Red Gunner vs OConnor Grips/support

[AndreasOberg]

I'm looking at Run and gun setups.

Has anyone compared the Red versions to OConnor?

Here are the grips from OConnor. You of course need more plates etc.
http://www.ocon.com/products/camera-accessories/o-grips.html

The complete Clutch from Red
http://www.red.com/store/products/clutch-shoulder-rig
Vincent shows how he uses it here at 7.30 together with some other brands.
https://vimeo.com/14250282

Also is it possible to mix OConnor with Red products in general, how standardizes are these support systems.

I'm looking at getting a Follow Focus from OConnor and tripod, but maybe the Matte box and Clutch from Red.

Thanks!
/Andreas

 

[AndreasOberg]

I decided to go for the clutch for now, and maybe later use the OConner grips if needed. Then get the OFocus system for focus pulling.

I'm wondering what way is best to operate the camera settings while on the clutch. Would it be to use the touch screen, the side handle or the redmote?
I'm thinking about only getting the 9" screen and not the electronic viewfiender to use since it works perfect for tripod use and should work at least ok for run and gun. Am I doing a mistake here? I don't see many using the screens only on their run and gun setups.

Best!
/Andreas

 

[Brian F Kobylarz]

Couple of considerations:

The O'Connor grips terminate in the ARRI standard rosette.
The rosette used by RED on their gear (such as the Clutch) is different.
The two do not mate to each other unless you use a rosette adapter (RED on one face, ARRI on the other face).
WC is one resource for this adapter.

When it comes to FF, the OFocus system is excellent.
However, if you are planning on using FF on the Clutch in run & gun scenarios, a wireless system is the better choice.
Extra hands on a FF - even on a flexible whip - can easily disrupt a shot. Just as if the camera was on a Steadicam, the focus puller would need to anticipate every single motion the camera op would initiate while it is on their shoulder. Then time their actions to match. Never mind staying out of the way if the camera op steps in any direction.

 

[AndreasOberg]

Thanks for the information Brian,
Good to know about the O'Connor grips.

I understand that wireless should be the better option for run and gun. Is it possible to focus pull at all by yourself while using the clutch? I guess on hand holding the camera up and the other doing focus pulls. My ideas was like this:
- focus pull myself
- use whip with others to focus pull, haven't tried this before so don't know how inconvinient it is
- Get a wireless system later when finances allow. Would this be the meizler module we are talking about coupled with some other focus system?

Do you think it would work with just the 9" screen to start with?

Cheers!
Andreas

Couple of considerations:

The O'Connor grips terminate in the ARRI standard rosette.
The rosette used by RED on their gear (such as the Clutch) is different.
The two do not mate to each other unless you use a rosette adapter (RED on one face, ARRI on the other face).
WC is one resource for this adapter.

When it comes to FF, the OFocus system is excellent.
However, if you are planning on using FF on the Clutch in run & gun scenarios, a wireless system is the better choice.
Extra hands on a FF - even on a flexible whip - can easily disrupt a shot. Just as if the camera was on a Steadicam, the focus puller would need to anticipate every single motion the camera op would initiate while it is on their shoulder. Then time their actions to match. Never mind staying out of the way if the camera op steps in any direction.

 

[Ned Wilson]

I'm a big fan of the OC grip system. I often use it with a House of Power shoulder pad. The reason I like shoulder pads over dovetail pads is it's faster on / off and in mid shot it's easier to slide fore and aft on your shoulder (which I often do). The other thing to consider is what kind of operating are your getting it for? Narrative, Live event, Doc? If your takes are really long (past five minutes) all day long, then clutch relieves the weight nicely. For real long takes like live event then an easy rig is your best bet. The main problem I have with the Clutch is I find it complicated to use (compared to other systems) to quickly go from studio to handheld mode and I find the Red QR system not as easy as standard dovetail/baseplate systems. If I knew I would be handheld all day, then the clutch would be a great option. But so often I'm jumping from sticks and dolly to handheld and back again. The Clutch for a variety of reasons doesn't make this easy. I suggest renting one to see if it works for your style.

For narrative, I need something that goes on and off from sticks to hand held quickly, offers the best direct control and the simplest adjustability. In this arena, O'grips truly rock. On all axises no other grip comes close. And you only need to turn it half a turn to clamp it down tight. They're super easy to adjust on your shoulder with no assistance. You can also use them to stabilize the camera in hard to get places (super low, on a table, back of a couch, etc.) I also use them as carrying handles. The build is typical O'Conner, unquestionably the best designed, engineered and built piece of kit I've used. To take real advantage of O'Grips, get an O'box. I've mounted one section on the top of an O'Box and another off the side cage and held my camera hip height like a machine gun. Took a minute to configure. No one else offer that.

Anyway, I'm rambling and you can tell I'm a fan of O'Grips. I'm surprised they're not everywhere. But I'm not a total OC fanboy as their FF leaves me and my AC's cold. For that, I'm Arri all the way.

I became a believer in O'grips when I used them for an entire season for a Cartoon Network kids action adventure show. However, for my own Epic set up, I use W--d-en Cam-ra grips and H of P shoulder pad. I find their grips lighter and the cross piece is great for mounting a monitor. But if I had to do it again, I'd probably go O'Grips.

For handheld on the Epic, I used the Bomb EVF mounted from a W--d-en Cam-ra EVF holder. Plain simple.