DVRIGPRO - How do you make this thing glide??

S

spanky

Member
Hi

Recently I purchased a DvRigPro - the later model, it seems - after reading rave reviews on its perfomance. I need it especially for tracking shots. When I use it for this purpose however I do not obtain the shots I was promised of 'gliding through space' - it is rather a step-dampener, the vertical swaying of walking still affecting the image.

I have tried many things to correct this but can not achieve the desired, and promised results.

Am I doing something wrong? If so, what? Is it something to do with the counter weight? - I am finding it impossible to balance it properly, it slips to the right.

Help much appreciated...
 
..its not really a steadycam device.. its not supposed to work like one.. and you really shouldnt expect to get shots like one which sounds like you may have thought it would do. its just supposed to be smoother than handheld and give good support for extended shooting periods. its not supposed to replace a steadycam type device or a dolly by any means.. altuohg you can get some short smooth shots with practise.


steadycam type stabilizers which are gimbal based serve the purpose of allowing smooth gliding shots of all kind through space, and it sounds like thats what your looking for. "steadicam" is just one particular brand though and there are lots of manufacturers that make similar devices which opreate on the same basic principles.. and they look more like this
filmVector.jpg
 
I've spent nearly 200 hours shooting with the DvRigPro (original and new light version) and will be the first to admit they won't give you "gliding through space shots" you would expect from a steadicam. With practice, though, you can get some VERY rock solid shots, when walking, panning, tracking, and even running. I shot a radio gig last year where the local rock DJs did the Running of the Guitar for their Rock N Roll Olympics (their version of running the torch) and followed the antics shooting with the DvRigPro for about a mile. The shots where amazingly smooth.

Think of the DvRigPro as more of an extension of a hand-held shot, as a replacement for a tripod when you need to be mobile for your shot. If you're expecting rock steady steadicam shots, you'll need a steadicam. If you want handheld shots that have minimal shake and shots that you can hold for more than 3-minutes without arm fatigue, the DvRigPro is your best option.

But like anything, practice, practice, practice.

Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com
 
fyi, I've been looking for actual footage, check out the following threads, and if you can, perhaps add some clips:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=17882&page=6&pp=10&highlight=dvrigpro

and over at dvinfo [ http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=45787&highlight=dvrigpro ] I posted a request for footage and some similar comments:

"For now I'm just trying to get a clear image in my mind of what I can expect, i.e. what is the primary goal for using this tool...

I guess it might seem odd that I'm asking these questions after already buying it, but there were so many rave reviews and I had decided it would at the very least serve as a better way to do hand held stuff. I'm fairly new and I did some interviews recently where I had to hold the camera for about 25 minutes straight because we didn't want a tripod look, so, although it came out fairly well, I thought this tool would at the very least allow for much longer shoots with a bit more control (hopefully I don't get slammed for complaining about 25 minutes, perhaps you pros can hold a camera for hours!). ;-)

What did stand out to me as perhaps NOT the best use, was when I started walking with the unit, admittedly it's not marketed as a steadicam, but I wanted to see how others were using it and what the footage looked like."
 
Hey Shawn dont worry.. They are making a hip supported spring loaded device that will allow you to be a little smoother.
 
Interesting, I wonder why Danny from DvTec didn't mention that in the other threads...

So, do you know how that design differs form the current waist/belt supported dual spring loaded mechanism?
 
I am here. But can not talk about products until they are ready. Did this mistake before.

Jarred, I can't find the icon of a face with finger across the lips...

Danny.
 
I just bought the DvRigPro for my short film... and wow.. this thing is awesome..

I have a funky walk I do to get smooth shots normally.. and with this device they are super smooth... still not perfect.. but then again this isn't a full steadicam rig so that is understandable.


I love this device... works so well.. I can go full telephoto on the lens and still get very smooth shots...

can't wait to start shooting with it
 
Shawn,
I'm speculating a little here as i'm not sure wha teh new bit of kit from DvTec will be like, but i'll speak a little in regard to other (seemingly similar) devices.


The hip mounted shock absober supports are just that. They help carry the wight of the camera a little for you and they are essentially a shock absorber. For stuff like the DV rig pro they work well.
However a Steadicam arm is designed for a slightly different job, it's designed to actually carry the sled neutrally without transfering any movement through it (so absorbing all the shock..) but really they are designed to holdl the rig ineert in space.

In a shock-absorber support the spring's job is to dampen impact.
In a Stedicam arm, the spring's job is to provide a lifting force to counteract the force of gravity (as that's the only force acting on a inert rig).

