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Best way to do handheld?

Daniel Christensen

Daniel Christensen

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I'm looking to purchase a RED camera, and I've come from the DSLR world. I pretty much always went low-profile handheld style, and I wonder how to do that with a RED. The side handle qould make the most sense, but to me, it's ergonomically ugly and adds a lot onto the side, and it just doesn't make much sense to me. I had contemplated doing fixed handles attached to one of the cages, and I had also thought about doing 2 outrigger handles. My issue with either of those is how much will it weigh? I'm planning on doing dual system audio with a dedicated sound guy, so I don't need to worry about mounting mics and things like that. Basically it will just be the camera body, with SSD module and cage and handles, and a lens. I'll be using the battery belt clip and Red Bricks for power. Will that weight be too taxing on me as the Cam Op? Should I go with the Gunner instead? I want to keep as low a profile and high mobility as possible. I really like the flexibilty and creativity you can get with true handheld, but for longer shoots, I don't know if I'll be able to last without a shoulder rig.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks!
 
I think you should go with a shoulder rig. Hand held is a concept of the handycam times (or Bolex) with the Epic you'll have minimum 5-10kg in your "hand".

Here is my rig 9kg with a 190wh battery that last 3 hours. I pull myself focus and use Screw on IRND.



Pat
 
Patrick Tresch said:
I think you should go with a shoulder rig. Hand held is a concept of the handycam times (or Bolex) with the Epic you'll have minimum 5-10kg in your "hand".

Here is my rig 9kg with a 190wh battery that last 3 hours. I pull myself focus and use Screw on IRND.


Pat
Click to expand...

I'm I to assume there is no side handle in that shot? Can the camera be used properly without Side Handle and Redmote?
 
Well the first thing you will discover is that the Step Up to RED includes the weight! So "DSLR" mobility kind of goes out the window. The form-factor may look the same, but the mass is obv different
I can't claim to have tried every (or even most) hand/shoulder-mount configurations, and there are a LOT of possibilities - BUT-
_every_ one I have tried ultimately becomes an endurance contest: How Long Can I Keep this Damn Camera on my Shoulder Before I Collapse?
Sure, keeping as much Kit as possible off it helps. But what happens when you DO want to start adding bits? ouch.

My revelation came in the form of the Atlas Camera Support: a $370 over-the-shoulder harness thingy (http://www.atlascamerasupport.com/) that changed my shooting
durations from 1 painful hour of endurance to ALL DAY pain-free (seriously). I laughed at this wee-rig too till I noted (and read about) the guy featured on the Main Page hoisting a full-monty RED ONE. And you think an Epic is heavy?
There is another outfit selling a more refined O/S rig as well, but about 6x the price. Those users seems to rave equally about this whole approach to hand-held, too.
You can easily drop +$800-2K on HH kit, so this is chump-change for a very flexible system. Watch the video on the site about the RED ONE guy. impressive.

Stu Aull
SX199
Alaska
 
Thanks Stu for posting this. Just put in an order for the Deluxe version. Hoping to see good results
 
Im a smaller guy so the handheld work does get taxing after a while. Hows it help with smoothness and is it easy to maneuver with?
 
For run-n-gun work, which I do quite frequently, you'd be surprised at how well the SH works at gripping the camera. Put a small lens on, and you've got a very compact rig, even with the touch screen. You could rock an EVF instead of the touch, and go even smaller. That's the lightest setup you can get.

In terms of long day stuff, you can always rock a http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/737980-REG/Manfrotto_561BHDV_1_Fluid_Video_Monopod_W_Head.html

It says 8.8lbs support, but I use this ALL THE TIME with 15+lbs and it has worked flawlessly. Saves the back/shoulders too. Get's you some nice movement while maintaining ground contact.
 
the dvtec waist support kit is another option to take some of the weight off. We've been using it since Day 1 with out Scarlet and it helps immensely. It's an air-cushioned telescoping rod that attaches to your belt.

http://www.dvtec.tv/waist-support-kits.html
 
Another vote for the SIDE HANDLE.

You will be surprised how ergonomic it solid it really feels. It also houses the REDVOLT batteries, so you don't need to add weight with various battery mounts and huge and heavy batteries. And as you can control the camera and the menus with the SIDE HANDLE directly, you don't even need to use the TOUCH LCD (having said that the LCD is compact and rather light for what it is), so you can use any other lighter monitoring options. The SIDE HANDLE also adds the familiarity of control you have from your DSLR background and you can program all the buttons and wheels any way you want (for example I have the front wheel right behind the power/rec button set to adjust the aperture on my EF lenses - just as I had it back on DSLR). If you are coming from DSLR background there is no other accessory I would recommend more then the SIDE HANDLE. My SIDE HANDLE has not come off of the camera since the day I have received it more then a year ago...

If you need longer runs then provided by the REDVOLTs - the BATTERY BELT CLIP is a must. I actually use mine in the combination with the SIDE HANDLE. It allows me to swap the BRICKs on the belt clip without having to shut down the camera...

:sifone: Peter
 
Peter Majtan said:
Another vote for the SIDE HANDLE.

You will be surprised how ergonomic it solid it really feels. It also houses the REDVOLT batteries, so you don't need to add weight with various battery mounts and huge and heavy batteries. And as you can control the camera and the menus with the SIDE HANDLE directly, you don't even need to use the TOUCH LCD (having said that the LCD is compact and rather light for what it is), so you can use any other lighter monitoring options. The SIDE HANDLE also adds the familiarity of control you have from your DSLR background and you can program all the buttons and wheels any way you want (for example I have the front wheel right behind the power/rec button set to adjust the aperture on my EF lenses - just as I had it back on DSLR). If you are coming from DSLR background there is no other accessory I would recommend more then the SIDE HANDLE. My SIDE HANDLE has not come off of the camera since the day I have received it more then a year ago...

If you need longer runs then provided by the REDVOLTs - the BATTERY BELT CLIP is a must. I actually use mine in the combination with the SIDE HANDLE. It allows me to swap the BRICKs on the belt clip without having to shut down the camera...

:sifone: Peter
Click to expand...

But if I plan on using a apple gini cage, the side handle will not be able to fit in that picture.... I'm a little confused as to what direction I should take. I want as simple as possible, no matte box at first. Here is a simple example: http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...carlet-X-Rig&p=1174703&viewfull=1#post1174703

or

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...carlet-X-Rig&p=1174756&viewfull=1#post1174756

with a touch pro 5.
 
I have the gini rig cage and I just use 3 of the arms with the side handle. Works fine.
 
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