Zacuto Recoil. Any thoughts/experiences?

[ejdge]

Anyone have any experience using these? I really like the idea of balancing the camera on your shoulder but not sure how well the ergonomics of the camera would work without have access to the controls of the back of the camera.

I'm planning on putting a 5d Mark 3 on it and I know you can use the Okii controller but I'm not sure if that would be quick enough for live events to change the ISO, aperture, etc.

I really like how the new tornado/z drive will act as a handle/follow focus.

I'm currently using a Zacuto Scorpion rig but am looking into purchasing a C100/C300 down the line which is why I'm interested in the Recoil.

 

[Michael Carter]

I shoulder mount DSLRs regularly with few problems.

My rig has a shoulder pad and a dual front handle. With a canon or Nikon body on it, I use my left hand on the left rig handle, and cradle my right under the rail block. I can manipulate the aperture and pull focus with my fingertips. Sometimes I leave a focus gear and FF attached - the ring's easy to "find" without looking, and the FF can add a little damping to an AF lens. I can do this for hours with no issues, and it's good for "live performance" music videos, etc.

Of course, you need aperture ring glass to do this, but I use older Nikon primes and zooms, with an adapter when it's Canon.

I've rarely had to change ISO after initial setup, and rely on aperture if things change. Most of my shoulder mount work is more event-oriented or BTS work, but I tend to set things around F4 and that gives me leeway to stop up or down. Most situations, the light is even enough I can decide to just shoot the whole thing at 2.8 and only stop down if there's a light source like a large window, etc.