So different devices for difference uses, though ofen (mistakenly) compared as the same.

Hope this clears up a bit of confusion.

- Mikko


EDIT: Opps! I just re-read your post, seems I kinda answered the wrong question. - But I'll leave it here just in case for someone else anyway :-)
 
Mikko, perhaps you misunderstood my initial question, what I was asking is how does the new "hip supported spring loaded" design that Jarred alluded to differ from the current DVRigPro? I have the current model and it is also a spring loaded design that attaches to a waist belt, and has two different spring mechanisms for varying tensions, you can see it here if you're not familiar with it:

http://dvtec.tv/_wsn/page2.html
 
Loki said:
I have a funky walk I do to get smooth shots normally.. and with this device they are super smooth... still not perfect.. but then again this isn't a full steadicam rig so that is understandable.
Click to expand...


Can you post some clips of footage you've shot with it? (and of your funky walk!!) ;-)
 
Shawn,

To stop the speculations, you have the latest model, No DvRigPro. Changes are planed. The product is very good for what it is designed for, A Camera Support w/shock absorber.

I know of many users that achieve what they call "Floating walking shoots" with the DvRigPro. These shoots are not "Steadicam shoots", they are very smooth walking shoots, but still walking shoots. Not that there is anything wrong with it!

It is very difficult to explain the "Funky" or other gliding walks people do. Usually, natural Tango, Valse, Etc. dancers have excellent results.

It is difficult for me to explain unique "Steadicam shoots", maybe some one else can.

The only thing, and this is true for Steadicam Etc, and any other camera support is: Practice,
Practice, Practice and Practice again.
 
Interesting... ok then I guess that settles that strange bit of marketing gossip! ;-)

just to clarify: I for one never expected the DvRig to be a replacement for a Steadicam device, as I said in my earlier post, "I had decided it would at the very least serve as a better way to do hand held stuff" (particularly for stamina and stability on longer hand help scenarios)


At this juncture I'm still very interested in seeing how some of the other users have put the DvRig into practice, perhaps to glean some of what is possible with practice and/or Twyla Tharp dance moves ;-) *in addition to getting out there and practicing myself, but I must admit I'm very new to this device, and shooting in general, so it is nice get feedback and see footage from those with more experience. Thx!
 
danny said:
I know of many users that achieve what they call "Floating walking shoots" with the DvRigPro. These shoots are not "Steadicam shoots", they are very smooth walking shoots, but still walking shoots. Not that there is anything wrong with it!
QUOTE]


Danny, are you one of those users, got any footage that you've shot with the DvRig?
Click to expand...
 
No, My wife says I am not a very good dancer. You are a good dancer only if you love dancing, And I don't...

Danny.
 
I know this threads a little old, but I need some help. Let my disclaimer be that I just got my entire kit (DVX, DVRigPro, etc.) yesterday and I know there's going to be a rather large learning curve on everything. Perhaps I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, but with that I have a few relatively specific questions about the DVrigPro that I think could help me learn it quicker. Danny? Are you still here?:)

1)When I put the rig on, I didn't expect it to side to side wobble as much as it has. The spring that connects the stabilizing rod seems very loose. Is this normal?

2) I can't seem to get the rig to sit on my shoulder (with the hip mount and stabilizer rod connected. The pictures I've seen on the website and elsewhere seem to show "no-hands" operation is possible. To be clear, I'm not expecting to be able to move without touching the camera. But even after I made adjustments to center the weight of the camera on my shoulder, it still kept falling off to the right. I read somewhere that one can physically bend the shoulder mount but I'm not even sure how much that would help. Perhaps I need more weight?

I got the rig to help set apart my handheld shots from just doing them with the camera. I'm sure it will when I learn it, but now its a little more daunting than I expected. Thanks in advance for any help.

-Ryan
 
Danny? Are you still here?

>>> I am here.

When I put the rig on, I didn't expect it to side to side wobble as much as it has. The spring that connects the stabilizing rod seems very loose. Is this normal?

>>> It is normal and is one the DvRigPro's best features, It gives you freedom to frame your shoot as you like.


Regarding balancing, Pls. note that the slope of your right shoulder varies with
the position of your arm. In normal shooting position your arm is holding the grips
and is in high position. In this normal position the shoulder is almost straight and
the rig is almost balanced. To fine tune this position, Try moving the holster position right or left, It has a big impact. Also the camera position can be moved, Try it.

The best test is when shooting for real.

Let me know if you need any more help.

Mail me few photos of you with the rig, I will look at your posture and correct it if needed.

Danny Natovich
DvTec
 
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