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Best Shoulder Rig?

Ryan Williams

Ryan Williams

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Just like to get some opinions from those who have done a decent amount of shooting with shoulder rigs...which one has been the best? Why would you recommend it? What features do you personally look for when buying a shoulder rig?
 
I've been enjoying the wooden camera shoulder rig. It's compact enough for run and gun, but is also fine with a bunch of weight on it with a larger build.
 
There are so many rigs now that are shaped like the ET Mantis (which I have). I've used several and all were good. I especially like the wooden camera one because it has thread taps all over it.
 
Travis Edwards said:
I've been enjoying the wooden camera shoulder rig. It's compact enough for run and gun, but is also fine with a bunch of weight on it with a larger build.
Click to expand...

Travis,

How is the shoulder pad? It looks wonky-as, and like a hard piece of rubber? Is it actually comfortable? Maybe its a lot softer than it looks...
 
Hal Long said:
There are so many rigs now that are shaped like the ET Mantis (which I have). I've used several and all were good. I especially like the wooden camera one because it has thread taps all over it.
Click to expand...

Hal,

Thanks for chiming in. What do you like best about your ET Mantis? Conversely, what's the worst thing about it?
 
I have tried so many and yet to find a pad that is slanted enough to accommodate the angle of my shoulder. I find myself having to push up the camera to keep it level. Would love to hear if anyone has a good solution for that.
 
Raymond,

Do you mean the angle on the front or the back? Most I see are not actually flat but look more like the underside of a bridge when viewed from the side.
 
You should buy a shoulder rig that gives the opportunity to have your eye at the level of the lens mount.
That the camera is as low on your shoulder as possible. This to achieve best camera balance on your shoulder.




Zacuto recoil. (Arri copied them and made a version of it)
Black magic Evf modded with the WC kit. (Best EVF I've seen so far with great peaking)
Rtmotion sidekick with thumwheel for lens control.

 
Ryan Williams said:
Travis,

How is the shoulder pad? It looks wonky-as, and like a hard piece of rubber? Is it actually comfortable? Maybe its a lot softer than it looks...
Click to expand...

My back usually gives out long before my shoulder does...

But I don't have any issues with the shoulder pad. It's a soft piece of rubber that's velcroed on. I've shot entire days on it with a full rig with no shoulder complaints.
 
Is there some sort of video extension cable that can connect to the 4.7" monitor to the body? I hate EVFs and would prefer to mount my Red monitor to the side via an israeli arm.
 
Travis Edwards said:
My back usually gives out long before my shoulder does...

But I don't have any issues with the shoulder pad. It's a soft piece of rubber that's velcroed on. I've shot entire days on it with a full rig with no shoulder complaints.
Click to expand...

Thanks for getting back to me. Good info to know!
 
Hey Ryan, the mantis just works. I don't know that it's any better or worse than any of the newer rigs, but I think it was the one many are modeled after. I like how the pad has its own locking swivel to slide and rotate 'til I'm happy and comfy. The dovetail is good and the rosettes are standard. I wish it was cheesed up and tapped like the WC model, but I've yet to really need to mount anything directly on it, so maybe I just have cheese envy. :)
 
Ryan Williams said:
Raymond,

Do you mean the angle on the front or the back? Most I see are not actually flat but look more like the underside of a bridge when viewed from the side.
Click to expand...

Meaning your shoulder is higher near you neck and lower near your arm Ryan. Some of the back pain that operators experience is because sometimes they have to tilt their back to the side a bit (the opposite side of the camera) to get the camera level horizontally. Something that happens unconsciously and can be very harmful long term for the back
 
Raymond Zananiri said:
Meaning your shoulder is higher near you neck and lower near your arm Ryan. Some of the back pain that operators experience is because sometimes they have to tilt their back to the side a bit (the opposite side of the camera) to get the camera level horizontally. Something that happens unconsciously and can be very harmful long term for the back
Click to expand...

I made my shoulder pad moulded on my shoulder to get the horizont naturally level.


 
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