C100: CINEMECANIX shoulder rig

Hey Ned,

Got a very similar set up, just awaiting a Ninja Blade and eye loupe :) Have you noticed the front right rod on the plate doesn't tighten properly as the lever hits the plate as you are trying to turn it?
 
Hey Saf,

It does work! What you have to do is PULL the lever towards you and reset its position so when you tighten it, it won't bump into the plate. The lever is SPRING LOADED. Please report back that it worked.

Lastly, I have my C100 shoved so far forward that the back end wobbles due to too much space. So I bought a large washer, about 2.5" and I use it as a shim. I covered it in black tape so it would look like a professional part of the rig rather than a .70¢ washer.

And yes, those pix look ridiculous, like they're trying to get on the cover of American Cinematographer by blimping it up. However, on a major feature or TV show where they're loading up lots of accessories and doo dads onto your shoulder, then I reckon it is robust enough. Not for my style...
 
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+1 on the Tilta, inspired by Ned.

Anyone got word on any kind of loupe for the Ninja Blade yet? Saf, you alluded to one above. It's the one weakness for me and my ageing eyes. I'm even thinking I may need to move the Blade to the back of the rig and get an EVF on there like your Small HD, Ned, just so I can get a loupe on it.

Mad, as the NB is proving to be an excellent trustworthy monitor - I just wish Atomos were more interested in making the Blade into a complete EVF package.

Ben.
 
Hi Ben,

One of the reasons I haven't got a NB yet is that if I'm out in bright daylight I have no way of seeing what's going on, or what I call CSS (Can't See Sh*t). That's the beauty of the DP4, although I did buy (and returned) the diopters, they didn't do anything. However, when indoors, I have $10 Geezer Glasses (+3 power), the kind librarians wear on the end of their nose plus a string for around my neck. That allows my old eyes to focus on a screen about 7" off my nose. Doesn't work outdoors though due to sun brightness.

The other reason I haven't pulled the trigger is when clients, usually TV shows, request a C300 I don't want to have to explain to the booker about the NB doing 4:2:2, etc. They're often young and the only thing they want to hear is "Yes I will bring the 300". So from a financial point of view I see no advantage of the NB especially if they don't have a loupe as good as the DP4's. I have several Hoodmans but they aren't the best solution, have to stay wide since you're not sure what's in focus.

My theory about why companies like Atmos miss out on making a full package is that when they are developing these bits they are 99% of the time indoors. I went through that over the decades discussing with Japanese trade reps about how to improve their form factors. They can't relate to handheld, moving fast, avoiding CSS Syndrome...They would look at me like they were witnessing a talking dog.
 
Hey guys,

I'll check out the plate tonight and send some pictures of my rig, i noticed fully extended it wobbles also so i'll be using your fix, thanks.
Two solutions i've gone with so far, first is to not have the rig extended and use an LCDVF on the back lcd when on the shoulder to give me 3rd point of contact and monitoring capability. It's terrible i know, but still saving up for the ninja blade and trying to sell my ninja 2- there are a LOT of them going on ebay now and it's hard to get decent bucks for it.

Secondly, i found this: http://www.gridaccessories.com/grid-5-0-viewfinder/ apparently it works with the blade and if so would be a magnificent addition. It states it should work with all 5" devices so don't see any reason why it shouldn't. Would be good to hear from someone who takes the plunge, it's only £130 i think, hopefully i'll have enough soon to buy the blade and this, then i'll be able to sling the camera further back, right on my shoulder rather than poking out front.
 
I've been recovering from shoulder surgery since February. Looking at these rigs just hurts. I'm going to get a Easyrig soon so I dont have to put the camera on my shoulder anymore. The price of the EasyRig mini strong is about the same as a full rig.
 
Amazingly my Grid 5.0 loupe arrived this morning. Only sent last week from Brazil so very happy i've got it in time for a job this weekend. First impressions are great, solid, comfortable on my eye, super shard (for me) although lack of diopter will no doubt affect some people. Also arrived this morning were my wooden camera top plate and hot shoe mounts as recommended by Mr Giles- thank you sir! Puts my ninja blade in the perfect place and with the Grid 5.0 i feel really gets my rig to a wonderful ENG ergonomic. A couple rough pictures excitedly taken this morning, cabling obviously needs tidying but i was an hour late for work as it was!!

photo 1.jpgphoto 2.jpgphoto 3.jpgphoto 4.jpg
 
@ Saf
The only downside to "the grid" (which is great BTW) is that huge eyepiece and its ability to capture direct light and burn the screen.

So be careful when outdoors and the suns is on back.
 
Erik Naso said:
I've been recovering from shoulder surgery since February. Looking at these rigs just hurts. I'm going to get a Easyrig soon so I dont have to put the camera on my shoulder anymore. The price of the EasyRig mini strong is about the same as a full rig.
Click to expand...

eric, i bought the small Easyrig a few months ago and i shoot everything on it now. even able to manage some fairly heavy telephoto region up to 200mm nicely i didn't trust the handle on the C100 to hold so i bought the red rock micro C100 cage.

only criticism is I'm not happy with the shots when walking. upper arm is too bouncy so i avoid those shots and pull it off if i have to move a lot. my C100 is in front of me and not on my shoulder. ill be curious to see what you think of it.

david
 
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