Shoulder-Mount Device?

I would recommend a MultiRig to anyone here, who doesn't want a steadicam.
It really is the most compact versitile thing out there.
 
Plastic Spiderbrace?

Plastic Spiderbrace?

I heard that the Spiderbrace 2 is completely made of plastic. Is this true? If so, how does anyonr who owns one think it will stand up to day-to-day field use?
 
Just got the MultiRig two days ago, totally satisfied altough the Spiderbrace will probably do the same with some customizing at a MUCH lower price tag...
As long as someone works pro, it´ll probably pay of with the first job, for indies the Spiderbrace will do the job I guess...
 
jbednarski said:
I heard that the Spiderbrace 2 is completely made of plastic. Is this true? If so, how does anyonr who owns one think it will stand up to day-to-day field use?
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thats true, its the same material used on sprinkler pipes. It has cushion for hands and the shoulder part.
 
the nice thing about the spiderbrace, besides the price, is it is made out of abs plastic and is very light.

if you can swing the cost, dvrig pro all the way. build quality is top-notch and the support pod makes hours of lugging the camera around far more tolerable. if you want to shoulder mount an m2/a1 rig, the engrig (without the optional baseplate and rods) may work depending on your setup -- you'll want extra long rods and something with some weight to it, like a battery system, to counterbalance on the back side.
 
I've used the Spiderbrace 2 extensively on location for the past month; it's comfortable, functional and people compliment me on it, saying it looks like my A1 is mounted on a spider, LOL. I've tossed my SB2 around when not in use and banged it into things when it was--either way, it's held up perfectly fine so far. It's well-built, just don't sit on it or run it over with your car and it should last indefinitely. Pretty good for an $85 (including S&H) piece of plastic! What's not to love? You're not gonna find anything better this cheap and they ship fast. If you've got $500+ to spend, then sure, consider other options. I only had $100 left in my budget for a shoulder-mounted stabilizer, and am extremely happy with the SB2.
 
dcrin3 said:
test SB2, 11mb

http://www.dcrin3.com/a1/scga_small.mov
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Um, that footage is awfully unsteady-looking but it appears to be the operator, not the device. My SB2 footage is never that unsteady... Not saying the SB2 is perfect, but it's better than that footage makes it out to be--unless the operator's got a case of the jitters. On the plus side, damn, the A1 takes a nice picture, don't it? :2vrolijk_08:
 
maybe this is an unrealistic suggestion/test -- but it would be useful if all the proud owners of various shoulder mount devices could shoot and show us what they can do --

Nothing fancy -- no fast cutting fragments, choosing cuts when you're smooth and steady -- but a continuous uncut ten minutes of run and gun.

The video should include at least one shot into a mirror to establish a basic view of the rig being used

The video should be shot moving and static -- with the A1 (NOT HV20) variously zoomed wide, mid, and full tele. Video should include an ascent/descent of stairs, and closeups of a face or object -- and walking tracking shots

(preferably I'd also like there to be a wireless reciever and shotgun mic mounted -- since this would be how it would normally be set up when used professionally).

Lets see what you can do -- especially after at least ten minutes. (though a real world test would be no less than an hour.)

Detail what rig you're using, any mods you've made, and what stuff (receiver, mic, light, 35mm adapter ?? etc) is onboard

(I'll try with my DIY rig too -- if its not too embarrassing... :embarasse )
 
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I've got a multirig that should be here any time. It'll be HVX200 footage, but I would imagine the weight should simulate an A1 just fine for this test? I'll be interested to see how the ten minutes go as well.
 
jdajda said:
I've got a multirig that should be here any time. It'll be HVX200 footage, but I would imagine the weight should simulate an A1 just fine for this test? I'll be interested to see how the ten minutes go as well.
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good -- I hope lots of others will participate in this test as well ...
 
I'd be interested in seeing some more experienced users footage as well. I've never really shot any stabilizer type of system so it'll be a good how much practice do you need test :)
 
I use a Dvrig pro.. I had early posted about my squirrely (unstable) footage.... the pivot point seems to actually magnify small movement , I actually could shoot footage that looked better just hand holding the camera.... soooo I went to the hardware store and spent 50$ to modify my rig, added a foot to each side of the original rigs handles and wouldn't ya know the footage is now about 10 times more smoother looking but going thru doorways can be kinda tricky.... If I knew how to post a photo to show you I would...
 
I ordered the Spiderbrace because of the recommendations in this thread. Thanks to the community!

For $85 shipped, this is a great piece of equipment. I ran around the house and outside for 30 minutes with it and I'm quite happy. It's comfortable, it's ergonomically appropriate, and most of all, I can track moving subjects (girlfriend in this case) with relative ease.

All in all, for handheld situations, this is a great poor man solution.

I wish I had the money to invest in a DV Rig or something of the like, but I have more grip and gaff to spend money on and a shoulder mount isn't a big enough priority, especially with options like the Spiderbrace.
 
I have a Canon XHA1 and I'm considering the purchase of a Spiderbrace 2. If I mount it on the Spiderbrace 2, and need to focus with my right hand. It looks as though the camera might not balance on my shoulder properly if I remove my right hand to focus while holding the other leg with my left hand. Has anyone had a problem balancing while focusing?

Also can the left are be removed? If it is, how is stability then?

Thanks!
 
Doh! Seems my mutlirig is still in transport. Sooo.... no footage yet. But I'll still post my first ten minutes (after I get it balanced etc.) and we can see what it looks like :) Maybe tomorrow...
 
Ok, got the multirig - finally just got it all adjusted for me and figured out how to use it. Took some work, but now that I've got it figured out I really like the rig. I can take either hand off to make adjustments very easily and the footage is decently smooth. My bet is that the footage will not be as smooth as a handheld stabilizer like a flowpod or glidecam - BUT i can wear it for quite a while with no fatigue. I have a flowpod that I get shakey with after a few minutes just from fatigue. I got this to do live events with so it should fit the bill quite well. I'll post footage tomorrow - storms came through and the sun went down and now theres no good light :(
 
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