F3: simple rig for handheld?

E

Erik Wittbusch

Well-known member
Hi,

again, I'm that short before buying the F3 used for a really good price.
The reasons why someone likes this camera don't have to be discussed
again.

Most of the time the F3 will be used from the tripod or shoulder with
alphatron evf and small shoulder rig.

But how can one make a good handheld camera out of the F3?
Is it possible at all?

Is the element technica armour a help or bad because the "handgrip"
is missing?

Is there any kind of simple rig to transform the F3 in a handheldable
camera?

THX,

Erik
 
I'd suggest contacting Brian Berkey of Berkey System about the "Berkey System Dreamsmiths Baseplate" for the F3 (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...e-shoulder-mount-option-for-the-F3-F5-and-F55). Allows you to go from tripod to your shoulder in seconds with a simple standardised quick-release plate.

If you're considering the ET Body Armour too, definitely make the investment - after a 10-bit recorder it's the single best thing you can do for the F3, it makes it a MUCH more functional camera.
 
The hand grip and zoom toggle, as well as the view finder, are in pretty useless positions. Losing the hand grip with the ET system is no loss, and the gain of a slimmer, better balanced camera.

On the other hand ET body armour is an expense and you can just ignore the hand grip. A berkey top plate is highly desirable.

What you do want is a way to have the EVF or monitor far enough forward and the camera far enough back for the weight to be balanced on your shoulder without adding counter balance weights. The balance point is a few inches behind the sensor with a medium weight lens. Really, its the only way to do long term hand held. Try holding a gallon of milk a foot in front of your chest and see how long until you get shakey (minutes.) Then put the gallon on your shoulder and you'll understand.

At the same time you want it to go on and off the tripod fast, like 10-20 seconds. The Sony system works, as do a few others, but they are all pricey. What I do works, is fast and cheap but no one here really likes it so I won't mention it again. My way makes it fast for hand held, tripod, steadicam and crane without breaking the bank.
 
One of the biggest helps is to get a battery brick hanging off the rear of the camera, to offset the front-heavy nature of the F3. My set-up is an Element Technica baseplate with shoulder pad, rear mounted battery (IDX brick) Alphatron EVF, and a pair of Shape rotating grip handles hung on the front rods that also support the matte box. I've also got the Berkey base plate on top, and the Alphatron hung by the double-cam Solid Alphatron mount.

But let's be clear...no matter what you put on an F3, it'll never feel nor function as smoothly and easily in a handheld environment as a shoulder-mount camera.
 
different people have different solutions.

i have this plate; http://www.shapewlb.com/en/product/...elease-baseplate-_129.aspx?id_page_parent=200

and this handgrip, which fits to the baseplate's rosette; http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/731801-REG/Vocas_0390_0005_0390_0005_Handgrip.html

i use the Solid mount for my Alphatron, with a Berkey top plate.

all of this means that the weight is centered on my shoulder. the camera really isn't front heavy in this configuration.

the only thing i would change, if i were willing to spend enough for it, would be to replace the vocas handgrip with a wooden, ergonomically shaped grip with a trigger wired into it. that would be perfect, but they're pretty expensive.
 
I found the Shape system extremely heavy and hard to work with - looks like it was designed by a hockey player. I love the push button grips but they are both very heavy and add about 4" to the package width. I sold the Shape and bought a Vocas baseplate and an Ergocine wooden handgrip that clamps onto the carbon fiber front rods. Lost the Zwiss plate for a Vocas AB battery plate - much lighter, and with an Alphatron it is very easy handheld. Replaced with Berkey top plate with an aircraft aluminum plate we designed, also lighter. If you can heft the Elements cage around all day you don't need to go to the gym.
 
Forgot to mention the Vocas shoulder pad, which clamps on in seconds to the bottom rods. It is far more stable than the integrated pads like the Shape and Arri which tend to slide off your shoulder.
 
Hey Duke, I've never heard your method . Can you give me link if you don't want to explain it again?

Its got to be more complex than mine which is pure down and dirty and gets no respect at all - monopod with tilt head in a fanny pack & alphatron>stud> mafer clamp on the handle. Add a cheap giotto sliding base plate on everything I have and its fast, cheap and flexible. I haven't noticed it being much less stable and a hell of alot less cumbersome. In some situations - very long handheld interviews I get a shoulder rig or add a sax harness to my body or use a monopod with feet.

Lenny
 
Lenilenapi said:
Hey Duke, I've never heard your method . Can you give me link if you don't want to explain it again?
Click to expand...

I have several manfroto 357 bases with long quick release plates. Like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Giottos-MH6...110?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7beac706
Every support (tripod, shoulder pad, steadicam, crane, etc) gets a base. All my cameras get the same quick release plate. I bought 5 at $30 each. (You can negotiate if you're getting 5.)

