Indiesystem Ultracompact Rig vs Jag35 Fieldrunner
- Thread starter JoeJITSU
- Start date
I'm also evaluating buying a shoulder mount system, but I like neither of those... I think I would like a one handle only system, two handles would make focus pulling more difficult or leave you with an extra handle...
I think Zacuto has something like I say but it's expensive...
I think Zacuto has something like I say but it's expensive...
JoeJITSU
Veteran
Good Point!
twotonepunkkid
Well-known member
I just ordered my Indisystem ultra compact on Friday with the Indiematte, and I'll be using it with the Dfocus or the Indifocus (when I get paid later this week!). I've used rigs from redrock and zacuto so I'll try to post a comparison as soon as I get it. I agree that you really don't need two handles on a HDSLR rig with a follow focus, but if you want it, it's there. you can always remove it, but extra zacuto handles cost about half the price of the indiesystem rig. I personally like the extra handle for when you don't have to pull focus during a shot, so you can get the extra stabilization after focus has been locked. Also, there are like no reviews of the indisystem ultracompact, so I will post a FULL IN DEPTH review as soon as I get mine. Starting with how long it takes to get it. 
I just got my FieldRunner (order the DigiRunner bundle and get a Digifinder for $30) and love the thing. I use the 12" rod on the right handle for some extra stability (the 6" rod will barely mount the shoulder pad) and the left handle does help stabilize when I'm not pulling focus. Next I will add some counterweight(prolly homemade), a FF, swap the 6" rods for 12"s, add the cross-bar handle mount, then a matte box.
The largest downside with the FieldRunner so far was the service from Jag35. It took 26 days to ship my kit due to handles being on backorder, and I was not made aware of the backorder until I asked about the status 2 weeks after ordering. Once they got the handles in, my rig arrived promptly. As far as the quality of the rig, one of the tension screws has it's shaft at an angle from the knob so it doesn't seat properly (still works, though) and the labels on the tension screws fall off easily(goo-gone and superglue should remedy that). I need to contact them and see if they will replace the deformed screw.
As soon as I'm through unpacking from my recent move and my day job affords me some time, I am going to post a review video.
The largest downside with the FieldRunner so far was the service from Jag35. It took 26 days to ship my kit due to handles being on backorder, and I was not made aware of the backorder until I asked about the status 2 weeks after ordering. Once they got the handles in, my rig arrived promptly. As far as the quality of the rig, one of the tension screws has it's shaft at an angle from the knob so it doesn't seat properly (still works, though) and the labels on the tension screws fall off easily(goo-gone and superglue should remedy that). I need to contact them and see if they will replace the deformed screw.
As soon as I'm through unpacking from my recent move and my day job affords me some time, I am going to post a review video.
twotonepunkkid
Well-known member
That's odd that you had bad customer support from jag35. When I bought my digifinder from them I got an e-mail from them stating that it would be a few days before it shipped, and once it did, it took like 3 days to get it. Jag35 is also really good at listening to questions on their twitter feed. That being said, they move a lot of gear so maybe you got unlucky. I'll post my review of the indisystem rig ASAP once i pget it.
markblasco
Well-known member
I've had bad customer experience with both Jag35 and Indisystem. The difference was, Indisystem never ever (and I mean never) returned my calls or emails. Ever. Jag35 messed up 2 of my orders, but when contacted, they replied and made things right (eventually). I felt like the quality of both companies was about on par with one another. Given the choice between the two, if I had to buy again, it would be from Jag35.
twotonepunkkid
Well-known member
I took a gamble and decided to go with Indisystem and just to let everyone know, I was not able to contact tim before my order, but after I ordered and sent him an e-mail about when my order would ship, he responded in a few hours and told me it would be shipping tomorrow. I should have the rig within the week. I've got a shoot scheduled on Monday and I'll review the rig as critically and fairly as I can.
A friend told me about Jag. I looked into it and they are expensive. On first look they look cheap but if you read into it you will realize that their packages don't include many things which you have to buy as add-ons. When all is done you will end up spending the same as a good Zacuto or Redrock so I didn't see a point in buying from Jag. Just from my observation.
