DVRig PRo Review

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Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Hey Jarred,

That video was shot almost all the way wide handheld. As soon as I zoomed in I would loose it and had to zoom back out.

Now, using the DVRig Pro, I've shot a couple of tests flights and for the most part I can stay fully zoomed in and keep it close to in frame almost all the time. When I get the sight mounted, I expect to keep it in and mostly center framed at full zoom.

Can't wait to try it. ;)

-Rodger
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

[quote author=Barry_S link=board=Links;num=1078340982;start=0#18 date=03/03/04 at 17:03:54]I'm used to shoulder mount cams which are considerably easier to hold steady over any period of time.  I have some docs planned that will not work with the camera locked down on a tripod, so the DVRig looks ideal.  Now if only my tax refund is big enough.
[/quote]

If you want a cheap alternative that gives you some of the same benefit of a shoulder-mount camera, look into the Tiffen Steadi-Stick. It's actually nothing like teh DVRig shoulder-mount system, but I thought of it because it looks like the DVRig uses a similar philosophy of using a stick attached to your belt to support the weight of the camera.

Here's a picture of the Steadi-Stick:
creative_SteadyStick.gif


With it you get a belt, and the stick mounts on the belt and has a camera mounting plate on the bottom. So, it's like a monopod that attaches to your belt. You get the freedom of movement of a shoulder-mount, but the belt takes all the weight off your shoulders so it's *much* more pleasant to use all day than a shoulder-mount camera. (I'm comparing against a BetaSP or DSR300-class shoulder-mount camera, not against the DVRig, with which I have no experience and no point of reference). Because the weight is held against a fairly stable platform (your hips) it doesn't bobble up and down very much. I find I can get more stable handheld shots with this device than I did with a big shoulder-mount camera.

However, it's in no way a Steadicam, Glidecam, or any other type of stabilizer. It's just for taking the weight off your back and arms. And it's cheap. You can get it here for under $106:
http://filmemporium.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/canonxl1.html

So, if your budget's tight, and you're concerned about the ergonomics of an all-day handheld DVX shoot, this might be an alternative that could save you some pain and some dough.
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

That may be enough in and of itself for steading up a shot. The thing that it can't do however is stabilize side to side, front to back all by itself. This is what the DVRig Pro does and it also moves your arms down and out, which in effect gives you a finer adjustment as your turning radius is further from center. The dual hand-grips also give you a very comfortable point to hold on to.

I think it really depends on what you need. For me, I ABSOLUTELY need help holding a fine position as well as moving extremely fast along some tangent as I follow (really almost lead) a speeding bullet... er target.

My case is of course about the most unusual you may find. So, others may very well find the Steadi-Stick an appropriate alternate. Can't dispute the price difference for sure.

-Rodger
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Marjamar.. I have a feeling you are a little above shooting tips but here's one that worked well for me and I think it hits your shooting here on the head.

Tie a tennis ball to a rope and hang it from the ceiling.. then give it a good kick. Zoom in on it and follow it around. Good practice for "following the puck" as they say.


Anyways, I like your tip on lubing the springs.. I was thinking some graphite dry lube may work but it wouldnt be as smooth. Also your suggestion on linking the contact points is good.. I know its popped out on me a few times but it only has kinda wobbled around till I wrangled it in. it "clicking" in or something may be fantastic.
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Jarred,

Thanks for the tip.

For what I need to shoot, it's really a matter of reaction time and field of view. You can have the best reaction time, but without a reasonable field of view, you'll loose your target. This is the idea for the laser sight. Open field of view all around the sight and a bright crosshair to target on. Since these sights are parallax free, if your crosshairs are on target, you can be sure your in-frame. You also see (I do anyway) the target simultaneously in your other eye. This is how I know how much to zoom and focus, although focus is going to be tough as both eyes see the target at about a 50% transparent level. With practice, this may resolve into something I can control better, I don't know yet.

The remainder of this effort of course now falls on reaction time. Since I'm getting older, its not what it once was, that's for sure. But, my hopes are it will be good enough to get the job done. I use to race electric R/C cars professionally a bunch of years ago, and did pretty well at it. This was about 90% reaction time based, so I hope I still have just a little bit that left -- We'll see ;D

-Rodger
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Nice review :)
Very interesting indeed.....
I wonder if that belt can be bought seperately or if someone encountered something quite like a belt like that? The reason for this is that i can't really afford the DVRig and was thinking about using a monopod in a similar waist-belt for support during handheld shooting.
I realize that it won't match up to the DVRig in any way, but I hope it will make my movie making life a bit less exhausting.
Any suggestions concerning this, or does any one have some more tricks of the hand held trade?
/ m.
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

"I wonder if that belt can be bought seperately"

Check with your dealer in Sweden:

Lindqvist Radio & TV AB
Erik Segersalls Vag 1
126 50 HAGERSTEN
www.lrtv.se
grabbarna@lrtv.se
Phone: +46 8 645 33 99
Fax: +46 8 195 012

They will sell you a belt.

