HVX on Car Rig

I am still shopping around and I notice someone posted this rig:
http://filmtools.com/filmedweigca1.html

This is the one I seem to be the most interested in since I already some Matthews C-Stands with long poles that I could in addition to/instead of the ones that come with it.

I was looking around the site, getting ready to order and I notice this:
http://filmtools.com/gr1010sucupc.html

What would be the difference between the two rigs? It says that the second rig hold 175lbs, but the told rig with 3x6" cups only holds 50lbs on verticle surface (which is what I am looking at, the lowest end number).

So what would be the educated guess on the verticle number on the 10" on a verticle surface (I assuming they posted the horizontal). Also what would be the pros/cons to the 10"? Outside of the angling ability of the 3 legged version, since the the 10" would not be able to be adjusted?

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but I am really curious.

P.S. I am using this rig on a full size, shoulder mount cam (soon to be upgraded to the HPX500 hopefully!).
 
i'm not an expert on this, but My guess is if you are just mounting on the hood, then why not the 10" suction cup, but you cannot adjust the height. if you are thinking of mounting on the side of the car, away from the car, and in a different variety of setups get the other rig. (much more possibilities in my opinion)
That's why its more. (more parts and more ways to handle different situations)
Let us know how it works out, since I'm also looking into getting something like this.
Also where are you located. I'm in LA. I wouldn't mind coming to help out one of you shooting days to see how the rig works on the set.
Thanks.
 
Well the only rig I currently have/used is a large CineSaddle, which is great for vibration dampening. I actually mount it to the floor of my SUV and leave the rear gate open and it gets incrediblly smooth shots, but I am looking for something to mount to the side of the "star" car and I could mount on it the side of the "camera" car to get some different vantange points.

Thanks for the offer! I am actually located in Illinois, way down in the southern area, close to Kentucky. So it might be quite a drive/flight for you. I would love to get the opportunity to collaborate with some of talented people on this forum one of these days. I still have a lot to learn, but I love doing what I do!
 
I just finished my first vehicle shoot with this car mount rig:
http://filmtools.com/filmedweigca1.html

It went well and the mount worked wonderfully. I am using a Panasonic 410 full size DVCPRO camera that with the lens weighs in at 13lbs and with the AB brick about 23lbs. I used it both with and without the brick when my power supply cable allowed me to reach.

I mounted it on the legs that come with the package and I also mounted it on three of the 40" legs that I already own with my Matthews C-Stands. The long legs did make me a tad nervous, but they held great with of course a little bounce when hitting rough (read gravel or real uneven) surfaces or decent sized bumps. I believe the top speed I went with the long legs on was about 45mph.

I got up to 60-65 with the short legs, but I was on some country roads that didn't really allow for much faster. Plus my first time out I wanted to see how everything functioned.

One question or tip I am looking for is with the safety straps. It seems to me that if the cups lost suction the camera would be on the ground and I would merely be dragging it, especially with the long legs. So any tie down tips would be greatly appreciated. I hope it never comes to it, but it would be nice to know I can keep the cam off the ground.

Thanks!
 
No one really answered the first question... has anyone used the Varizoom rig? I noticed some lucky person will be awarded one for Spyfest, and I guess I was wondering, well... how lucky are they? Is this is good product? I'd like to eventually mount an HVX w/ 35mm adapter, and need something to hold that weight. Thanks!

-DES
 
seriously -
you're best off doing it the way they do it in the majors. Just get yourself a bunch of speedrail, some gutterhooks, a cheeseplate and some ratchets straps. In 20 minutes you can put 200lbs of camera and lighting gear on the front of the car and drive around at full speed.
 
It is interesting that this got brought up again. I just used my car mount kit: http://filmtools.com/filmedweigca1.html

Problem I had yesterday is that the suction cups weren't functioning properly. One cup would hardly generate any suction, one cup did but required a lot of pumping and one cup functioned properly. Any tips or tricks or maintenance that I need to know to do? I only used this kit on one shoot, so it is a little disappointing that it isn't functioning properly. Thanks in advance!
 
digitalinnovations said:
It is interesting that this got brought up again. I just used my car mount kit: http://filmtools.com/filmedweigca1.html

Problem I had yesterday is that the suction cups weren't functioning properly. One cup would hardly generate any suction, one cup did but required a lot of pumping and one cup functioned properly. Any tips or tricks or maintenance that I need to know to do? I only used this kit on one shoot, so it is a little disappointing that it isn't functioning properly. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

this isnt the kind of mount I'm talking amount, though your mount does incorportate a cheese plate. The mount that I am speaking of is much stronger because it does not rely on suction cups, it uses presure. It's so strong you could actually ride on it with the camera.
 
Yeah, I realized that. I was just having some issues with my mount and when the topic was brought back up I thought I would ask. Sorry...

You have a link to some of these items for the mount your are talking about? And without the cups how do you protect the vehicle from being damaged?
 
let me see if I can dig one up. I was the best boy on a film a couple of months ago that was shot mainly in a car. We built several different car rigs. Mainly hood and roof based for lights and camera. If I can't find one of ours I'm sure I could find one online.



---- edit

Didn't find them right off, but here's a pic from a quick google search. It's not the best image but you'll get the point.
Just to give credit where's its due - the image came from
http://paloaltothemovie.com/blog_week6.html

Didn't take the time to read the page it came from, but I recognized the rig in the image right away.

It's a farily standard configuration for car shooting (first pic). There are a variety of configurations and they are usually all custom built. Hood mounts, Roof Mounts, Side Mounts and Hostess Trays are the basics that get built off of depending on your needs. Of course there's the super comlex and amazing car rig they built for Children of men too(last 3 pics)!

A rental house would have all the stuff needed, but usually charges an arm and a leg because of it being a specialty item, though in reality you can buy speed rail and speed rail fittings at a plumbing or welding supply store and get a cheeseplate cheap from filmtools. Rachet straps can be purchased almost anywhere (be sure to get the 2000lb hold kind), gutter hooks are a little less common to come by but those are cheap as well. The tricker things are the padded leveling heads on either side, but with a little thought and a machinist you could have your own made, buy them or rent just the parts you need.
 

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