Xfactor DSLR Rig & Lens Debate

M

Michael Williams

New member
Hey everyone two questions:

1)

I have been looking at DSLR shoulder rigs for the past few months, researching and so on.
I've come across a rig that looks fairly suited to build off of (add monitor, FF, the usual), but I can't find much - if any - rep on the website or builder.
Compared to most, the construction looks heavy duty and efficient. (I'd rather deal with clumsily manufactured, compared to flimsy and prone to breaking).
It's called the Xfactor1 and I'll provide a link:

http://xfactor1blog.wordpress.com/products-2/xf-1/

SERIOUSLY, has anyone purchased one of these and if so, what do you think?
At this point, any help would be appreciated with this; I am on a tight budget, so please don't suggest I just go blow 4K on a full RedRock setup. Not happening!

2)

I've also had a serious lens debate over which WA lens I'd use for my DSLR filmmaking.
i've been stuck between two Tokinas: 11-16 vs 12-24.
The 11-16 has a 2.8 f-stop, the 12-24 has a 4.0 f-stop.
The price differential is about $250 or so and I'm wondering if those extra few stops are going to make that significant of a difference when put into effect in the field.

Thanks everyone!
 
I never heard of it, but I have owned gini rigs and edelkrone, Edelkrone in my opinion is the best you can buy. And it's not as much as zacuto gear, which also make nice gear, but pricey.
 
I just purchased one of these Xfactor Rigs. I will try it out on an upcoming shoot I am DP'ing and let everyone know what I think of the build quality (at least in comparison to RedRock Micro).
 
if their products are anywhere near as janky as their website - i wouldnt touch it with a 10' pole!

considering that even a cheapo china shoulder rig is about 2x what theyre asking. id gamble this is a too good to be true situation...
 
Below I have provided pictures of my newly updated rig!

Here are the links to the random pieces of gear used:

Rig Core Body: http://www.xfactor1.com/xf1s.html

Top Handle: (not including C-arms, 2x Carbon Fiber 6" also RR): http://www.amazon.com/Redrock-MICRO-2-016-0002-microHandle-Handle/dp/B0049L14HE

Follow Focus: http://www.amazon.com/EzFoto-Follow...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1339713478&sr=1-11

18" FF Whip: http://www.ebay.com/itm/39040825600...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_2344wt_1022

Lilliput Monitor: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041I8UAO/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01

Monitor Articulating Arm: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006L1V9S4/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00


So far, I have no complains about the rig as a whole. The cheap Chinese FF whip could fit better with the alleged "universal" mount with the FotoFF. All tightening gears could work better on the rig, as well as the follow focus, and so on. I found a nice fix - VICEGRIPS.
But for having spent slightly lower than 550 for the full setup with a weighted and VERY customizable rig, I'd suggest building off the XFactor rig. I was extremely skeptical when buying it, but I'm pretty sure everything seems kinda' "shady" since the "company" is ONE GUY who orders from a factory, assembles them in his garage, and ships them. Either way, for the price they're on par with RR.
(I didn't factor the RR into the price since I didn't pay for them; they were "payment" from a film I got hired to work on)

But I thought I'd share my knowledge and experience!

DSC_1178.jpgDSC_1179.jpgDSC_1180.jpgDSC_1181.jpgDSC_1182.jpgDSC_1183.jpg
 
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