order of importance

do you need to do handheld work? you CAN get focus using just the lens (or use gaff tape to mark focus pulls).

you CAN'T do handheld work unless you have expensive IS or VC glass. and even then... I'd still want a shoulder mount.

I see you have a GH1... are you using the stock lens? If so... you could probably get by without a shoulder mount for a while.
 
Nope, I don't have the stock lens. I have some FD primes. most of the time the camera will be on a tripod or dolly, but i want the option of going hand held when it needs it.
 
A follow focus will make your life a lot easier. The ability to set focus marks, use a whip or speed crank, and have your focus control be on the side of the camera is a big help. Not a necessity, but a lot easier.
 
I have to say shoulder mount first...follow focus is important but handheld without shoulder mount is impossible in my experience.
 
philip bloom said:
handheld without shoulder mount is impossible in my experience.
Click to expand...

Again I beg to differ. Might be true for Canon's with their lack of a working viewfinder in video mode so one has to hold the camera on outstretched arms. GH1 works really OK handheld with the classic street photographer stance; viewfinder pressed into eye socket, left hand under lens, right hand holding camera body and elbows tucked into torso. Here's the absolutely first thing I shot with it over a year ago, all handheld, no shoulder mount or any other stabilization. Well, I was a bit tipsy also so that might have helped smooth things out.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=175134
 
Martti Ekstrand said:
Again I beg to differ. Might be true for Canon's with their lack of a working viewfinder in video mode so one has to hold the camera on outstretched arms. GH1 works really OK handheld with the classic street photographer stance; viewfinder pressed into eye socket, left hand under lens, right hand holding camera body and elbows tucked into torso. Here's the absolutely first thing I shot with it over a year ago, all handheld, no shoulder mount or any other stabilization. Well, I was a bit tipsy also so that might have helped smooth things out.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=175134
Click to expand...

ah, didnt see he had a gh1...still a follow focus on a gh1 will only be usable on a tripod as you need a handheld rig to mount it for er...handheld
 
philip bloom said:
you need a handheld rig to mount it for er...handheld
Click to expand...

True, and given he already stated he has "tripod, rails.. all that jazz" all that is needed for handheld is a couple of handles like Redrock Micro's and he can whip together something like my rig.
 

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wouldn't the answer to the question depend on what you're doing or want to do?

or, the order of importance of what you're doing or want to do?
 
I'm shooting shorts and features. I will occassionally shoot something like a music video, but never anything where its not controlled (weddings.. etc.)
 
What is your budget? You could pick up both a follow focus and shoulder rig from Jag35 or Indisystem for less than half the price of the equivalent Redrock or Zacuto gear. Now it may not be as high quality, but do you need that for your productions?
 
Unless you're working with an AC there's not need for a follow focus unit. On a shoulder rig it will feel better to pull focus if the focus wheel is placed to be user friendly. For shorter periods of time it works just as well just to use the focus ring on the lens.
 
I had both the Redrock Shoulder mount and Followfocus and never used either one more than a couple of times. I just like using the neck strap and my T-Finder. The end result was the same for what I shoot. But that's just me.

I'm getting a Zacuto gustock setup in few weeks. I think that would benefit me the most.
 
Azmyth said:
I have tripod, rails.. all that jazz.
Click to expand...


I guess I don't get how baseplate and rods support is not synonymous with "shoulder mount."

Add front handles and maybe a shoulder pad and you should have "shoulder mount."

I have one configuration I use and it allows for hand held or mounted camera use without making any changes to the rig.

.
 
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