F3: simple rig for handheld?

Erik Wittbusch said:
But how can one make a good handheld camera out of the F3?
Is it possible at all?
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It's possible apparently. I'm surprised no one has mentioned what looks to be the obvious way to do hand held with an F3 (and many other cameras), the EasyRig. And no, I've got no connection with EasyRig. I'm not even a customer (yet). But I've researched out solutions for the F3, just like you are doing now.
 
Thanks a lot for all the answers.
That's something the best reseller can't give you.

Weight, shoulder mount, easy rig...
These are some possibilities the F3 works well without tripod. It won't make a C300 out of the F3 but you still
hold the great output of the F3.

I won't ever use the F3 as a mere handcamera machine.
Easy rig would be really easy, but still pricey and not really compact
 
I had an easy rig on trial a few years ago for 2 weeks on an all day handheld job. I was ready to buy it until Iwe did some comparison shots between myself handheld and the easy rig in many different kinds of shots. To my shock and surprise I was steadier in all case on the shoulder than with the easyrig . Moreover it only shifted the weight to my lower back which was not as strong as the shoulder muscles I had developed for many years. Plus its really a bear to lug around all the time. Nothing fast about that. Only place I liked the Easyrig was for shots where the camera was between waist and underarm. There it really does help though I can pretty much do the same thing with the monopod.
That's one man's experience.
 
Duke M. said:
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.
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The Tilta comes with front and rear rails. But remember it doesn't have the finish quality of some of the other units mentioned here. It's no Arri but it does the job.
 
Bruce Watson said:
It's possible apparently. I'm surprised no one has mentioned what looks to be the obvious way to do hand held with an F3 (and many other cameras), the EasyRig. And no, I've got no connection with EasyRig. I'm not even a customer (yet). But I've researched out solutions for the F3, just like you are doing now.
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i've spent a lot of time with easyrigs on a few different cameras. i'm ambivalent. sometimes it seems like a godsend and other times it is a huge PITA. as Lenilenapi wrote, it doesn't always make things steadier. i can generally be smoother without one, especially with something like the F3. and spend two long days strapped into one with a heavy rig and your right shoulder may not hurt as much, but you will discover new ways to hurt in new places. the weight doesn't go away.

i recommend you try before you buy one, they are available for rental. just make sure the one you get is properly sprung for the weight of the rig you're shooting with.
 
The surprising thing to me, was that while shooting I thought I was much steadier. It was the tape that revealed the truth.
 
It is an interesting lesson in camera stability. It seems to amplify certain kinds of movement, and smooth others. I think it's possible to play to its strengths, but the length, height and weight distribution of the camera can be a factor, too. But it isn't a replacement for a shoulder mount on the F3.
 
Look at this. David Leitner demonstrated this system in his CineGear 2013 presentation on "making the new Sony cameras work for hand held". High end, affordable stuff - designed by a working shooter (Me!) Sony put them on the F65, 55- actually on all their pro cameras at NAB 2013.

 
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Funny- that's the farthest thing from marketing. Thats the usually hard nosed industry engineer Adam Wilt pasted from his Cameralog at PVC.com

These things turn engineers into poets! Shooters might like whats under the hood even better. They have a brain with Sony's entire F series protocol onboard.

3 brains 2.jpg


Right now start/stop works on all Sony pro cameras. Mitch Gross says its the only thing made that will do that. F65 down to the FS700. We are coding software now so camera commands like focus, gain and framerates are assigned to the 3 (sexy) buttons by the user through our online interface. LANC is already coded. They plug in over USB to PC. Mac OS X coming.

But for this thread - the grips coordinate with our ergonomic pieces- the Clockarm (a unique rosette extension) and the Dovetail plate to play nice with the muscles used in handheld shooting.

Except for this little manufacturing sideline shooting has been my rent check for 25 years -I know the pain ;-)
 
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To the orignial poster Erik. You asked about a simple way to make the F3 a good handholder. Spend 6 minutes or so and check out the clips.
https://vimeo.com/channels/shootingmachine

Just me in the garage doing some hands on demos- no time for any marketing yet- but they get the idea across.
1. tuck your elbow into the ribs,
2.turn your wrist up
3. slide your wrist under the lens (unique)
4. adjust it thru the day. (changing elbow position every 30 mins to let your arm breath. best handholding trick)

I shot a 2 year series for OLN that was 70% handheld with Aatons. I wont say this rig is better because you cant make a sony block camera kiss your ear. But its pretty darn close. And it's camera agnostic - get used to it and keep it with you. good human contact points like this (and a good EVF, matte Box) put KNOWN QUANTITY back into the camera dept. Because it stays with you. A simple gripping system like this literally makes any camera you pop it on "feel" like yours.
 
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Awesome thread guys and very on time as I am rigging my F3 as we speak.

By chance can anyone post PICS of their setups. I plan to use the Alphatron EVF and was thinking about the Shape base plate 7000 but now are considering other options like the cinegrip.

Any pics would be greatly appreciated.

Myles
 
There is an advantage to a grip like the Ergocine that does not require a baseplate (or camera) with a rosette. These tend to add weight, as with the Shape baseplate. I am not in agreement with those who like to move the right grip away from the camera, either out, sideways or down. I'm not sure where this idea came from, but having shot for a decade at least with an Aaton, you can't beat the ergonomics of a close in sculpted handgrip as on Aatons. The Ergocine - Aaton inspired - also gives you a nice circular grip on the opposite side that is great, and the whole thing sits level when you set the camera down. Very light and very secure.
 
Hi Caleb,

Craftsmanship in your products looks great.

A few sets of questions:

1. What length of clockarm have you found to have the most functional utility. If unsure do you sell the tubes as standalone to purchase along with a specific clockarm?

2. Do you have an ETA on the additional Sony protocol functionality that you will be adding to the unit? I assume it can be upgraded with a firmware update by the end user.


3. The fighter "jet trigger guard"... How does it attach, do you have a photo of it mounted onto one of the units and in practice is it really useful or does it get in the way?

4. Finally, those case lights you are using around your product shoot area . What are they? I'm liking the ruggedness of the casing.

-Andrew
 
IMG_20130924_183825.jpgIMG_20130924_183904.jpg

Here is how my F3 is currently being used (pictures taken on my phone from a recent shoot in Paris), and it's a really good set up (for my purposes). I use the Samurai Blade as a recorder and monitor, and I've had custom bits made and welded on here and there too. Overall pretty light weight and portable too. Happy using my F3 geared up like this for the meantime. Best, Sparky
 
F3 Left.jpg

I use an older Kinomatik baseplate. There are many better (and cheaper) options now.
I think the real key to a good handheld setup is using a proper (solid) VF and some good handles.
I have shape handles, and they work well, but they're very heavy. I think something like a single cinegrip would be a much better choice.
In my experience, a noga arm-mounted viewfinder is a PITA. They just aren't strong enough when you're really thrashing the camera.

This VF setup comes with it's own set of issues, like a lack of exposure tools, but it's a good alternative for some shooters.
 
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