I have still not bought a pro shoulder mount (using a homemade). When I feel it is time I will. As for now I keep throwing money into glass.
I have still not bought a pro shoulder mount (using a homemade). When I feel it is time I will. As for now I keep throwing money into glass.
Popsiclestand
Well-known member
I agree with Mark. IndiSystem has terrible customer service. Never answers emails, never answers or returns phone calls. I have been trying to order a bowl adapter for my Indislider for over a year lol. But because it's not an item individually listed on their site, I need a personal quote for how much it will be.
twotonepunkkid
Well-known member
Great news! I have about a weeks worth of experience with the UltraCompact under my belt now. First of all, I placed my order on a Friday evening, got an e-mail Tuesday saying it would ship out that day, and I got the package Friday. The rig comes completely built with the exception of the C bracket of course, which is great because of how compact the ultra compact really is. It won't fit in your camera bag or anything, but It is lightweight and only about a foot or so long. I received one of Tim's new C brackets with my rig that has 90 degree angles and is built with more than one piece, which is great, because there is less stress put on the screws and hardpoints, but sometimes the screws tend to loosen a bit (I'll get to that in a moment). Mounting the camera is a breeze with the giottos quick release plate with a RACHETING tightener. The C bracket DOES work with a 7D or 5D WITH BATTERY PACK. There is also room to use a power adaptor (ACK-E6) or change out cf cards or batteries while the camera is attached. The handles and the shoulder rest are fairly customizable, and I was able to find a comfortable shooting position after a few hours of shooting and tinkering with it.
Now for the bad... First of all, this rig WILL scratch. probably a lot. But that's not a big deal to me. I'm more for price and functionality than looks and cosmetics when it comes to $$$s of dollars more for a more "appealing rig." That being said, if you bought it just for looks, look elsewhere. The screws and tighteners on the rig come loose pretty easily. I found that they would work while I was shooting, but as soon as I set it down, I'd need to retighten everything before putting it back up on my shoulder for another round. Once again, not a huge deal considering the price difference of some comparable merch. Another recomendation I would make, would be to get it with some longer 18 or 24" rods. The supplied 12" rods are NOT long enough for lenses like the 70-200 L. The BIGGEST problem I had with this rig, is that the C bracket needs an alan wrench to be removed or put back on. Also, the C bracket itself needs an alan wrench every once in a while to keep it from slipping. This wouldn't be a big issue, if the other Indisystem products used the same size alan wrench (Indimatte box). Just like the other cons of the rig, not a big issue if you regularly keep a tool kit on set (which you should anyways..).
OVERALL, This is a great rig. It's not the same quality as a redrock or zacuto, but its a third or quarter of the price. Having used zacuto, redrock, varizoom, shape, arri, etc. this rig does the job and works well for the price. Also, Tim isn't the greatest business owner, but he isn't that hard to get ahold of once you place an order (I WILL be getting an indifocus or slider this week for sure.) I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR AN INEXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE TO REDROCK OR ZACUTO WHO RECOGNIZES THAT THIS RIG IS NOT PERFECT, BUT IT IS QUALITY FOR THE PRICE THAT IT COST.
BTW, I'll try putting together a video review on vimeo eventually.. I just need to get my other camera back first!
Now for the bad... First of all, this rig WILL scratch. probably a lot. But that's not a big deal to me. I'm more for price and functionality than looks and cosmetics when it comes to $$$s of dollars more for a more "appealing rig." That being said, if you bought it just for looks, look elsewhere. The screws and tighteners on the rig come loose pretty easily. I found that they would work while I was shooting, but as soon as I set it down, I'd need to retighten everything before putting it back up on my shoulder for another round. Once again, not a huge deal considering the price difference of some comparable merch. Another recomendation I would make, would be to get it with some longer 18 or 24" rods. The supplied 12" rods are NOT long enough for lenses like the 70-200 L. The BIGGEST problem I had with this rig, is that the C bracket needs an alan wrench to be removed or put back on. Also, the C bracket itself needs an alan wrench every once in a while to keep it from slipping. This wouldn't be a big issue, if the other Indisystem products used the same size alan wrench (Indimatte box). Just like the other cons of the rig, not a big issue if you regularly keep a tool kit on set (which you should anyways..).
