Ordered a Fig Rig today...
- Thread starter Artman009
- Start date
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
I like mine a lot!
Artman009
Active member
The Fig is in!
The Fig is in!
My Fig Rig came in yesterday and it's pretty freakin' sweet! I'll be posting video of it later this evening, but so far, I like it very much. It produced results that turned out a bit better than I had imagined it would. However, given the nature of the rig and how you hold it, I'm using lower back muscles I don't often use, so I was a little sore after using it, but that'll go away with use.
-- Artman009
The Fig is in!
My Fig Rig came in yesterday and it's pretty freakin' sweet! I'll be posting video of it later this evening, but so far, I like it very much. It produced results that turned out a bit better than I had imagined it would. However, given the nature of the rig and how you hold it, I'm using lower back muscles I don't often use, so I was a little sore after using it, but that'll go away with use.
-- Artman009
Artman009
Active member
Answers...
Answers...
The Panasonic HMC150.
I got a good deal from the Adorama store off of eBay for $275.00, which included the 595CLA Clamp so I can mount my SmallHD monitor on top of the rig and closely watch footage while shooting.
The rig they sold me was a demo model (meaning, one they had open on the store floor, I guess) that had very, very little signs of use (it's actually damn near new), and works great. All in all, it makes for a very nice and impressive setup.
Yeah, I'll post some very soon.
-- Artman009
Answers...
The Panasonic HMC150.
I got a good deal from the Adorama store off of eBay for $275.00, which included the 595CLA Clamp so I can mount my SmallHD monitor on top of the rig and closely watch footage while shooting.
The rig they sold me was a demo model (meaning, one they had open on the store floor, I guess) that had very, very little signs of use (it's actually damn near new), and works great. All in all, it makes for a very nice and impressive setup.
Yeah, I'll post some very soon.
-- Artman009
Artman009
Active member
Jonesing for the Fig...
Jonesing for the Fig...
Yeah, it is an addicting setup, isn't it?
-- Artman009
Jonesing for the Fig...
Yeah, it is an addicting setup, isn't it?
-- Artman009
So I hear a lot of great things about the fig rig, and I just now found out that [REC] was shot with an HVX on one. I'm very, very, very tempted to get one for a feature I'm shooting in December but before I invest I want to hear some more opinions:
1.) would everyone agree it's worth the money
2.) does anyone have anything negative or more neutral to say about it?
I'm very optimistic about this product and I also don't trust myself to just make one. So would everyone agree that Bogen Manfrotto's is worth the cash? I mean, that's a significant part of my film budget right there...
1.) would everyone agree it's worth the money
2.) does anyone have anything negative or more neutral to say about it?
I'm very optimistic about this product and I also don't trust myself to just make one. So would everyone agree that Bogen Manfrotto's is worth the cash? I mean, that's a significant part of my film budget right there...
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
Well, I can give you my view...
Firstly, I would not consider a FigRig an "investment". The thing is $299. You couldn't buy a day's lunch for your cast and crew with that. It's dirt cheap.
As to whether it's worth the money, it certainly has been for me. It's bulletproof, and allows me to get some shots I just couldn't get any other way without some VERY expensive gear.
As for negative or neutral comments, yes there are some:
First is that because of how it's held, it has no support.
It can be tough on the lower back (so is a Steadicam) with heavy cameras.
If you intend to use rails, you'll likely need some fairly short ones. we ran into this problem this week in setting up for a shoot this month.
It really needs a proper stand. Putting it down between takes is problematic, though I guess the AC could deal with that.
It doesn't look like a Steadicam. So if that's the look you want, buy one. This is not a replacement in most cases.
It is very difficult to use if you want to do follow-focus. But this is true of nearly any stabilizer. The unique shape of the unit causes more problems than some other units though.
I'd prefer if the unit wasn't completely round. Especially in the areas where your hands are meant to go. Mounting controls there would be easier if that area was straight.
All in all, the unit is worth every dime I paid. In fact, for what I've gotten out of it, I would have gladly paid twice that amount.
One last thing. If $299 is a significant part of your film budget for a feature then you may need to step back and re-evaluate what you've got going on.
I'm attaching a couple of photos of me working with the FigRig and my EX1. For this shot, I had to stabilize a hand-held shot where we used the roof of an SUV as a moving crane. Here you can see me perched on top of the SUV getting the shot, me reviewing footage with the director, and finally, me reviewing the final takes with the two actors and the stills photographer.
Firstly, I would not consider a FigRig an "investment". The thing is $299. You couldn't buy a day's lunch for your cast and crew with that. It's dirt cheap.
As to whether it's worth the money, it certainly has been for me. It's bulletproof, and allows me to get some shots I just couldn't get any other way without some VERY expensive gear.
As for negative or neutral comments, yes there are some:
First is that because of how it's held, it has no support.
It can be tough on the lower back (so is a Steadicam) with heavy cameras.
If you intend to use rails, you'll likely need some fairly short ones. we ran into this problem this week in setting up for a shoot this month.
It really needs a proper stand. Putting it down between takes is problematic, though I guess the AC could deal with that.
