Gini Rig+AF100, having difficulty balancing!

Jon Furtado

Jon Furtado

Well-known member
Hey everyone. Here is my Gini Rig with my AF100 on it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGBuxvvdq-8

I have heavier glass on this now, (That was a temp lens when I first got my AF100.) My rig is just TOO front heavy. Does anyone else have this rig? How many pounds of weights do you clamp onto the back?

I've noticed that all the weight kits are SUPER expensive. Are there any decent DIY solutions that anyone has done to balance their rigs out?
 
So you really expect that small counter weight to balance your rig? I would suggest having the camera body straight above your shoulder and place a counter weight as far back as I can for it to make it even with bigger glass in front of the camera.
 
The problem I have with my Gini rig in handheld mode is not being able to get the shoulder pad under the camera. I use the Zacuto universal base plate not the Gini base plate. How do you get the shoulder pad under the base plate?
I have a DP4 EVF so I can get the camera back farther to balance it out better.
 
I have the Genus rig and doubled up on the counter weight. Although better still not quite there. And it makes the whole rig rather long and heavy. And you need to remove counter weights for tripod operation or rig is insanely back heavy. You are right, I have not found a shoulder mount that allows the shoulder pad to be located directly under the camera which would cure much of the front heaviness. I going to explore the "easyrig" solution, either the "turtle-X" or "2,5". Want a demo with AF-100 first.
 
editman said:
I use my Berkey rig and you can get it very balanced and comfortable.
Click to expand...

Can we see some pics of how you have your rig balanced?

And for the record, I know the small weight wouldn't balance it. I just had it on there for the video review.
 
Just ordered the Berky "system". I'll shoot a little video review when it comes. I believe the key to balancing the AF 100 is to have the shoulder pad directly under the camera, not behind it. But we shall see. I'm concerned that the lens (I do not use a matte box), Zacuto EVF and pistol grip may still pitch the balance too far forward. And I do not want to have to put 10 lbs of weight on the rear to balance.

Jon Furtado said:
Can we see some pics of how you have your rig balanced?

And for the record, I know the small weight wouldn't balance it. I just had it on there for the video review.
Click to expand...
 
editman said:
Pics and info about how I configure my rig for comfortable and ease of use.
Click to expand...

Nice, nice, nice, and just what I'd want if I were trying to shoulder mount the AF100. I keep telling people who have never used a well designed shoulder-friendly ENG camera that they don't know what they're missing.

One question, though: What do you use for a viewfinder with this rig, and how do you mount it? Neither the EVF or LCD panel are in a good position for on-shoulder use the way you have it set up.

- Greg
 
Greg Smith said:
Nice, nice, nice, and just what I'd want if I were trying to shoulder mount the AF100. I keep telling people who have never used a well designed shoulder-friendly ENG camera that they don't know what they're missing.

One question, though: What do you use for a viewfinder with this rig, and how do you mount it? Neither the EVF or LCD panel are in a good position for on-shoulder use the way you have it set up.

- Greg
Click to expand...
He uses a Zacuto EVF.
 
Please consider this, it also works with AF100:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...F3-AF100-FS100....-working-with-Arri-dovetail
IMG_8319.jpg
 
Greg Smith said:
Nice, nice, nice, and just what I'd want if I were trying to shoulder mount the AF100. I keep telling people who have never used a well designed shoulder-friendly ENG camera that they don't know what they're missing.

One question, though: What do you use for a viewfinder with this rig, and how do you mount it? Neither the EVF or LCD panel are in a good position for on-shoulder use the way you have it set up.

- Greg
Click to expand...

I use a Zacuto EVF mounted on an articulating arm on the cross rod.
 
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