Gini Rig+AF100, having difficulty balancing!

dhart1949 said:
I wonder if the Zacuto EVF moved forward interferes with the operation of the lens? Particularly the zoom function. Also is that a "start/stop" button near the front handles?
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If I would choose to zoom during a shoot I would make use of the Canon J17 and have my right hand on the lensgrip and on the right side there's nothing in the way. You have the EVF to the left. Depending on how you want to adjust focus or zoom you'd want to move things around until you find what works for you.
 
Yes! Thanks to Editman have finally put together a comfortable shoulder mount. Key is to have the shoulder pad directly underneath the camera, not behind. Although there may be others, Berkly has a solution and it's not too expensive. Next project, getting a wide angle broadcast EFP zoom lens tricked out to operate on AF-100.
Camera shoulder mount #2.jpg
 

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Hmm..So it's looking like I'll have to sell off my Gini Rig, buy an EVF and reconfigure this entirely....sign..
 
dhart1949 said:
Yes! Thanks to Editman have finally put together a comfortable shoulder mount. Key is to have the shoulder pad directly underneath the camera, not behind. Although there may be others, Berkly has a solution and it's not too expensive. Next project, getting a wide angle broadcast EFP zoom lens tricked out to operate on AF-100.
View attachment 40956
Click to expand...

what exactly is the Berkey solution here? I'm interested. Is there a link to the particular part?
 
Jon Furtado said:
Hmm..So it's looking like I'll have to sell off my Gini Rig, buy an EVF and reconfigure this entirely....sign..
Click to expand...

The EVF is the one piece that pulls together the handheld setup. For me using a monitor means I have to wear glasses (farsighted) and adds more weight to the front of the camera which is what we are trying to avoid.

This is what I have so far. I also have the Gini Rig. The only part that is weak is the baseplate. Which sucks because that's the most expensive piece. It also sits to high on the Gini plate. The Gini baseplate is probably fine for a DSLR but inadequate for the AF-100. I already had the Zacuto Universal Baseplate so adding it to the rig was a no brainer. I do like the Berkey System stuff. If I had to buy a baseplate I would look at them.
I purchased the adapter from Berkey Systems to get the shoulder pad under the camera. I would like a different shoulder pad. The Gini is hard rubber. The form fitted ones look more comfortable since they come down a bit. Also need to get the counter weight farther back but my rails aren't long enough. The rig is feeling heavy so I really don't want to add much more to it. Still a work in progress. A side note the SmallHD DP4 EVF is nice. My only complaint is the rubber eyepiece needs to be redesigned. It falls off to easy. Other than that is awesome.

On this Gini Rig I have the Zacuto Universal Baseplate. Its very solid but pricey. http://store.zacuto.com/universal-baseplate-v3-includes-12-inch-rods.html

Berkey Systems 60 X 60 Ultra light offset block. Gets shoulder pad under camera. http://www.berkeysystem.com/store/60mm-rail-blocks/rod-offset-assembly-60x60-mm/


Camera Rig.jpg

Thnking about getting this Berkey Shoulder Pad. I can use half of the 60 x60 to mount it and looks like the camera will be a bit lower on the shoulder. http://www.berkeysystem.com/store/shoulder-pads/shoulder-chest-pad/

Shoulder-pad-288x288.jpg
 
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Erik Naso said:
At $300 thats not an option.
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I purchased the complete Genus shoulder mount system thru Cine Able Tech and if memory serves me right the base plate, shoulder pad, rods, and handles were $750. I'd double check the price on that shoulder pad if it meets your needs. BTW the their catalog is out of date and that's not the same shoulder pad I have.
 
Your in San Diego? I'm in Palm Springs. We should meet up sometime and compare rigs!

I was looking at that shoulder pad re locator that Berkey was selling, but can't this be achieved by the same thing as a rod raiser off of Jag35? Or am I missing something? http://jag35.com/index.php/products/rodclamps/rodraiser.html

I was also eying the Jag35 shoulder pad:
http://jag35.com/index.php/shoulderpad.html

I'm also looking for a decently priced lens support and balance weight. In my opinion. ALL of the companies charge an arm and a leg for what are simple items!
 
Yeah, you got that right. But Brian Berky is a nice guy. Didn't know exactly what parts I needed to make my rig work but he said to return whatever I didn't end up using for a full refund. The Genus was superior to the Berky shoulder pad IMO.

Actually I'm new to Phoenix area (Michigan). Not really sure how far Palm Springs is from here. I was thinking AF-100 owners might organize an informal get together at NAB this spring. Don't know how many owners attend, but I've been going for years. Another forum I visit, b-roll.net always has a little party.
 
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Jon Furtado said:
Your in San Diego? I'm in Palm Springs. We should meet up sometime and compare rigs!

I was looking at that shoulder pad re locator that Berkey was selling, but can't this be achieved by the same thing as a rod raiser off of Jag35? Or am I missing something? http://jag35.com/index.php/products/rodclamps/rodraiser.html

I was also eying the Jag35 shoulder pad:
http://jag35.com/index.php/shoulderpad.html

I'm also looking for a decently priced lens support and balance weight. In my opinion. ALL of the companies charge an arm and a leg for what are simple items!
Click to expand...
We should. That would be cool.

The riser from Jag35 will work. I liked the Berkey one because it looks shorter or less tall and its three pieces. I can unscrew them and use them separate.

Jag35 shoulder pad looks pretty good and the price is right. Includes mounting hardware so thats nice. for $99

I purchased the Berkey Shoulder pad. The formed one not the rubber pad.