It doesn't look like a Steadicam. So if that's the look you want, buy one. This is not a replacement in most cases.
It is very difficult to use if you want to do follow-focus. But this is true of nearly any stabilizer. The unique shape of the unit causes more problems than some other units though.
I'd prefer if the unit wasn't completely round. Especially in the areas where your hands are meant to go. Mounting controls there would be easier if that area was straight.
All in all, the unit is worth every dime I paid. In fact, for what I've gotten out of it, I would have gladly paid twice that amount.
One last thing. If $299 is a significant part of your film budget for a feature then you may need to step back and re-evaluate what you've got going on.
I'm attaching a couple of photos of me working with the FigRig and my EX1. For this shot, I had to stabilize a hand-held shot where we used the roof of an SUV as a moving crane. Here you can see me perched on top of the SUV getting the shot, me reviewing footage with the director, and finally, me reviewing the final takes with the two actors and the stills photographer.
Attachments
Little Caesars sells large pizzas for $5 and ramen noodles cost $0.16 after tax. My budget is $2,500 for this film, so this is an investment on my end.
This makes me sound stupid, but what do you mean by rails?
I'm not really expecting a Steadicam, but I am curious as to how much of a difference in stability it makes. Also, how well does the zoom button attachment work, specifically with the DVX. That's another question in itself: every zoom button attachment I see on misc. websites say it's for Sony and Canon cameras. Do they make one for the DVX? It seems like so much as pressing record would be problematic otherwise.
My friends' film, Pop Skull, was made for $3,000 and it's done well for itself. I'm not anticipating to make the next Pulp Fiction. I'd rather learn filmmaking by doing something small than idle around waiting for $500,000 that I wouldn't know how to use due to inexperience.
But all of that is neither here nor there.
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
Ok, let's take these in turn....
True true. You can only spend what you've got. But if your budget is $2500 for the film, then spending $300 on a stabilizer is tough. It could really make the film for you if you need to have moving shots. Frankly, I was thinking you had a much more significant budget. Generally, when I hear about a "feature" my mind just doesn't go below $10k-$20k because it's hard just to get the basics for that price. Including insurance.
http://www.zacutoimages.com/f715117107
Go to that page. You see those silver bars that run under the camera in nearly every photo? Those are rails. And they form the basis for attaching most accessories to the camera. Mattebox, follow focus, batteries, monitors, etc. If you need to get set up to do serious filming with the camera, eventually, you'll probably want a set.
This is what you're looking for:
http://www.varizoom.com/products/controls/vzrockdvx.html
Fair enough. Best of luck with your film. Would you mind if I asked you what it's about? I'm starting on a short right now (as AD and Key Grip) that's kinda cool so I am curious what other folks are working on.
True true. You can only spend what you've got. But if your budget is $2500 for the film, then spending $300 on a stabilizer is tough. It could really make the film for you if you need to have moving shots. Frankly, I was thinking you had a much more significant budget. Generally, when I hear about a "feature" my mind just doesn't go below $10k-$20k because it's hard just to get the basics for that price. Including insurance.
http://www.zacutoimages.com/f715117107
Go to that page. You see those silver bars that run under the camera in nearly every photo? Those are rails. And they form the basis for attaching most accessories to the camera. Mattebox, follow focus, batteries, monitors, etc. If you need to get set up to do serious filming with the camera, eventually, you'll probably want a set.
This is what you're looking for:
http://www.varizoom.com/products/controls/vzrockdvx.html
Fair enough. Best of luck with your film. Would you mind if I asked you what it's about? I'm starting on a short right now (as AD and Key Grip) that's kinda cool so I am curious what other folks are working on.
Well, I just realized that if I don't like it, I can send it back to B&H and just eat the shipping costs. That seems worth the risk. I feel too curious about this product to not try it out.
So I think this is everything I need, but let's confirm:
* The Fig Rig (obviously)
* DVX controller
* Shock mount for mic
Is that everything? Also, I don't quite understand what this is for.
Thanks again for your thoughts.
So I think this is everything I need, but let's confirm:
* The Fig Rig (obviously)
* DVX controller
* Shock mount for mic
Is that everything? Also, I don't quite understand what this is for.
Thanks again for your thoughts.
Last edited:
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
Well good. I wish I had some A/B comparison footage for you, but I won't be able to shoot any for a while yet.
The controller can come in handy. I wish I could get one for my camera, but it will have to wait a while longer yet. The EX1 controller is a LOT more expensive.
http://www.bogenimaging.us/webdav/s.../D0010_48ba15b5bbd709fae91fe1e504bf2047_L.jpg
Hopefully that makes it clearer. However, there are any number of shock mounts out there. Here is how mine is mounted. (Ignore how the rubber bands are arranged, it's wrong in the pic)
Attachments
MadHMC150
DVXuser Sponsor
We are coming up with some comparisons, and have been really pleased with figrig type stabilizers. I have some far shots of a lacrosse team that I am going to put together soon, stay tuned.
http://vimeo.com/9116737
