OIS with FigRig?

Macphilia

Macphilia

Well-known member
Dear Forum Members,
I'll be shooting a short this weekend and plan on using a Fig Rig a lot. Barry's book does not recommend utilizing OIS while the camera is on a tripod "or other stabilizing device."
Any thoughts about OIS when using something like the Fig Rig? To me, the Fig Rig seems more like hand held than a stabilizer.
Thanks.
 
I would shoot without OIS - Barry's right.

The OIS will try to compensate for the natural motions, however smooth, of the figrig footage. OIS is really only meant for keeping perfectly still images perfectly still, expecially when you're zoomed in a bit and small hand motions become HUGE.

f you're walking around, the OIS becomes more of a handicap, and leads to very stange motion effects in the footage.

Go ahead and shoot with and without, and walk up some stairs or something. If you don't see a difference, then no worries.

Good luck on your shoot! Be sure to post footage!
 
When ever i shoot with my DIY figrig i always leave OIS ON sine the rig is really still hand held with another grip...
 
Thanks for the replies.
I decided to go with OIS since most of my shots were quite still.
Webdog, how did you create a homemade FigRig? In the mood to share your genius?
 
OIS helps you minimize the small changes you made to frame, shooting the same subject from a still postion or slightly changing positions. If your plan is to really change the subject you shoot, shut the OIS down. This is my opinion ofcourse.. Any movement that makes camera to think that the frame is moving left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, will trigger the gyro engine.

So if you are intentionally trying to pan, shut the ois down, or when panning, also make a circle, or move with the camera.

These are not global truths (:

This is how i see it from my eyes.
 
Yes, I'd certainly keep the OIS acting on your behalf. A FigRig (FR) is still hand-held whichever way you look at it, and hands do shake. I can even see my pulse in footage I've shot without OIS on my side.

What I don't much like about the FigRig is the fact that it's very difficult to make small camera adjustments on the run. It's ok if you're happy with auto exposure (ouch!) but in the real world you have to shoot tracking shots with the exposure locked down. Of course small adjustments have to be made smoothly all the time because of DV's constricted exposure lattitude, but how do you do that with a FR?

You can't let go with your left hand - the combined weight of the FR is too much. So how do you guys get over this hurdle out in the field?

tom.
 
I shoot with a DVX100B and with the Fig Rig as well. I always have the OIS on regardless for the most part.

You need to check out the Quick-Base for the Fig Rig if you have not already, as it will make your Fig Rig shooting much better! http://www.sinivision.com/Products.htm

QuickBaseUniversal08.jpg
 
tom it is possible to to hold the rig with one hand and make adjustments at least for me anyway albeit not the most convienient but i dont find the rig with dvx very heavy at all and the nice rubberized grip below the plate makes for a nice handle for single handed holding while adjusting exposure etc.

maybe its my day job in which im practically doing reps of 10-12 pounds all day long that has built my strength up tto not really notice the weight of the rig :)
 
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