Red Clutch setup

[Jared Knecht]

Hey - I just received my Clutch and am pleased with it for the most part with the exception of balance. Contrary to what I read online the Clutch is VERY front heavy and the chest pad digs into my chest to compensate for the weight. Making it very painful at times. I am wondering if anyone who has used the clutch has found a solution to this? Am I setting something up wrong? Thank you for your help! It has been very frustrating.

-Jared K

 

[Mark Phelan]

First question is how do you have your camera set up with the clutch, i.e. what kind of batteries are you using, lens, viewfinder, etc. If you camera is front-heavy before attaching to the clutch, it's going to be that was mounted on it. Can't get away from physics.

However, I find the clutch works fine with the Quad Module attached to the back end of the camera, then it's very balanced.

 

[Jared Knecht]

Thanks Mark for your help! Currently I am using GMP VMount batteries attached right to the back of the camera with a wooden battery back. Lens- Canon 24-70 No viewfinder, but Red 9" arm with 5" touch screen. The camera is very striped down.

My biggest issue is how the rig compensates the balance. The front chest pad digs into my chest making it painful to wear for extended periods of time. Is there a certain configuration I am not doing properly? Maybe the placement of the pads? Again I really appreciate your help!

-Jared K

 

[Mark Phelan]

If you could take a photo and post it, that might be helpful. But from reading what you said, here are a couple of thoughts. First, the 9" arm attached to the 5" screen is going to act like a lever or fulcrum, exacerbating the issue. Where do you have the arm mounted to? Top of camera? Bottom? Clutch somewhere?

Next thing you might do is to adjust the camera as far back on the clutch as possible. Since you're using a V mount, that's going to hit the clutch preventing it from going further back. That could be another issue.

Also, how do you have your front chest pad fixed and where does it rest? These things are very adjustable and some folks like it higher, some like it on their stomach. I didn't like the way the pad rotated on the shaft of the carbon fiber rod, so I swapped out the hardware for a right-angle bit and now it's locked in. That made my pad sit very close to the bottom of the clutch, unlike what most folks do.

Another example is I find myself using just the camera without the clutch or the quad module and in that configuration, it is VERY front heavy.

All of this is so customizable that everybody has some sort of different configuration, so take all of this as mere suggestions. I've seen some crazy setups that folks swear by, but I'd never in a million years use for my own.

 

[Justin Dabney]

We just received our clutch as well and put our battery on the back part over our shoulder as well as a small HD monitor for a spotter/Dr. Adds a little to the rear to help balance out.