Support rig for my AF100.

L

Luc Desjardins

Member
Hi all,

I am looking for a comfortable rig to support my Panasonic AG-AF100 camera.

I used the Shape Sumo I ( http://www.shapewlb.com/en/shape-pr...page=n_estore.tpl&product_id=25&category_id=6 ), although it felt good at first, I recently used it on a long shoot, and after three hours of constant shooting, it became clear that a simple shoulder mount would not do, namely because it becomes uncomfortable/painful very fast.

I am looking for a rig that could distribute the weight of the camera in a comfortable manner, around the waist sounding like the preferable region.

Currently, I only have the AF100 with Micro 4/3 lens, but would like to eventually add Baseplate, Rods, Matte Box, Follow Focus and Zeiss Prime CP.2 lens to the mix, which would add quite a sizable amount of weight.

I would have loved to keep the support rig under a thousand dollars, and thus, it seems to limit my choices quite a bit.

The Glidecam and Steadicam, apart from being way out of my budget range, look quite overkill, being way more than just a support system, but also a much evolved stabilizing system. Also, it does not look like a very fast run and gun solution for when I am shooting live events (Which I will do along with fiction shoots).

The Easyrig 2.5 (http://www.easyrig.com/ ) looks like a good solution, although it still cost quite a lot of money. Also, I am not sure about the overhead cable desing, wondering if it would prevent me to put a shotgun mic on top of the camera handle.

The DVTech Extreme Deluxe Rig (http://www.dvtec.tv/extreme-rig.html ) looks like an interesting solution at a very interesting price, but I am not sure of how significantly the Support Rod would relieve my poor right shoulder of the rig’s weight.

What do you think? What rig have you successfully used with the AF100? Which one would you recommend?

Thank you very much for your time and expertise!
 
Hi jmarkham,

Actually, the Shape Sumo I (which I tried) was an ENG style shoulder rig, but since all the weight was going to only my right shoulder, it became painful to use after only 30 minutes, which is why I am looking for a rig that could redirect the weight to my waist instead.

Also, An ENG rig limits me if I want to move the camera at waist level to shoot low. In this regard, the Easyrig might be the better solution, but then, it costs 3.5K...
 
Hi D10S, have you personnally used the EasyRig with the AF100? Can you still put a Shotgun mic on top of the handle despite the EasyRig cable? Is the Turtle X sufficient or the 2.5 would work better with a full cine rig?
 
Hi anatusa,

It looks well made, but still, the problem is that, all of the rig weight would rest solely on one shoulder. It's not too bad for 15-20 minutes blocks, but constant shooting for 3 hours and my shoulder will be on fire.
 
Luc Desjardins said:
Hi anatusa,

It looks well made, but still, the problem is that, all of the rig weight would rest solely on one shoulder. It's not too bad for 15-20 minutes blocks, but constant shooting for 3 hours and my shoulder will be on fire.
Click to expand...

it does not seems like u browsed their website long enough or saw the video till the end....., they offer sever models....

i also know one thing - i did use redrock and its what i would not recommend - having it on your shoulder its same as with out it..... and based on 1 thing that most popular shoulder support rigs are the same - i would not recommend it. it only useful to have it on tripod if u need to attach some extra tech, but dont try to adjust anything on the rig it self, its too stiff.

there is 1 china model that allows to put cam closer to shoulder , but still it does not put it exactly on shoulder , also has a few tech issues, china is china.... and kind of expansive for china.

for me run and gun means - i can film from tripod, but when i need it i can take it out with in a sec and put it on shoulder run somewhere, than come back and put it right away back on tripod, i dont want take of some parts from my rig as well as i dont want to add any parts to my rig. i took the whole thing from the tripod and put it back.... thats it! i dont want having any ridiculous things jumping around my body or above it when i film from tripod....

from the pic i see that no one offers anything close to what edelkrone offers, i love the way it possible to reconfigure some parts of the rig with just 1 move, i love the ability to use or not to use rods, and i love the ability to change the length of the rods with just 1 move! again u dont need to buy the rods with different length! i am sorry - i love the price !!! 999$ for the whole rig!?!?! it just cant be wrong! i love the monitor support - nothing better on a market especially for that price! counter weight is also special, u can move it far back, again 1 move! extra weights looks so cool! cheese plate is also very nice....... i am going to buy that 999$ modula 7 ... my self , the only thing is that i want longer handles , so i try to negotiate to pay the difference and get longer version, only reason why i did not buy it just yet....
 
I have the DVtec extreme deluxe rig. It works ok. The spring loaded pole definitely saves your shoulder, and steadies the image to a certain degree, although it can prove annoying in some situations. I use it with rods, mattebox, and primes around the weight of CP's and I think it works well enough until I can buy something more substantial. I've had to gerry rig a few things on it, but none of the primary components have broken yet.
 
