GH2 What are you guys using for a mini / minimalist rig setup?

L

L1N3ARX

Well-known member
After thinking about it for a long time, I decided that I could really use a minimalist rig like the Polaroid video chest stabilizer in my kit. Mine just came today, and I'm really liking it. Thing feels pretty solid and much higher quality than what you'd expect from something that costs $60. I'll probably get some footage up in a couple days, since anyone that's reviewed it has failed to provide any ample test footage.

What is everyone else doing out there for a minimalist rig / setup?
 
I mount the GH2 on a monopod with a quick-adjust ball head. In addition to providing stable vertical support, the monopod can used to partially counterbalance the GH2 for handheld shots, much like a stabilizer. It's a flexible setup that works well with Lumix OIS lenses.

Manfrotto 560B Monopod:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-560...qid=1349568608&sr=1-1&keywords=Manfrotto+560B

Manfrotto 494 RC2 Quick-Release Ball Head:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-494...=1349568505&sr=1-1&keywords=manfrotto+494+rc2
 
I put the tripod plate on the bottom of the camera, for quick mounting to the tripod if I need it.

Can't get much more 'minimal' than that.
 
Gorillapod Focus with a ballhead. Extend two legs over one or both shoulders, curl the 3rd leg up as a left-side handle next to the lens controls. Also good for static stand things when wrapped around something or as a hi-hat. Steady as anything and multi-use is always good.
 
There's something that I think is called a spider rig. It's something you find on ebay. It can be changed to all kinds of configurations and folds up nice and tidy. And it seems like it wasn't much more than $60. I haven't used it, but if I get a stabilization rig, I'd probably try it.

Actually, here I found it on Cheesy Cam.

http://cheesycam.com/spider-steady-multi-config-rig/
 
L1N3ARX said:
After thinking about it for a long time, I decided that I could really use a minimalist rig like the Polaroid video chest stabilizer in my kit. Mine just came today, and I'm really liking it. Thing feels pretty solid and much higher quality than what you'd expect from something that costs $60. I'll probably get some footage up in a couple days, since anyone that's reviewed it has failed to provide any ample test footage.

What is everyone else doing out there for a minimalist rig / setup?
Click to expand...

I use the Polaroid too.
I may buy another at some point to get two handles.

I am gobsmacked by the prices people are paying for rigs. They are not worth a fraction of what these companies charge.
 
Like mcbob, I use the gorilla w/ ball head, two legs in each shoulder, the third on the left hand under the lens with eye contact in EVF. Steady, versatile, and i can go anywhere (I mean, anywhere!*). I bring it anytime I shoot for fun (edelkrone modula 3 when i need something more serious : paid!). Learned to move and walk with it. So easy, that i have to learn to not move sometimes... =)

* all with it (many museum where, of course, any video cam is forbid'... forget the frankenrig!)
 
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BrandonT said:
There's something that I think is called a spider rig. It's something you find on ebay. It can be changed to all kinds of configurations and folds up nice and tidy. And it seems like it wasn't much more than $60. I haven't used it, but if I get a stabilization rig, I'd probably try it.

Actually, here I found it on Cheesy Cam.

http://cheesycam.com/spider-steady-multi-config-rig/
Click to expand...

Which is mostly a clone of the DVTec MultiRig Pro. User's report it's much flimsier, but I've never compared them directly. The original is a bit better designed, but fully kitted costs $600 USD, & still nowhere near as rigid as a conventional shoulder rig.

I have two of the MultiRig(s) I used for travel back in the 5D2 days, & occasional still slap the GH2 on them. They're more stable then a GorrillaPod, but also heavier, & bulkier.

http://www.dvtec.tv/id33.html

http://www.dvtec.tv/multirig.html
 
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I've been using the cheap Spider Rig and its worked really well so far. What's nice about that rig is you can also use it for ground-based high angle shots, etc. I even shot a scene where I mounted it on the hood of a car, bungied it down, and it held great. I won't get rid of it because it's way too versatile.

I did just pick up a used Jag35 shoulder rig that's more rigid than the spider, and with a nifty pistol grip I can shoot Bolex style. Still need an EVF light blocker so I'm anxious to see how yours works for you.
 
I'd tried a pistol grip on the 5D, & GH, but didn't like it. If anything is made the cameras less stable. With a global shutter, or film, perhaps they'd be useable, but with rolling shutter just gripping the camera directly leads to more steady footage in my usage.
 
I use the grip with my GH2 on my Jag35 baseplate/short rods + my follow follow. Using the EVF + my hand on the FF gives me a very stable grasp on the camera and I find its much more stable than handheld. Not to mention it weighs 3 times more so that helps.

I bought my handle off Amazon.
 
Yeah, I was captivated by the Bolex style too, but when I used a simple grip below and a viewfinder (LCDVF on the Nex-5n and a Zacuto eyecup on the GH2), I unfortunately experienced more unsteadiness than having my hands on the camera body due, I think, to the weight pivoting up high.

I used the Polaroid for a while and for the money, it was great! Huge improvement. Recently, I purchased an Edelkrone Pocket Rig, which I agonized dropping that amount of money on for two months, and I have been very, very happy I did. Very sturdy and collapses to nothing. I have no qualms about having it with me everywhere, even connected and on a sling for an afternoon. The Polaroid - small as it is - was bumming me out after a while as one of the locks stopped tightening sufficiently and it was more bulk in the bag.
 
I have a pistol grip that I love and, while it doesn't make the camera much more stable (it certainly does not make it less steady in my experience), it does make it more comfortable.
 
I use the Edelkrone Pocket Rig and front handles. Incredibly portable and effective. I have flown it three times for corporate shoots now as it fits in my shoulder bag.
 
Heartfelt said:
I use the Edelkrone Pocket Rig and front handles. Incredibly portable and effective. I have flown it three times for corporate shoots now as it fits in my shoulder bag.
Click to expand...

Does the Pocket Rig allow the use of a standard rail mount mattebox, & follow focus? I've never handled any of Edelkrone's rigs, but it appears all of their rails are too low to conform to industry standards.

Assuming this is true, I'd love to see a lighter, & more compact, version that did away with the rails. Even better a version with one fold-out handle instead of the rails.
 
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I don't know about height issues vs an industry standard. They have two follow focus'es for it. There certainly appears to be enough room for both and FF and a MB.
 
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