Cheap shoulder mount for LEX?

N

Nicky

Well-known member
Hi all, zacutos shoulder mount looks sweet but quite expensive...

Any shoulder mount out there for cheaper?... I got the letus extreme with rodd support already.

Thanks.
 
I've got the Cavision dual handgrips which slide on the 15mm rods. They are very light- not the sturdiest things around, but work fine. I also wired them with a remote run switch because with the HVX/LEX in handheld mode it's impossible to hit the record button.

I'd recommend them. The price is certainly right.
 
Thanks everyone... I did alot of searching and found the cavision stuff to be a good deal.

They also have a new mono-pole system(belt-pole combo) which is nice.

Anyone got prices? I emailed them but no reply yet.
 
Haven't used that, but does that actually take any of the weight off? Looks like the pad is just pressed against your shoulder and the weight is still on your wrists.
Redrocks one looks more like a shoulder rig in that the shoulder pad is in a position that would put the weight of the rig on your shoulder instead of wrists. (may need to refresh page as picture rotates with a few other rigs)
 
Charles Lowthian said:
Haven't used that, but does that actually take any of the weight off? Looks like the pad is just pressed against your shoulder and the weight is still on your wrists.
Redrocks one looks more like a shoulder rig in that the shoulder pad is in a position that would put the weight of the rig on your shoulder instead of wrists. (may need to refresh page as picture rotates with a few other rigs)
Click to expand...

Ye, I understand but then you cant use the camera lcd to view right?... Also the mono-pole takes the strain off ya wrists I think. Zacutos system is almost 10 times the price,
kinda like the rolls-royce of shoulder mounts.
 
Charles Lowthian said:
Spiderbrace - It's plastic, but see here in use with adapter. Could work?
Click to expand...


I'm also looking for a less expensive solutions but you have to make compromises and see if after 8 hours you'll still fell your arms and back shooting with something like that. IMO it may seriously damage your shot because all the weight goes in front, there's no back weight to counterbalance or "belt with the iron rod" to support the front weight. Also the camera's lcd is jammed into your face. Of course I would prefer not having to spend more money on a should support, but I would prefer to wait then to go with something that may damage my work and/or my body.
 
I own a Spiderbrace. Do not use it with an adaptor at all cost. It's really a cheap piece of....PVC. The screw to hold the camera is totally inadequate. It's okay with just a camera buy itself. THe HVX alone though pushes it's limits. Also there's no adjustment whatsoever.

Recently bought a Cavision shoulder support/handgrip combo. I highly recommend it. It's sturdy enough for an adaptor and making great handheld moves. I do not recommend it for ENG or Event work without rod support. Your arms will get tired. But for drama where a take is rarely over a minute - it's fantastic. Great buy.

If you want to use it for long takes or have girly man arms, add rear extensions and counter balance with some sort of weight.

Right now I'm using mine on behind the scenes stuff for Fashion Week, so I'm shooting 3-4 hours of tape a day. I use it in conjunction with a rod support, Steady Stick. For working in tight quarters the handgrips may be too wide, so I found a quarter 1/4" bolt so I can forgo the right side extension and make it a bit more narrow.
 
Yes. I did point out the spiderbrace is plastic, as I wasn't convinced it could take much weight. Thankyou for confirming my doubts.

Tim, does the Cavision support actually put any weight onto your shoulder?...or does it just rest against it?
 
IanD said:
I've got the Cavision dual handgrips which slide on the 15mm rods. They are very light- not the sturdiest things around, but work fine. I also wired them with a remote run switch because with the HVX/LEX in handheld mode it's impossible to hit the record button.

I'd recommend them. The price is certainly right.
Click to expand...

What sort of pricing are we looking at for a Cavision Shoulder Mount and Hand Grip System? I don't want to wait for them to mail me a catalog.
 
Quick Review
The Cavision hand grips.
Pros: Quite a adjustable, excellent ergonomics (when modified), decent price, great for handheld moves.

Cons: Require too much torque to tighten down safely. This slows down adjustments. I constantly readjust my grips for different situations, 10, 20 times a day. The teeth on the rosettes are inadequate, hence the brute strength required to tighten them. Sometimes you may think they're tight then they suddenly come loose. Almost lost my camera the other day because of this.

Also, stock configuration is too wide. I modified mine so the right grip doesn't use the extension piece and stick out like the left grip does. Because a camera rides on one shoulder this keeps both arms straight out. Stock configuration with both grips with the wide "bull horn" extensions on not only makes it inconveniently wide for tight situations but unbalanced (unless you hold a camera in the middle of your chest).

Shoulder Pad:
Pro: Works well without adaptor for hand held work. Allows for real smooth walking shots.

Con: Useless with adaptor. Way too much weight is transferred to the arms. A better design would allow it to mount closer to the baseplate, putting more weight on your shoulder. Do not recommend it using it for event or doc work as it puts all the pressure on your arms.

Summary. For ENG/Event/Doc work, get a rod support sysyem like DV Rig or Steady Stick. For narrative handheld work, the grips/shoulder pad is excellent in use just a pain to lock down safely. If you're getting it strictly for adaptor work, because of the front load on an adaptor rig, don't bother with the shoulder brace. Just buy a cheap knee pad and some velcro - it'll work alot better.
 
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Tim Naylor said:
If you're getting it strictly for adaptor work, because of the front load on an adaptor rig, don't bother with the shoulder brace. Just buy a cheap knee pad and some velcro - it'll work alot better.
Click to expand...

Hi Tim,

How does this work, the cheap knee pad?
Do you have a picture of this set up?

Arno
 
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