Video DSLR Rigs: Ideas, Thoughts, Theories

I didn't see it mentioned, so I'll throw it out there: Has anyone used the Fig Rig?

The real one:
http://www.manfrotto.com/figrig/
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5057699084327788170

And DIY:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-PVC-Fig-Rig/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7TMa-v03aE

The interesting thing about this is that you can mount your Zoom 4 if you have one, several mics, remots for the camera or zoom, some lights, maybe a monitor on it.

It doesn't seem like it would be a comfortable rig for me, though.
 
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I feel the fig rig is too conspicuous and keeps your hands too far away from the camera, especially if you're using a manual lens. Heres my DSLR rig. Enough room to add mic, nanoflash etc. if needed. Room for flip out screen, lightweight. foldable for transport , it takes up hardly any room, and right hand has easy access to focus wheel of lens with a two hand grip for steady handheld shots.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5729/diym.jpg
 
I still know seasoned dps that swear by filters. Think about most of the films that have been shot on film. They're almost always shooting through nds and low contrast filters.

The good thing is that these are very cheap in the circular variety, for brand named quality even. It's been pretty fun shootng with nds ritually in this camera.

For those interested my current circular filter kit includes:

Hoya HMC NDs 2, 4, 8
Hoya HMC polarizer
Tiffen Soft fx 3
Hoya Duto
Tiffen Low Contrast 3
Tiffen Black Diffusion

All for a 77mm thread size which is the diameter for the largest lens I have bthis ensurees that I can just use adapter rings for smaller lenses and use the filters with all lenses.

I also have a 77mm threaded hood shade.

The concept of a mattebox on this thing just doesn't work for me. With this I still look, at most, like a photographer.
 
SonicStates said:
Don't forget El Cheapo... I think this could be an interesting item for...18 bucks...mine is now out of the closet...preparing for GH1 work...as of tomorrow
Camcorder-Shoulder-Pad-KHSP-1-.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice. Do you have a link to a site or store where I could purchase that El Cheapo shoulder mount thingy?
 
Anybody know of an eyepiece extension that might work for the EVF on this camera? I've seen an optical 90 degree extension for other still cameras. It would be optical of course, I can't imagine someone has yet come up with an electronic extension.
 
The problem I have with a lot of these rig companies like Zacuto is that most of us are buying these cameras because they offer superior image quality at a fraction of the cost. Yet, as I look at most of these rig companies, they seem to be making these external pieces at the same price point that their other rigs are.

I don't want to buy a $2000 camera package and then spend $2000 on a rig. I think most of these companies are missing the boat.
 
I've sort of added another use to my cobbled together rig.

The handles, as shown, have a really great mobility range. Now, what I'm running into with this setup is mostly trying to pull focus at the same time. And it's not really because I haven't gotten a follow focus yet.

Think about how you'd normally pull focus on a larger, more suitable system: the follow focus is probably the lightest pat of the camera, so turning it here and there shouldn't really effect any motion.

But here, if you have a follow focus on it, then it's probably the same weight as the GH-1 Body.

Also, most of the work is being put on your wrists. The normal cinema machine is putting workload on forearms and biceps if it's not shoulder mounted, and I've trained myself to be able to cradle 35mm Adapter rigs and RED in all sorts of configurations. Handheld just isn't an issue with those.

What Zacuto DID get right, and I was shown another example by JDS here: http://jbrlsr.com/?aid=5336062087&b...sp&A=details&Q=&sku=525293&is=REG#accessories -- is a piece that's mounted to press against yourself.

It's brilliant, and I'm slow so it took me a while to realize how detrimental this piece is for handheld.

By having it, you can press the camera back into your shoulder or gut, hip, etc and hold it steady through pressure, using your torso to turn or "pan" as needed. Not only that, but it allows you to get your hands off of the sides of the camera and comfortably beneath the lens and camera body as a support to pull focus with the fingers, while the other hand holds the side for added stability.

