Techniques to operate the shoulder rig?

makkea

makkea

Member
Hello, community!

I've recently bought my first shoulder rig, and balanced it with 4kg at the back, so when take my hands off, it is balanced in my shoulder and doesn't fall. The shoulder rig is this one: http://www.sevenoak.biz/company/product-dis.asp?id=936.
The build quality isn't bad at all.

The problem is that, after the first tests, I can't seem to get a stabilized image, it shakes a lot. Here you have an example:


I'd be very thankful if you guys could tell me your techniques/secrets/tips to get better results with it!

Thanks a lot in advance!!
 
Pay attention to your horizon in the shots, watch your side to side camera movements. Rather than aimlessly pointing and walking about, select a point/object/subject just like you would if you were really making a film and practice, practice, practice! The more you practice the better you will get.
 
David W. Jones said:
Pay attention to your horizon in the shots, watch your side to side camera movements. Rather than aimlessly pointing and walking about, select a point/object/subject just like you would if you were really making a film and practice, practice, practice! The more you practice the better you will get.
Click to expand...

Hi David,

Thanks for the tips! I'll try focusing on some object next time as if I was actually shooting a scene, and see if I improve little by little!
One more thing: should I walk a bit flexed? (I mean, flexing my knees)

Again, thanks a lot for your response!!
 
i think you're expecting your shoulder rig to perform like a steadicam. and it's not supposed to. a shoulder rig WILL show foot falls, wobble from the pad as well as CMOS "jello"

you still need to apply traditional frame-travel timings. as well as be aware of your horizon and general POV
 
I try to not move when using shoulder rig. Shoot, stop and move, shoot. It's hard to be smooth whilst walking/ running. That's a job for a steadicam
 
Also, much like a Steadicam/Glidecam, the longer the lens the more the shake. Stay wider and you'll minimize the artifacts of movement.
 
Whoa, thanks for all the tips! I appreciate it very much!!

@wgzn: I know they aren't supposed to do the same, I bought a shoulder rig knowing its function, but I think it shakes a little bit too much. I'll get practice little by little I suppose! haha By the way, what are these traditional frame-travel timings?? Thanks!

@Owen: Yes that can definetely be a solution, but there are shots in which I need the cmera to move. Thanks anyway!

@Alex: Yeah, I knew that! Tried it with my 50mm and it was VERY shaky. The video is shot with a 14mm, quite wide I suppose. Thanks for the info!
 
You asked about walking style earlier... this takes practice, practice, practice. Use your knees as shock absorbers, and walk with a little roll in your feet (heel to ball). What the articulated arm is to the Steadicam, your legs and feet should be to your torso. It's tricky, but once you get it figured out it gets much easier.

But as has also been mentioned, it's best to minimize walking while shooting with a shoulder rig.
 
Alex H. said:
You asked about walking style earlier... this takes practice, practice, practice. Use your knees as shock absorbers, and walk with a little roll in your feet (heel to ball). What the articulated arm is to the Steadicam, your legs and feet should be to your torso. It's tricky, but once you get it figured out it gets much easier.

But as has also been mentioned, it's best to minimize walking while shooting with a shoulder rig.
Click to expand...

Great! I suppose it will take years to master it haha

I'll try that, to cushion the walking shake with my legs/feet. Thanks a lot, that was helpful.
 
You'll figure it out in ten minutes. It's not that hard. If you have to run/move handheld just shoot wide and move steady as you can. You'll look a bit weird though, it's not the coolest walk out there ;)
 
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