Is this a good deal?

Not a good deal?

Not a good deal?

I'm going to assume from the lack of responses that $1,800 used for this kit is not that great a deal.

Though I think the kit itself is great quality, the general consensus (after searching various theads) seems to be that it's overkill, and not worth the cost.

People have also talked about the weight being an issue, and that other follow-focus / matte box combos from places like Cinevate and Indie Focus are much lighter (and cheaper).

I have to make a decision by tomorrow (Wedesday) so if anyone has any thoughts I'd love to hear them.

P.
 
I would NEVER spend that kind of money on a rig unless I had everything I ever wanted. For that kind of money I can buy another camera + an "L" series lens.


I have no idea in the world why anyone would spend that kind of money on a rig, there are hundreds of options that cost less and do the same thing.
 
Thanks Cielolent. I appreciate your honesty. It really helps with my decision.

I'd be interested to know what rig you'd recommend that doesn't break the bank.

P.
 
I would go with the handy35 dslr rig. It's much cheaper and it's incredible quality. and for the money you save, you can get a mattebox and still save close to 500.00. Although if you want a follow focus it will be a bit more.
 
I just had a colleague offer me a similar rig (with mb and ff) for $1,500. He's finishing a film next month and will be selling his gear. Don't know the condition, but I'm assuming there's some wear and tear.

I'll check out the other options everyone's suggested in the meantime.

Thanks

P.
 
I have a shoulder rig, tripod with fluid head, glidecam, and slider all for less than 1/3rd of that.

So not only is it not a good deal, its probably the worst deal ever.

jon!
 
what planet are you guys from?!?!?!
its a pretty decent deal on a GREAT rig!

a GOOD, SOLID rails, mattebox, ff is EXPENSIVE.
hell, most new good quality matteboxes alone usually cost nearly that much. and the swing-out feature of the redrock is very, VERY handy!

yes, you can get similar good, working items for less. but REALLY GOOD gear is a very wise investment.
i would try to talk them down to $1600-$1700 just to make it sweeter

BUT, are you sure you really NEED all that? a few years ago i was convinced that i NEEDED a shoulder rig for my hvx200. so i shelled out like $3000 for a tricked out zacuto rig. LOVED IT! it was worth every penny! solid as hell and a sheer pleasure just to be around. BUT i sadly figured out that after a few years of shooting smaller hand-held cameras, my shooting style no longer suited being on shoulder. so i parted out the rig here on the forum. but i kept my baseplate and rails. the only way anybody will get my zacuto baseplate is if they pry it from my cold, dead hands...
 
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I agree with wgzn. I enjoy the Red Rock Cinema setup whenever I use it, but I think there are alternatives...however, if you think they're 1/3 of the price cheap, your standards for gear longevity and function are low.

There are reasons that people can point out DSLR footage a mile away from most users...they don't take the time to develop their rig and setup and as such have microjitters, or flares or soft images.

Shoulder rigs add weight, thus eliminating microjitters for the most part.

Matte boxes allow light control and filter options.

Follow focus' allow you to set focal points and pull focus more easily, especially with such shallow DOF.

What EXACTLY is not needed in that rig? I guess it depends on what you're shooting and your shooting style - I definitely need all of it to make my images turn out well.

To each his own, but to make a statement like "why would you buy that when you can buy another body" or "i can get it all for $200" is just plain ignorant. Quality matters to some people.

Kegan

EDIT: Instead of suggesting that there are "hundreds of other alternatives", why don't you list some? At least that way, the OP can make his choice based on actual options, instead of a vague assumption that there's something that may be better, somewhere, under some brand, etc.
 
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