Talking out my arse observations . . . (few pinches of salt please)
More innovation and accessory options for handheld use would be cool. From what I can tell there's been a lot of thought put into this.
For the Red "GUN" version -
http://www.red.com/product/accessories/cages/
Perhaps devising some sort of triggering device for various applications (e.g. focus options, memory focus, follow) using the forefinger. The idea would be to not make the trigger mechanism overly complex - simple and usable. It could be a pressure sensitive trigger (that also might rotate vertically - a convex dial trigger). There could also be a thumb button behind the finger trigger that would work with the finger trigger to allow alternate operations of the finger trigger. For example, the thumb button (maybe a small round 4-way navigator button) could bring up an variety of preset options (company installed or user made) in the viewfinder (evening during filming); and once a selection was made the finger trigger would be able to assume a different function. All that said, as usable as a "gun stlye" mechanism would be, I think it may catch a lot of unwanted attention in certain locations - "hey, whose the guy with the Uzi? has he got a permit for that thing?" - but obviously just fine for others.
For the "THREE HANDLE CAGE" version -
http://www.red.com/product/accessories/cages/
The goofy looking Manfrotto "fig rig" is really more innocuous - just looks like some fool playing bus driver without any bus. And that can be a good thing. Sometimes people don't even realize it's a camera in the middle of that steering wheel. It seems like the Red "Three Handle Cage" is trying to move in that direction. Although most folks don't have three hands, it seems like the handles can flip around for a variety of two handed applications. I'd like to see what kind of control options could be on those handles; there may be a lot you could do with them. Still I see more possibilities with a circular rig. Handling (no steering wheel puns intended) would be smoother. Also there'd be no need to scrap the three handles. Just have the option of them being extended (flipped out straight) and fitting into a circular handle. The three handles would then become the support spokes in the wheel. Then you could use either handles or wheel - whichever suited the shoot.
More innovation and accessory options for handheld use would be cool. From what I can tell there's been a lot of thought put into this.
For the Red "GUN" version -
http://www.red.com/product/accessories/cages/
Perhaps devising some sort of triggering device for various applications (e.g. focus options, memory focus, follow) using the forefinger. The idea would be to not make the trigger mechanism overly complex - simple and usable. It could be a pressure sensitive trigger (that also might rotate vertically - a convex dial trigger). There could also be a thumb button behind the finger trigger that would work with the finger trigger to allow alternate operations of the finger trigger. For example, the thumb button (maybe a small round 4-way navigator button) could bring up an variety of preset options (company installed or user made) in the viewfinder (evening during filming); and once a selection was made the finger trigger would be able to assume a different function. All that said, as usable as a "gun stlye" mechanism would be, I think it may catch a lot of unwanted attention in certain locations - "hey, whose the guy with the Uzi? has he got a permit for that thing?" - but obviously just fine for others.
For the "THREE HANDLE CAGE" version -
http://www.red.com/product/accessories/cages/
The goofy looking Manfrotto "fig rig" is really more innocuous - just looks like some fool playing bus driver without any bus. And that can be a good thing. Sometimes people don't even realize it's a camera in the middle of that steering wheel. It seems like the Red "Three Handle Cage" is trying to move in that direction. Although most folks don't have three hands, it seems like the handles can flip around for a variety of two handed applications. I'd like to see what kind of control options could be on those handles; there may be a lot you could do with them. Still I see more possibilities with a circular rig. Handling (no steering wheel puns intended) would be smoother. Also there'd be no need to scrap the three handles. Just have the option of them being extended (flipped out straight) and fitting into a circular handle. The three handles would then become the support spokes in the wheel. Then you could use either handles or wheel - whichever suited the shoot.
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