I have the cheap indian grips that mount to both 15mm and 19mm rails. (At the time $30.) Each grip has rosettes and rosette extensions for nearly unlimited adjust-ability for height and angle.

For the shoulder pad I took a 2" wide piece of aluminum and curved it to fit my shoulder. I put a couple screws in it to mount a manfrotto base to it. I then took a gel seat belt pad (opens up with velcro and it's sueded so it doesn't slip), and cut a slot in the middle so I could wrap it around the curved aluminum (velcro away from the shoulder, gel towards the shoulder.)

From the tripod configuration I just slide the grips on the front of the rails, slide the camera off the tripod base and slide on the shoulder mount. Once the grips are on I can leave them one when taking the camera on and off the tripod. Works the same for every support I have and doesn't look unprofessional. It also aids in finding the center of balance. A balanced camera is easier on your shoulder and easier on the tripod.

Oh, and this way I don't need to move the mattebox, FF, Zacutto base plate, rails or anything.

My motto is to keep it simple and use the thing that accomplishes all your goals. If it's cheap so much the better. I hope this makes sense to any readers.

I'll look to see if I have any pictures.
 
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Barons said:
I found the Shape system extremely heavy and hard to work with - looks like it was designed by a hockey player. I love the push button grips but they are both very heavy and add about 4" to the package width. I sold the Shape and bought a Vocas baseplate and an Ergocine wooden handgrip that clamps onto the carbon fiber front rods. Lost the Zwiss plate for a Vocas AB battery plate - much lighter, and with an Alphatron it is very easy handheld. Replaced with Berkey top plate with an aircraft aluminum plate we designed, also lighter. If you can heft the Elements cage around all day you don't need to go to the gym.
Click to expand...

i'm not familiar with the Shape "system." i just have a baseplate.
 
Thanks Duke,
If you have pictures I would love to see them. I do the same thing with the Giottos baseplates and also have about 5 of them. I have had to grind down the locking handle to fit some tripods, and always carry T handle Allen wrench to tighten it down also. Totally stable for a price that's a song.
 
Shape system = baseplate, shoulder pad, two articulated handgrips and a quick release plate for the tripod.
 
Lenilenapi said:
Fig rig ? - yes -kill the arms
Click to expand...

Why not though? The OP asked about handheld rigs (not shoulder)....which kill the arms regardless unless you have a bungee rig. Naturally one would strip the cam down to its bare minimum. Seems a fig rig is a good option for certain shots. Certainly beats holding it like a handycam with the hand strap IMO.
 
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+1 for Shape, very fast from shoulder to tripod with V-Lock and very solid on handles even if they are a little heavy.
 
I am surprised no one has mentioned the Tilta baseplate/shouldler mount unit. Inexpensive and pretty much anyone who has had one says they are good. Small but super easy modification has to be made to attach the second but offset baseplate threaded hole on the bottom of the F3 with the Tilta. There is a thread in the F3/F5/F55 forum here showing this baseplate with the modification. I assume it is still available.

I've been through several shoulder/baseplate rigs with this camera and settled on the Element Technica baseplate but it is not available as new anymore.
 
Yes I am using the Tilta. For 300 bucks you get a very robust VCT14-based camera mount. Works best when you don't use the sliding base-plate. I'm going to try it out on my new F5 and if it's not ideal I'll be heading toward the Arri broadcast plate.
 
Andrew Stone said:
I am surprised no one has mentioned the Tilta baseplate/shouldler mount unit. Inexpensive and pretty much anyone who has had one says they are good. Small but super easy modification has to be made to attach the second but offset baseplate threaded hole on the bottom of the F3 with the Tilta. There is a thread in the F3/F5/F55 forum here showing this baseplate with the modification. I assume it is still available.

I've been through several shoulder/baseplate rigs with this camera and settled on the Element Technica baseplate but it is not available as new anymore.
Click to expand...

The Tilta certainly looks professional and sturdy. I like that it also mounts with the Sony lock. Looks like with shipping it's about $325 then add your rails.

I might point out that it costs 4x what mine costs and weighs 3x as much, plus raises the camera approximately an inch higher. (If you're tall having the camera too high on your shoulder can be an issue. It is for me.) It also operates the same way mine does by putting an adjustable dove tail plate above the shoulder for adjustable balance.

Still it does look sturdy and techy. I kind of like it. Other than cost and weight are there other significant drawbacks? (Of course you'll have Tilta QR plate on top, then the Sony QR system, then the tripod QR plate so three QR systems stacked on top of each other.)
 
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