field ready & profitable 7D rig?

L

LorenS

Member
I'm a documentary filmmaker and after moving recently a much more significant portion of my income is coming from freelance documentary camerawork. I've been working small crew documentary shoots with a lot of HVX200, HPX170, and EX1/2 type cameras (with and without cinema adapters) and am looking to build out my own Canon 7D rig a bit so I can start taking more jobs & bringing in some extra $ on rental fees.

I'm currently looking for a (1) shoulder support / cage & (2) audio solution. I considered going diy for (1) but I need everything to look professional so I'm looking at pre-built options. It has to be cheaper than zacuto since I need it to pay for itself doing indie / documentary work so I'm thinking something from jag35. For (2) in the past I've just run a second camera w/xlr's to feed audio into, but I no longer have cheap access to one after moving. I need dual audio inputs so disabling the agc on the 7D doesn't help me if I have to sacrifice a channel for it.

So my big question is what's the cheapest way (or option with the quickest payoff) to build this rig out into something more field ready?

I'm currently shooting:

Canon 7D
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
Canon 18-55mm IS (kit)
Litepanel Micro-Pro
Light Kit (2x lowe pro-lights, 1x tota w/soft-box, etc.)
Sennheiser G2 wireless kit
Sennheiser ME64/66
Manfrotto 3011/501hdv

I was thinking of purchasing:
(1) Jag35 Shoulder Rig OR Jag35 FieldRunner (either w/zacuto rods)
---for a basic setup like this w/light,receivers,etc.
(2) D-Focus v3
(3) H4N

Then later:
(4) Marshall 5" Monitor
(5) lens upgrades

Any suggestions?
 
I wouldn't bother getting a follow focus for doco work, its a hassle when you want to change a lens and it doesn't really make a difference in taking out camera shake when focusing. (actually more if you're not careful!) I'd really look into finding a rig that is ergonomic for your shooting conditions. Don't just buy a shoulder rig blindly thinking it will solve your problems(I did!) You might want to look into something like the Zacuto tactical shooter. You can buy knock-offs like the Zacuto on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/WONDLAN-DSLR-Ri...H1-G2-NEW-/370417776520?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

I would definitely get the Zoom H4n right away, such a great tool! Also, if you're looking into a monitor solution, the Liliput is a great option paired with smallHD battery. Contact J. Odoms on the forum here if you're interested in buying one, he may still be selling them.
 
The zacuto tactical shooter is too little gear for the money - I mean it works well for what it is, but no way you could mount anything to it. The ebay setups are also out. Ideally I'd like to support the 7D, litepanel, follow focus (potentially), monitor, dual system sound, etc..

I'm looking at the jag35 shoulder rig since it has the ability to support:

(1) 7D
(2) mic in shock mount
(3) wireless receiver
(4) recorder (h4n or more likely tascam dr-100)
(5) litepanel
(6) monitor
(7) follow focus

For the majority of the time when I'm not shoulder mounted I can slap the cage portion of the jag35 shoulder rig onto my tripod - this is a big selling point for me.

Any other thoughts on getting all of the above gear mobile on a budget?
 
longshanks said:
I wouldn't bother getting a follow focus for doco work, its a hassle when you want to change a lens and it doesn't really make a difference in taking out camera shake when focusing. (actually more if you're not careful!)
Click to expand...

You're apparently unfamiliar with the purpose and use of a FF.
 
Pookie said:
You're apparently unfamiliar with the purpose and use of a FF.
Click to expand...

Second that. I find a follow focus makes pulling focus much more manageable, specially run and gun documentary work. Sit down interview, not so much, as there isn't much focus change, but anything else i much rather shoot with one.

I shoot redrock shoulder mount and love it, but have never tried the jag rigs.

