GH2 Question about shoulder mounts (Cowboy Studio, Polaroid, etc.)

[GHKAM]

Those shoulder mounts that are around $30/$40, such as the Cowboy Studio or Polaroid shoulder mount:

http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-Stab...0190148&sr=8-3&keywords=polaroid+shoulder+rig

I understand that it's for stabilizing the shot, but what if for example you are standing on the ground and a band is playing on a stage above you; can you adjust the angle on the rig up (or down)?

In general, can you adjust the angles or are you stuck with "straight-ahead"?

 

[Jase]

I bought one of these for it hands free capability as I was about to shoot on a boat in rough seas. Never used it. Unless you breath from your stomach ie no rib cage movement, the camera will rise and fall with every breath. As for your question, the rig is not designed that way. You could add a light weight head which I tried before giving up for the above reason. Its cheap but a waste of money imo.

 

[GHKAM]

I bought one of these for it hands free capability as I was about to shoot on a boat in rough seas. Never used it. Unless you breath from your stomach ie no rib cage movement, the camera will rise and fall with every breath. As for your question, the rig is not designed that way. You could add a light weight head which I tried before giving up for the above reason. Its cheap but a waste of money imo.

Thanks for the info. I'll consider something else.

 

[d1rockwild]

To stay in that same price range, there's this: http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-CXS-40...0207501&sr=1-2&keywords=polaroid+shoulder+rig

I use it but frankensteined it with the rest of my rig. You could also buy a velbon head or even ballhead if you're using a m43 camera to lock the angle in place if you're shooting up. The ballhead could be attached to your originally linked shoulder thing or anything else that could hold a camera.

 

[Bruce Foreman]

Look into the DSLR version of this one (www.spiderbrace.com). Cost is $70 and it's much more stable with a little practice. I have an older version and use them with Manfrotto 577 Quick release system (compatible with my 501 head on the tripod.

But any QR system should work.

 

[GHKAM]

To stay in that same price range, there's this: http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-CXS-40...0207501&sr=1-2&keywords=polaroid+shoulder+rig

I use it but frankensteined it with the rest of my rig. You could also buy a velbon head or even ballhead if you're using a m43 camera to lock the angle in place if you're shooting up. The ballhead could be attached to your originally linked shoulder thing or anything else that could hold a camera.

Thanks. Wouldn't that cause fatigue after awhile, because you always have to be holding the handle?
The price is ideal, though.

Look into the DSLR version of this one (www.spiderbrace.com). Cost is $70 and it's much more stable with a little practice. I have an older version and use them with Manfrotto 577 Quick release system (compatible with my 501 head on the tripod.

But any QR system should work.

Thanks. It looks good, but a similar concern I wondered about the shoulder mount is if I was standing on the (lower) floor having to point up to a stage, would I have to angle my back or is there some way to angle it with the brace?

Also, being the GH2 is light, will minor tremors with hand-held show up through the Spiderbrace?

 

[d1rockwild]

If your budget is sub $100 I'd probably go with what you originally got plus a head to attach so you can get the angle you need without having to contort your body for a prolonged period. I assume a shoulder thing is something you need, but from what I gather, if it was my gig, I'd simply use a tripod and move it around when necessary. I simply wouldn't be happy with the results of basically any shoulder rig if I needed to film for an extended period of time. When I go shoulder mount, it's usually for bursts of 2-3 min. at most, then back on the tripod. If you'll be delivering very long shots to your clients of you with a shoulder mount, I'd definitely recommend an OIS lens if you don't already have one.

 

[GHKAM]

If your budget is sub $100 I'd probably go with what you originally got plus a head to attach so you can get the angle you need without having to contort your body for a prolonged period. I assume a shoulder thing is something you need, but from what I gather, if it was my gig, I'd simply use a tripod and move it around when necessary. I simply wouldn't be happy with the results of basically any shoulder rig if I needed to film for an extended period of time. When I go shoulder mount, it's usually for bursts of 2-3 min. at most, then back on the tripod. If you'll be delivering very long shots to your clients of you with a shoulder mount, I'd definitely recommend an OIS lens if you don't already have one.

