Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Register Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

All About Balance - Building the Perfect Rig

Bob Gundu

Bob Gundu

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 17, 2011
Messages
10,238
Reaction score
3
Points
38
Location
Toronto, ON Canada
Website
www.10fh.com
Let me start by saying... there is no perfect rig. Every shoot is unique and every shooter has his/her own variable to deal with. I guess I'm average height at 5"-10" and find that the Epic lens sits too high for most shoulder type of shooting. I don't really like to point the camera down when following a character around and prefer to keep the camera close to level. This requires to keep the camera as low as possible on the shoulder. Below I have 3 different setups with different battery types. It's a mish mash of components I've collected over the years.

SETUP 1: ENG Style with REDVOLTS
It's actually a simple setup that uses a super comfy should pad from Letus that's Velcroed to the bottom of the quad battery module. WIth the Atomos recorder balancing off the back makes this rig the most comfortable despite it weighing the most.

side_1500.jpg

bottom_1500.jpg

pad_1500.jpg


Setup 2: ENG Style with Anton Batteries
This is the most versatile as it keeps the rig pretty small and again, the should pad from Movcam is built into the rig.

_DSC3209_HandHeldRig2_1500.jpg

_DSC3218_HandHeldRig2_1500.jpg

_DSC3214_HandHeldRig2_1500.jpg

_DSC3212_HandHeldRig2_1500.jpg

_DSC3210_HandHeldRig2_1500.jpg

_DSC3215_HandHeldRig2_1500.jpg


Setup 3: DSLR style
This is when I am going lightweight and only will be using the small redvolts. The other big midification is to mount the EVF on the back of the camera like an SLR. It makes no sense to me on having the EVF on the side where you have to strain your neck. Like an SLR is positions at the back so it's comfortable in your hands and at eye level.

SmallRig_BOB.jpg

SmallRig2.jpg
 
Terry Delahunt said:
Hi Bob,

Interesting ideas Bob. What do you think of this shoulder solution? If you scroll down the linked page below, you will see a pic of Peter Jackson using the RED shoulder pad with the battery mounted to it as a counter weight at the back. Looks like another good option don't you think?

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?102557-Dragon/page52
Click to expand...


As your lenses get heavier than you have to counter balance it. Pretty much what Peter Jackson has done. My requirements are to keep the rigs compact enough that I can throw them into a bag and go. Thats why I prefer the wooden grips - I can leave them on when packed.
 
Bob Gundu said:
As your lenses get heavier than you have to counter balance it. Pretty much what Peter Jackson has done. My requirements are to keep the rigs compact enough that I can throw them into a bag and go. Thats why I prefer the wooden grips - I can leave them on when packed.
Click to expand...

Good point.
 
And although not as nice as Aaton style wooden grips, there are more popping up. The company Rewo in Germany makes some.

Nice rigs Bob!
 
Didn't want to go full on with the wooden aaton rig huh? :-)

do you like the grips?
 
The grips are great. The wooden ball grip was a nice surprise. The camera can rest in your palm as you manually adjust the lens with your fingers. :thumbsup:

Steve Sherrick said:
Didn't want to go full on with the wooden aaton rig huh? :-)

do you like the grips?
Click to expand...
 
Bob,

How is the Solid Camera EVF support holding up? Any issues? This seems to be the best option on the market and isn't very well known.
 
It's really nice Matt. I've had this for over a year and at that time there wasn't much else. My top rod system also give me more flexibility on positioning. Today, there are a few more options like WC and Zacuto.


Matt Ryan said:
Bob,

How is the Solid Camera EVF support holding up? Any issues? This seems to be the best option on the market and isn't very well known.
Click to expand...
 
Bob Gundu said:
It's really nice Matt. I've had this for over a year and at that time there wasn't much else. My top rod system also give me more flexibility on positioning. Today, there are a few more options like WC and Zacuto.
Click to expand...

I've tried those mounts but they have their downsides and are very basic in function compared to the tension controls on the Solid Camera. Plus I don't like having metal pieces near my eye when looking through a viewfinder haha. Just was curious if the Solid Camera had any flaws or if it makes it through abuse or not.
 
There's no issues with abuse breaking this thing. One problem was that the joints were a bit bulky. I think there is a newer design than mine which slims it down a little which allows the EVF to hug the camera body a bit more.
 
Bob Gundu said:
There's no issues with abuse breaking this thing. One problem was that the joints were a bit bulky. I think there is a newer design than mine which slims it down a little which allows the EVF to hug the camera body a bit more.
Click to expand...

Great to know, thanks Bob!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top