Cheap camera support gear that really works - emphasis on BMPCC + DSLR sized cameras

DPStewart

DPStewart

Veteran
This is a bunch of basic information about affordable camera support gear.


A lot of people who are new to all this Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera stuff (and other DSLR sized cameras), and folks who don't have much money to spend have been asking me about all this lately. I don't have a lot of time to do gear reviews, so I decided to try to cram as much information as I could into this one video hoping to answer as many questions as I can all in one place.

Items covered in this video:
BMPCC Cages
Rail Systems
Shoulder Rigs
External Batteries
Follow Focus Devices
Matte Boxes
Cats and Dogs Living Together
Tripods
Jibs
Gimbal
Carry Case


*Note: The "one size fits all" cage I show here costs $149. I forgot to mention that.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqzJlgPjL_c

Some of the links I've been able to locate:

"One size fits all" Cage - $149

Movcam BMPCC Cage - $323

Fotga Follow Focus - $170

Follow Focus Speed Crank - $13

Giottos Quick Release Adapter - $38

Offset Riser Clamp - $18

Cavision Matte Box - $99

Cavision Matte Box Rail Mount Clamp - $28

Cavision Matte Box Riser Bracket - $15

Fotasy Rods - $15

Fotasy Rod Connectors - $5

Neewer Handles - $30

Fotga Shoulder Pad - $16

Flashpoint Counter Weight - $30

Glide Gear Portable 4" Jib - $159

Davis & Sanford Bowl Mount Tripod - $159

Davis & Sanford "Airlift" Tripod (The taller one) - $149

XT Power Battery - As I mentioned, if it is out of stock this link will go to a different larger and more expensive battery. Hopefully it will be back in stock soon. - $59-$69 depending on market fluctuations.
 
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Folks have been PM'ing me with questions, so I'll post some of the answers here to keep it all in one place.
 
Something to think about... There is a shorter right angle crank for the follow focus, shorter in that it sticks out less distance from the knob. It was like $10 including shipping from china, bought it on ebay. The shorter distance is nice because it doesn't put as much leverage on the knob.

Otherwise it is a crank and you can use it to turn the FF. Mine needed a few minutes with a metal file to shave off the corners where it connects to the FF knob.

19:00 was a good spot.
 
DPS,

While I appreciate all the info on the gear, I'd like to hear a little more about using it to beat someone to death ;)
 
Great Video Dane! Excellent info in here man! Thanks for posting! Just curious, where can I get one of those silent wives you have in the back round, I've been looking for one of them for years :)

You could be my older brothers twin, you guys look so much alike it's eerie.
 
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maranfilms said:
Great Video Dane! Excellent info in here man! Thanks for posting! Just curious, where can I get one of those silent wives you have in the back round, I've been looking for one of them for years :)

You could be my older brothers twin, you guys look so much alike it's eerie.
Click to expand...

I got mine over the Internet. I'll see if I can find the link. LOLZ!

Separated at birth, man.
 
TheTrickster said:
I was waiting for the wig to be whipped off, alas perhaps in the next episode!
Click to expand...

Ha! I still make almost half my income as a record producer and recording engineer, and I play in a hard rock band, so I ain't never cuttin' my hair!
I did buy a Donald Trump wig when I got the mustache, but when I slicked my hair down and tried it on I just ended up looking exactly like TED KOPPEL. :cheesy:

Rockin' Band:
http://whitepaddy.bandcamp.com/:nads:
 
Very nice. At the same time, I'm sure one could assemble a list of gear that's in the same class, just different brands or knockoffs. For example, it's good to standardize on one quick release - pick one, stick it everywhere; the giottos you suggest are as good a choice as any, but I standardized on the Manfrotto 501 and knockoffs. Here's where I bought a bunch, they have bubble levels along two axis, and they're like $15.99 apiece:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/P200-Quick-...01-500AH-701HDV-503HDV-Q5-7M1W-/381432348987?

Rock solid, and economical - the lever is pull-out-and-reposition style, so you never have a problem with it being in the way or obstructed by something else on a camera or tripod. In general I hate proprietary quick releases, but I do find slightly more gear out there built around or accommodating the Manfrotto 501 QR than the Giotto. Plus it's more economical, always helps :). Same with other stuff, we all have our faves, but your list is a great beginning point, and it would be nice if people chimed in with their own favorite Economic-But-Good pieces of gear that they have personal and long experience with. Thank you for the fantastic video!
 
I have several rigs, Redrock, Gini, Fotga, and I like the Fotga and Gini way more than the Redrock gear. Redrock is over priced, way to heavy and bulky components and the knobs are crap compared to gini or Fotga. I also have a Red Rock follow focus, a Gini, and a Fotga. I like the gini for it's smoothness, no backlash, and it's very refined in terms of adonization. I also like the Fotga Dp2 s for it's quick release, A/B hard stops, and it's also very smooth, has 0.5mm of back lash but it's not enough to where I would subtract a star for. I also like the matte anodized finish. Now on to the Redrock, I never use it, lots of backlash, flimsy arm, it actually isn't strong enough to hold the weight of the gearbox and has 0.5mm play in the aluminum. So the point is, Redrock is over priced for gear that's not as nice as the Korean Gini, and Chinese fotga brand. Just my opinion though.
 
Ha, ha, maranfilms, good stuff! I often find the brand worship a bit puzzling, in that it seems people often switch off their critical faculties once you discuss a brand that's considered "elite". I actually don't mind paying a bit more for good stuff, but it's always a question of quality, and the one thing I find most offensive is when a brand demands top dollar while delivering poor quality gear... except when I protest, often people go "no, no, no, it's brand X, dude! they're tops! promise!". Don't get me started on sliders which cost more than the camera, but still let the camera wobble.
 
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