Going handheld with a Firestore?

Stu Siegal

Stu Siegal

Well-known member
Looking for a reality check - with a dvxuser battery, how heavy is this? Realistic at all? What experiences are people having? Also, what are people doing for image stabilization using a firestore? Is a steadicam merlin out?
 
You'd have to go to a full sized rig like the Flyer with a Firestore and HVX.

.. but for that money, you can get a Merlin and a nice stack of P2 cards.. Ahh descions descisions...


- Mikko
 
Actually, I am using a DVMuiltiRig Pro with the Geardear cage. It really is a terrific handheld set up for Firestore and HVX. Will get some pix when I have the chance

Ned Soltz
 
nsoltz said:
Actually, I am using a DVMuiltiRig Pro with the Geardear cage. It really is a terrific handheld set up for Firestore and HVX. Will get some pix when I have the chance

Ned Soltz
Click to expand...


If we all had a dollar for every time Ned promises photos, we all could retire.

:)

Can' wait to see.
 
Busy trying to solve some Firestore import problems while still frantically editing some footage from the trip. Photos will come.... I promise...

Ned
 
Hey Ned, really looking forward to seeing this, might be a way for me to get into an HVX after all...
 
DrHST said:
Looking for a reality check - with a dvxuser battery, how heavy is this? Realistic at all? What experiences are people having? Also, what are people doing for image stabilization using a firestore? Is a steadicam merlin out?
Click to expand...

I'd sure like to know the answer to this one! I have yet to be able to take any acceptable handheld shots with my HVX. It must be me not the camera . . .

I was able to get some really rock steady stuff with my old DVX-100 but, up to this point, I'm getting my butt kicked (handheld) with my HVX. Sticks & Flyer are supreme but handheld, I just ain't got it!
 
I use a Glidecam Pro 4000 and hang the FS on with it's belt clip on my belt. I know everyone doesn't trust the FS's belt clip, but I use it a lot and find it very durable.
 
BenB said:
I use a Glidecam Pro 4000 and hang the FS on with it's belt clip on my belt. I know everyone doesn't trust the FS's belt clip, but I use it a lot and find it very durable.
Click to expand...

Do you use a body pod? How is moving from the glidecam to sticks?
 
No, don't use the body pod. But it would help, as without you can only do limited shots before your arms get tired. Maybe one day I'll have a gig that pays for the body pod.

I have the camera on a quick release plate. So going from Glidecam to tripod is very quick and easy.

I've also done shots moving with the CineSaddle. It's not the smooth, liquid flow of the Glidecam or other devices. But it's unique and a very cool look. I grab the whole rig by the main strap, hold is underhand (down by my thigh), and move. This has limited applications, but is a neat look that you can't really get with a steadycam device.

I also got a bunch of FW cables with the 4-pin side at a right angle. From 1 foot to 10 feet. This way I can set up my rig how ever I want and have no worries about the cable reaching or having too much in the way or anything like that.
 
The bodypod is useless for shooting as it's a solid peice with no shock absorbsion. It's just a place to set the rig on your body when you arn't shooting.

- Mikko
 
Actually, I got to use one once, and it was a huge help. Takes all the weight off your arms for the Glidecam, which without the body pod, will wear your ass out fast. At least that was my experience with it.
 
I usually run a longer FW cable and have the
Firestore on my belt. Makes it a lil lighter.......the other setup is a monopod for when your at a spot for a lil longer than you can hold. But one thing is for sure i would really enjoy a shoulder mount of some kind.
 
As documentary-makers, we hand-hold much of the time (without any stabilisation). I look at some of the rigs you guys are using and I have to admit I am totally amazed. It makes everything so horribly huge and clunky.

On an outside shoot last week, we simply tucked the Firestore into the chest pocket of a jacket. Thought it might overheat, but it didn't, perhaps because it was cold outside. (I know heat is death to hard-drives, but have there been any reports of it overheating if the vents are half-covered?). We've also just bought the geardear - which not terribly helpfully comes without any way of attaching it, so we're waiting on a bracket to arrive. But my gut feeling so far is that NOT mounting the FS on the camera is the way to go, at least for us
 
I have always been concerned about putting my FS-100 in a pocket because of the air circulation necessary to keep it cool. Did you find the fan kicking in more than usual? I also do not find the DVMultiRig clunky at all.

Ned Soltz
 
I just got the DV Multi Rig, using it shoulder mounted with the FS-100 attached with the waist stick (not sure what it's proper name is). Had it all day yesterday, never got tired. Very cool rig! Very flixeble! Solid, versitile, LOVED IT!

It doesn't "replace" my GlideCam or CineSaddle, but I'll be using those valuable tools less with the DV Multi Rig. I'm shooting a live event this weekend, Fall Powwow here locally. The DV Multi Rig is pretty awesome in a live event type of setting where you really have to move around a lot.

Very impressive, nice design, solid, not too heavy, very cool!

My only problem is what appears to be a hot shoe mount adaptere, it's too thik for any of my hot shoe mounting devices to fit on. Unless it has some other function I'm not aware of...
 
I attach my FS-100 to the backplate of the DVRig Pro with the Firestore in the Geardear cage. I'll try to get pix tonight or tomorrow.

Ned
 
Looking forward ot seeing Ned's pics. I agree with Jemima that for many instances, though, when I need to be invisible, the multirig is the equivalent of a flashing neon sign. Jemima, it sounds like you're having good success going handheld, which is nice to hear.
 
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