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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 :)

HANDHELD ($86 and a better life)

A

Alex Boothby

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A couple of months ago I could be found lurking on Reduser bemoaning the lack of Red Handle Extensions. Like many of you I had invested in the Red 19mm Base Production Pack, with it's less than stellar handheld solution. Also, because I am a cheap prick, I was reluctant to spend another $1500 - $2000 on a third party handheld kit.

I found a simple solution in a $5.00 1/4"-20 to 3/8" Adapter Spigot which allowed me to attach a standard $35.00 pistol grip to the end of each Red Handle. Also the pistol grips have female 3/8" on the other side so you can stack handles for comfort or low shooting. This is all surprisingly sturdy. Currently my left and right adapters are mismatched, but you get the idea. This is similar to what I have:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546500-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_119_119_Short_16mm_Adapter.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/529346-REG/Pearstone_GRIP_Universal_Microphone_Hand_Grip.html

I can report that this makes for much more comfortable shoulder mount shooting, as well as vastly improving cradle and low mode shooting. I particularly like this setup as I can leave the handles attached on the tripod and instantly go handheld without having to reconfigure. I am surprised to say that I now REALLY like the Red Handles (with handle extensions) and will not be looking for a third party solution. My kit will be complete when this arrives:

http://www.filmtools.com/camera-comfort-cushion-com.html
 
At this point the astute among you will notice that I still have $6.00 left in my 'life improvement' budget. Also you may be wondering what the hell those funky cables are in the above pics. Ladies and gents, allow me to introduce my new best friends... BUNGEE CORDS. That's right, for a minor investment of $6.00, my new stylish Canadian Tire bungee kit has helped me become the coolest person I know. Strapped around the neck or slung over the shoulder, bungee cords can be hooked directly to the top rods and they make low-mode and cradle shooting a breeze.

But the insanity does not end there. I was also looking for a way to help support the camera on my shoulder so that I could pull focus or light a smoke without fear of the camera toppling over and scuffing my nice new shoes. Before I go any further I must now request that epileptics and people with heart conditions cease reading as the following information is so freakin' awesome that it will surely revolutionize set-wear fashion as we know it.

And so without further ado I will now unveil.. my own invention from 45 minutes ago.... the bungee hat!!! Yes... staggering. Not only is this badboy stylish and warm to the touch, but it also allows me to strap a Red to my head. Now clearly not all of you possess the skill and patience necessary to lace a bungee cord through a longshoremen's tuque, and so I will of course generously offer to sell these ingenious devices for the reasonable price of $599.00. Watch for future products; the bungee baseball cap, the retro McEnroe bungee sweatband, the elegant bungee bowler and the go-big-or-go-home bungee 10-gallon hat, which is great for dutch angles (and only dutch angles).

Admittedly some may worry that bugee apparel may appear amateurish on a professional film set, but in my case my attire and general look of befuddlement take care of that long before I whip the asskicking bungees out. Unfortunately I must suggest that you avoid using tighter bungees, as the resulting head swelling may not be due solely to your impeccable camera operating. Just sayin'...
 
wow...nice way guys
 
Boothba said:
I was also looking for a way to help support the camera on my shoulder so that I could pull focus or light a smoke -

- it will surely revolutionize set-wear fashion as we know it.
Click to expand...

You smoke around your camera, any camera? I know this happens in Europe and at times in NYC....

Set Wear makes really great apparel btw.
 
Great idea! That's a really nice solution for extending the grips and integrating the Red Handles.

And check out the 3-position Monstercine QuickKeys with inserts. They make the Red Handles quick releasable without tools, give a lot of tightening leverage and come in raw stainless or blackened. www.monstercine.com

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?p=283740

 
Hey Boothba, would you please tell me the exact length of the Pearstone Universal Microphone Hand Grip you bought from B&H?

Thanks,

--Joe
 
I have a nice aluminum handle that we use on our underwater housings - similar to this but with with a ball on the end for attaching ultralight style arms - that might be very useful for this application. I'll try to post a photo tomorrow.
 
J Clark said:
And check out the 3-position Monstercine QuickKeys with inserts. They make the Red Handles quick releasable without tools, give a lot of tightening leverage and come in raw stainless or blackened. www.monstercine.com

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?p=283740

Click to expand...

Yes sir. I saw your notice and ordered a few last week and expect them in the mail any day now. Gretchen was wonderful to deal with.

Now then Jim... I have a big idea for you. My Red thumb screws are either stripping or breaking at a rapid pace. I bought a replacement set from Red but they seem to be much weaker and faulty. I snapped (SNAPPED!!!) two in under twenty minutes. I'm afraid that my good luck with the Red handles has ended. Do you have any plans to offer a Monstercine solution for Red's tiny thumb screws?

It is criminal that Red chose to use their thin thumb screws for such a critical application as attaching the grips to the rods. I'm fine with them elsewhere, but there is just too much pressure on the handles which are being adjusted constantly. I know that many people are looking for something stronger, friendlier and more reliable. Any ideas? (How about TITANIUM!)

Here's hoping :)
Alex
 
Bluelander said:
Hey Boothba, would you please tell me the exact length of the Pearstone Universal Microphone Hand Grip you bought from B&H?

Thanks,

--Joe
Click to expand...

Hi Joe. My kit is away this weekend but I have a similar hand grip here. I'm measuring 5 1/4" total length (4 3/4" for the grip & 1/2" for the 3/8" thread. BTW I didn't actually order through B&H. I got it from a Toronto audio house named TrewAudio. Hope that helps.
 
Thanks much!

--Joe
 
We've considered making a replacement for the red screws, but small parts are a real challenge in the machining process. Casting is very expensive and parts tend to break easier as you've experienced. We're looking into it though.

FYI, we make the QuickKeys out of stainless steel to prevent corrosion and the blackening process is a bit fragile - it's just the limitation of the process, so please don't be alarmed if the sliding handles scratch. It's the compromise we had to make because aluminum just isn't strong enough to handle the torque and we don't want them to snap like the red screws. There were multiple requests for black parts, but we may discontinue the blackening in the future and stainless does not anodize...
 
Like the handle mod you did, but I wouldn't trust those bungee cords you are using, the knot has a tendacy to slip through the coiled hook. Happened to me many times trying to secure anything with some weight. Switched to the black rubber ones.
 
Great ideas Boothba!

The wire hooks on the bungy can tend to be dangerous when the bungy is stretched, or annoying when they unhook when you put the camera down.

I would suggest getting some carabiners and use pliers to wind those wire hooks around the carabiner. The carabiner can then clip onto rods or top handle extension.

It may blow out the budget though, so take it or leave it I guess... :)
 
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