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  • 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 :)

Cinesaddle as a Car Mount

Carlos Prio

Carlos Prio

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Cinesaddle comes thru again!!! Needed an impromptu car shot and the only thing I had was a Cinesaddle!!! BTW- the Thule Quickdraw ratchet ropes are a must have.

pagosa09_img_2194.jpg
 
So it's pretty stable? The main issue with this type of shooting is micro-vibrations that come through the body of the car. Does it absorb those?

I played with a Cinesaddle at Birns and Sawyer a couple weeks ago, but it's just impossible to know how well it might work, or not work, in real-world situations.
 
I found that it does a remarkable job of reducing vibration - The first shot of the video here -

http://vimeo.com/3554927

was done with the camera mounted to the window-doorframe of the car and facing out to the side. Pretty damn stable for a bean bag, I think.
 
It's great and it significantly reduces vibrations!!! Is it as good as a proper mount??? NO!!! But it is an invaluable tool that goes with me everywhere... I use it all the time. I know this is stupid but one of the most valuable uses is as a camera holder. I strap my Red (fully built) in it and throw it in the back of my truck when I am in run & gun mode. I put in my backseat with a seatbelt when I am in off-road guerilla mode. No taking the cam apart or sticking it back in a case. For this alone I would spend the $3 bills.


Tom Lowe said:
So it's pretty stable? The main issue with this type of shooting is micro-vibrations that come through the body of the car. Does it absorb those?

I played with a Cinesaddle at Birns and Sawyer a couple weeks ago, but it's just impossible to know how well it might work, or not work, in real-world situations.
Click to expand...
 
Well I've been planning to get one, so this seals the deal for me.
 
Wow, that's a glitch in the matrix... I just finished having a long conversation with a production partner about using a cinesaddle as a car mount.

Nice video Andrew, very smooth indeed. Here is another video I found earlier today with someone attempting the same thing. His results are pretty encouraging as well...

http://www.vimeo.com/1260938

By the way Scott, I am definitely interested in a used cinesaddle... just sent you an email.

Best,

Omar
 
I have a Cinesaddle, and I find it can be a bit difficult to keep the camera aimed, and for some situations, like on the hood facing back through the windshield, that it would be nice if the camera could be raised up higher from the hood.

All that being said, where it really excels is absorbing vibration, especially the brutal high-frequency vibrations from any type of engine. That's where it has a definite advantage over a hard mount suction-type rig, or if you wanted to use it on the deck of a motorboat.
 
I have to agree. The Cinesaddle is a cool product. I've shot digital betacam with it (under light rain while we're at it), and it worked like a charm (for our budget). It is to be noted that the time it takes to setup and how safe it is is entirely proportional to your boy scout skills and practicing what's written in the (very neat) manual.
 
Peter Strietmann said:
I have had good luck using stabilizing rods with suction cups in conjunction with the cine saddle and of course a bunch of wratchet straps. Here is a link to some from film tools, http://www.filmtools.com/grtiedokit.html.

Best, Peter
Click to expand...

Are those strong enough to hold a Red one? I'm a little cautious about mounting a camera in the wind without strap downs. Losing it would be traumatic.
 
You can use cups (which i do) but with the cam stripped down to nothing. body, lens & a cf card... nothing else!!!! then I have 2 safety straps that prevent it form hitting the ground.

Frank Weeks said:
Are those strong enough to hold a Red one? I'm a little cautious about mounting a camera in the wind without strap downs. Losing it would be traumatic.
Click to expand...
 
I've been using Cine Saddles for many years now. Love 'em...

I've also been using my Cine Saddles with Red One since August 2007, which I've posted pics of on several RED User threads over the years. Mine are the Marsupial Cine Saddle, and the Marsupial Mini-Saddle. The Marsupials have slightly less beads inside, to allow room for a zipped and Velcro pouch in the center of the saddle, which stores your lightweight mounting hardware for mounting on cars, boats, etc.

On cars I've usually used Red One with a Tokina 11-16 (Nikon mount), Nikon 14-24, or Nikon 17-35. To keep the rig light and aerodynamic I use screw-on filters (no MB). I use the rig with a Red Drive in an ET Shock Mount. The combo of the shock mount and the Cine Saddle eliminates dropped frames in all light to moderately heavy shaking. In heavy shaking I have experienced some dropped frames.

I usually use the setup on top of my Nissan Xterra, using motorcycle ties to cross-strap it between the roof racks. I use a Red 10' LCD cable, and a VF Origo 10' cable, both strung down through the sunroof to the passenger seat. I have someone else drive, while I sit in the passenger seat and direct and shoot, viewing exactly what the camera is framing, and simply hitting record with the Origo for each shot I want to take.

I've attached some pics of the rig using a Nikon 17-35. Fun stuff!
 

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A DP buddy of mine has one and we've used/abused it many times.
Works really well.
 
Going to do this on Sunday with a roof mount, I'll post results and photos once it's done. Thanks for all the tips guys!

Cheers from Tokyo,

Paul
 
My ultimate combo rig almost year and half ago with Cinesaddle:

Ultimate_R1_7D_rig_01.jpg

Ultimate_R1_7D_rig_02.jpg

RED1 and 7D is an ultimate rig with Cinesaddle.

Still today number one digital cine camera combo rig!!!
 
A bit off topic, but who did the music for the San Fernando teaser? Really liked it.
 
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