Yet another shoulder rig - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

i got my indirails pro xv for $190 shipped on ebay.

Not cheap, but not to bad, already used it some to shoot some auditions the other day and worked great. Put a tripod quick release on the bottom soi could easily put it on and off of my tripod without ever removing the camera from the rig.

(i use the tiffen provista with fm18 fluid head)
 
I'm still a rookie myself, but imo The Cameleon by SHAPE WLB is very solid. I searched high and low to find a sturdy shoulder rig for my Canon 7D and HMC150. I settled with the Cameleon. Got the counter weight and the arm option. It holds it self up when using the arm option. Again, I searched around and concluded with this because it just seemed to make sense.

This model also has a joint that allows better viewing when using a DSLR. Check the site for what I mean. I'm probably not explaining myself clearly. Good luck with whatever you decide on.

http://www.shapewlb.com/en/products/cameleon2.php
 
I gave up on the hunt after a few days and made one myself. But I know that's not an option for everyone, and I also don't fully understand why something so simple is so hard to find.
 
Chris Santucci said:
I hate them all.
Click to expand...

Me too. All they do is offer modified video camera supports, but handling a DSLR is different to handling a video camera from scratch, so why don't they redesign it from scratch? I understand many people still feel the need for making DIY supports.
 
I'm 6'7'' and really can't even use a shoulder mount unless I'm sitting on something. I find my self just holding the camera most of the time for hand held.
 
So why use a shoulder mount with a DSLR? I have a varizoom and hardly ever use it too...

They are so lightweight you can really do anything with them. I am interested in your guys thoughts on an affordable shoulder mount system that has the features you guys are looking for if one were designed from scratch.... ?
 
I just pissed myself laughing not sure why but this pic just looks wrong:

Picture2-5.png


sorry ill grow up now....
 
Two thoughts, is there "reporter"/talent 14 years old and that jib thing must be the most unstable thing I have ever seen. Oh, and nice website.
 
i would not go so fast bashing products just upon looks without trying first, *THAT* is the childish attitude...
after buying various products with disappointment, i've been an early adopter of this SDBrace to help support a few massive vintage lenses from USSR.
i was going to order parts from the gini rig to make my own design but this came in and i stopped looking...

i've been so happy with it, i allowed them to use a picture of me somewhere at their website aiming a tair-300mm something i could never achieve with comfort before.
i am a paying customer and not endorsed so here's my enduser opinion your mileage may vary blablabla take it with a grain of salt :
it is indeed a solid versatile product and i've tested far worse for such price.
it least it won't collapse like some diy rigs eventually do when put to heavy field use and has a pro looking finish that won't make customers question the tools being used.
the center handle is ideal to allow support from down under the lens mount while operating focus and dslr with the free hand.
it is front heavy obviously but one can screw additional gear like a zoomH4n and other gizmos on the shoulder pad to better balance weigth.
i find it a good platform to start a custom rig : i love it with a quickrelease & the shoot35 rails + cinefocus.
you can add a loupe and slide towards your eye in seconds or use the lcd as it has a little offset (not adjustable) unlike the straight rails supports.

just my 2 cents... might be youngsters but the output is bright
 
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MadHMC150 said:
So why use a shoulder mount with a DSLR? I have a varizoom and hardly ever use it too...

They are so lightweight you can really do anything with them. I am interested in your guys thoughts on an affordable shoulder mount system that has the features you guys are looking for if one were designed from scratch.... ?
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No photographer would shift his stills camera to the side. I consider having the DSLR centered in front of you as an advantage, but it's taken away by most "DSLR" shoulder supports as they shift the camera and overall balance sideways. Why? That's not where I want it to be, it's not a video camera.

Of course it's a matter of personal taste here as well, I'm just surprised that none of the industry leaders even thought about designing a completely center balanced support, including center balanced counter weight.

I tried some of the existing supports but always found myself feeling uncomfortable with handling the whole thing as they all felt like video camera supports, not DSLR supports. They're still built from scratch as if a DSLR was a video camera.

For the prices of some of them, one could expect more innovation.
 
MadHMC150 said:
So why use a shoulder mount with a DSLR? I have a varizoom and hardly ever use it too...

They are so lightweight you can really do anything with them. I am interested in your guys thoughts on an affordable shoulder mount system that has the features you guys are looking for if one were designed from scratch.... ?
Click to expand...

I do a lot of documentary type of work (out on city streets), and having my DSLR and accessories not supported on my shoulder is a PAIN.

Not only does it help alleviate muscle stress from holding up my camera, but it adds stability to the dslr as well. I have a offset kit on my redrock shoulder mount, so it is centered. It's not cheap, granted, but I find its worth the price.
 
That's not what I mean with 'centered'. Offset kits and all those creations are like fighting the symptoms, not the desease.
Otherwise, if it works for you it's all good.

EDIT:
just to make clear about what my point is:
I am absolutely sure that if you'd give a class of product design students a semester task of creating a DSLR support system, some would come up with superior solutions than what the market is offering us right now. They'd be able to truly do it from scratch, not having old (video) support sytems in the back of their minds.
 
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what do you mean by centered then ?

I have designed my rig from scratch and only got flack for choosing thinner rails

I chose rails suitable to the forces involved in a light camera

I only chose rails at all because I realised how good they were once you consider different lenght of lens etc - all my early was with L section or flat

Of course anyone can draw a super sculpted thing that would have a $500k set up cost to build and be out of date before it came to market becuase it would nt fit this weeks DLSR

DSLRs are terriibly unergonomic - mainly due to the screen location

A sony handy cam with a s35 chip and interchanable lenses is what is needed

Product design student are probably as useful as the person who approached me for work fresh out of their photo degree today - not useful

S
 
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