GH2 Response to Edelkrone's Pocket Rig for international traveling? Alternatives?

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peripatew

Well-known member
I'm heading to Cambodia in less than three weeks, for two weeks of filming while I'm working with a non-profit surrounding the issues of child sex trafficking. All filming will be done as I can squeeze it in.

http://www.smallhd.com/Products/edelkrone/pocket_rig.html

Right now, I've got a cheapy Polaroid single grip and chest pad rig, which works out ok. The Pocket Rig looks VERY appealing, though it is pretty dang expensive. But would allow me to easily go from shooting, to participating. I'm trying to be as mobile as possible, and I don't think any other rig would allow me to this. I'd likely add a handle to the Pocket Rig for extra stability, but that would be quick and easy to change up.

I'll be using mostly Canon FD glass, with a few Panasonic's thrown in. I'm taking my Manfrotto monopod as well, but won't be able to use that all the time. I'll only be able to have a small backpack with me, and the packability of the Pocket Rig is very appealing.

Is it worth it at all? I'm looking into ordering one to try out.

Other options would be a Street Runner from Jag35, or modding out my cheapy rig to make it work.
 
That pocket rig looks very stealth for those shoots where traditional video gear will draw huge unwanted attention but I just can't get over the price. Seems really niche to me for that kind of coin but great design and well thought out.
 
Just ordered one, got a slight discount, so I figured I'd go for it. I'm currently testing out a DP4 and DP6, so we'll see how well everything plays together.
 
peripatew said:
Just ordered one, got a slight discount, so I figured I'd go for it. I'm currently testing out a DP4 and DP6, so we'll see how well everything plays together.
Click to expand...

I love the Pocket Rig and was really interested until I saw the price. I don't need to be quite that mobile. But it looks very solid. At least from what one can tell from web videos.

I'd definitely be interested in your thoughts on the DP4 vs the DP6. A coworker wants to sell the DP6 he got last week. He got a RED Scarlet and decided he really wants the 5-inch RED touchscreen instead. I'm debating buying his DP6 but I don't have a DP4 to compare it with.
 
Are you going to be using the rails? Matte box or FF? If not, just stick a pistol grip under yer camera, use the GH2's viewfinder for extra stability. Like an old school 8mm movie camera. Now that's cheap and mobile. It's also my ideal config for travel.

5599866357_504f006da4_b.jpg
 
RatLabProductions said:
That pocket rig looks very stealth for those shoots where traditional video gear will draw huge unwanted attention but I just can't get over the price. Seems really niche to me for that kind of coin but great design and well thought out.
Click to expand...
Yea, I can understand around $280 but that price is a little over for what you get.
 
Well, you jumped the gun looks like. Yea... very expensive for what essentially you can find for $100.
The pistal grip setups always looked fun, I also like the Always simple/cheap/easy is best when your traveling into those types of situations and places.
I bought a few weights/large steal washers to stabilize the setup, and I use it JUST for this type of scenario.
There are a slew of other cheap and easy solutions. Yes it compacts into a very small package, but these other solutions could just as easily be thrown into a cheap looking backpack just as easily....
Amazon.com: Opteka CXS-1 Video Shoulder Stabilizer Support System for DSLR Cameras & Camcorders: Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: Opteka X-GRIP Professional Camera / Camcorder Action Stabilizing Handle - Black: Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: BARSKA Accu Grip Handheld Tripod System: Sports & Outdoors
[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-HG-1-Heavy-Duty-Stabilization-additional/dp/B005MZO5TA/ref=pd_sim_p_24"]Amazon.com: Opteka HG-1 Heavy-Duty Aluminum Ultra HandGrip Handheld Stabilization System for DSLR and Video Cameras (Optional additional handle for the CXS-1): Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: Zykkor Shoulder Mount Stabilizer Support for Video DV Camcorder HD DSLR: Camera & Photo

[/URL]
 
daihard said:
Well, you jumped the gun looks like. Yea... very expensive for what essentially you can find for $100.
The pistal grip setups always looked fun, I also like the
Always simple/cheap/easy is best when your traveling into those types of situations and places.
I bought a few weights/large steal washers to stabilize the setup, and I use it JUST for this type of scenario.
There are a slew of other cheap and easy solutions. Yes it compacts into a very small package, but these other solutions could just as easily be thrown into a cheap looking backpack just as easily....
Amazon.com: Opteka CXS-1 Video Shoulder Stabilizer Support System for DSLR Cameras & Camcorders: Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: Opteka X-GRIP Professional Camera / Camcorder Action Stabilizing Handle - Black: Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: BARSKA Accu Grip Handheld Tripod System: Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com: Opteka HG-1 Heavy-Duty Aluminum Ultra HandGrip Handheld Stabilization System for DSLR and Video Cameras (Optional additional handle for the CXS-1): Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: Zykkor Shoulder Mount Stabilizer Support for Video DV Camcorder HD DSLR: Camera & Photo
Click to expand...

