indiSystem Areeba Package *Your thoughts are needed!*

T

twistedcory

New member
Hey all!

I'm looking for a camera rig with FF and mattebox. It will be my first rig, and I am looking for something thats not gonna break my bank. I was looking at the Areeba package, just wanted to get your thoughts for those who have, or know about these products.

I have a Sony Nex-VG10, 160 LED Light, Rode Shotgun mic in a suspension mount and lilliput 7inch all needing a home on a rig. And also might be running a Zoon H4 or a Beachtek adapter so that may need a home too.

http://indisystem.com/products/areeba_package

I'm just starting out into the "pro" side of things, so I would love to hear from you more experienced filmmakers out there.

Thanks!
 
I'll let you know in a week. I just ordered the Areeba package for my VG-10 yesterday, and it should be here later this week. You will need to add a rail mount for your
monitor ( I think it was about $30).
Like you, I'm sure, I looked at dozens of different rail/shoulder mounts...built a couple of my own that worked well, but I was limited to what I could effectively mount. Having just gotten paid for a fairly substantial shoot ( that was all done with the VG-10 and an NEX 3, BTW), I though it was time to invest in a proper shoulder rig. The Areeba package has a couple of potential problems that I can see, but overall it looked like the most workable solution. Looking forward to getting it.
 
I bought an Indi rig 2 years back (XVSM then upgraded the main unit to make it a DSLR sm) and the one main gripe I had was weight, they are unnecessarily heavy, main reason is by design of using very bulky parts. Other makers use more refined and designed parts which reduces excess weight. Sure we want a little weight to steady things, but solid 1/2" and 3/4" aluminum is used up front for the handle systems where any other rig maker has tubing. The rail blocks are also heavier than equivalent parts from other companies. It all adds up after a while if each part weighs more than better design would require. The Indi equipment works but finesse it lacks. The more weight up front will cause fatigue quicker and only way to counter that is with more weight on the back side.

Thankfully Indi has reduced the overall size of the camera mount which helps. Price isn't everything. There are other rig makers express35.com, jag35.com, shoot35.com, Gini rigs from ebay, and more which are reasonable in price and good quality and have parts that I know you would use more long term.

I cannibalized my Indi rig to improve it and at this point don't used it at all but a piece here and there to have multi purpose rigs.
 
Hi All,

I was about to order the bulldog package last year but needed some customization - longer handles down to the waist, more screws here and there to adjust it etc - and so the Areeba package was born (named after me hehe). I have been enjoying using it. I would say yes the weight can be an issue however because I am doing events at a stretch, anything light would result in shaky shots due to fatigue. The counter balance thus prevents that from happening. I used the event shooter before and liked the use of the elongated rod which is useful for stabilization when rack focusing for example, and missed this feature in the Areeba package. Needless to say, I tore the event shooter apart and added them to Areeba making it a tad bit heavier than it is. I have not tried jag35 and others but will definitely do so.

All recent videos on My Big Day Films .com have been shot using the Areeba package
 
Hey! Wanted to know how it has been using my namesake rig. I give in to the weight after say 8hours shooting straight and am often told it is a side-effect of being a girl - not believing that. Did you come up with ways to tackle the issues you faced? Would be great if you shared. cheers!
 
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