Sometimes I video a live band in a club and I recently did this and almost had to cancel once I was there because the floor was packed with people. It turned out the band I shot was last and by that time there was room for the tripod.

Other than that, I get vibrations through the tripod/shakes the camera either from the music or people walking or jumping around. One time someone stepped on a tripod leg and broke it.

So, I need to get it off the floor and contained on me. If I had the money, I would get a good lens with OIS and use it hand-held like a camcorder. I just can't do that right now.

 

[Spartacus]

I´d get a monopod, it will always be more stable than a shouldermount, especially when filming longer stuff. It will be right in front of you so if someone steps on it he will step on you too...
You can also just shorten it to eg half length and stick it in jour jeans pocket or a dedicated belt pouch. Old school and simple, no fancy rig though

 

[GHKAM]

I´d get a monopod, it will always be more stable than a shouldermount, especially when filming longer stuff. It will be right in front of you so if someone steps on it he will step on you too...
You can also just shorten it to eg half length and stick it in jour jeans pocket or a dedicated belt pouch. Old school and simple, no fancy rig though

Great idea. I'll give this a try.

 

[homestar_kevin]

I'd just like to speak up for that cowboy studio rig,

I've had mine for 2 years now and it's been great.

A lot of people complain about the breathing movement, but all you need to do, it close the rig a little more, so the front contact point meets your body higher on the rib cage and the movement is dramatically reduced.

I've used a lot of rigs and much prefer this to the traditional shoulder rig as it is semi form fitting and allows you to push down for stabilization as opposed to relying on counter weight or simply just laying it on your shoulder.

This is extremely compact and you can add a lot of accessories.

I've recently been using a monopod more, and like that, but I still really really like this shoulder rig.

I've used it in a ton of situations, boat included, and it's been fantastic.

A ridiculous value for the money.

But for your question, no you can't really go up and down with it. It does come with a few riser pieces though.

 

[Jase]

I'm going to try out your suggestion. I'd be more than happy to eat my words in the post above. That said, I came across this the other day.

http://www.juicedlink.com/diy-cookbook/hands-free-shoulder-rig

With this kit you're supposed to buy the actual tubes from a metal supplier. I'm thinking that for the one that goes down the chest, if you got one long enough to go either somewhere on the abdomen or to the waist, you might eliminate the breathing issue.

 

[maranfilms]

I second a monopod with a ball head.

 

[GHKAM]

I´d get a monopod, it will always be more stable than a shouldermount, especially when filming longer stuff. It will be right in front of you so if someone steps on it he will step on you too...
You can also just shorten it to eg half length and stick it in jour jeans pocket or a dedicated belt pouch. Old school and simple, no fancy rig though

I second a monopod with a ball head.

Thanks. I already have a monopod, would just need the ball head and pouch.

Will this method work while using a lens without OIS?

 

[GHKAM]

I´d get a monopod, it will always be more stable than a shouldermount, especially when filming longer stuff. It will be right in front of you so if someone steps on it he will step on you too...
You can also just shorten it to eg half length and stick it in jour jeans pocket or a dedicated belt pouch. Old school and simple, no fancy rig though

I second a monopod with a ball head.

So, I went ahead and got a ballhead for my Manfrotto monopod and a belt pouch:

http://www.amazon.com/Benro-BH00-Si...id=1363348627&sr=8-1&keywords=benro+ball+head

http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrot...48604&sr=1-1&keywords=manfrotto+monopod+pouch

That ball head is pretty good quality.

I get that DSLR look, can't keep it absolutely still. It looks acceptable, at least it's not constantly shaking like with hand-held.

The only issue still is if I do anything major, like using the touchscreen, there is that really bad glitch on the video. To be fair, that would happen no matter the rig, it's the rolling shutter.

This would really be ideal with two cameras to be able to edit out those glitches. It may just be a matter of practice in first setting the focus then leaving hands off to avoid that.

Anyway, thanks again for the suggestions. Overall I think it's a good setup.