My thoughts on shoulder rigs, your thoughts?

Thats interesting but how are you supposed to mount your base plate or the camera on it. Also the video is horrible with the spinning tight shots. Cant see how it works.
 
I would imagine the camera wouldn't go directly on top but would use the rails to mount to your existing rig extending it out a bit. No idea how practical but thought it might be interesting to try.
 
We already have this type of option from many other manufactures. The ideal place to put the camera is right on the shoulder pad like Olof is trying to do. These guys are so close.
 
Olof,

This bracket looks amazing! Please keep us posted as I am most certainly interested in purchasing one.

Thanks,

John
 
I should have read the thread. My question now is since I'm getting a FS100 would that work being that the viewfinder supplied is so long? Seems like it would not be possible.
 
Looks great Olof! I have your existing shoulder set up but am interested in the new design, as it places the weight directly on your shoulder, not your arms keeping the rig upright. How can I upgrade? I also use a Zacuto universal baseplate. I wonder how will this interface?
 
olof said:
Here is the latest Beta version of my new brace:


View attachment 43258

I will have a more finished version ready for my beta testers this week.

PS. Please excuse my messy wires. This is only a quick testing version, proper length cables will make the rig much neater. My Wood handle works very nicely with this kit.
Click to expand...
What microphone are you using there, Olof?
 
dtzfilms said:
What microphone are you using there, Olof?
Click to expand...

I use the Beyerdynamic MCE 86II. I have a couple of these mics they are great much less handling noise than my Sennheisers mics. They have proven to be very rugged as well.
 
I LOVE this design as I've been looking for a documentary/eng style setup for awhile. Most of my work isn't with my camera (but full body ENG cameras) so I want something that feels like that for my documentary work. My only concern with this setup is that the EVF support would interfere with the left hand zooming. I do a lot of manual zooms so I don't rely on a servo that much for zooming. Is there a way to mount an EVF from the top handle or get it away from the lens barrel?

Again, thanks for working on a much-needed solution for ergonomic operating!
 
My EVF is mounted upside-down from the AF's top handle with a 5" Noga Arm, & a pair of CineLocks, but have been considering a slightly longer arm for greater freedom of movement.

Makes for a compact package, & works well, but takes more effort to adjust then Olof's design. And of course Olof mounts the EVF right-side up, which makes accessing the buttons much easier.
 
I have changed the design of the EVF bracket so that it uses the shoemount on the AF100.

This works very well, I will post some photos of it on an AF100 tomorrow.

They can be pre ordered now at $150.00, contact me. I have a batch coming back from the anodizer next Thursday.

They will be on my WEBstore next week for $165.00

Here are a few photos.


picture-9.jpg picture-10.jpg picture-11.jpg

This is one mounted on a Canon 305, I had a couple rush requests for this setup for a bunch of Canon users, so I rushed this new design through. It works well on the AF100 as well:

picture-12.jpg picture-13.jpg picture-14.jpg picture-15.jpg

I may still make the version that goes on the "UniBracket" but I think this is a good solution as well and it is more adjustable and leaves more room around the lens.

I will be sending some UniBrackets final beta version to the anodizer next week so they will be available in early December for all beta testers.

I also found a neat solution if you don't want to use AB or IDX batts, once again this is on a Canon, but this will be an option for the AF100 version as well:

picture-2.jpgpicture-3.jpgpicture-4.jpg
 
Last edited:
Olof I like the EVF bracket. how low can the bracket go? If the camera is on a base plate or a shoulder pad the EVF needs to be almost at the same level as the lens.
 
Olof - does the bracket adjust in and out from the camera body? (in addition to up/down and forward/back?)

You see, I have a bad left eye, and always use my EVF with my right eye - so it's important to me.
 
Steve, the bracket can easily be adjusted out from the body.


EVFaf1001.jpg

Erik, the Bracket is very adjustable in every direction, and I can make more adjustable if anyone needs it.
These photos show it up and down adjusted, it tilts as well.

EVFaf1002.jpg EVFaf1003.jpg

Here are photos of the bracket w/o the EVF you can see all the adjustments, the nice thing is your horizon is always level with the camera.

EVFaf1004.jpg EVFaf1005.jpg

These photos show an unanodized bracket, the finished brackets will be anodized black. Another note, you can also mount the EVF very high by bolting the EVF to the bracket bottom and turning the bracket upside down for use on sticks:

EVFaf100b2.jpg


And you can use it w/o the AF100 top handle:

EVFaf100b3.jpg
 

Attachments

  • EVFaf100b1.jpg
    EVFaf100b1.jpg
    120.6 KB · Views: 0
I thought I understood the bracket from the first set of (Canon) photos - but I must admit, these latest photos have confused me w.r.t. configuration and adjustability.
 
xntrggr said:
Hey Olof, how's the AF100 shoulder mount coming along? Any updates?
Click to expand...

I have produced the first batch of the EVF bracket that attaches to the shoe mount on the AF100. I decided this is a better solution than the curved or straight arm from the base. It leaves more room around the lens and camera controls.

I am still experimenting with the actual shoulder bracket, it is very close to finalized. I got waylaid by a few special requests in the last couple weeks as well as a lot of video work.

The shoulder brace in the photos below is not the final version but an experiment using parts from my Canon XF 305 bracket. It works pretty well but I want the AF100 version to be further forward and more adjustable.

Anyway here are the latest photos, they mostly show the versatility of the EVF bracket, they can be ordered here:
http://www.westsideavstore.com/index.php?p=product&id=56

AF100sb12111.jpg AF100sb12112.jpg AF100sb12113.jpg
AF100sb12114.jpg AF100sb12115.jpg AF100sb12116.jpg
AF100sb12117.jpg AF100sb12118.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top