Hi Anatusa,

I just watched the whole presentation video, all the way to the Modula 9. I gotta say that this thing is amazingly designed and clever, and I guess the double shoulder pad feels way better/comfortable than a single shoulder design, but then, it is 1500 $ (Which is ok for the quality and versatility of what you are getting, but still over 1K) and, most importantly, it does not direct the weight to your waist, which is what higher end backpack will do.

The reason why I insist on this detail is that for a long time I carried a lot of weight into a lousy backpack for the better part of my younger self life, which regularly put both of my shoulder under a tremendous amount of pressure. Over the years it transformed into back pains, even when I was only carrying a trench coat over my shoulders. This was up until the day I trashed my backpack for a better one with waist support.

It was so much better that I just cursed myself for torturing my back for so long. Since then, I never looked back, and my back pains are all but a thing of the past.

Considering this, I truly want to find a rig that I could support with my hips.

I guess I could get a modula 5 and suspend it on an Atlas Support, but then, I really like the extended handle of the Modula 9. But this is all getting rather complicated / Expensive.

So I guess it is still down to Atlas Support VS Dvtec extreme deluxe rig VS Easyrig VS other waist based solutions.
 
Hi Orlando McNulty and thanks for your answer!

Could you describe situations where the pole is annoying? I guess it does not works well when shooting low or sitting in a car, but would like inputs from your own experiences.
 
Luc Desjardins said:
Hi Anatusa,

I just watched the whole presentation video, all the way to the Modula 9. I gotta say that this thing is amazingly designed and clever, and I guess the double shoulder pad feels way better/comfortable than a single shoulder design, but then, it is 1500 $ (Which is ok for the quality and versatility of what you are getting, but still over 1K) and, most importantly, it does not direct the weight to your waist, which is what higher end backpack will do.

So I guess it is still down to Atlas Support VS Dvtec extreme deluxe rig VS Easyrig VS other waist based solutions.
Click to expand...

My self i kind of scared of modula 9, i dont know, but i think it only looks useful, also the counter weight has to be kind far back to be useful.... but with modula 9 its on your neck..... so i ll get modula 7. again from my experience with redrock - i know that the shoulder will not rest if handles are short, ... to me the lower i have my hands the easier its for shoulder.

also - Springed Shock Absorbing Pole - can help i think http://www.tdepost.com/blog/2010/3/16/the-infamous-parts-list.html - got to bottom there is preview
here is a video preview of 1 guy using it http://vimeo.com/7306588

but as for the rigs it self i really did a choice for my self,-
 
For what it's worth, I just shot for about 6 hours, almost all hand-held, with this self-cobbled rig:

View attachment 48856

I managed not to die.

Handles pretty much exactly like an ENG camera, although lighter but without the easy-to-control lens. Since the shoulder support tucks under an arm if necessary, it's very easy to transition heights.

Some build details are here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...p-ultralight-ENG-Doc-rig&highlight=ultracheap

I since added a shoulder pad, DP6 monitor, and a carrier pouch for extra batteries (counterweight). Would probably need more counterweight with more front weight, which would significantly reduce its level of comfort and usefulness.
 
I used the DVtec for a long ass shoot...like 7 hours, and I found that it worked very well. Saved my back and steadied my shot. Try to rent one maybe before committing to buy. I just bought the DVtec ENGrig, because I have a shoulder mount with 15mm rods already. I haven't used it yet, as it arrived on the same day that I left for a gig. I look forward to testing it out.
 
Luc Desjardins said:
I think I'm close to having found a winner!

http://www.atlascamerasupport.com/
Click to expand...

Been running some tests on this device and so far it does exactly what it says it can do removing the weight of the camera rig from your shoulder and forearms. Still waiting for some additional parts that are on back order (Tilta shoulder mount and Edelkrone EVF support arm) to test the final rig. It's relatively easy to shoulder hold (with Berky shoulder pad right now) the AF-100 with Nikon 17-55 and Zacuto EFV. The flexible rod takes most of the weight off the shoulder and transfers it to the waist. Not all the adjustment of an easyrig 2.5 but it's a fraction of the cost.
 
I just called DVShop.ca and have been advised to go with the SHAPE CAMELEON PRO II rig:


http://www.shapewlb.com/en/shape-pr...age=n_estore.tpl&product_id=34&category_id=10


over the DVtec Extreme Deluxe.


They told me that the Shape was sturdier and could eventually take more weight than the DVTec, shall I put a total cine rig on the AF100.


The Shape also comes with a spring loaded waist support arm to re-distribute the weight to the center of the shooter's body.


But, as with the DVTec, I am concern about the counter weight on the back to still apply some stress on my shoulder. If worse comes to worse I guess I could always add the Atlas Support, but then again, it would raise the overall complexity and price of the total rig.


Anybody out there have tried the Shape?
 
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