Couple it with a neck strap and you can go even lower, tilting the camera up for a semi-worms eye perspective.

So, with my rig, I twisted the handles outward so that the ends were jabbing into my chest or stomach area and got some VERY steady handheld footage beyond 50mm.

Lesson learned.
 
Kholi said:
I've sort of added another use to my cobbled together rig.

The handles, as shown, have a really great mobility range. Now, what I'm running into with this setup is mostly trying to pull focus at the same time. And it's not really because I haven't gotten a follow focus yet.

Think about how you'd normally pull focus on a larger, more suitable system: the follow focus is probably the lightest pat of the camera, so turning it here and there shouldn't really effect any motion.

But here, if you have a follow focus on it, then it's probably the same weight as the GH-1 Body.

Also, most of the work is being put on your wrists. The normal cinema machine is putting workload on forearms and biceps if it's not shoulder mounted, and I've trained myself to be able to cradle 35mm Adapter rigs and RED in all sorts of configurations. Handheld just isn't an issue with those.

What Zacuto DID get right, and I was shown another example by JDS here: http://jbrlsr.com/?aid=5336062087&b...sp&A=details&Q=&sku=525293&is=REG#accessories -- is a piece that's mounted to press against yourself.

It's brilliant, and I'm slow so it took me a while to realize how detrimental this piece is for handheld.

By having it, you can press the camera back into your shoulder or gut, hip, etc and hold it steady through pressure, using your torso to turn or "pan" as needed. Not only that, but it allows you to get your hands off of the sides of the camera and comfortably beneath the lens and camera body as a support to pull focus with the fingers, while the other hand holds the side for added stability.

Couple it with a neck strap and you can go even lower, tilting the camera up for a semi-worms eye perspective.

So, with my rig, I twisted the handles outward so that the ends were jabbing into my chest or stomach area and got some VERY steady handheld footage beyond 50mm.

Lesson learned.
Click to expand...
Hey Kholi.
Question for you: I'm debating whether to purchase the Redrock DLSR support rig or Cinevate's. On the Redrock one, do you use a shoulder mount for your rig? Do you have any experience with Redrock's shoulder mount and if so, is it configurable so that you can use it as support on your chest instead of having to mount it on your shoulder all the time?
 
The actual Redrock DSLR 2.0 rig doesn't seem to have a chest support. What I did with my version of the camera support (cobbled together from the shouldermount) was turn the handles so they press into my chest or stomach instead.

Hold the camera by the lens and the side of the body so you can focus and keep it stady.

The best design right now is against your shoulder, not on top of it. It's too unbalanced for that.

Zacuto got that part right.
 
Kholi said:
The actual Redrock DSLR 2.0 rig doesn't seem to have a chest support. What I did with my version of the camera support (cobbled together from the shouldermount) was turn the handles so they press into my chest or stomach instead.

Hold the camera by the lens and the side of the body so you can focus and keep it stady.

The best design right now is against your shoulder, not on top of it. It's too unbalanced for that.

Zacuto got that part right.
Click to expand...
yeah, that's my feeling as well. i wonder if i the zaucto chest mount can be used on a redrock dslr rig...

zacuto is just so dang costly!
 
I'm mounting some heavy glass and anamorphic adapters (up to 4lb) to mine so I'm gonna go with the redrock shoulder mount rig and follow focus with a genus matte box. Seems to be the best option for the money.
 
Hey Kholi, maybe I missed it and you already put one up, but could you post a pic of your complete rig? I'm having a bit of trouble picturing it after looking through so many different companies stuff.
 
Cool. Could you tell me:

1) What material is that made of? It looks plastic.

2) How sturdy and does it look like it would last?

3) About how long is it from end to end? If you could measure that'd be awesome.

Thanks.
 
1. Made of plastic. But, one solid piece of plastic.
2. I can't imagine how you would break the thing. Very solid plastic.
3. 15"

Definitely not the prettiest, but it gets the job done. No worries about shooting video without image stabilization.
 
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