In few days we will launch the DvPod which is basicly the same belt and elastic pod used for the DvRigPro with a small
QR head and a neck safety strap.

Check our site in a week.

Danny Natovich

www.dvtec.tv
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Hello Danny, I want to thank for personally joining our little community. I learned the hard way that it is important for dealers to keep a close connection with their customers at all times, and a well-managed chat forum such as this is an outstanding platform. I wish more manufacturers such as yourself took the time to answer questions personally, because you are the ones that ultimately make the positive changes in products. ;D In regards to the DVrig, I had it on for two hours at the Videomaker expo, and never felt fatigued in the least. I also attracted a lot of attention to our booth ;)
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

I' 've got about 120 tapes that I've shot while using the DvRigPro !! Fantastic for short weddings , A must for run n' gun situations, and it,s been fantastic for use aboard fast speedboats and boats in general down here in the Fl. Keys! Best $600 I've spent on Gear period!
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Thanks Danny, I will call them pronto!
( nice DVTec site BTW, looking forward to new products and developements )
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

i went to evs yesterday and picked one up , i have to agree the best 600 dollars i've ever spent. great service too. the one thing i cant seem to get dialed in is the side to side balance, when ever i take my hands off the camera will start to tip to the right although its only been about an hour since i started, im sure i'll get it right
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

lurch.. you can undo the QR plate that the camera sits on and slide it a little left to balance it.
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

im the kinda guy that always has to play with the toy before reading the instructions, all i had to do was take 5 minutes to read them and now it siting there steady as a rock with no hands, thanks for the tip though. how smooth are your walking shots with this thing, are you guys getting them with no bounce in them.after an hour and a half mine are already startin to get pretty smooth, im thinkin they 'll be really close to steady cam shots in no time
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Yep. Get some nice soft sneakers and just glide with it and it is pretty smooth alright. I'm a bit too big and clumsy to get any steadicam movements, but I'll bet some of you will master it fully.

-Rodger
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

[quote author=lurch link=board=Links;num=1078340982;start=25#34 date=03/05/04 at 08:57:11]im the kinda guy that always has to play with the toy before reading the instructions, all i had to do was take 5 minutes to read them and now it siting there steady as a rock with no hands, thanks for the tip though. how smooth are your walking shots with this thing, are you guys getting them with no bounce in them.after an hour and a half mine are already startin to get pretty smooth, im thinkin they 'll be really close to steady cam shots in no time [/quote]


Always remember the "RTFM" rule !

"RTFM" stands for:

"Read the Fxxxing Manual"

From my expirience:

A German user didn't get a manual and called to say he will
wait for it, By Post, and only then open the box.

Another Norwegian guy called and complained that in the manual he can't find instructions on what size of coin to use for locking the camera plate to the camera.

Few others are mailed about spelling, And phrasing.

But the best of all was the guy complaining the support pod
was too short and not working... Well... He didn't unlock the safety cord.

So you see, I am having great fun with the DvRigPro.

Danny.
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

[quote author=Unclemort link=board=Links;num=1078340982;start=25#30 date=03/04/04 at 14:45:32]I' 've got about  120 tapes that I've shot while using the DvRigPro !! Fantastic for short weddings ,  A must for run n' gun situations, and it,s been fantastic  for use aboard fast  speedboats  and boats in general down here in the Fl. Keys!  Best $600 I've spent  on Gear  period![/quote]


Got any footage you can post for us?
 
QR PLATE ????

QR PLATE ????

I just received my DVPro rig and am very impressed with the sturdy construction and functionality. One word of warning to those of you with a Bogen 501 or 503 head. ALL BOGAN QR PLATES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!!! The quick release plate and saddle that come with the unit appear to use a Bogen style 3272. The 501/503 uses a style 3433. The DVPro QR plate is about 6cm wider then the others. I found this most frustrating at first, needing to quickly move my camera from the DVPro to my tripod. Fortunately, I have a rail set-up that allows me to mount both plates on the camera. Does anyone know of a mod kit available to size the DVPro saddle to the 3433 plate? There are two tapped holes near the safety latch that look like they might be able to facilitate some sort of adapter. Thanks
 
Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Re:  DVRig PRo Review

Hard Rain.. I hear you as I had the exact same experience..

Luckily, you can buy the QR bottom assembly for about $30 and it comes with an extra QR plate. All you need to do is drill a hole in the assembly to mount it to the DVRrig and everything should work together nicely. I luckily already had one of them that I put on a monopod.
 
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