Ps. Your username freaked me out LorenS, identity theft :p hahaha
 
You need to work out your own spec and then find a rig or mixnmatch

condiserations for your spec

Firstly is it for a monitor or use with a finder - finder rigs need rise and offset

How you create such a rig that goes on sticks and is balanced and rigid I dont know

With a monitor the rig is usually straight through

Now your monitor rig probably wont work with a finder so you need enough batts for ALL day

Once you have the basic shape in your head then you think about accs

Usually this give you a chance to add some rear mass but with an offset rig that usually means for a horrid sticks experience

All good fun and dont expect any layout pushed by any manufacturer to work out of the box - most manufacturers just dont shoot enough to have a clue

S
 
Pookie said:
You're apparently unfamiliar with the purpose and use of a FF.
Click to expand...

Actually I do, its definitely more intuitive than focusing on a ring as well as taking shake out of hand torque on the focusing ring. A FF is especially helpful for narrative and short film work because you can hit your focus marks when blocking actors and making camera movements. However, with a shoulder or gun-stock mount, I am able to focus almost as well, if not more than using my cheap DFocus. I just have found it to be a more of a hassle when using it for "run-n-gun" work such as live event and documentary work, especially if you're using a zoom lens or want to change lenses quickly.
 
longshanks said:
Actually I do, its definitely more intuitive than focusing on a ring as well as taking shake out of hand torque on the focusing ring. A FF is especially helpful for narrative and short film work because you can hit your focus marks when blocking actors and making camera movements. However, with a shoulder or gun-stock mount, I am able to focus almost as well, if not more than using my cheap DFocus. I just have found it to be a more of a hassle when using it for "run-n-gun" work such as live event and documentary work, especially if you're using a zoom lens or want to change lenses quickly.
Click to expand...

Some good points. I'd rather not spend $ I don't need to, but the dfocus v3 is cheap and I think it ups the professionalism a notch.

The primary goal for a lot of us here is to have a cheap professional looking mobile rig that we can strap / mount / screw all of our gear to. A follow focus may not be necessary for that, but it does become necessary at the point where different components of your rig impair your ability to otherwise access the focus ring.
 
i'd say CMP is better because it has the cage... u can add anything u want to it. u can add a matbox if u like also. it includes a counterweight. And its $170 cheaper...also as a DVXUSER member you get a 10% discount with your order cuz they are site sponsers and they ar offering that deal.

I'm also personally going with it because i can put other cameras on that ....i've got to future proof with my buys..this is just one camera body that i'm gonna use with it(7d). And with CMP those rigs either can support most cameras already..or they have parts that u can just upgrade or modify the rig when needs be.
 
Having been out shooting for a few days now with my new 550D, I'd recommend an external monitor - my back is killing me. I sprung for a 7'' lcd monitor from here -

http://www.lcd4video.com/servlet/the-LCD-Monitors/Categories

Not arrived yet but looking forward to it - includes a sunhood. You may want one with hdmi connectivity as you have a proper hdmi output. I also bought the Hoodloupe which helps a lot on sunny days. I second the zoom audio recorder, but you don't seem to have any long lenses - I'm finding a 70-200 zoom more and more useful.

my 02. good luck.
 
LorenS said:
The CMP rig looks nice - would one of these be better / worse than the comparable jag35 shoulder rig?
Click to expand...


I can't say what is better or worse. I believe most rigs on the market have one set of features that stand out and might fit your shooting style better then another. I can point out a few features of our rigs. The first being 100% lifetime replacement warrantee. You break it we replace it, no questions asked. Weight would be another. Most people will state that the DSLR is too light to begin with and therefore don't put much concern in the total weight of the rig. But my attitude has been to put the weight where YOU want the weight. In the same way a race car is lightened and then weight is added to certain areas*, this is how we see our rigs. Light but strong, and then counter balance or shift the balance as YOU dictate.



Steve



*anyone here a Drag Race fan? I noticed during the Mopar Nationals that a lot of the pro stock teams are using DSLR cameras on the starting line, on small tripods, mainly pointed at the back ends of the cars. My guess is to record the performance of the suspension and tires. I just thought it was an interesting use of the technology. Would love to see more in depth coverage of how different race teams use the DSLR technology to trouble shoot and improve performance.
 
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