DV Rigpro

S

storyp24

Well-known member
Just purcased the DVRigPro. It seems to be excellent for some things but I do not know how to smooth out when walking. I know it is not a Steadicam but do you have suggestions for making it smoooth when walking.

Thanks

Also a link to other posts are articles appreciated.
 
Re: DV Rigpro

While the DVRig says it suppresses camera shakes during walking shots, it depends entirely one the operator.
If you're a heavy footed walker, you've got shakey footage.
The only way it will help smooth your shots is to learn to walk "soft".
 
Re: DV Rigpro

Yes, Doing the soft "Cat Walk" is essential.

In addition,
Lower down the back weight by ladjusting the back large knob .

Now that the back part is touching your back, You can apply
farward pressure on the grips when walking.

Do walking shoots using the veiw finder.

Do not "lean" on the suppot pod, Support the grips with your arms, and again apply farward pressure.

And practice...

Danny Natovich.
 
Re: DV Rigpro

Do not "lean" on the suppot pod, Support the grips with your arms, and again apply farward pressure.

Danny,
What do you mean by "lean" on support pod and how do I support grips with arms. Thanks. And how have you come to know so much about this product?

Rob
 
Re: DV Rigpro

He either works for, or owns DvTec. It's one of those.
 
Re: DV Rigpro

He probably means you need to lock your arms straight and/or position the grips so they are leaning outward. I am only guessing that is what he meant by Leaning.

I have gotten some cool walking shots with my DVrig Pro. I have not mastered going up or down flights of stairs with mine yet.

I have also been able to get some cool looking shots that would resemble a dolly or crane shot especially if I place the camera down low and do a "soft walk" and pan up the camera as I move.
 
Re: DV Rigpro

I know all about the DvRigPro. because I invented it and am
manufacturing it for you.

Do Not LEAN... - When doing walking shoots, Support the
rig with your arms, Do not rely on the support pod to sopress
all walking vibrations, We all agreed, It is not a stedicam like device.

And... walk soft.

Danny Natovich.
 
Re: DV Rigpro

The major problems controling the DVRig are exactly the same as those for Steadicam and Glidecam systems....over control.
A light touch is required.
You can't use these systems by simply strapping them on and walking around, even though they help stabilize the shots, it's up to you to adapt.
Do not lean, simply means keep your weight off the grips, and apply "phantom" pressure forward, without pressing, you'll only transfer your motion through the grips to the camera resulting in shakes.
There is an old [relative] exersize for learning to move "with flow", take a glass of water, full right to the top, hold this out at arm's lenght in front of you, and learn to walk without spilling.
You'll be suprised as to how hard this is to do, and will show you how roughly you walk.
Keep practicing, and you'll learn the floating walk, a valuable skill.
 
Re: DV Rigpro

Thanks for your suggestions. I walked for 2 miles this morning with the Rig and slowly began to get a feel for it.
Placing the weight on the back was good to help stablize.
Next I balanced the Rig so the it would sit on its own.
Then I would let the unit bob loosely on its own and then begin to apply forward pressure with the palms of my hands. That all seemed to be working. I kept my elbows at my side to help balance.

The next big trick is to walk smoothly. Groucho style indeed.
But you are right...it will take lots of practice. I am going to try the glass of water trick next. I did notice the spring rod was making a little noise after a while like it needed a lubricant.
Any other suggestions on walking cat like would be great if you can put it into words.
It helped me to look ahead and not at the screen.
Is there a certain speed or step that seems to help?

Thanks again, I really like the Rig.
 
Re: DV Rigpro

[quote author=storyp24 link=board=Links;num=1094899116;start=0#9 date=09/12/04 at 13:04:05] I walked for 2 miles this morning with the Rig...
[/quote]

Good lord man...
 
Re: DV Rigpro


I think he meant the Charlie Chaplin walk.


[quote author=powerdog link=board=Links;num=1094899116;start=0#8 date=09/12/04 at 12:03:29]Is the floating walk like the Groucho Marx walk?[/quote]
 
Re: DV Rigpro

Hey Danny is that shoulder mount section of the DVRig flexible enough to bend towards my back with force? I guess what I am asking is will it be easy to bend the metal without messing it up?
 
Re: DV Rigpro

Hey Danny is that shoulder mount section of the DVRig flexible enough to bend towards my back with force? I guess what I am asking is will it be easy to bend the metal without messing it up?

You can bend it, Just make sure it will bend where you want it
and not at the weekest point which is the slot for the shoulder
belt ring.

Danny Natovich
 
Re: DV Rigpro

Ok thunderfoot(s)!
Walking smoothly.
1. Try to keep your knees bent at all times.
2. Think of moving your belly button forward, not your feet!
3. Practice standing on one foot at a time (w/o rig and with) so you develop equal balance on both feet. When shooting, you'll find that you often need to stop or pause 'mid step' so you need this balance.
4. As in a previous post, 'heel to toe' is correct, but think of 'rolling' through your foot as you step. Ballet (and all dancers) practice articulating their feet from flexed to pointed. An easy excercise any time. Feel every part of your footprint.

Now grab those water glasses and practice, grasshopper!
 
Re: DV Rigpro

Danny,
If you are still out there, I was reading an article by Jarred Land on the DVRigPro and it said that a bag came with the unit. I ordered mine from B&H and one was not included. Is it standard or extra.

Thanks
 
Re: DV Rigpro

Barbara,

Yes I must be a thunderfoot. I love this unit for panning and other non-walking shots. But I do not get smoothing it out.

Walking shots just look choppy of too slow. Nothing I would want to use professionally. Either get a dolly or Steadicam. while I haven't used it alot I have walked for 4 miles now. Do you have any footage of how it could look used correctly?
 
Re: DV Rigpro

what in the world were you shooting that you needed to walk 4 miles with the rig on your shoulder? LOL! You shooting the March of Dimes or something?

Like I said earlier if you walk as soft as you can almost in a floating type manner you can get some nice smooth shots. But if you need to follow someone around much like a Stedicam operator would, your shots will not be all that smooth.

There is no difference if you had a big ENG camera on your shoulder. If you try to walk and shoot, your shot is going to be shaky.

Now if you wearing the belt with the support rod and you undue the tension thing on the rod so it can go up and down that helps to take some of the shake away from those shots where you are walking.
 
Re: DV Rigpro

OK so perhaps I have gone overboard with practice but that is how I learn. We have a beautiful lake nearby and I walk it in the morning. Yesterday there were snorting deer in the woods and the most beautiful sunrise over a fog filled lake. So I am getting great footage but nothing that looks good on tape suggesting a nice slow walk.
Thanks again for your suggestions. In the mean time I will continue to practice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top