Which hand grips for shoulder mount?

moldcad

moldcad

Veteran
I'm finishing up building my FS100 shoulder rig, and so far been using it with a pair of RR handles (as on the pic below). But - since I need 2 functional rigs (another one for my EX1), I'm looking for buying another pair...

The RR handles have their pros and cons. They are short and stiff, give good control over the rig. But they require my arms to be in a relatively high position - given my neck spine and arm weakness after surgeries, this is fatiguing... So I'm considering another approach, namely the had grips from Jag35:
http://www.shoot35.com/products/shoulder support/handgrips/handgripsframe.html

Has anyone used both, and how do they compare ergonomically?


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Thanks, but this wasn't my question :)

I'm seeking advise on the general design, which provides better stability & less arm fatigue:

- long & adjustable hands, like the Jag35, or
- short & sturdy, like the Redrock
 
Apart from handle grips, might I also introduce you to the support rod system like I have here:

FS100 x Edelkrone rig by Ed-meister, on Flickr
It's a cheaper version of Varizoom's. The bottom is attached to my belt. Great piece of kit if you're not too self-conscious :) Now I can just simply use the stock handle grip no problem. Although here I'm using the Edelkrone rig and its handle grip
 
moldcad said:
I'm seeking advise on the general design, which provides better stability & less arm fatigue:
Click to expand...

I think it depends on your work

If you are on a film set, with a focus puller, an A/C to hold the camera between takes and time to re-rig for sticks or dolly shots then long handles may have an edge

If you are out and about you may find long handles have problems like putting the camera down interfering with your tripod and a huge hunt to find the focus wheel

Short handles are more practical ??

Of course the longer the handle the more likely the device is to slip due to the leverage of the handle on the rod which would mean I would only suggest long handles from (bascially) Zacuto or a system where they are held in place by serrated clamps like Ronford Moose bars (or the various copies of Ronford system)

A final thought - have a look at the BTS from a film like bourne or green zone (handheld fests) you will note the handles are generally pretty short

S
 
Last edited:
ed_lee83 said:
Apart from handle grips, might I also introduce you to the support rod system like I have here:

FS100 x Edelkrone rig by Ed-meister, on Flickr
It's a cheaper version of Varizoom's. The bottom is attached to my belt. Great piece of kit if you're not too self-conscious :) Now I can just simply use the stock handle grip no problem. Although here I'm using the Edelkrone rig and its handle grip
Click to expand...

could u plz give more info on that Stick ! where u got it from? as i understand the length is variable, but do u have to hard lock it after u adjusted the length, or u can move up and down?
 
Olivier Biron said:
The red bouton on SHAPE handle is so useful
there is nothing else like it
so quick to adjust
Click to expand...

Looks nice and solid, however I'm used to having the left handle on a somewhat longer transverse rod than that of the right handle; this way - with the rig on my right shoulder - I can put the right handle under the rig's CoG. This helps a lot in keeping it stable when taking hand off the left handle in order to operate controls... From this point of view, the Redrock is difficult to beat.. But of course the Jag35 Cinehandles - being adjustable - also allow for such arrangement; the main difference only being the length, which translates to the position of my forearms...

Anyway, thanks for that input:)
 
anatusa said:
could u plz give more info on that Stick ! where u got it from? as i understand the length is variable, but do u have to hard lock it after u adjusted the length, or u can move up and down?
Click to expand...

Some years ago I did give a test drive to such a rig, but it's no good at all imho - it breathes with you, and isn't stable at all.

But that's just me :)
 
I person ally dont like long handles because i'm always sneaking my hand around cam while rolling. well not always ;-) but alot. I like my hands close to the barrel of lens and cam controls, including focus, iris and stuff. to me long handles are good with an AC placing the cam on you and walk shooting - but I never do that. it's a rare style some guys employ on large set work in my experience. put that grip handle right beside the barrel please. one in the other side is ok but I'm kinda used to grabbing FF or the rods on smart side. Here's a pic of my new grip
page6-1001-full.jpg
and the bracket that places it "just so"
page6-1002-full.jpg page6-1009-full.jpg page6-1013-full.jpg page6-1010-full.jpg
 
moldcad said:
Some years ago I did give a test drive to such a rig, but it's no good at all imho - it breathes with you, and isn't stable at all.

But that's just me :)
Click to expand...

well i am not going to use just that stick, i have a tilta rig and was going to use the stick together with my rig, so that i could take more weight from my hands, when focusing....
 
Caleb,

You know very well your solution is quite another league, and I still hope to get hold of one some day :)
 
Hey fair enough Piotr! I saw the grip thread and thought it was a good place to debut some new photos. I will have some new adjustable rosette terminated 15mm rod that will extend any grip with a rosette 12" so this can be useful with any front rod camera. They will sell for approx 300 each with 2 rosettes. fully adjustable in 9 or 12 inch versions, and you can swap them out as well. cheers,
 
moldcad said:
I'm finishing up building my FS100 shoulder rig, and so far been using it with a pair of RR handles (as on the pic below). But - since I need 2 functional rigs (another one for my EX1), I'm looking for buying another pair...

The RR handles have their pros and cons. They are short and stiff, give good control over the rig. But they require my arms to be in a relatively high position - given my neck spine and arm weakness after surgeries, this is fatiguing... So I'm considering another approach, namely the had grips from Jag35:
http://www.shoot35.com/products/shoulder support/handgrips/handgripsframe.html

Has anyone used both, and how do they compare ergonomically?


main_large.jpg
Click to expand...

We have new shoulder support packages now up including our longer hand grips.
 
plasticam said:
Hey fair enough Piotr! I saw the grip thread and thought it was a good place to debut some new photos. I will have some new adjustable rosette terminated 15mm rod that will extend any grip with a rosette 12" so this can be useful with any front rod camera. They will sell for approx 300 each with 2 rosettes. fully adjustable in 9 or 12 inch versions, and you can swap them out as well. cheers,
Click to expand...

Rods tend to slip - rosettes are costly and dont slip - surely putting a rosette on the end of a rod is therefore questionable, the rod grip will be the weak link
 
i had redrock before, but found that it does not meter how hard i try to lock it, it still slips from time to time. for me the most useful length is something medium..... too short - means u put too much presure on your shoulders..... and its not for me i am not an athlete, if its too long its just not comfortable for me

also some one already told - rosettes are great!

IMG_2789a.jpg
 
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