Front heavy adapter rig...

Elmy

Elmy

Well-known member
So now that I have my adapter and shoulder mount, I'm finding with my HMC150 the rig being very front heavy and its easily tiring to hold up for even a few minutes. I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions. I thought about getting a belt with stabilizer stick, but I dont know of any out there that are relatively cheap and can connect to my rails.
 
I thought about that but I think I'd prefer to try to get that support stick if anyone knows where to get one.

I'm not out of shape at all, I go to the gym 3 days a week, and I do professional dance.
 
Haha, I like the gym suggestion. But in reality, my rig is also heavy and despite being a collegiate athlete I get tired after a couple takes too. Just hand it off to a PA! That's what I do.
 
Where does the camera sit when you do handheld? When I first got my adapter I had the camera much further away from the shoulder mount on the rails. Now I'm able to do hours of handheld with minimal breaks by having the camera sit right on top of my shoulder.

If its still a problem, just get a cheap counterbalance weight.
 
I'd like to put the camera on my shoulder but the IndieRails shoulder mount doesn't really let me, I have the camera as close to the back as possible, I'm thinking of getting the 24" rails, and hanging a weight on the end of the rails, since I can't find a support stick. I purchased 18" rails, thinking 24 was too long, I'm regretting that now, I'm using all 18 and I still dont have a follow focus or matte box.
 
Elmy, I have seen the Indie rig and yes the shoulder pad is limiting. You have to have rods extend through the back so you can add counterweight and add ons.
Building the perfect beast is a subject that is close to my heart. There are companies that make just a support pole/spring but the ones needed for an adapter rig are a bit pricey as you say. A low cost suggestion is, you could get a Cavision shoulder pad ($99.00) and slide it under the center of the rig, you can turn it around and have it come in from any angle and offset the the distance. I added a plush leather pad for comfort.

Ultimately, You can add a second rod set with a quick release adapter plate so you can just slide off the handheld rig and mount it on the tripod. I bought threading 15mm rods so i could add on. Yes, 24 inch rods will help a lot, then add a Cavision rod mount dv plate with a 1/4 20 thread ( $49.00 ) at the back. Add a flat metal plate, You could use it for wireless, batteries.etc.. or just some weight till you get those things.

The key is you have to have the weight sit on your shoulder, the downfall is you will way to close to your lcd, so an external monitor then is most likely needed. We fussed around a lot then we got key Zacuto stuff and then modified the original design for custom use. I posted some picts so you can see how the shoulder pad will slide underneath the rig, in turn adjusting the center of weight onto your shoulders, Hope this helps, i've been there. Here is a cheaper support rod link http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...nford_SSPROSI2_Pro_Steady_Stick.html#features
Cheers
 

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wow thanks phil, I appreciate the post. I will re read later when I'm more awake and probably might pm you with some questions :D
 
Sure, PM Anytime, we gotta lick this front heavy adapter thing, we need the freedom to shoot handheld!
Cheers
 
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Yes we do, I love handheld but I find it quite difficult focusing (without a follow focus or monitor =/) while using a front heavy system. I'm going to work on saving money for a good HD monitor, then follow focus, and then fix this issue...I'm determined ;)
 
Ya I've been following that rig a little, looks cool. Wish there was more info on it.
 
Hello from thr running rig

Hello from thr running rig

Hello Elmy. Iam here if you want to know any info about the HR-1.
I just want to add this recent news.
I have just put together all the parts of the HR-1 rig but just the rig, not the back mount elastic support system.That will arrive I hope next week from the machine shop.
So now its just a front heavy system which is ok for light weights up to 2-3 kilos cams. But I think the additional elastic back support system will really take this to another level.
So here is some stuff about it. First of all walking with just the rig seems to be very very stable even front heavy. You dont have roll axis errors as the rig has a roll pivot.The mechanism of the handle panning works very well and specially with heavier loads as the inertia increases.
Still needs a few touches and tunning but man this works as planned and feels really nice.At the moment Iam testing it with a weight cage of 4 kilos.
In the next few days I will post some photos and possibly the first video .
The other good news .... and that is specially for Phil... is that you dont really need to counter balance the camera weight with the goods and monitor under, it works even top heavy, and that is because is very easy to control it due to the large lever with the handles.That means that now Phil you dont really need to place the monitor as low as in the designs, just place it where it s more comfortable for viewing but still around center.
Guys I have been working like crazy for this rig, and at the same time I had to move to another location in Syros Island, I had a laptop breakdown so I just bought a new one, only to discover a few dozens emails these 3 days I was of line.
Last a funny story..Yesterday I had arrange with a friend to pick me from the port with her car cause I had my dog with me coming from the island and as Greece isnt exactly a very animal friendly country as you cant get a cab , bus, train, or metro , etc. But to cut the long story short She managed to f..k the meeting point and at the same time she run out of battery on her mobile so...
I walked with my 10 year old dog for about 15 km to get home from pireus port, with other homeless dogs chassing as along the way ha ha 3.5 hours walking.
So see Iam trying hard.:Drogar-Love(DBG)::Drogar-Love(DBG)::Drogar-Love(DBG):
Good Iam a steadicam op and Iam fit ha ha ha:Drogar-Smoke(DBG):
any questions welcome
Constantine
 
Oh my goodness, Poor Constantine, lol that is a funny story, i can just visualize that. Exciting news on the tests, i saw the elastic design and it looks indeed intriguing. Your hard work won't go unappreciated mate, we'll put it all over the media. But one thing, ....
Can you make a small compartment on the HR1 to carry my Chihuahua!
Talk to you soon
Philip
 
Hi Phil ...hm yes I can make something for you tsiuaua but it might get dizzy with all these dutch rolls and get sick all over your precius camera gear matte:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG):Drogar-BigGrin(DBG):Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
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