Need help with different rod support and shoulder mounting options

[Mike Halper]

I'm trying to determine what components to get for rod support and shoulder mounting and am a little lost on what will and won't work together. I think there's a huge benefit to the Red QR system, so I'm looking at the following configuration.

Red Quick Release Platform (Dovetail) http://www.red.com/store/rail-components/product/quick-release-platform-dovetail
Red DSMC Universal Mount 15mm x 2 http://www.red.com/store/rail-components/product/dsmc-universal-mount-15mm
DSMC Modular Assault Plate Pack http://www.red.com/store/rail-components/product/epic-mounting-plate-pack-modular-m
Red Dovetail Mounting Plate (Long) http://www.red.com/store/rail-components/product/dovetail-mounting-plate-long-2
Innocinema Action Products Universal Arri Adapter Plate http://www.innocinema.com/product_info.php?products_id=111
Innocinema Action Products Razor Shoulder Pad http://www.innocinema.com/index.php?cPath=42
Allstar Handle Grip system (consisting of T-S T-Handle Bar http://allstar-cine.myweb.hinet.net/html/shoulder_rings/Tbar.htm , Allstar ExHH Extension Handle x 2 http://allstar-cine.myweb.hinet.net/html/shoulder_rings/exhh.htm , Allstar AHH Handle Grip x 2 http://allstar-cine.myweb.hinet.net/html/shoulder_rings/AHH.htm , Allstar H-90 90degree Rosette x 2 http://allstar-cine.myweb.hinet.net/html/shoulder_rings/rosettes_Base.htm )

For tripod or similar use I'm thinking: camera body -> DSMC Modular Assault Plate Pack -> Red Quick Release Platform (Dovetail) with Red DSMC Universal Mount 15mm x 2 -> Red Dovetail Mounting Plate (Long) -> Tripod plate. Follow focus would attach to rods on the DSMC Modular Assault Plate. Matte box (Arri MMB1, O-Box, or Chrosziel 450W-R20) on the 15mm rods on the Red QR platform.

For shoulder mount use I'm thinking: camera body -> DSMC Modular Assault Plate Pack -> Red Quick Release Platform (Dovetail) with Red DSMC Universal Mount 15mm x 2 -> Innocinema/Action Products Razor Shoulder Pad with their Universal Adapter Plate. Follow focus would attach to rods on the DSMC Modular Assault Plate. Matte box on the 15mm rods on the Red QR platform. Handle grip setup also on the 15mm rods on the Red QR platform.

Will that all work as I expect it? There's no room for a VF or Action Products riser plate, so I'm concerned about getting the lens height right for the matte box. Any issues?

 

[Trevor Meeks]

How about the clutch?

 

[Brian Iannone]

How about the clutch?

+1

The Clutch is great. If I were shooting shoulder-mount frequently, I'd go with that. And if you already own some of the components included in the package, you can just buy them each separately. The product page lists all of them.

By the way, does anyone have a manual or diagram of The Clutch. I'll be assembling it out of the individual components since I already have a few, but how does it go together?

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

I just assembled my "Franken-clutch" made from a bit from pretty much every vendor out there. Will post a review of it in the next few days. Everyone has different opinions and needs. I put together the best rig for me.

 

[Mike Halper]

The clutch is too expensive and puts the camera in front of the shoulder pad. I prefer to have the shoulder pad under the camera. That gets the center of gravity more on your shoulder and requires less of a rig. With the clutch you also are stuck with the handle grips being equidistant from the center of lens, which means you need to reach your left hand over more. With handle grips like the Allstar or Element Technica you can adjust where the handle grips are centered, making it more comfortable, especially for shooting shoulder mounted for longer durations.

 

[Brian Iannone]

The clutch is too expensive and puts the camera in front of the shoulder pad. I prefer to have the shoulder pad under the camera. That gets the center of gravity more on your shoulder and requires less of a rig. With the clutch you also are stuck with the handle grips being equidistant from the center of lens, which means you need to reach your left hand over more. With handle grips like the Allstar or Element Technica you can adjust where the handle grips are centered, making it more comfortable, especially for shooting shoulder mounted for longer durations.

So would your advice be to replace the handle grips on The Clutch with ones from Allstar or ET, or to just use an entirely different shoulder-mount rig?

 

[Mike Halper]

I guess substituting the handle grips on the clutch with something like the Allstar or Element Technica is an option, if you like the shoulder pad on the Clutch. I don't like the shoulder pad on the Clutch personally. That design seems to come from all the DV and DSLR options that are out there. I had that type of setup and it works okay for lighter camera rigs, but once you get a heavier camera on those types of shoulder mounts you'll find you want to get the weight on your shoulder instead of your arms. I think a full Scarlet or Epic rig will be 20lbs+ once you get lens, displays, ff, matte box, batteries, etc. on them. That's hard to support with your arms on a longer take for a few minutes, especially multiple times for multiple takes. The Clutch takes a nice approach with that, but you're really just adding extra components to compensate, making it a heavier rig, takes up more space, and costs more money. And if you're renting the camera out (which I might do), I think more DPs, operators, and AC's will be more familiar with and comfortable with the more traditional and more conventional shoulder mount setup.

Again, it's really all personal taste. I'm sure the Clutch is good more many, just not me. I'd like something like what I've listed, and just need to know if it will all work together. All these different Arri, Oconnor 1030, Oconnor 2060 plate, adapters, and bridges gets confusing when you're new to it.

 

[Mark Phelan]

The clutch will work best when the modules finally show up. That will change the balance of things dramatically. Without the modules, things will be front heavy, but with them, everything should work out great. Also, if you're going to build your own clutch a piece at a time, it is cheaper to just buy the clutch itself.

 

[Mike Halper]

I won't be getting any modules, at least not planning to now. Using IDX batteries and the existing outputs are enough for me right now. Even with a Pro I/O module and dual battery module, once you add a larger lens, follow focus, and matte box to the front, you're probably still going to be front heavy with the Clutch. Or you end up with a really really long camera and/or adding counterweights to the back.