YWAIN Rig V2: Handheldness

Kholi

Section Moderator
(Cross posted since some don't visit the GH-1 area)

Here's V2 of my "rig". It's a bastardized something, created from Redrock and Zacuto parts. You could probably replicate this all RR or all Zacuto which is great for purest.

Ywain_top.jpg


Stats:

18 inches from rail end to end
Weighing in somewhere around 14 to 16lbs
Balanced to the shoulder, no see-saw effect
can be extended slightly for Mattebox Application

Ywain_Back.jpg


Tail end shows the Zacuto Shoulder Pad beneath the Zacuto Lunchbox which is flipped upside down. The Zacuto Z-Riser is also playing a major role in allowing two sets of rods to be employed AND both the Shoulder Pad and Lunchbox in the same space.

This is awesome. And by awesome I mean totally sweet.

Ywain_Front.jpg


At the front you can see the Zacuto Arms, Redrock Handles, Redrock DSLR V2 Bracket (totally awesome quick release system, genius), Zacuto FF, Redrock Whip and ye ole 5D Mark II.

Because the handles drop so low there's a reduction in fatigue. I don't have to reach way up to do anything on the camera aside from hit record, and if I have my way I'll have a trigger mounted to the right handle soon enough.

Also, the Follow Focus whip hangs down near the left handle, reducing the travel distance between the handle and whip knob for focus pulling.

The Redrock handles serve a great purpose as well. Being so tall, I have a tendency to cradle the camera. The Redrock Handles allow me to grip the unit at the left and right side while the Zacuto pad drops onto my forearm. This way I can shoot at chest height comfortably and steady. Reaching forward to pull focus is of no consequence, works quite well.

Sweet.

Ywain.jpg


And the top of the system. Gone are the days of super long rigs. This puppy is acceptably compact for my purposes and because of the weight, a necessary evil, I'm quite comfy operating manually, without IS lenses or stabilizers, up to 300mm.

As a handheld freak this is great, since most of the time I'd be on 180mm max during a standard shoot. It's a breeze. No more of those pesky tiny shakes that look like I'm spazzing behing camera beyond 50mm.

This is just V2, though. There are quite a number of updates I'm getting together, including the monitoring solution.

Parts list:

1) Redrock FF Whip
2) Redrock Handles
3) Zacuto Rods (Screw Type) up to 18"
4) Zacuto Rods (short set for Weight)
5) Zacuto Z-Riser
6) Zacuto Arms (forgot the name for the long ones)
7) Zacuto Lunchbox (this thing smells really funny. Seriously)
8) Zacuto Follow Focus
9) Redrock DSLR 2.0 Camera Mount (Quick release, stealthy, small, bad ass)

If ya have any questions feel free to post! Forgive the images, taken with my iPhone.
 
(( Clip removed ))

180/2.8 Contax Zeiss with the V1 version. V2 is much more stable thanks to the pad and the compact design.

Only thing holding me back now is the lack of a proper monitor. But I got that comin'.

Great handheld by the way. Looks like we're all starting to figure this out./
 
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(the first video) I like the focus pull near the end between the close girl and the middle girl - do you have an assistant

S
 
Nah, pulling by hand with my head craned to the side to see the LCD. No follow focus, those things generally get in the way but with the new rig it actually works out for the best on shoulder mount.

Gotta get a freakin monitor.
 
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