FigRig made for $30

Great job guys, you know for extra help for the hand you could get some "grip tape" from a bike store that they use on road bikes. Wrap that around the steering wheel and youre set.

NICE WORK!
 
Well if anyone wants to see the promo vid with mike using the figrig here it is:

http://services.manfrotto.com/figrig/

BTW- Thanks for your input jdanstan. It seems like this rig is just like any other - the more you use it the better you get. I would love to see a comparison between this rig and the glidecam. I've been looking into getting an official steadying device and ditching my $14 unit. Any thoughts?
 
high8 said:
Great job guys, you know for extra help for the hand you could get some "grip tape" from a bike store that they use on road bikes. Wrap that around the steering wheel and youre set.

NICE WORK!
Click to expand...


That's one of the things I mentioned at the bottom of my "how to." I think that foam bicycle grips would be more comfortable and cheap. Slice them lengthwise and secure them to the wheel.

The tripod mount issue could easily be solved by a quick trip to Lowe's/Home Depot or buying one of the clamps that is made for the real FigRig. Check out the cool accessories in the catalog: http://services.manfrotto.com/figrig/catalogo.pdf

I'm not too fond of the zoom controller they sell for it. It's not very precise or variable.

There are a lot of cool options for it if you look around.
 
waltind said:
Well if anyone wants to see the promo vid with mike using the figrig here it is:

http://services.manfrotto.com/figrig/

BTW- Thanks for your input jdanstan. It seems like this rig is just like any other - the more you use it the better you get. I would love to see a comparison between this rig and the glidecam. I've been looking into getting an official steadying device and ditching my $14 unit. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
hmm not really, I have $14 poormans steady cam as well, but that's my only exposure other than seeing people get really great reults with the glidecams.
 
Glidecam

Glidecam

I would say not to bother with a full glidecam jr. system. They are somewhat costly, and the gymbal has a tendancy to break after a decent amount of use. Replacing these is costly, and you may end up using your $14 rig in the end anyway.
 
Fig Rig looks pretty neat.
But I can tell you if you use it for very long it will take your arms off and ruin your back, even with the DVX 100a.
Learned my lesson with the steady tracker. Still suffering.
You want stable shots without a tripod, opt for the DV RigPro. Not a stabalizer, but a far better choice than the Fig Rig.
Ergonimics are left out in that design IMHO.
 
You're right, it is heavy, especially with the XL2.


However it is unique for the amount of control it offers, but it's not intended to be a steadycam-type device. It's designed for quality run-and-gun and clever effects (just think Sam Raimi).

I work-out less than I should, but I have no problems holding it for a few minutes.

I'll site a similar example to the people from work that complain about the weight of the bigger laptops. Sure it's heavy, but over time you will adjust (get stronger), and it's worth it since you're really getting something out of it (in the case of the bigger laptop - a bigger screen and built-in peripherals).

Check-out the site of the guy that Mike Figgis used to design the prototype. He has more clever tricks up his sleeves :
http://www.benwilsondesign.co.uk/ see "cam rigs"
 
Peabody said:
Fig Rig looks pretty neat.
But I can tell you if you use it for very long it will take your arms off and ruin your back, even with the DVX 100a.
Learned my lesson with the steady tracker. Still suffering.
You want stable shots without a tripod, opt for the DV RigPro. Not a stabalizer, but a far better choice than the Fig Rig.
Ergonimics are left out in that design IMHO.
Click to expand...
I usede mine for like 16 hour shoot and never blinked there was a lot of adrenaline going on though and also I'm built like a brick shithouse.
 
OK, I finally have some test footage made with my PseudoFigRig. It's just over a minute, to show a continuous clip with some fairly decent follow footage of my furry co-worker. Enjoy! A shout-out to Moroder/Bowie for the Cat People song and to Tule for her own sound FX.

pseudoFigRigTest.mov

(please R-click and download, it's not set to stream)


*By the way, it's a QTime 7 (h.264) movie so you will need that version from here:

http://quicktime.apple.com

or an alternative mpeg4 player is VLC from here:

http://www.videolan.org
 
I made a similiar design like Ben Wilsons (hand held design), before I knew about the fig rig or about Ben Wilson using PVC piping. I used handle bar ends, pvc pipe and a camera base. It tilted with the use of the handle bar ends, but couldn't pan without turning your body or shifting your arms. The majority of the weight was pressed against the stomach and some on the shoulder. After viewing the DV RigPro, I can see shades of my design in there (but the DV RigPro is much much better). I am going to try my hand at the fig rig, but with something a little more lightweight.
 
John_Hudson said:
What the?

What the hell is that?!
Click to expand...

It's a simple "no nonsense" clip of my homemade rig in action. The overall footage is not supposed to look good, but the motion is. People asked about posting some examples, so I did.
 
Yes I do, on the weekends. That is my favorite animal in the zoo. She is a 4-year-old bobcat.


I mainly wanted to show that short clips are fine with it. It's not too heavy, unless you consider a 10 lb. dumbell too heavy. If you do, shame on you!:cheesy:
 
You can always use my video to compare the steadiness. :laugh:

Here is the link.
http://www.salenz.com/movie/www.salenz.com.2005_11_12_encoding_600k.wmv
http://www.salenz.com/movie/www.salenz.com.2005_11_12_encoding_100k.wmv

Using JVC GY-DV5000 minidv camera with Fujinon s20x6.4brm-sd lense.

The camera weights around 6kg.

Claim: I manufacture stabilizer. :thumbsup:

Regards
Leigh

waltind said:
Well if anyone wants to see the promo vid with mike using the figrig here it is:

http://services.manfrotto.com/figrig/

BTW- Thanks for your input jdanstan. It seems like this rig is just like any other - the more you use it the better you get. I would love to see a comparison between this rig and the glidecam. I've been looking into getting an official steadying device and ditching my $14 unit. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
 
LEIGH! ( in know i just bitched at you on DVi for the same thing, but..)

Quit hijacking threads! We've all seen your footage, thankyou.

And sorry mate, but your video is not the definetive word in steadiness.

- Mikko
 
waltind asking for figrig like device compare to a stabilizer, not asking for the definetive word in steadiness. Nothing can compare to a tripod for the definetive word in steadiness, don't you argee? :grin: BTW, I never say my video is the definetive word in steadiness. I just offer a compare video.

Regards
Leigh

mikkowilson said:
And sorry mate, but your video is not the definetive word in steadiness.

- Mikko
Click to expand...
 
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