Support rig for my AF100.

One more step closer to a useable shoulder mount rig. Just took delivery of Atlas camera support and Edelkrone EVF mount. Both work amazing well and I feel that I'm almost there (after almost giving up several times!). Just need the Tilta shoulder mount (backordered). For under $400 the Atlas (poor man's easyrig) does an excellent job of transferring the weight of a AF-100 rig from off your shoulder to your hips. Looks a little dorky, but at my age I just don't care. Would rather be comfortable with the camera on my shoulder. I have the Olof EVF mount but recommend the Edelkrone. It has some type of spring that keeps the monitor where you put it on the horizontal axis. Operationally pretty much like a normal shoulder mount EVF. Took me forever to get it (back ordered from Turkey) but it was worth the wait. I have the Berky shoulder mount but it's design puts the camera too high on the shoulder consequently you are looking nearly vertically into the EVF. Tilta design should bring the camera and EFV down vertically. Another plus for the Tilta is that it allows me to use my old Betacam camera plate. Pictures and maybe a video when it's complete.
 
Hi dhart1949!

After attaching the Tilta to the Atlas, where do you think you would balance the rig most of the time? Over your shoulder or directly in front of you? As toe Tilta is basically only a baseplate, I take it that you would use the Atlas handle to stabilize? Or would you try stabilizing it directly on your shoulder?

Hi Jamie!

Looks cool. Any thoughts on what Baseplate / Handles you would use with this if needed?
 
I didn't need handles, since the DVX100 has a built-in handgrip and my other hand was on the focus & zoom rings. I suspect the same could be done with the AF100.

I just had a Manfrotto quick release plate attached to the Steady Stick so I could pop the camera off and on to the tripod and back easily. I didn't use any rods or anything like that, since I wasn't using a follow focus or mattebox with the DVX100. For the AF100 you may need to get 15mm rods or something like that to use accessories that the DVX100 doesn't need.
 
I think I will go with the Atlas Support, but I am still looking for a Rig with rails to mount a follow focus and a Matte Box. The issue is, most rig have two handles, which would make the use of the follow focus kind of weird / unbalanced I assumed.

This looks like one interesting solution, especially because of the thumb follow focus idea:

http://www.indisystem.com/airsupport-1/

But then I hear that Indie System customer service is pretty horrible. I sent them an e-mail twice asking them question about this rig, and weeks later they still have not sent me any answer (It seems to be the general experience with them, which makes me nervous about ordering with them.

This one looks cool too:

http://www.ikancorp.com/productdetail.php?id=381

Although it also does look a little heavy / overkill for my needs.

Jag35 makes wired follow focus which are motor driven, but it is not good because of the noise:

http://jag35.com/products/followfocus/effkit.html

Or maybe I should just stick a Base Plate + Rail + Regular follow focus under my camera and use the handle that comes with the Atlas support, but I don't know how stable the camera will be if it does not at least sits (weightless because of the Atlas) on my shoulder.

What do you think?
 
I guess it would be good without the offset part (I am mostly shooting using the AF100 LCD), although, as with everything Redrock, this rig does not come cheap.
 
I checked the Edelkrone site again and I think I can get to a pretty good rig with the right components:


( http://www.edelkrone.com/e-store/6-modula-parts )


BASE UNIT
TOP HANDLE
TWISTER SHOULDER PAD
RODS
CAMERA PLATE
ACCESSORY CONNECTOR


FOLLOW FOCUS FOCUSPLUS+ ( http://www.edelkrone.com/followfocus/ )


Using this rig with the Atlas, I think I would have a pretty kick ass setup.


Only problem is, it would cost me around 1500$, but it might be worth stacking up for a quality rig.


Although there is also one fear I have with the FOCUSPLUS+: Will it works with a thin panasonic pancake lens, or will the FOCUSPLUS+ be too thick and close to the AF100 body, so that the FF ring won't be able to reach the focus ring?


Also, I am not sure about drawing focus marks on the circle near the lens (Which I can't see while shooting).


What do you think?
 
I can hold on for the monitor Holder, since I am using the AF100 LCD with Waveform and Red lines focus help, which for the moment is quite ok.
 
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