I picked up my first DSLR rig, a ProAim DSLR Kit-3 like this one. I have a T3i and a bunch of lenses, from 35mm to 135mm.
http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/product.php?productid=255
I tried it out just outside, and boy does it raise some questions.
Firstly, it seems that the follow focus system will only attach with the wheel on the right side of the rig, AWAY from me, with a DSLR; in order to mount on the left, towards me, I'd have to be a much longer camera body with a larger distance between the center of the camera and the focus ring (otherwise the mounting of the follow focus runs into the mounting of the body), or I'd have to be left handed and using it on my left shoulder. This... well, sucks. I tried the whip, but it isn't very smooth when bent all the way in a U shape across the underside of the rig.
Secondly, and this also has to do with the follow focus... the gear rings have the screw-on piece that attaches them. This severely limits my ability to focus, as the screw section bumps into the rig itself on either end. Basically, this means I'm limited to about half as much focus distance.
Third, the matte box doesn't meet the lens. Unless I had a lens that way considerably longer, or had it's own sun shape (which... would really make the matte box a good bit less important, if necessary at all), I don't see how it could. Bringing it back any further bumps it into the follow focus.
And maybe lastly, at least for now, and this has more to do with the camera than anything... does anyone else find crap factor very hindering? Being at 85mm, essentially, makes all of my 55mm lenses feel like I'm "zoomed in" too far, so all of my little bumps and shakes while getting used to the rig seem much more significant. I come from working with a camcorder for years (DVX/HVX), and this just makes my mind tell me, "hey, you're zoomed in too much." It also feels like movement is far too harsh, not subtle at all, just like moving the camera when you're zoomed in close. The ability to move around this much with a rig this mobile seems really hampered by the fact that movement looks like shaky and sudden.
I'm sure I'll come up with some more thoughts as I play with it a bit, but I spent a good bit of money (for mu budget anyway) on this rig and it's a bit of a let down thus far.
http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/product.php?productid=255
I tried it out just outside, and boy does it raise some questions.
Firstly, it seems that the follow focus system will only attach with the wheel on the right side of the rig, AWAY from me, with a DSLR; in order to mount on the left, towards me, I'd have to be a much longer camera body with a larger distance between the center of the camera and the focus ring (otherwise the mounting of the follow focus runs into the mounting of the body), or I'd have to be left handed and using it on my left shoulder. This... well, sucks. I tried the whip, but it isn't very smooth when bent all the way in a U shape across the underside of the rig.
Secondly, and this also has to do with the follow focus... the gear rings have the screw-on piece that attaches them. This severely limits my ability to focus, as the screw section bumps into the rig itself on either end. Basically, this means I'm limited to about half as much focus distance.
Third, the matte box doesn't meet the lens. Unless I had a lens that way considerably longer, or had it's own sun shape (which... would really make the matte box a good bit less important, if necessary at all), I don't see how it could. Bringing it back any further bumps it into the follow focus.
And maybe lastly, at least for now, and this has more to do with the camera than anything... does anyone else find crap factor very hindering? Being at 85mm, essentially, makes all of my 55mm lenses feel like I'm "zoomed in" too far, so all of my little bumps and shakes while getting used to the rig seem much more significant. I come from working with a camcorder for years (DVX/HVX), and this just makes my mind tell me, "hey, you're zoomed in too much." It also feels like movement is far too harsh, not subtle at all, just like moving the camera when you're zoomed in close. The ability to move around this much with a rig this mobile seems really hampered by the fact that movement looks like shaky and sudden.
I'm sure I'll come up with some more thoughts as I play with it a bit, but I spent a good bit of money (for mu budget anyway) on this rig and it's a bit of a let down thus far.