I'm in need of rig advice

makkea

makkea

Member
Hey there community!

I'm making my first steps in this enormous world of cinema, but I think I'm doing OK.
In the last weeks I focused on getting the audio equipment, and thanks to you, experts of dvxuser, I had it clear and had no problem when it came to choose.
But now I have another problem: the stabilization.
My budget is REALLY low (right now) about 300-350$, and I have to complete my support equipment. Well, I've spent hours looking at the different stabilization methods and I think I'll finally go for a tripod and a shoulder rig (that's what most people do, I've read).
The fact is that I already have a tripod. My sister gave it to me, and it's very crappy. The model is the Velbon CX200, it costed around 50$. So, there are two options:

a) Getting a new (better) tripod for about 200$, and getting a 100-150$ shoulder rig.
b) Staying with the tripod I have and buying a slightly better shoulder rig.

Which do you think would be the best?

Finally, I've done a extensive research on the cheap rigs available. I live in Europe, so I must find a distributor here so I don't have to pay taxes (the price might be the double if I bought from USA).
The options I have are:

-Sunrise DSM-801 for about 340$ (see it here). There isn't any review on the internet since it's new. What do you guys think of it? This would be a favour from an european online shop, they would give it to me almost at factory price. The problem is that my lens is a 50mm f/1.8 and I think I couldn't use those Matte Box and FF due to the very small focusing ring it has.

-Any Flimcity cheap rig (such as this one) I wouldn't know wether to take a kit with a matte box and FF or not. I would buy it from USA, but being the price that low the taxes would also be very small. I've read they aren't that bad...

-Seamless Rig for about 260$ (see it here). There are 2 reviews in their own website but I can't make any conclusion about it.

I discard the brand Gini Rigs, though it has been recommended many times, due to the high shipment prices and the taxes...ç

What would you recommend to me? Is there any other rig I can buy in europe which is good/better in price/quality terms?

Thanks a lot guys!
 
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hi, I have been using a shape rig for 2 years now and it's very study and it's lifetime warranty.
I broke the arm part of my stabilizer once and they repaired it for free.

the one I am using is the composite stabilizer ( DSLR )
I know they are sold worldwide - they have a section where to buy ( it's where I found out where to buy their stuff from Florida )

I've hear they are about to release a smaller price range products for DSLR...
let's see how it looks like. I hope they keep their red handles and great quality.
 
Stephen O'Brien said:
hi, I have been using a shape rig for 2 years now and it's very study and it's lifetime warranty.
I broke the arm part of my stabilizer once and they repaired it for free.

the one I am using is the composite stabilizer ( DSLR )
I know they are sold worldwide - they have a section where to buy ( it's where I found out where to buy their stuff from Florida )

I've hear they are about to release a smaller price range products for DSLR...
let's see how it looks like. I hope they keep their red handles and great quality.
Click to expand...

It looks awesome, but unluckily I don't have that money... Thanks anyway! I'll have a look at these dslr products when they come out :)
 
Seeing that anyone can't answer my doubts, I'm going to make a more concrete question. What do you think would be a better option?

a) Getting this 95$ rig from FilmCity LINK

b) Getting, for 340$, this rig from Sunrise (I know it's not much known) LINK

c) Getting this rig from Seamlessphoto for 260$ LINK

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
 
Any other opinion on these rigs?.. I'm a bit lost!
Thanks in advance!!
 
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Sorry to double post, but I really need to know if anyone has tried any of these 3 rigs (look 5 posts above)...

I think I'll finally go for the 95$ rig from Filmcity. I think that for that money I can't be wrong... Even if it breaks 2 months from then, I'd still be happy.
 
nothing said:
Get a good tripod first, your audience will thank you.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response.
Yes, that's why I think I'll get that crappy shoulder rig. I've found a guy in my city who sells a Manfrotto 117 (here) tripod with the Manfrotto 501HDV head for about 200$. With the rest of the money I'd buy that 95$ rig, with a back weight (25$ more dollars).
What do you think? Thanks in advance!

PD: Are you Simon Miya, the one in your IMDB signature?
 
nothing said:
Get a good tripod first, your audience will thank you.
Click to expand...

+1

I'd say skip the shoulder rig entirely at first, and put all of the money towards a not-awful 2nd hand tripod on eBay/craigslist etc.

It will be hard to find a not-awful tripod for just a couple of hundred dollars unfortunately, but you'll do better with an older, used decent tripod; than a shiny, new $300 one.
 
Grug said:
+1

I'd say skip the shoulder rig entirely at first, and put all of the money towards a not-awful 2nd hand tripod on eBay/craigslist etc.

It will be hard to find a not-awful tripod for just a couple of hundred dollars unfortunately, but you'll do better with an older, used decent tripod; than a shiny, new $300 one.
Click to expand...

I agree on that. What do you think about the one I mentioned? (Manfrotto 117 + 501HDV for about 200$)
 
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I would jump on that Manfrotto, seems like a good deal.

I have never used a shoulder rig with a DSLR. There is no way I would consider buying one early in your gear acquisition, but obviously the internet disagrees with me so you'll get other opinions on that. If you absolutely need to do a lot of run and gun, then get a monopod with a tilt head (I like cheap monopods with a Manfrotto 234 head).

Yes, my signature is me.
 
nothing said:
I would jump on that Manfrotto, seems like a good deal.

I have never used a shoulder rig with a DSLR. There is no way I would consider buying one early in your gear acquisition, but obviously the internet disagrees with me so you'll get other opinions on that. If you absolutely need to do a lot of run and gun, then get a monopod with a tilt head (I like cheap monopods with a Manfrotto 234 head).

Yes, my signature is me.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll take that into consideration, for sure. I'll make a little research on the monopods, don't know much about them and their techniques.

I asked if it was you because I had a look at it and I saw that you have been in many high level productions! I wonder how would it be to assist and colaborate in an Entourage episode or the Grimm serie... It's a pleasure to be helped by people who have so much experience! (And, of course, by people who don't have that much experience too, they are the base of these communities).
 
Yes getting a good, (but not necessarily expensive) solid tripod with a nice fluid head should be your priority.

And I agree with what nothing said. If you're starting out, get what you need and learn your trade to see what works for you. Some people will prefer a monopod over a shoulder rig and vice versa. Using a shoulder rig with a DSLR can be rather redundant but it really depends on what you'll be shooting.
 
makkea said:
I agree on that. What do you think about the one I mentioned? (Manfrotto 117 + 501HDV for about 200$)
Click to expand...

I haven't shot with the 501HDV myself, so I'm afraid I can't comment on its qualities. It sounds like a seriously affordable price though, is it a 'fluid' head? I'd check out as many reviews of the head as you can and see what people say about it.
 
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