GH5 Good shoulder rig?

F

filmguy123

Veteran
Not quite as needed with GH5 but as I look forward to the GH5S, any recommendations for a high quality but still relatively lightweight shoulder rig to keep the thing steady?

Something like the Zacuto Recoil Rig would be too much (I'll be using that with EVA1, plus, for GH5s, I think I'd still plan to be using the camera in front of my body so that I wouldn't require additional accessories/weight... (of course then, it may be needed to add a little counterweight to make it work...). I see the brand revo has some low priced options that look decent (SR-1000, SR-1500) - but are they junk, or just competitively priced? And then you have things like shape shoulder rigs, but might they be too big/bulky, or overpriced compared to something like a revo?

What might be a great rig for just the GH5s with minimal kitting out (cage, smallHD focus, rode video mic pro), but that would still allow a little flexibility if I need to add a Shogun Inferno to it for some specific shots?
 
When I was still using a DSLR, I bought a Film City rig on Ebay for $125. With some modification, it still works with my URSA Mini-barely. For lightweight DSLR/mirrorless though, I think it's a great option, Super customizable, durable too. I have no complaints.
 
Filmguy123 I would look into an easyrig. It will take the strain off your shoulder and you won’t even realize you’re carrying around ten pounds of gear. The camera, cage, monitor and follow focus will just float before your eyes like a butterfly and being able to raise and lower the camera makes it more flexible than a shoulder rig. It is also very easy to just remove the spring clamp that supports the camera, so you can quickly go handheld or mount the camera on a tripod. You can see it in action in this video I uploaded a while back. I believe I paid around $550 for it here in Vietnam.
https://youtu.be/v3i02u524BY
 
What about something super cheap and easy. Not quite a shoulder rig, but a Israeli or magic arm screwed into the cage then the other end pushed into your shoulder. More of a gunstock type rig. Best part you can adjust the arm to make a top handle for low shots or just to carry it around.
 
I made the DIY one from FilmRiot for like $25 bucks, not counting the Manfrotto plate I used. Don't know if that will hit your mark or not though...
 
filmguy123 said:
I see the brand revo has some low priced options that look decent (SR-1000, SR-1500) - but are they junk, or just competitively priced?
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Personally, I’m not a fan of the overall design of the SR-1000. It’s clunky, hard to expand, and makes everything front-weighted.

I have the SR-1500. It’s basic but pretty solid, and doesn’t wiggle loose like a lot of cheap rigs do. I had tried some other inexpensive options and was disappointed, and as I shopped around I couldn’t find any other solution that was exactly, or even mostly, what I wanted. The reason I went with the Revo was that it was sturdy and covered the basics, but allowed me to build it out exactly the way I wanted it. It’s a good value, especially for the price.

The handle assembly is awkward to me (that design, no matter the manufacturer, is uncomfortable). I ditched it and added an ENG hand grip from Varavon. Alternatively, you can just take one of the handles off the cross bar and add it to one of the main 15mm rods.

You’ll also want to put counterweights on it just because any shoulder rig will be front-weighted and needs to be balanced. I recommend a couple of THESE for their simple design and ample weight.
 
Filmguy123 I would be careful about trying to skimp on good equipment. I've got hundreds of dollars worth of rigs that just sit in the closet because they really weren't effective. If you've got the opportunity to try out a shoulder rig at a local camera store, that would be ideal. If not, I'd caution against wasting your money on a cheap rig. Especially when you're not only supporting thousands of dollars worth of gear, but it will also make filming an unpleasant experience. And remember, hopefully, you're not just purchasing this for one camera only, but for any other camera you might get in the future.
 
Some great suggestions so far! That easyrig looks very appealing, not as a shoulder mount replacement, but as an additional piece of kit.

jonpais said:
Filmguy123 I would be careful about trying to skimp on good equipment. I've got hundreds of dollars worth of rigs that just sit in the closet because they really weren't effective.
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I won't skimp! Also to clarify if anything came off that way in my post: I am not worried about the price, I am worried about the quality. But I am also not a fan of paying 5x more for literally the exact same thing, or investing heavily in diminishing returns (well, usually ;)). Jonpais, with your closet full of rigs, what would be your pick?
 
If you intend to use a monitor with the shoulder rig, I think it’s going to be right up against your face - I might be mistaken, but I believe if you’re going to go with a shoulder rig, you’re going to want to go with an EVF instead. Also, someone mentioned adding weights - if the shoulder rig isn’t properly balanced you’ll quickly run up against fatigue. There’s also the factor of height - at least with my setup - on a shoulder rig with the cage, follow focus, rails and monitor, it’s just too high to work comfortably. The easyrig knockoffs come in a variety of configurations - 10kg, 18kg and 25kg - running from as little as around $500 to as much as $800. Even with a matte box and my largest lens, an 85mm Veydra, I’ll never exceed 18kg.
Have a look at this very brief YT video showing Matthew Scott’s setup - and you’ll quickly realize (1) that’s a lot of weight to carry around and (2) it’s too high on the shoulder to be practical. He has got an EVF, which is more practical than a monitor for a shoulder rig. With an easyrig, a monitor poses no problems. Here’s the video. https://youtu.be/YYqGafARk4M
 
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Can we all just admit that shoulder mounting a DSLR-style camera kinda sucks? ;-)

I've tried many products and many variations. Ultimately, you end-up with something a) uncomfortable for practical shooting b) ridiculously complex rig for practical shooting or c) all of the above.

I know there are times we have to do it, but I've never had a time I've wanted to do it. All that said, balance is the key, and the key to balance is some combination of external viewer and counterweights. The best counterweight...a v-mount battery that runs your camera and your monitor.
 
Ah, but you're missing the main point of the first post. I don't want to be adding EVFs etc. for this specific shoulder rig. I already have the Zacuto Recoil Rig on the way for EVA1. If it costs $1000 to do it right even so, fine, I just am not sure the options or what to look for or avoid.
 
filmguy123 said:
Ah, but you're missing the main point of the first post. I don't want to be adding EVFs etc. for this specific shoulder rig. I already have the Zacuto Recoil Rig on the way for EVA1. If it costs $1000 to do it right even so, fine, I just am not sure the options or what to look for or avoid.
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If you plan on using the camera's tilt-swivel screen as your EVF, then I doubt you'll ever be happy with the balance. It's gonna be too high, or too close, or too something. It's just the nature of the beast, in my experience. I never approached something that felt reasonable until I put an external monitor on an arm.
 
joe12south said:
Without an EVF to form the 3rd point of contact, I don't think the Marauder is stable.
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Did you use one or is that a prediction? I think two hands on the camera with the shoulder pad in your chest/shoulder is fine. I used to own one, although I sold it just and use a gorillapod focus if i have to. Filmguy's set up might be getting a bit heavy for one though.
 
Marauder looks good but I do think it might be tricky without the z finder for 3rd contact point

What would easyrig pair well with?
 
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