DVrig Balancing...

D

DVX100Shooter

Veteran
I am still fooling around with my new Rig to get the balance right. If I can take both hands off the grips and stand still with the camera "floating" in the air, is that a sign that everything should be okay? I tried to do a no handed slow pan but that wasn't happening! LOL! The first part of the pan was cool but the momentum set in and the whole camera dipped to the side like a "dutch shot"
 
Re: DVrig Balancing...

DVX100Shooter,

yeah, that's pretty much the same situation for me! I can ballance it as far as floating standing still, but any movement and it flops to the right or left! Have you had the top slip out yet? It happend to me once, but seems like the more I "work the DVRigPro in" the better it gets...

How do you like yours? Personally I wouldn't shoot without it now! I just did a shoot the other day where I had to go up 3 flights of stairs! It was great! I'll have to get the footage up here soon, just not enough time!

Vince
 
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No-handed pans? Geez! I think you must not have the gyros calibrated yet. Or maybe one of your neural implant controllers is loose. ;D One handed is fine, but you're never going to balance it for no handed moves.
 
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Yes.

Why would anybody wants to shoot with no hands.

Not even a $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Steadicam can do this.

Danny.
 
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I did it just to fool around...I never said I was planning on doing a no handed pan for a shoot. I only did it to see if my Rig was properly balanced.

Vinnie did you use the support rod as well? 3 flights of stairs huh? Yea I tried going up some stairs yesterday but it was shaky. Coming down the stairs was a better shot though.

I was outside of my place yesterday doing some test shoots and people were looking at me all crazy because I was using the support rod. Those of you that have used your Rig's on actual shoots, do you get the same result...hideous looking stares? I could almost read their minds..."what in the world does he have strapped to his body?"! LOL!!

I had a guy at work make me a 1 foot xlr audio cable so I can now strap my wireless receiver on the rig. The next thing is getting a zoom controller. Zoe just came out with a new one for the DVX100&A.
 
Re: DVrig Balancing...

I have used it on a couple of shoots.. and the stares have been more "this guy knows what hes doing" rather than "your completely nuts"

You cant balance it for no handed moves without adding a gyro... when you move even if its perfectly balanced the momentum will change the balance point.

One thing though, is keep practicing. This rig isn't a open the box, throw on and go kinda thing.. it takes a good 20 or so hours to get the hang of it.
 
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Yeah I do use the support rod, and yes, I've gotten both, the "this guy knows what he's doing look, as well as the "this guy's a nut look"! I must say, I've gotten a couple coments too about the pole coming from my waist! But hey, it sure makes for great camera work!

I tried it once without the rod, withought realizing it, and wondered why I couldn't hold it steady!

The shots I used going up the stairs, I was tapiing a woman going through her first college appartment. I used a wireless lav on her, and put the reciever on the weight on the back under the velcro. Just to be safe I also put a bungy cord around it to secure it to the weight. I'm working on a wireless reciever mount for two recievers to attach to the weight.

Jarred's right, the more I use this rig the better and easier it gets... I'm puting in about an hour's worth of practice a day. I have to be very smooth with it in less than two weeks! I've got a documentary in New York! I've done lots of event stuff, and commercials for the tv station I work for, but this is my first documentary! I'm pretty excited.

Vince
 
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Yea I may bring mine to work sometime too and shoot some Nat sound pieces with it as soon as I get me a shotgun mic. I am used to having a BetaSX camera on my shoulder so hopefully it won't take me a long time to master the Rig but then again like Jarred said...its gonna take time!
 
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I am and have been setting aside some time each day to play around with the rig to get the feel for it before I have a shoot coming up in a few weeks. One thing I have noticed is that it takes the weight off your shoulders then puts in on your lower back. I think has something to do with the support rod putting pressure on the back which in turn is tugging on your back.
 
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If you can arrange a profile photo of yourself with the rig, I will try and correct your posture.

The rule is, Adjust to feel comfortable.

Perhaps you are a small person and need to adjust a bit the langth of the side bar, So the camera is closer to you.

Are you using LCD or the Eye piece ?

You can try and bend the sholder brace so it will give you a better grip on the shoulder and will make the rig shorter.

Danny.
 
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I took some pics will post them later on tonight when I get home from work...as for my size I am 5'9. Actually I just tried to post them on Jarred's Frame Grab site but I guess its not working...
 
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Yes! That's right, I forgot that I had adjusted the sidebar so the camera would be closer to me.. I'm only 5'5", this helped greatly! I didnt know that this could be adjusted, until I had the knob loosened a bit and it slid down a little. Great tip to share with the shorter shooters like myself!

Vince
 
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At first I used the lcd monitor, but lately I've been using the viewfinder instead. I switched mainly because I had to shoot daylight outdoors, and it was really bright out. But the more I shoot that way, I think I'm a lot more stable... So I'd have to say I'm going to stick with the viewfinder now...

What is everyone else doing?

Vince
 
Re: DVrig Balancing...

That extra eye piece contact with your head makes hugh
difference. The camera becomes part of your body and the frame control you get is like with a full size shoulder camcorder, Without the weight.

Recommended for walking shoots.

Danny Natovich.
 
Re: DVrig Balancing...

Hi "DVX100Shooter",

Got the pictures.

1. You have to fasten the support belt tighter around your waist so the weight will be better distributed, Right now it "Hangs" on you and on your lower back.

2. As a result, The holster will come up and the camera will be naturally positioned at eye level, Right now the camera is too low.

3. Bend the shoulder support inwards a little. This will bring the camera closer to you and will further reduce the pressure on your lower back. The weight will go straight down to your waist and hips, and you will not feel it.

4. Bending the shoulder brace and positioning the camera at the correct height, At your eye level, Will bring the back weight to a position lower then the camera, In this position the back weight will balance the camera properly. In the photos you sent me, the back balance weight and the camera are almost at the same horizontal plane.

Let me know if it helps,

Danny Natovich.
 
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I just got my DVrig the other day and after only one time out shooting around the house, I have to say I'm impressed. Since I didn't have much time I adjusted everything rather hastily, after reading the manual of course. Shots were much more stable than handheld - at least MY handheld shots. It was very comfortable as well although longer durations shoots will tell me more there. I'm looking forward to really getting good with it with some practice.
 
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I take it that I should turn the OIS off on the camera when using it on the rig right?

Danny thanks for the tips, I will try them and get back to you.
 
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[quote author=DVX100Shooter link=board=Links;num=1088547836;start=15#17 date=07/06/04 at 20:21:12]I take it that I should turn the OIS off on the camera when using it on the rig right?[/quote]

No. Leave it on.

Danny.
 
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Hmmmm when I use it on a tripod it says in the manual to turn it off. I know the rig is not a tripod but if its cool to leave it on, I will try it.
 
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