What are your thoughts on this rig?

[CPM Camera Rigs]

See that's the setup i'm used to seeing and can see it working. Now with the shoulder mount where it is on steve's rig...I just don't see it being comfortable or even usable. But clearly I'm missing somehitng cuz grench says it works. So I'd wanna see it in use on somone.

Darren.

I was sent this picture early on during development. Our cage and quad rod afforded a unique opportunity to configue the rig in this manner. The lower shooting angle appealed to me, seemed like if a person could get the bulk of the weight under the rods it would make for s steady shot and maybe less fatigue. We are currently working on a counter weight kit to help with balancing the rig, also looking into a battery kit that will mount to one of the medium rail pads to help aid in back end weight. For tall people like myself it really helps to have a lower angle. Also, when you set up a tripod you generally dont put the camera up at shoulder height, same thing with steadicam. They are generally right under the shoulder height. Or about right where an underslug rig would put it .

Steve

 

[Green Hornet]

I just want rails behind the shoulder mount so I can hook my batteries for the monitor or my mixer there as a counter balance.

 

[jambredz]

Yeh hornet... with rails extended to the rear and a conterweight added I can see ur shoulder acting as a "see saw" and balancing woukd be easy.

Thanks for the response Steve.

 

[keaten]

See that's the setup i'm used to seeing and can see it working. Now with the shoulder mount where it is on steve's rig...I just don't see it being comfortable or even usable. But clearly I'm missing somehitng cuz grench says it works. So I'd wanna see it in use on somone.

Darren.

I was skeptical of having the camera mounted below as well. My suggestion is to try it out. I now prefer it to be mounted low. It takes away the weight and truly allows for a smoother shot. And hell if you aren't happy with it mounted below then mount it the most "common" way. I will post pictures of my rig all setup sometime next week.

keaten

 

[jambredz]

Hey keaton...thanks for offering the pics. After seeing how the RED setup is that steve posted it gave me a bit more assurance. The prob for me in just trying it out is that I live in Jamaica and shipping and customs is a biatch (customs more). So when I buy I try to buy good one time...cuz the luxury of just shipping stuff back isn't really afforded to me without a hefty price. I trust ya"ll though and most of the things I get is from recommendations on this site. I luv Steve's design and def want to get it when I get my 7D.

 

[vroom]

Three questions for Steve:

Will a Manfrotto 577 quick release fit on your Belly Pan?

When will the spacer tool that goes between the Belly Pan and QR be available?

Will the spacer work with a Manfrotto 577?


I would simply order your quick release system, except I use a Bogen 501 tripod head, which doesn't fit 357 sized plates.

 

[Keegan O'Brien]

I'm wantin something like this:

But.... LIGHTER (that's where u come in) and with a z riser to put the camera closer to center...
Gotta be able to mount FF and MB.

Wow, I wish I could afford something like that. I made one similar out of PCV pipe, but nowhere near as pro as that.

 

[Loren Simons]

Wow, I wish I could afford something like that. I made one similar out of PCV pipe, but nowhere near as pro as that.

That rig is actually pretty inexpensive, $300. Someone mentioned how they wanted the weights to be behind the shoulder pad, and with that rig and the MicroBalance Plus (http://store.redrockmicro.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1568/.f?sc=2&category=2700) allows for left right adjustment of the weights that you attach to that unit. I had a chance to play with the MicroBalancePlus on an eyeSpy rig, and set it up so balanced that I could release the unit and it would balance on my shoulder

 

[711]

That rig is actually pretty inexpensive, $300. Someone mentioned how they wanted the weights to be behind the shoulder pad, and with that rig and the MicroBalance Plus (http://store.redrockmicro.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1568/.f?sc=2&category=2700) allows for left right adjustment of the weights that you attach to that unit. I had a chance to play with the MicroBalancePlus on an eyeSpy rig, and set it up so balanced that I could release the unit and it would balance on my shoulder

That rig pictured, is actually $395, but yes, they sell it without rods as well for $295.

 

[ATL Media Group]

I know.. I can get it locally from Showcase for $395 with carbon rods... But it's kinda HEAVY.. That's why I'd like a lighter model from CPM.

 

[CPM Camera Rigs]

Three questions for Steve:

Will a Manfrotto 577 quick release fit on your Belly Pan?

When will the spacer tool that goes between the Belly Pan and QR be available?

Will the spacer work with a Manfrotto 577?


I would simply order your quick release system, except I use a Bogen 501 tripod head, which doesn't fit 357 sized plates.

