Which shoulder brace?

sporkme

sporkme

Member
Howdy. First time caller, long time listener... :)

So I finally bit the bullet and bought a DVX-100A last week. I've already got a few days out "in the field" with it on a documentary we're working on. The last time I did anything serious was with an old betacam, and before that a big Sony 3-chip on one shoulder and a 3/4" deck hanging off the other (ouch... I was 5' 11" and 150 lbs. at the time). This certainly beats that rig. I now need to stock up on the rest of the stuff.

I desperately need a good bag, which brings me to the subject of a shoulder mount (since I want to be able to put the camera in the bag with the mount attached).

I really can't do handheld with the camera as-is. I need some way of putting the thing on my shoulder. Extra weight is a plus. Weight = Inertia = Stability. So far I've seen the Mighty Wondercam, the Steadicam JR (folds down to a shoulder mount) and a few other oddball devices. The only thing is I've yet to see any good photos of these things in use. I'm not quite seeing how you get the viewfinder in front of your eye, and some of the rigs look like they'd really put some torque on your right-hand to keep the camera level.

Can anyone who's used any of these devices comment on them? Or does anyone know of a site with some good action shots?

Something that is well-designed and will place the camera on my shoulder is worth at least $400 to me.

Thanks!
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

The DVRig Pro is a great solution for shoulder mounting--as long as you can drop the requirement for the rig/camera to fit in a bag (unless it's one mutha of a bag). Otherwise, maybe the Anton Bauer stasis--not as nice as the DVRig Pro, but more compact.

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/dvrig/
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

[quote author=sporkme link=board=Links;num=1101883480;start=0#0 date=11/30/04 at 22:44:40]Howdy.  First time caller, long time listener... :)
[/quote]
LOL :D
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

The DVrig pro is an excellent device, by far the best selling camera support we have ever sold, with the smallest frequency of returns (3 returns out of 120 sold). That means a very solid product with high-quality components. It is also the most frequently rented shoulder rig, and has held up to rental abuse remarkably. It is pretty big though, but it does come with a quick release so you can easily slide the camera off the base and put it in its own bag. You can also buy a custom bag for the DVrig for about $75, or just use a Pelican case with no foam inside. It folds down fairly compact. http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DVT1000. DVXuser price is $587.

I also want to mention the DVcaddie, although not a shoulder rig, it is very compact, and the only device that will fit in my small backpack when I travel abroad for documentaries. Here it is: http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DVCADDIE. Dvxuser price is $200 even.

Last but not least, there is the VZLSP from Varizoom. It is more like the mightywondercam, in that it is a traditional shoulder support, but it has the advantage of locking positions on all the axes, so the settings of height and extension won't drift with use, and can be marked for repetitive use. It has a removable ab-pad. The VZLSP will collapse almost flat, and fits easily in a bag. It also solves the problem of using the Viewfinder by allowing you to adjust the height of the camera and the distance from your eye. Very cool product. http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VZLSP

You can also buy a quick release for it or the DVcaddie:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=577

Good luck... Write me if you have an q's: rush@evsonline.com
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

[quote author=Barry_S link=board=Links;num=1101883480;start=0#1 date=11/30/04 at 23:04:33]The DVRig Pro is a great solution for shoulder mounting--as long as you can drop the requirement for the rig/camera to fit in a bag (unless it's one mutha of a bag).  Otherwise, maybe the Anton Bauer stasis--not as nice as the DVRig Pro, but more compact.[/quote]

Wow. That's something. I wish there was a store around here where I could actually TRY these things out. There's B&H, but that place is always so much of a zoo that you can't really accomplish much.

The DVRig looks interesting. One concern on looking at that thing is whether it's going to intimidate my subjects. Looks kind of evil. Anyone here own one? The two-handle thing looks a bit sketchy too; the "old fashioned" cameras that sat on your shoulder utilized limbs more effectively. One hand holding things plus having access to start/stop/zoom and the other hand free to wrangle iris and focus...
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

I've never had any problem at all with interview subjects being intimidated by the DvRig Pro. People do tend to assume that you're with a network though--and security people consider you as working press (ie ask for press credentials)--at least here in DC. As for the two control handles, you can remove one if you prefer, although I like them both. The camera and rig balance so well that you can take *both* hands off the rig. There's very little torque required because of the fine balance, so using one hand for positioning and another for focus or aperture works fine. I do recommend getting a zoom controller/record-pause controller to attach to one of the handles for improved ergonomics.

Here's a little mini-doc I shot entirely with the DVRig Pro if you want see an example of my first time use of the rig.

http://lostpilgrim.com/Films/Love of Country 4.mov
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

Great looking stable shoots Barry !

To me, The Last scene was from another movie... Much more
related to my reality.

Danny Natovich.
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

Thanks Danny. The last scene *is* different, but the debate was sparked off by asking the same question and was my favorite footage of the day. I think it went on for at least 10 minutes by itself, but I had to include part of it because I thought it really made a point. Yep--your part of the world, but a lot of spillover. ;)
 
DVRig at DVExpo West

DVRig at DVExpo West

VariZoom is the distributor for the Dv Rig pro as well as the VZ-LSP. Both units will be available at the show for hands on demonstrations.

Both units are the biggest selling supports in their class and we encourage everyone interested to stop by try them out.

EVS will also be attending this show and those interested can purchase at the show.

Tom
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

Getting back to the DVRig for a minute... how is it for handheld tracking shots? I'm going to be shooting a museum founder giving a tour, and we'll walk from exhibit to exhibit. How does it compare to a Steadicam/Glidecam for that?
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

The DvRigPro is not a stabilazer, It can not "Float" your camera.

It can certainly smoothen your walking shoots and be perfectly stable on stationary shoots.

Your moseum tour can take few hours, This is impossible with hand held stabilizers.

Since your job is chasing the group with stops for the founders speeches, The DvRigPro will give the best combination, And you can leave your tripod in the car.

Danny Natovich.
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

I wish I would have gotten the DV Rig Pro. I have the Videosmith one that stabilizes on yout tummy. It's nice and the folks over there, (I visited them in Philly) are really awesome people. But, the DV Rig Pro looks like the ticket!
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

[quote author=powerdog link=board=Links;num=1101883480;start=0#12 date=12/05/04 at 10:08:23]What are the dimensions of the case for the DV Rig?[/quote]

Also what are the dimensions of the rig in it's smallest assembled position? Whatever I end up with, I want something that is a "permanent fixture" for the camera; meaning it all goes in one case. The weight certainly isn't too bad, but I'm a little concerned about the bulk.

I'd also like to hear any feedback on other non-steadicam-type shoulder braces - specifically, are any of those capable of putting the viewfinder in front of your eye?
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

I've posted this before, but this is the shoulder rig I use:
shoulder1.jpg

It's made by Birns & Sawyer.
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

Hi there,

I bought DV Rig with my DVX and can't say anything bad about it. I film a lot of weddings and other events and hardly ever used tripod ever since. As it was already mentioned it's not Steadycam but it's damn good. Defenatly beats shoulder cams for walking shots and when you stand shoulder cams are not even close in terms of comfort.
I usualy shoot 4-5 hours without taking it off. The only improvment i made was a funnypack that i stiched to the belt for storage of tapes and battaries.

Another benefit is that my DVX with DV Rig looks much more professional and my clients love that.
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

The DvRigPro bag is:

45 x 35 x 19 Cm

Danny Natovich
DvTec
 
Re: Which shoulder brace?

For us Americans, it's roughly 17.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches. So why do people say the shipping box is quite large? Is it shipped in a funny configuration?
 
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