Rig options for petite female

IndecisiveElle

IndecisiveElle

New member
I'm continuing the process of building my rig and kit for my GH13. The rail systems I've used in the past (granted without a shoulder mount) for a 5D were difficult for me to manage due to weight - I'm 110 lbs and 5'5" female film student - which also means a tight budget. I also use a H4N for dual system sound so I would like the ability to mount that on the right without throwing off my precarious balance.

So far I'm looking at the Indisystems UltraCompact and Jag 35 Fieldrunner. I've seen a lot of mixed reviews about both. My biggest concerns are weight and durability since they are relatively close in price.
 
I've used Jag35 rigs, they are good material but sometimes the machining isn't exact. They seem to be the best bang for your buck, and I've had less than successful customer service exchanges with them, while others have had very good experiences with them.

I'd suggest that you look into getting a counter weight if you plan to run it handheld– yes it's more weight but you'll be putting it on your shoulders rather than your arms. You will be able to operate for much longer and be steadier in my opinion. With the camera, lens, H4N, etc, it will be heavy and there isn't any way around it that I can think of... so try to keep the weight off your arms.
 
I've got the IndiSystem UltraCompact and I do like it. No, it's not the absolute best system on the market but you get plenty of bang for your buck.

The thing about weight: adapting for a shoulder rig and wanting light weight are, to me, a bit contradictory. The advantage of a full-size, professional camera is the weight... but that includes a caveat of balance. It's harder to stabilize a light-weight rig on the shoulder. Weight helps keep it steady, but the weight has to be balanced. Counterweights are necessary for any shoulder rig, which can also be accomplished by the additions of battery adapters and wireless receiver plates and the like on the back of the shoulder pad. The real weight problem people face with DSLR rigs is having to use forearm stamina not only to control the camera but to support the bulk of the rig's weight.

IndiSystems has a counterweight available as an add-on to the UltraCompact, but it's not terribly effective. I'm having to work on a different solution, but haven't quite figured it out yet. What I do like about the UltraCompact is the flexibility on configuration. It's really easy to drop the shoulder pad and the handles to move to tripod or stabilizer use, and since I shoot way more on a tripod than handheld, that means I don't have to have those extra pieces hanging off the rails all day long. If I do need to go handheld, they attach very quickly and easily. The rig isn't the most light-weight contraption in the world, but it isn't terrible. once I have the counterweighting solved, the rig's weight won't be an issue at all.

A DigiBeta camcorder weighs in at around 14 lbs. without tape and battery, just for reference.
 
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http://www.cpmfilmtools.com/

rig is sturdy and light as a feather. I have mod mine into different configurations as i use a zfinder (sidewinder) sometimes and sometimes a monitor. Email Steve and tell him your needs and he will help you out. Also 10 percent discount for dvxusers (site sponser)
 
...I'm in the same boat. I would love to go out and just buy a full Zacuto rig, but I have to keep to a much smaller budget. This is one shoulder rig that I am considering:

Express35 Shoulder-rig HD

Not the fanciest rig around, but it appears to be pretty functional and comes with a counter-weight.
 
there are forgotten system that are really great for DSLR use. The turtle-X.
It is hard to find and a bit expensive, but you can build an extra light one for cheap.
I made one for a girl whos has problem to hold the camera for more than few minutes, and she was really happy.
basically you build something like a backpack (you can use the one from a scuba divers tanks) and a tube that goes over head.
a small rope attach the DSLR (can use the accessory shoe) that hang in front of you.
since the rig is very close to the body , there is no problem even in crowded place, you can leave hanging the camera for few second if your nose is itching or if you need to find something in your pocket.
the nice think is you can walk , run , seat even skiig or skating without problem. It is not a stabilizer, so your skill to move smoothly is still needed.
the one in picture here under, is an unfinished one (just missing some bucles) and weight is about one pound.
It has been designed for small dv cam or DSLR and the target was to be able to pack it into luggage for travel, so it is made from three parts (belt, tube and back spine)
and can be assembled in less than 1 min.
I am making a cage for the DSLR so everything is enclosed in one pack (mic, recorder, battery, transmitter etc...)
rig1.jpg


rig2.jpg



rig3.jpg


rig4.jpg
 
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yes , but for the price you got a lot of feature (everything is adjustable, there is a back pack bag, a spring into the wire).
It is also very heavy (i used one before), so i decided to cut one to my exact need and size and keep the bare minimum of the idea.
strangely , this stuff never get a real market for it, because it deserve to be known.
I often see it in use for big betacam camera which are heavy like hell.
Last time i tried the small model with my Ex1, it broke the spring system.
 
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nosys70 said:
yes , but for the price you got a lot of feature (everything is adjustable, there is a back pack bag, a spring into the wire).
It is also very heavy (i used one before), so i decided to cut one to my exact need and size and keep the bare minimum of the idea.
strangely , this stuff never get a real market for it, because it deserve to be known.
I often see it in use for big betacam camera which are heavy like hell.
Last time i tried the small model with my Ex1, it broke the spring system.
Click to expand...

Posting to provide info to the list, although I'm pretty sure the OP has already bought her rig.

There is a much less expensive overhead support system called the Atlas Camera Support ($349) designed by an indie filmmaker for indie filmmakers. Video demo here.

I have a Flycam 5000 from India with the body pod. Easy to carry, but I don't recommend it because it is so hard to balance. I plan to sell it and get the Atlas. I have seen the Easyrig used by one of the female pro camera operators at my job with a big Panasonic HPX, and she had zero problems with weight. Sweet.
 
from a couple videos i've seen the CPM rigs seem to be very light weight compared to the rest. May not be as durable as steel/aluminum rigs but it seem they don't get any lighter than those.
 
I'm using an indie systems areeba shoulder rig with my Sony VG10 and I'm really happy with it. A bit heavy, but lots of functionality too
 
that turtle rig may end up working ok. but its the most ridiculous looking contraption ive ever seen.

im not one to buy or not buy gear for aesthetic reasons. but i have to draw a line somewhere... ; )
 
I don't think you can go cheaper or lighter than the cowboy shoulder support
http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S

but it's cheap and light because it's mostly plastic, so don't expect great quality

I use one with my t2i, and I would define it as "just about good enough"; I modded it to avoid the horizontal shift part (which is the one that tends to break) and add a handle, and it has become a fairly decent tool
 
here the video review i mentioned before, i haven't used the CPM Filmtools rigs, but they seem very very lightweight compared to other options.



 
eiker_ir said:
from a couple videos i've seen the CPM rigs seem to be very light weight compared to the rest. May not be as durable as steel/aluminum rigs but it seem they don't get any lighter than those.
Click to expand...

Yup best strength to weight ratio and covered with a lifetime replacement warantee, plus a 20% discount for students and military.

Steven
 
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