Our first QR plate will be a 357 compatible plate. Its tool is currently being built next to the shoulder pad. Then the counter weight will be cut along with the spacer.

If demand is high enough we can also make a 577 compatible plate.

Steve

 

[vroom]

Our first QR plate will be a 357 compatible plate. Its tool is currently being built next to the shoulder pad. Then the counter weight will be cut along with the spacer.

If demand is high enough we can also make a 577 compatible plate.

Steve

Thanks, Steve.

Do you have any pictures of the spacer? Would I need to modify (drill out) my 577 to get it to fit onto the space and/or Belly Pan?

 

[GRENCH]

I can't agree more. That is 1 of the things I never liked about older top heavy hand held rigs. I have really enjoyed using your CPM rig Steve. Still looking forward to those upgrades. I know it will take my rig to the next level

I was sent this picture early on during development. Our cage and quad rod afforded a unique opportunity to configue the rig in this manner. The lower shooting angle appealed to me, seemed like if a person could get the bulk of the weight under the rods it would make for s steady shot and maybe less fatigue. We are currently working on a counter weight kit to help with balancing the rig, also looking into a battery kit that will mount to one of the medium rail pads to help aid in back end weight. For tall people like myself it really helps to have a lower angle. Also, when you set up a tripod you generally dont put the camera up at shoulder height, same thing with steadicam. They are generally right under the shoulder height. Or about right where an underslug rig would put it .

Steve

 

[CPM Camera Rigs]

Thanks, Steve.

Do you have any pictures of the spacer? Would I need to modify (drill out) my 577 to get it to fit onto the space and/or Belly Pan?

No modification is needed. The belly pans have a standard bolt pattern that matches all our internally designed parts. In addition we added the manfrotto 357/577 bolt pattern as well. Tomorrow I will post some pictures of the new belly pan with the two 1/4-20 inserts molded in the middle field. Should allow for easier assembly of the pads to whatever mount/dovetail/tripod you might have.

I will get you a render of the spacer. It is basically a lifted profile of the raised portion of the belly pan, same bolt pattern but in two thicknesses with all related hardware. About as basic as you can get, but we are really trying to keep the costs as low as possible on the rigs and components.


Steve

 

[vroom]

No modification is needed. The belly pans have a standard bolt pattern that matches all our internally designed parts. In addition we added the manfrotto 357/577 bolt pattern as well. Tomorrow I will post some pictures of the new belly pan with the two 1/4-20 inserts molded in the middle field. Should allow for easier assembly of the pads to whatever mount/dovetail/tripod you might have.

I will get you a render of the spacer. It is basically a lifted profile of the raised portion of the belly pan, same bolt pattern but in two thicknesses with all related hardware. About as basic as you can get, but we are really trying to keep the costs as low as possible on the rigs and components.


Steve

I missed this post until today. This is great news. Please keep us up to date on any renders/pictures and when the spacer and new belly pan might be available.

I'm also wondering if and when you might be releasing a z-riser to offset and raise the camera to eye level.

 

[jambredz]

Have a question for you steve. Can ur shouldermount kit work with say a dvx100 type camera? Cuz i still shoot on my dvx...and if and when the newly announced AG AF-100 is released next year i'd want to be able to use one shoulder mount for these cameras along with a 7D.
This was one of the reasons i was going with the gini rig....cuz it could be used on a dvx type camera also...or so he says.

 

[CPM Camera Rigs]

Have a question for you steve. Can ur shouldermount kit work with say a dvx100 type camera? Cuz i still shoot on my dvx...and if and when the newly announced AG AF-100 is released next year i'd want to be able to use one shoulder mount for these cameras along with a 7D.
This was one of the reasons i was going with the gini rig....cuz it could be used on a dvx type camera also...or so he says.

YES! We have three sizes of cages. If the AG AF-100 is around the same height as a 7d with grip then I would say the medium cages would more then cover it. If its larger then that then the large cage would be my choice. I did a quick search but did not see any specs on what the AG AF-100 dimensions will come in at. But our gear was designed to be used in both convnetional format as well as DSLR, easily going back and forth with no huge cost in upgrading or swapping out parts.

Steve

 

[Ben_B]

There are some pictures out there of it next to the 14-140mm lens so it should be possible to extrapolate its dimensions. I would say based on what you just said the large cage would be better.

 

[jambredz]

koolness. Def not trying to have more than one shouldermount....

oh i get it now ...i can buy the dslr shouldermount...and just buy the larger struts if and when needed and swap them out.

very nice.

 

[jambredz]

On a side note...how'd you become involved in this Steve? I mean know this isn't your primary business...do you shoot as a hobby?