder rig for a while now, and since we're about to start shooting a new short film, I decided that now is a good time. I have a DIY fig rig that I made from PVC (but admittedly rarely use), but I think a shoulder rig would be a more stable, safer, and more flexible solution.

I honestly don't have much money to spend so I knew I wouldn't be able to get the best possible rig, but I reasoned that something is better than nothing (shooting handheld on a DSLR is a real footage killer).

So I did some research and of course came across Film City and their cheap rigs. I've seen the criticisms and complaints, but I've also seen a lot of positive feedback, so I was tentatively leaning towards their FC-03 which comes with everything I need. However, they recently upped the price, and I felt that I'd rather not spend that much money on a rig that may or may not work for me.

So my solution was to buy the previous FC-02 rig, and couple it with a follow focus such as this one. Does this make sense? Would these two work together? Are they pretty good choices? Would I be better off getting nothing?


Thanks in advance for any thoughts or words of wisdom that any of you may have.
 
If you've already read the reviews I won't harp on other than to point out it's all plastic except the rods in case you didn't know. And it won't be as solid as your homemade fig rig. It will flex and may make it difficult to concentrate when you're always worried about your camera (and far more importantly lenses, although the mattebox should protect the front element some). It may indeed be strong enough but whether you'll ever feel confident of that is another story. Even with the all metal parts I build my rigs out of I don't trust the top handle completely and they end up weighing a couple of pounds more than necessary to achieve the extra rigidity I feel comfortable with. No way would I lift an all plastic rig by the handle.

As far as your main question, there is no reason why any follow focus won't work with a particular rig so long as it is 15mm holes spaced by 60mm if that is the system you are buying. The only issue you might have is the mattebox getting in your way depending on your lens but this isn't a problem exclusive to a cheap set up. My Chrosziel MB is always getting in the way with certain still lenses. At that price the FF is not going to be the greatest but may be better than nothing, the one included in the package won't be any better. I use a cheap RJ follow focus myself, primarily to achieve a 'steadier' hand than I can achieve without. So a cheap follow focus isn't a lost cause but I haven't read a good review of an Indian made one. But at the price you can't complain, that's about a third of what I payed. I'd be more worried about the rig once it's loaded up.
 
About the stability, I did foresee the plastic extension bracket being an issue, so I got an aluminum Z bracket from amazon, which may help strengthen up the rig a bit. If there's no room on the bottom rods for the follow focus, hopefully they'll fit on the top ones. I think I will get these two. If I don't like them I can always return or sell them. Thanks for your reply!

Edit: As long as I haven't ordered anything yet, what do you guys think about this follow focus vs. the one I linked? The first is $45 marked down from $60, the second is $40 marked down from $130 (which probably means very little, to be honest). One has more reviews, but a lower average rating, while the other has fewer ratings but a higher average score. Does it even matter when you're in this price range? And finally, is there anyone who owns these film city rigs/these follow focus systems that could give their opinion on this matter?

Thanks again
 
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Actually it wasn't the z bracket that concerned me (although that could potentially lead to some movement that will end up in the shot) but more the c brackets that support the top handle. The weight of the whole rig will be 10lbs according to the specs and you haven't even attached the camera yet.

Still, for that budget you won't do much better. If you could go double you could be looking at maybe a fotga rig or something but for tilta or lanparte you'd need several times this. For american/european manufacture even more. At least this way you get to play with everything. Many will say buy once cry once, which is true. But I also think when you're starting out it is useful to try all the toys, even if they don't measure up and won't last long. I could tell you what I've learned but you've read the reviews and will find out for yourself soon enough, and everyone's needs and priorities are a little different.

Also once you do get your hands on some semi-pro or pro gear you will have a greater appreciation of what the extra money buys. In items like matteboxes it is largely better materials, compactness, ergonomics and design. But most importantly reduced weight, a mattebox could be more than 2lbs lighter as well as being stronger and better laid out. My Chrosziel on that rig would likely get you down to 8lbs + camera and that would be huge. Might even be able to reduce the counterweight by half for another reduction. I've found it almost always comes down to weight for me now across all gear, I will happily pay extra to shed weight while retaining strength. Lighter makes everything better.

In regards to your follow focus choices, I haven't used either of them but I really don't think it would matter much. If you're going bottom dollar then go bottom dollar. The cheaper one will be easier to attach/remove to the 15mm rails with it's more open design anyway, so that one if you want a clear suggestion. And as you mention you can return it.
 
I got the Neewer FF, but I DIY modified it with a Huco gearbox and a rubber wheel to be a friction FF. So I'm really only using the rail-block from it. The Neewer's gear box is massive and won't line up with shorter lenses (like most Nikon primes). The Morros looks like a better design, but I have no idea about the quality, not that the Neewer is much to right home about.

P.S. The Neewer FF is $35 on ebay.
 
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