I took the counter weight off. It added to much weight and didn't do much for countering the front. With what I have on it it feels balanced enough. I'm getting closer.

I do like the way the camera feels without any pad. It sits lower sown on the shoulder. To me it feels better. Not sure how to mount a shoulder pad on the baseplate its self. Maybe heavy velcro attached on pad and base plate.
 
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dhart1949 said:
I purchased the complete Genus shoulder mount system thru Cine Able Tech and if memory serves me right the base plate, shoulder pad, rods, and handles were $750. I'd double check the price on that shoulder pad if it meets your needs. BTW the their catalog is out of date and that's not the same shoulder pad I have.
Click to expand...
I found just the shoulder pad for $160 on B&H. The design makes you buy their mounting hardware and then it goes to $300. The Berkey and Jag35 seem to have generic mounting placement. I need to call them to confirm that.

Could you post a pic of the Rig/shoulder pad? and how its mounted. That would be helpful.
 
dhart1949 said:
Yes! Thanks to Editman have finally put together a comfortable shoulder mount. Key is to have the shoulder pad directly underneath the camera, not behind. Although there may be others, Berkly has a solution and it's not too expensive. Next project, getting a wide angle broadcast EFP zoom lens tricked out to operate on AF-100.
View attachment 40956
Click to expand...
Have you tried mounting the shoulder pad direct to the rail? This would bring your rig down and make it more stable maybe less top heavy.

On your Genus shoulder pad could a Manfrotto quick release be mounted on it? The position of the holes look like it could line up. Then no extra rails would be needed.
 
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I think editman is right. Gini rigs are easy to balance with a GH1/2 up front, but an AF100 really needs to be balanced on your shoulder. Here's an example showing the maximum amount of weight I'd find comfortable on a Gini rig with a GH2:

P1040580.jpg
 
Erik Naso said:
The EVF is the one piece that pulls together the handheld setup. For me using a monitor means I have to wear glasses (farsighted) and adds more weight to the front of the camera which is what we are trying to avoid.

This is what I have so far. I also have the Gini Rig. The only part that is weak is the baseplate. Which sucks because that's the most expensive piece. It also sits to high on the Gini plate. The Gini baseplate is probably fine for a DSLR but inadequate for the AF-100. I already had the Zacuto Universal Baseplate so adding it to the rig was a no brainer. I do like the Berkey System stuff. If I had to buy a baseplate I would look at them.
I purchased the adapter from Berkey Systems to get the shoulder pad under the camera. I would like a different shoulder pad. The Gini is hard rubber. The form fitted ones look more comfortable since they come down a bit. Also need to get the counter weight farther back but my rails aren't long enough. The rig is feeling heavy so I really don't want to add much more to it. Still a work in progress. A side note the SmallHD DP4 EVF is nice. My only complaint is the rubber eyepiece needs to be redesigned. It falls off to easy. Other than that is awesome.

On this Gini Rig I have the Zacuto Universal Baseplate. Its very solid but pricey. http://store.zacuto.com/universal-baseplate-v3-includes-12-inch-rods.html

Berkey Systems 60 X 60 Ultra light offset block. Gets shoulder pad under camera. http://www.berkeysystem.com/store/60mm-rail-blocks/rod-offset-assembly-60x60-mm/


View attachment 40984

Thnking about getting this Berkey Shoulder Pad. I can use half of the 60 x60 to mount it and looks like the camera will be a bit lower on the shoulder. http://www.berkeysystem.com/store/shoulder-pads/shoulder-chest-pad/

View attachment 40985
Click to expand...

It looks like i really need to get a better base plate and shoulder pad. Any thoughts? The Zacutto baseplate is just WAY too expensive for my blood. I've been looking at this one:

http://www.hdvshop.com/hdvs/Adj.Rail-System.html

And this one:
http://www.hdvshop.com/hdvs/CINE-Rail-System.html

thoughts?
 
http://www.hdvshop.com/hdvs/Adj.Rail-System.html

This one is a full imitation of the Zacuto Universal Baseplate that I have. That style works well. I do wish it had a cheese plate design with a bunch of tapped holes in various sizes instead of the 1/4 20 camera mount.

The main issues I have are.....

1. Getting the camera balanced on my shoulder. This is number one. Im getting to the point where Im going to just stick a towel under the baseplate because all the shoulder solutions that I have tried seem to get the camera up to tall.

2. Mounting the EVF so it wont move out of position as easy as it does on a Noga arm. Also the horizon seems to be an issue.

3 Mounting a quick release in front of the baseplate is a must in order to balance the rig. A small cheese plate on a rail block will be needed.

I took a break from messing with the rig I will get back to it soon.
 
Erik Naso said:
http://www.hdvshop.com/hdvs/Adj.Rail-System.html

This one is a full imitation of the Zacuto Universal Baseplate that I have. That style works well. I do wish it had a cheese plate design with a bunch of tapped holes in various sizes instead of the 1/4 20 camera mount.

The main issues I have are.....

1. Getting the camera balanced on my shoulder. This is number one. Im getting to the point where Im going to just stick a towel under the baseplate because all the shoulder solutions that I have tried seem to get the camera up to tall.

2. Mounting the EVF so it wont move out of position as easy as it does on a Noga arm. Also the horizon seems to be an issue.

3 Mounting a quick release in front of the baseplate is a must in order to balance the rig. A small cheese plate on a rail block will be needed.

I took a break from messing with the rig I will get back to it soon.
Click to expand...

I've been looking at that Cinecity base plate. But does it have the correct mounts for the AF100? I was afraid of buying it and it won't mount to my AF100 and Sachtler quick release plate.
 
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