OVERALL, This is a great rig. It's not the same quality as a redrock or zacuto, but its a third or quarter of the price. Having used zacuto, redrock, varizoom, shape, arri, etc. this rig does the job and works well for the price. Also, Tim isn't the greatest business owner, but he isn't that hard to get ahold of once you place an order (I WILL be getting an indifocus or slider this week for sure.) I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR AN INEXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE TO REDROCK OR ZACUTO WHO RECOGNIZES THAT THIS RIG IS NOT PERFECT, BUT IT IS QUALITY FOR THE PRICE THAT IT COST.
BTW, I'll try putting together a video review on vimeo eventually.. I just need to get my other camera back first!
I've bought and had mine for about 2 weeks now. Used it on two shoots.
I have to agree, their customer service SUCKS! But if you're lucky enough to get them to pick up the phone and you actually get the guy.. he's very very very helpful... the girl doesn't know anything. You ask a question, she turns around and asks him, then she tells you what he says. This goes on back and forth with EVERY single question.
Now on to their product. It's a pretty good looking rig. The black on black makes it look very professional and aggressive. It feels pretty good in your hands.
The rig is pretty damn heavy though. My shoulders were tired after an hour of running around with this thing on. This is WITHOUT the counter weight.
The paint job is ok, you can easily scratch this thing when you adjust handles, rods, etc.
Over-all I like the rig, it does the job for a fairly decent price. But after shooting with this several times... i still prefer to run around with my monopod. Maybe it's because I'm so use to using the monopod before I bought a shoulder rig that I've actually gotten good with using the monopod for every kind of shots.
I would recommend this rig for it's price and feel.
I have to agree, their customer service SUCKS! But if you're lucky enough to get them to pick up the phone and you actually get the guy.. he's very very very helpful... the girl doesn't know anything. You ask a question, she turns around and asks him, then she tells you what he says. This goes on back and forth with EVERY single question.
Now on to their product. It's a pretty good looking rig. The black on black makes it look very professional and aggressive. It feels pretty good in your hands.
The rig is pretty damn heavy though. My shoulders were tired after an hour of running around with this thing on. This is WITHOUT the counter weight.
The paint job is ok, you can easily scratch this thing when you adjust handles, rods, etc.
Over-all I like the rig, it does the job for a fairly decent price. But after shooting with this several times... i still prefer to run around with my monopod. Maybe it's because I'm so use to using the monopod before I bought a shoulder rig that I've actually gotten good with using the monopod for every kind of shots.
I would recommend this rig for it's price and feel.
"there are like no reviews" Does this mean that there aren't things LIKE or similar to reviews or that there are no reviews? I've heard people randomly sprinkle the word "like" several times into each sentence when they speak but haven't seen it actually written. Is this a typo?
I just ordered my Indisystem ultra compact on Friday with the Indiematte, and I'll be using it with the Dfocus or the Indifocus (when I get paid later this week!). I've used rigs from redrock and zacuto so I'll try to post a comparison as soon as I get it. I agree that you really don't need two handles on a HDSLR rig with a follow focus, but if you want it, it's there. you can always remove it, but extra zacuto handles cost about half the price of the indiesystem rig. I personally like the extra handle for when you don't have to pull focus during a shot, so you can get the extra stabilization after focus has been locked. Also, there are like no reviews of the indisystem ultracompact, so I will post a FULL IN DEPTH review as soon as I get mine. Starting with how long it takes to get it.
twotonepunkkid
Well-known member
Haha.. what I meant was there are very few reviews around, but they have a lot of flaws and misinformation, and Tim tend's to change up the design and improve the rig. And the only video review I've seen, talks about how the quick release doesnt work (it ratchets..) and he didnt know if the battery grip would fit, etc, etc.