Show me something "essentially" for $100...
 
How on earth can that be $550???

Looks like a great bit of kit, but surely there's no need for that to be over $100
 
@davidschmaus
huh? What do you mean,
Show me something "essentially" for $100...
There are links to cheap solutions ive listed for all around $100 and under. (you can see them listed in your quote of what I said)
These are ONLY examples though, id probably do more research then just Amazon. But im a bit too busy to do someone else's detailed research.
So, again... what is your question to me, that i havent already listed/shown?
 
We are so far off I am just going to let it go...

daihard said:
@davidschmaus
huh? What do you mean,
Show me something "essentially" for $100...
There are links to cheap solutions ive listed for all around $100 and under. (you can see them listed in your quote of what I said)
These are ONLY examples though, id probably do more research then just Amazon. But im a bit too busy to do someone else's detailed research.
So, again... what is your question to me, that i havent already listed/shown?
Click to expand...
 
davidschmaus said:
Show me something "essentially" for $100...
Click to expand...

There is nothing exactly like that for $100 (or any price that I've seen)

But all those $100 options listed will provide the same or greater support and stability in the field. It comes down to how much a reduction in the size of gear is worth. If you can only have a small bag to carry around or are in an area you aren't supposed to be filming I can understand giving up stability and savings for size and stealth. If size isn't matter than any one of those listed items which are still very compact will do the job at a far better price.
 
RatLabProductions said:
There is nothing exactly like that for $100 (or any price that I've seen)

But all those $100 options listed will provide the same or greater support and stability in the field. It comes down to how much a reduction in the size of gear is worth. If you can only have a small bag to carry around or are in an area you aren't supposed to be filming I can understand giving up stability and savings for size and stealth. If size isn't matter than any one of those listed items which are still very compact will do the job at a far better price.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. If the portability that this offers is not important to you this for sure is not the product for you and would seem WAY over price. Although I would like to see the cheapest shoulder rig that would take a follow focus. I'm guessing more than a $100 bucks.
 
On to the main idea here. That item is WAY to expensive for what it does, when you can find cheap $100 solutions. I never advocated buying these, or that they where better. Just that you can find a similar solution for MUCH cheaper. Im sure there are a ton of $200 solutions that do everything, are smaller, and more functional then some $500+ item.
The suggestion that ITS GOING TO BE $100 is really a ball park figure.
From my experience traveling throughout India, was that some plastic $25 stabilizer will do the job - Opteka X-GRIP, you can rest it on various surfaces... usually i use my knee for doing children shots from a chair. You can strap it to the outside of a backpack or throw it in the bag without worry of it breaking. It offers some movement stability, as well as easier holding positions for different angles.
I choose this style of free shooting because it was similar to when i used the old DVX100 cam as a student.
I dont think some neat little folding shoulder grip for $500 is a good value...
Thats my 2c, it looks like the poster has already bought it... but at least for others interested in something similar... thats why i bothered to try and lend some helpful information.
Unless @davidschmaus
Can suggest a reason to justify spending an obscene amounts, or offer other suggestions that fit the bill. Maybe he should try to spend a little less time "lol" at others... or trolling for that matter.
 
davidschmaus said:
Totally agree. If the portability that this offers is not important to you this for sure is not the product for you and would seem WAY over price. Although I would like to see the cheapest shoulder rig that would take a follow focus. I'm guessing more than a $100 bucks.
Click to expand...

http://opteka.com/optekacxs-100videographersdualrigwithshouldersupportfordigitalslrandcamcorders.aspx

This is probably the cheapest rig to mount a FF. I'm on the fence personally between this and the CXS-1 by the same company.
 
i put a handy little rig together with parts from ikan the other day. its basically their "deluxe fly" kit flipped, with longer rods and a few extra bits to create a sort of shoulder/chest pad... its right at about $300 (price doesnt include monitor or articulating arm)

riggy.jpg
here's a link to the base rig (the deluxe fly) in their products page.
http://ikancorp.com/productListing.php?FamilyID=70&CategoryID=93#CategoryID=93&FamilyID=70
http://ikancorp.com/productInfo.php?id=183&FamilyID=70&CategoryID=93
 
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