Radical new design of camera support ZG-Rig ... Zero Gravity Rig

Tom McKay

Tom McKay

Varizoom
Update: see thread #7 below for pics in black

I am especially proud of our new product. This is the new VariZoom camera support ZG rig (Zero Gravity Rig). It really is an amazing and unique support that allows the camera position to be adjusted up and down and for and aft to position camera to its exact center of balance. This allows camera and platform to freely tilt to any position without being front or rear heavy.
zgrig_2.jpg




This gives operator an incredible amount of control that can not be achieved with any other camera support. Another part of our patent pending design is the curved rod you see at the bottom that allows the camera to be supported without affecting the cameras Zero Gravity tilt system. The curved rod is supported by the shock absorbing spring pod that rests in the belt.
zgrig_3.jpg


This combination allows operator freedom and control of camera movement that is so effortless you simply have to try it to understand and appreciate it. The Zero Gravity Rig will support fully accessorized cameras with matte box, wide angle lens. Units are prepped to accept 3 stud mounts or V-Lock plates that will allow you to mount battery on shoulder arch.

The unit shown is an exact first production unit and will be shipping in two weeks. Unit shown has not been black anodized but all units shipping will be black.

Zero Gravity Rigs will be on display at many dealers in Ca and NY within the month and of course at NAB 2009. Retail should be about $1,199. but we will have an introductory sale at NAB and for next couple weeks that should save at least a couple hundred.


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This looks interesting. But it looks like it may not be as stable as, say, a DVRig Pro, because you have to hold your arms so far out, and you can't brace them against your body for extra support. Tom, can you comment on this please.
 
ZG Rig

ZG Rig

You don't have to hold your arms out any further or closer as you have control over that distance between chest and camera. Like I said earlier in the post you need to try it to fully appreciate it. The operator in this shot could let go of the handles and the camera would hold that very angle or any other angle he would like. You will never need to pull your arms to your chest because it is so stable but if you wanted to you could because you have much more adjustment as the shoulder arch telescopes.

I will post more pictures soon hopefully after anodizing. I got to hide eggs now.

Tom

Sumfun said:
This looks interesting. But it looks like it may not be as stable as, say, a DVRig Pro, because you have to hold your arms so far out, and you can't brace them against your body for extra support. Tom, can you comment on this please.
Click to expand...
 
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Hi Tom.

Some questions:

1. Will this system feel like using shoulder mounted camera?
2. How do you use zoom and focus with that?
3. Is it possible to do a dutch(roll) with it, and if so does the plate allow
for horizontal adjustment of the camera, as there are some cameras (EX1)
with center of gravity switched from center.
If it's not possible to compensate for it, camera will not hold position on the Z-axis.
 
Zero Gravity Rig

Zero Gravity Rig

There is no real weight on your shoulder because the pod picks up about half the load so it will not feel like a shoulder mount style camera.

Zoom and focus is handled by whatever control your camera requires and will mount on the handles.

No dutch roll other than an operator move to simulate.

I was just playing with it and it is so adjustable that I don't have time to photograph all the possible configurations.

It is going to be fun to show at NAB.

I'll be posting more pics.

zgrig_3.jpg




barel33 said:
Hi Tom.

Some questions:

1. Will this system feel like using shoulder mounted camera?
2. How do you use zoom and focus with that?
3. Is it possible to do a dutch(roll) with it, and if so does the plate allow
for horizontal adjustment of the camera, as there are some cameras (EX1)
with center of gravity switched from center.
If it's not possible to compensate for it, camera will not hold position on the Z-axis.
Click to expand...
 
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