Fig Rig for HVX200?

[Green Hornet]

Just wondering if the HVX200 is too heavy for the fig rig, or the home made PVC pipe fig rig?

What is better the PVC fig rig, or the Bogen one?

I can see the PVC pipe being easier to hold due to thicker pipe,
better to sit on the grond due to the flat surfaces instead of round.

The Bogen fig rig seems to be easier to mount other items.

I think the fig rig is easier to use and obtain usable results than a steady cam is.
When mastered, the steady cam is better, not mastered, I would prefer the Fig rig.

I have played around with the PVC version on an DVX100a, but think it might be a bit harder to use with the HVX 200 due to the extra weight.

Anyone have any feedback on this?

 

[deadmike]

i just bought a fig rig and i love it with the hvx. it was a little annoying using it without a remote but i just got my rockpzfi controller in the mail. the hvx is definitely not too heavy for the rig but you may need to start doing shoulder exercises if you are going to be using it for long shoots.

for anyone using the figrig with the varizoom pzfi, where do you have it mounted? i have it above the right handle as low as it can go. i can reach the zoom and record functions fine, but focus and iris wheels are slightly more difficult. i think i may remove the small plastic ring on top of the grip tape on the upper right side so i can have the remote lower. thoughts?

also, i don't have a car and the fig rig won't fit in my bag so everyone likes to ask, "where's the rest of the car" or "what the hell is that thing." i usually just let them think its a steering wheel.

a little off topic: i'm shooting a night time project with the hvx and the fig rig. its so nice not to have to lug around my tripod in the middle of the night. the only lights are streetlights, houselights, an led flashlight, and a zippo all at 12db gain and i actually like the way the noise looks. and the blacks are coming out beautiful, which is good because almost every shot is 95% black.

 

[David_M_Payne]

The fig rig is great, and it handles the weight of the HVX just fine. It is heavy, esp if you have a monitor also. The fig rig is very well thought out and worth the money over a bunch of PVC pipe mickey moused together. Speaking of money, Barb at AVS gave me the best price.

David

 

[monolith]

Coughing up $300 for the Fig Rig stung a little at the time, but you quickly come to grips with how overpriced it is. I second Green Hornet re: fig rig vs steadicam. Woe betide the shooter who attempts to assert the fig rig's superiority over the steadicam - but bugger me if it's not a whole lot easier. It's always a happy moment when a director is describing an intricate shot to me, getting perplexed as to whether it can be done or not - I just hand him the wheel and say 'You know what it looks like. You shoot it.' Saves time, and looks great. To answer the query - definately not too heavy (this depends somewhat on your own strength - perhaps a better way of putting it is the Fig Rig doesn't add much weight to the camera).

I haven't played with a PVC version yet but it's a great idea (and will hopefully push the Bogen model down to the $200 mark where it belongs).

 

[David_M_Payne]

Coughing up $300 for the Fig Rig stung a little at the time, but you quickly come to grips with how overpriced it is. I second Green Hornet re: fig rig vs steadicam. Woe betide the shooter who attempts to assert the fig rig's superiority over the steadicam - but bugger me if it's not a whole lot easier. It's always a happy moment when a director is describing an intricate shot to me, getting perplexed as to whether it can be done or not - I just hand him the wheel and say 'You know what it looks like. You shoot it.' Saves time, and looks great. To answer the query - definately not too heavy (this depends somewhat on your own strength - perhaps a better way of putting it is the Fig Rig doesn't add much weight to the camera).

I haven't played with a PVC version yet but it's a great idea (and will hopefully push the Bogen model down to the $200 mark where it belongs).

I ment the fig rig with the HVX200 and the Marshall is a bit heavy for long shots, not the rig itself which is very light. It is very easy to use though and with a bit of practice and the OIS on you can get very smooth motion shots.

David

 

[THE HONEST LIAR]

I would recommend you also purchase a monopod with the fig rig. They work very well together. It does get heavy after a while, IMO.
However the purchase of a 521p Manfrotto controller is a must or a like device.

Kind regards
THE HONEST LIAR