Interesting rig

scorsesefan

scorsesefan

Veteran
I just picked up a GH2 and I am thinking about buying this rig: http://www.amazon.com/Follow-Adjustable-Shoulder-Cinema-Version/dp/B005GXTI22/ref=pd_cp_p_3

I think Flashpoint makes it and since I live in NYC I checked it out at Adorama. It feels pretty solid and the follow focus is smooth and has pins so you can bracket your focus. the only possible downside is it's a bit front heavy.

Anyone have any experience with this rig?

Know of a counterbalance (diy or other)?

Thanks
 
This exact rig is sold under a number of different names, Red Star, Opteka, FancierStudios, Link Delight and others. Many times you'll even see the exact same pictures with a different logo photoshopped on. Amazon alone has this exact rig listed under a few different names.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0067PNL3K/ref=oh_o03_s00_i00_details

In any case, it's a solid rig, and if you shop around, you can get it for super cheap. I have it, and it feels great. The "matte box" is just a big sunshade, but it looks professional if you don't know what you're looking at. I added a c-bracket and a top handle as well.

It is a little front heavy, but I've never shot long enough with it to need a counter weight. It wouldn't be hard to grab some velcro-style ankle/wrist weights and add them on the back if you wanted.
 
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thanks, guys. I actually thought Adorama made Flashpoint until I did some research... "It wouldn't be hard to grab some velcro-style ankle/wrist weights and add them on the back if you wanted." I actually thought of doing this. How would you attach them securely? Gaffers tape?
 
Adorama does make Flashpoint, I believe (I have the battery pack for my 7D, and it works just fine). I've had some experience with fancierstudio and the stuff they make is very affordable and not half bad quality for what it costs, for the price of that rig on amazon, you can't expect redrock or zacuto quality, but it'll probably work great for how inexpensive it is. It'd be a great place to start.
 
scorsesefan said:
thanks, guys. I actually thought Adorama made Flashpoint until I did some research... "It wouldn't be hard to grab some velcro-style ankle/wrist weights and add them on the back if you wanted." I actually thought of doing this. How would you attach them securely? Gaffers tape?
Click to expand...

I thought about buying some nice zacuto counterweights....until I saw the price.

SO I went to a local fishing store in Greenpoint, bought about ten bucks of lead sinkers (I think they were 1 lb) and taped them together with some gaff. I'll just tape that onto my shoulder mount. It's not the most elegant solution, but its very very cheap, and works just fine.
 
I've always been a fan of gym weights.
You can generally pick them in some nice colored vinyl (or whatever that material is) in heaps of different shapes.
 
i thnk this rig is wrong for one primary physical reason:
the SINGLE rod thing from shoulder to baseplate.

i would think if you took your left hand off the grip to mainipulate the camera, it would want to rotate. unless the mount where that one rod ties into the baseplate is super SUPER strong.

however, like its often said. "ive not used this specific rig." but i have used many at a variety of prces and have a pretty good idea of how theses things work over time.
 
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It looks kind of poor to be honest. Would depend on your camera... when I started with DSLR filming (with t2i) I had a really poor rig and stuff weights a bit with lenses & all the stuff on it. (And, you're maybe rolling with a mic and such too with a shoulder rig like that, adds up quickly...) Just sayin'. It doesn't feel very comfortable having your expensive stuff onto a rig you feel lacks quality. But of course, you could always make some mods... put on a manfrotto baseplate etc.
 
ErikTande said:
This exact rig is sold under a number of different names, Red Star, Opteka, FancierStudios, Link Delight and others. Many times you'll even see the exact same pictures with a different logo photoshopped on. Amazon alone has this exact rig listed under a few different names.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0067PNL3K/ref=oh_o03_s00_i00_details

In any case, it's a solid rig, and if you shop around, you can get it for super cheap. I have it, and it feels great. The "matte box" is just a big sunshade, but it looks professional if you don't know what you're looking at. I added a c-bracket and a top handle as well.

It is a little front heavy, but I've never shot long enough with it to need a counter weight. It wouldn't be hard to grab some velcro-style ankle/wrist weights and add them on the back if you wanted.
Click to expand...
Link to the C bracket and Top Handle? Thanks
 
JoeJITSU said:
Link to the C bracket and Top Handle? Thanks
Click to expand...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005TCH2GE/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140653539750?

208k6u1.jpg
<--- a pic of my rig without the handle. That shipped from China and took forever to get here :P
 
JoeJITSU said:
Thank you much. What do you think about the Flags? I heard some bad reviews on it and wanted a real input. Does it take the 4x4 filters as well?
Click to expand...


No, the "matte box" is just a big sunshade. It won't hold filers or anything. The flags hold up well and it looks nice. A real mattbox will cost at least $200 by itself. But if you just want a light blocker that looks cool, this works : P
 
I'd stay away from 'redstar'. I ordered a rig from them through amazon last month (january) it was supposed to ship the following week after I ordered it. It never did and after repeated attempts to contact them, I gave up and had file a claim with amazon to cancel the order. To this day they still haven't reached out to contact me. Amazon claims the item was never in stock. Use your judgement, this is just my opinion....
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys. I did get the rig and here are my thoughts thus far:

- Ordered from Fancierstudios with two day shipping and it came in 2 ($309 + Shipping). I was considering ordering from Red star (because their rig came with a better Follow Focus), but I heard some negative reviews so I decided against it.
- The rig is solid and the parts are sturdy and well made, but it is definitely front heavy and the single rod shoulder support seems like an afterthought. The plus is that the fabric enclosure for it has a velcro snap which I think you can attach an ankle or wrist weight to.
- If any of you are using it with a GH2 like me you will need a quick release to raise it off of the base plate so that your lens will fit properly through the shade hole. I found a perfect cheap solution at Adorama: http://www.adorama.com/VDSISVR.html

If I think of anything else I'll post it.
 
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scorsesefan said:
Thanks for the feedback, guys. I did get the rig and here are my thoughts thus far:

- Ordered from Fancierstudios with two day shipping and it came in 2 ($309 + Shipping). I was considering ordering from Red star (because their rig came with a better Follow Focus), but I heard some negative reviews so I decided against it.
- The rig is solid and the parts are sturdy and well made, but it is definitely front heavy and the single rod shoulder support seems like an afterthought. The plus is that the fabric enclosure for it has a velcro snap which I think you can attach an ankle or wrist weight to.
- If any of you are using it with a GH2 like me you will need a quick release to raise it off of the base plate so that your lens will fit properly through the shade hole. I found a perfect cheap solution at Adorama: http://www.adorama.com/VDSISVR.html

If I think of anything else I'll post it.
Click to expand...


Thanks for link, I ordered one too. I'll post some pics when I get it.
 
Hi everyone,

it's hard to judge from images, but it seems baseplate is not adjustable.
wouldn't that lead to problems with making follow focus work for arbitrary lens?
I recall having a problem with 5dmarkII and 85/1.4 which turned out to be too big so that
extra space between rails and lens was needed to mount FF, that i couldn't achieve
cos baseplate on the rig i had was not adjustable.
 
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