Firstly the D|Mount comes to mind - $89 bucks...then everything has follow focus.Also the - Red Star DSLR Reversible Follow Focus w/ RS-Mount for $150 on amazon.I found those on the subway off my Phone in 5 mins.Did that $500 should grip even come with a follow focus unit?
GH2 Response to Edelkrone's Pocket Rig for international traveling? Alternatives?
- Thread starter peripatew
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davidschmaus
Active member
You are right . Thanks for saving me... I was going to buy this truck and decided why pay such obscene money on a truck when I can get this...
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
Now if I could only decide if having a riser and rails at the cost of a flimsier should mount is worth going with the Opteka CXS-100 over the more sturdy but less transformable CXS-1.
Might just get the CXS-1 and then if I find I desire dual handles/rails I can add later (although that does kill the idea of putting together a sub $150 shoulder support). Decisions decisions.
wgzn
Veteran
come on guys. no reason to go getting pissy at each other. its really a matter of personal preference, taste - and of course depth of pocket : )
for some folks +$500 is an acceptable extra price to pay for more accurate machining and better quality anodizing. to others thats just crazy-talk!
as someone whos owned a variety of setups from $100 cb105 to a nearly $4000 zacuto rig and a variety of things in between. i can tell you that the more expensive gear is almost always more reliable on a long-term, repeatable basis. as the price is usually reflected in better engineering and machining as well as finishing - which does have an effect on performance. BUT on the other side of the coin. just because you drop hella-coin on something doesnt mean its going to meet all your needs. as much as i LOVED the fit and finish and rock-solid reliability of my zacuto rig, it just didn't suit my shooting style from an ergonomic standpoint. so i sold it off.
at the end of the day, use what works for you in your situation. just remember, most deals that sound too good to be true - usually are. and if something is significantly cheaper than a competing product its often for good reason. and though you might not appreciate that reason at first. you might once the item is in use...
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wgzn
Veteran
that's a very good point. what ive found is that if youre running a two handled rig, its awkward, balance wise if you need to take your left hand off the grip to operate focus or zoom (or whatever)
what i tend to prefer is one grip directly under the camera, freeing my other hand to manipulate the lens - or scratch my nose or whatever...
the two grip paradigm is better suited to situatins where you have either a second person pulling focus or lenses with remote control features.
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
That is what I was thinking and why I was leaning towards the CXS-1 (habby cam copy). Good to hear from others also as I have no experience with dual handle rigs so had nothing to base my assumptions on. The dual handles would be nice thought to flip around and use as a handheld rig for action shots but I'd honestly rather have a top handle in those cases anyway.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?272723-Need-some-opinions-on-these-shoulder-rigs
Here is my thread in the hardware section trying to verbally sort out which one of these would suit me more.
The fact that I also shoot on an EX-1 occasionally and could mount it to the CXS-1 and not the CXS-100 makes me lean in that direction
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For my work I do need the rails and matte box with follow focus. Not for every single shot but for a lot of them. I might pick up a pistol grip later for quick shoots while traveling, however.
I think folks should spend whatever they want, however they want. There will always be something cheaper or even DIY. And there will always be something more expensive. There are trade offs with each; as has been mentioned. Where I come from $1500 for a good tripod is just about right. Since I started hanging out with DSLR shooters I've found that they find that price insane. It's a matter of perspective and personal choice.
I just want stability and the option to add more accessories.
I just want stability and the option to add more accessories.
Rick Burnett
Section Moderator
I am actually looking at the Pocket Rig myself, and while the price is a bit higher than what I want to pay, what I realize is if it works perfectly, all the cheaper solutions I've bought over the years really mean nothing.
I say this because the pocket rig gets small, when you need small. Now, what really matters to me, is that a sacrifice in performance? How well does the chest brace hold. How tight are the rails if you swing them out. I've used enough $100 equipment with stripped screws, wobbly mechanics, large frames that do not compact easily, that I can see the value in this piece IF it works well. And that's the real issue.
Have you ever used a handle that would not stay tight? Fighting it all the time as it comes loose. Or a monitor mount that does the same thing. What about a system that flexes under the weight and gets bouncy when you want it firm.
There are a lot of questions. Like I said, I'd gladly pay more for something that is built very well and doesn't cause me issues. I live in the same town as smallHD and I am going to see if I can try out the pocket rig in person to see how well it is built.
I say this because the pocket rig gets small, when you need small. Now, what really matters to me, is that a sacrifice in performance? How well does the chest brace hold. How tight are the rails if you swing them out. I've used enough $100 equipment with stripped screws, wobbly mechanics, large frames that do not compact easily, that I can see the value in this piece IF it works well. And that's the real issue.
Have you ever used a handle that would not stay tight? Fighting it all the time as it comes loose. Or a monitor mount that does the same thing. What about a system that flexes under the weight and gets bouncy when you want it firm.
There are a lot of questions. Like I said, I'd gladly pay more for something that is built very well and doesn't cause me issues. I live in the same town as smallHD and I am going to see if I can try out the pocket rig in person to see how well it is built.
davidschmaus
Active member
Please keep us updated. Thanks!!
Rick Burnett
Section Moderator
I've been trying to figure out, do the rails lock into place when rotated out?
davidschmaus
Active member
Just ordered one for $329 + free shipping Sweet!
I would really think so. Their Follow Focus is a single rail mount, so I'd think it would move around to much w/o locking rods. But I'll tell you tomorrow!
Fresno Bob
Well-known member
Do you get the front handles with it (to hold it as a rig with both hands)?
I didn't get any handles, as I have a small single handle I plan on using while traveling in Cambodia.
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
I can see this thing getting a lot more interest with that price. I can't think of anything that compact and covert in that price. Nice. Looking forward to hearing reviews of its functionality in the field.
This is my super simple grip. Its made from a foam covered handle that I got on ebay and a manfrotto camera bracket (with the screws taken out) that I already had. I find this balances really well with my GH2 and is very small and light. I only shoot handheld now and again so this is fine. I also have the Opteka X Grip which is good for low angle tracking shots but I find it a bit fiddly to get the GH2 balanced on it properly. In my opinion its not something you can pop the camera on and off of quickly.
The Pocket Rig looks very nice. If I was doing a lot of handheld work I'd spend the money on it. I'd expect the design and build quality to be very high as SmallHD make really high quality products and I doubt they'd be selling something that was inferior.
The Pocket Rig looks very nice. If I was doing a lot of handheld work I'd spend the money on it. I'd expect the design and build quality to be very high as SmallHD make really high quality products and I doubt they'd be selling something that was inferior.
This could change things considerably since I was already about to pull the trigger on a DP4. Let us know how it turns out.