Shoulder Rig for DVX200

G

greytail

Well-known member
Does anybody know anything about this:
[h=1]Acebil ST-7R KIT1G System Package, Includes ST-7R Mountable Shoulder Adaptor, VST-14 Quick Release Tripod Base Plate and CS-382G Professional Tripod System[/h]It's on Adorama at a lower price than B&H. You can buy either the whole kit or the shoulder rig for just over $1,000 at Adorama
I called the company rep in LA. It's a Taiwan company and asked if it was the same as the ProteK from the UK. The rep said it is "substantially the same"...so does that mean a knock off?
The protea is here:
http://www.newsshooter.com/2015/10/10/protech-show-panasonic-dvx200-shoulder-mount-adaptor-for-eng-style-operation/

You can buy just the shoulder rig from Acebil but be warned, it does not come with the power cable which is listed at an additional $175.00

Just wondering whether this is worthwhile or not?
 
Ordered it the other day, I'm just waiting for tracking info on it. As soon as it shows up I will get it rigged up and take it out on a few shoots. I'll be able to give you basic info like build quality etc.. as soon as I get it. Stayed tuned
 
I am trying to determine whether the base plate on the shoulder rig will fit into a 501 Manfrotto head. Did you order the complete kit or just the shoulder rig?
 
Just the shoulder rig and power cable. The tripod you have doesn't really matter. I have a Sachtler 18 and Manfrotto 502 tripod - they both will work. You need to have the SONY VCT-U14 quick release plate on your tripod (there are generic versions out there) that plate "snaps" into the bottom of the ST-7R. Just received tracking info my ST-7R should show up on Monday.
 
Adorama has changed its prices on Acebil to list price and to fall in line with B&H. Also they say they are out of stock. They never did have the rig because it is dropped shipped. Beware Adorama's business practices. They obviously didn't know what had been listed on their website and the salesman I spoke to knew nothing about the gear or how to place an order. He put more than $2,000 on my credit card without sending me an invoice. Needless to say I have cancelled and gone with another dealer who maintains a consistent and lower price....avalive.com
 
Thats where I ordered the ST-7R from, tracking shows I will get it on Monday. i'll let you know what I think of it when I get it.
 
They had to send it back when they realized they include the wrong power cable so there was a delay in me receiving it. Got it today, haven't had time to take it out of the box yet. Will update you when I try it out
 
Yes, I heard about that...a whole bunch of customers got the wrong cable, apparently. It delayed my shipment, which is now on its way.
 
Just put it together, no real test other than putting it on my shoulder. One huge issue right off the bat, the viewfinder on the back of the camera won't be usable for me. Its too far into the rig for me to get my eye perfectly positioned into it. My head is just too big and fat I guess. Its not a deal breaker for me since I have not been using the back viewfinder much anyway. I found that the rear viewfinder has a "sweetspot" that you have to find when using it. I have the ORCA LCD shade on its way to me for any outdoor shoots so I should be good there. Other notes, build quality seems nice quickly looking at it and the shoulder gel material seems good. I have a shoot tomorrow not sure if I will use it for that, we'll see. Here are a few pics.20160309_231150[1].jpg20160309_231204[1].jpg
 
Looks nice...how does it balance or feel? What battery do you have in the back? My Anton Bauer's are larger
 
Being able to use the rear viewfinder while handheld is the main reason I'd be interested in a rig like this, so I'd like to hear more from jpvid about why that isn't working for you. Is it something specific to your personal ergonomics that you think other people could work around, or just a fail for the rig in general? I assumed that was kind of the whole reason for the offset shoulder pad and long length and counterweight moment on this rig, but if it doesn't do what it's supposed to, I'll just stick with the more compact (but heavier and more complicated) setup I already have that uses a separate viewfinder mounted up front.

- Greg
 
To answer the question about balance, I think it is pretty well balanced, just a touch front heavy for me (thats without the external monitor mounted on the back - the pics have the monitor attached). If your battery is bigger it might be perfect, I have re-celled Dionic 90's for this setup. Remember this rig only comes with the v-mount battery plate right now, but I have a v-mount to gold mount (anton bauer) adapter plate and it works perfectly. I'm not sure what to say about the rear viewfinder situation, it might work better for you. Each persons head is a different shape, I brought the rig into work today and it was fine for one of my colleges. If I put my head right against the handle bar I can use it but its not perfect, or if I have my nose touching the edge of the viewfinder my eye then lines up and it works, its just not perfect for me. If you have used this camera you know that the rear viewfinder has a "sweetspot" where your eye has to be in the perfect position in order for everything in the viewfinder to be sharp, you can't move your eye position much. Its too bad Panasonic didn't make this viewfinder a touch bigger. Greg what is your setup? Are you using a Cineroid or some other external EVF? can you post a pic?

-John
 
Groan! "Remember this rig only comes with the v-mount battery plate right". So does this mean I need an adapter for this battery?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/341314-REG/Switronix_XP_L90S_XPL_90S_V_Type_14_4VDC_Lithium.html/
I have the v-mount version so I guess I am fine right?
 
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How are you liking your shoulder rig? I am find the balance is still very much to the front. I cannot use the viewfinder. The LCD is fine except it is useless in sunlight, so I have fitted a shroud, but the edges of the shroud trigger the menu options! I find the rig quite heavy and tiring. I went on a mile walk with it and definitely felt it! Are you supposed to be able to do smooth walking shots with this...I certainly can't and very poor results compared with my Came-TV, a steadicam or a Ronin. The most I can do are pans and tilts and the OIS is still a must. A bit disappointed in the rig, but maybe I am expecting too much or need to practice more.
 
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Sorry to hear that, Greytail. Achieving good fore and aft balance to minimize strain on my arms, and being able to use the rear viewfinder while shooting outdoors, would be the main reasons for me to want a shoulder rig like this one. Just in terms of steadiness and control, I'm actually pretty nearly OK with pressing the butt of the camera into my shoulder and using the LCD as a viewfinder most of the time, but it's at the very limit of my eyes' ability to focus on the screen when I do that -- and not so great outdoors. I'll probably just get a hood for the LCD and see if I can make do with that.

- Greg
 
Custom made rig, made up from a few bits i had sitting around. $350 worth. All i need to do is fine where i can get a (the DC Power Plug ) to make up a power supply cable from, can any one help what or where I can get them from ? or what has the same connection. ?
IMG_6928.jpgIMG_6929.jpgIMG_6930.jpg
 
You could order the battery cable from Acebill. Or through b&h since they are handling Acebil now. I see that you have much the same config as the Acebil rig. How are you finding the balance?
 
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