Shoulder rig for AF100...

Rick Burnett

Rick Burnett

Section Moderator
So, I have been searching for days for a shoulder rig for my AF100 and eventually an FS100 as well. This weekend, on a shoot, I used a crappy IndiFOCUS frankenstein rig someone had pieced together and enjoyed using it even with it's short comings.

I am not looking to spend a HUGE amount of money, I'd like to stay below $800 or so (maybe up to $1k) depending on features.

What I want more than anything is structural stability. I am looking for a shoulder pad, but not a weight on the back. I also want a good solution to hang a DP6 to the left of the AF100 off the front rail so I can use that to look at instead of the LCD. This is how I ran this weekend and it worked great.

At first I wanted fully articulating handles, but after using the ones that weren't so much, I am not so 100% needing that. I'd be afraid of fully articulating handles having more problems with breaking.

Thoughts? suggestions? I'm really open as I'm just not finding what I want. And everyone here always seems to hone right in on what I am looking for! :)

Thanks!
 
Rick,

Give me a call on Skype and I will be happy to demo my shoulder rig for you, it is light, rugged and very reasonable priced.

I am westsideav on skype. It is a good idea to call or email me to set up the video call first.
olof@westsideav.com
603.383.9283

I am just now working on the new 15mm rail system with handles as well, custom for the AF100. Light and compact.

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106.jpg
 
Agreed! Love that it's not a huge beast and that you can use the EVF and don't have to slap on an additional one. One of the great things about the AF100 is it is small. Would like to keep my rig that way as well.

Can't wait to see this with the rails!
 
I'm assuming the rail system will integrate nicely with the shoulder rig somehow. Appears to be a great solution. I'll certainly order when the rails are finaliZed.
 
I'd love to see a shoulder solution for those of us with alternative EVFs up where they should be on the side and with a shoulder pad underneath the center of the camera.
 
OKCPicker, yes my rail system will integrate with my shoulder brace/NanoFlash etc brackets. There will also be a wood adjustable handle on the right side (replacing the Pany Handle) with a start/stop record button and handle with follow focus integration on the left.

I will post photos here soon. They should be available this month. I have 3 prototypes built that I am perfecting right now.

mcgeedigital, that should be very easy to do. Either on the rails or using a bracket that attaches to the handle mount for the EVF, allowing for moving forward/back to balance whatever you hang on the camera. If you use VCT-14 tripod plates, that would be a nice way to integrate the shoulder pad like the full size cams, with rods integrated with the pad. If you like we could discuss this on Skype, if you get a chance contact me so we can set up a video call. I do a lot of custom work that then becomes a production piece. That is how most of what I make came about, either for me or other shooters.
olof@westsideav.com
602.383.9283
Skype ID: westsideav
 
olof said:
OKCPicker, yes my rail system will integrate with my shoulder brace/NanoFlash etc brackets. There will also be a wood adjustable handle on the right side (replacing the Pany Handle) with a start/stop record button and handle with follow focus integration on the left.
Click to expand...

What will the balance be like ?

My preference is for a shoulder mount that has enough counter-weight that the camera almost "floats" relieving your arms of any stress if you need to shoot for most of the day.
 
Olaf, I think your system so far looks great. For me, I really dislike using the side grip on the AF100 so I'll be interested to see your solution that uses rails and the shoulder rest! For now, I am not using a nano or the like, but I've toyed with getting a Ninja in the future to try out. My only worry is where the holes are on the AF100 with respect to the FS100 as well, as I want something I can use both cameras on.
 
Rick Burnett said:
Olaf, I think your system so far looks great. For me, I really dislike using the side grip on the AF100 so I'll be interested to see your solution that uses rails and the shoulder rest! For now, I am not using a nano or the like, but I've toyed with getting a Ninja in the future to try out. My only worry is where the holes are on the AF100 with respect to the FS100 as well, as I want something I can use both cameras on.
Click to expand...

I despise using the hand grip too... I would love to ditch it when I get a shoulder rig, so am interested in a solution too... I would like something that would give me a hand grip for my left hand in a less fattigue prone place that I could use with just one hand while keeping it steady, leaving my other hand free to pull focus. Also, a way to set it up to use the LCD or a small external monitor instead of the cameras EVF...
 
Hey Jon,

I've been (slowly) talking with the GiniRig people as well. It's a shame they don't get their communications better because I think they've got some really neat products and I had the chance to check out a Ginirig that was smaller locally.

Right now I am trying to work with them coming up with a better package for the AF100. I picked one of their rigs and then started suggesting things to add and remove from it. We'll see what they say.

One thing for me is I am 6'4" so I want to get my camera a little lower and use a DP6 with the setup for monitoring. I've made some suggestions about that as well so we'll see if they already have some solutions coming.

What I like is the modular approach. While I am NOT a fan of the IndiFOCUS stuff, I liked that I could reconfigure the system for a lot of different uses. Given I have parts here and there, I plan on doing that with this system as well if they work with me.

I'm a little hesitant to use only one bracket to offset and lower between the shoulder portion and the rest of it. What would be nice is a bit more robust of a solution that still attached to both sets of rails, but then, had some extendible and angle adjustable portion in the middle to bring all the adjustability into it.

I also want to order both sets of handgrips because I am not sure what the best for me is.
 
Hey Guys

I was looking for something with a small footprint and came across this...

It is a custom shoulder rig with external EVF, front handles and supported underneath put together by the guys at Abelcine


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http://www.abelcine.com/store/Panasonic-AF100-Hand-Held-Kit

Below is what I am putting together
I am saving a heap of $$$ by swapping out a few thing. (eg. Ogrips >$900! vs Chrosziel handgrips = $160)

Zacuto Universal Baseplate, V3, includes 12-inch rods -
Red rock microMatteBox Deluxe Bundle -
Chrosziel AC-403-10 Handgrips -
Cineroid Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
Red rock microArm short - black
Redrock Micro microShoulderPad w/Rod Clamp
 
aannddyygg said:
Zacuto Universal Baseplate, V3, includes 12-inch rods -
Red rock microMatteBox Deluxe Bundle -
Chrosziel AC-403-10 Handgrips -
Cineroid Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
Red rock microArm short - black
Redrock Micro microShoulderPad w/Rod Clamp
Click to expand...

aannddyygg, what's your estimated total for this rig?
Without the Hot Rod PL Tuner Kit, O-Box, O-Grips and ARRI Follow Focus, hopefully a bit below $7150?

thanks.
 
I do like the second setup, and it is priced at $699.99. Has anyone used their setups? The one thing I like about a lot of other setups is AL construction and those quick adjustment screws so if you need to change something, it is simple. This system looks like I'd need to keep tools with me to make small adjustments?

Good find though.
 
I have a CPM kit. The carbon rods are tough, and very light, and I'm pretty happy with the setup. As-is, the kit does need two allen wrenches for some adjustments, but most are handled with the included knobs; the allen screws could be replaced with tool-free screws, but I haven't bothered. I also have one of the Gini rigs. The two together make for a very flexible hybrid.
 
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