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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 :)

Shoulder Rig Idea

Will Keir said:
Whatever happened to this module?

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+1

I would love to see this hit the store...
 
Hmmm. It looks great but the question is how functional is it. I think it might be too front heavy to hold for too long (even with extended handles). Then again, we all have different purposes and setup and this module might simply be part of something else people own.
 
its is certainly not functional at all, very front heavy, and imagine this using with the Meizler as well, irt ould have to go at the very far back so, no way that can work unless of course you are Superman hehe. But it does look good, however working with this is another story.
 
Ryan De Franco said:
This is why I like the AllStar rig...

Slide the battery up, release and remove the shoulderpad, camera is ready for tripod in 7 seconds.
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I'm assuming that's the Arri-H rig but what do you have the battery mounted on? Can you simply run me through everything you have in that picture so I can build something similar?

Anything you don't like about the Allstar rig?

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger and am stuck between the Allstar Arri-H or the Shape 7000 (with someone else's handles due to price). Both have aspects I like & both seem to position the camera about where I prefer it.
 
I've put together a Red Epic rig for a documentary as an exercise in the Comprehensive Rigging Guide: Laying Out the Rig Part 3. Parts 4, 5 and 6 will be uploaded tomorrow and the day after.

I would be really grateful for your comments, suggestions and criticism on the methodology and practicality of my approach.

One point I have stressed in the guide is the importance of having the shoulder pad directly underneath the Epic brain for good balance, yet I find many rigs designed to be front-heavy.
 
One point I have stressed in the guide is the importance of having the shoulder pad directly underneath the Epic brain for good balance, yet I find many rigs designed to be front-heavy.
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I agree,there is no other solution or you want a longer"stinger missile"!
 
Trust me, I am a working DP, I know what we need.
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No front heavy, don`t need to add ballast or big battery in the rear, don`t need to increase the length like a bazooka.
With quick release lock, you can easy to swap camera between tripod and shoulder, low center of gravity, wide and soft shoulder pad.
These are what this system offers.
 
Missing from all the options out there is a way to relocate the sidehandle and make it part of the camera grip so you're holding something that let's you have some camera control/ENG style. There was someone who was busy with a cable and adapter but have not heard anything further...

I found the original thread (http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...shed-existed-remote-mount-for-the-side-handle) as well as a link to the adapter cable, which I presume is currently undergoing RED approval? - - - - http://www.gridaccessories.com/grid-side-handle-extension/

Better still would be to have something simpler than the side handle with a large rocker for zoom (assuming Canon/Nikon) and a large button for start/stop recording... that attaches to the same place as the side handle via an extension cable.
 
Hello

I'm trying to revive this thread as we have similar issues like mentioned in the first post.

We are in the process of pre production of a feature film and evaluating camera options. We are looking for a way to transform the Scarlet / Epic into a rugged, balanced, ergonomic shoulder camera. While on the technical and image quality side both RED and Arri have their advantages and disadvantages, on the ergonomic side Arri is the clear winner. Or has anyone in the meanwhile found or even self-manufactured an accessory as mentioned in the first post ? Ideally just a spacer module with an integrated shoulder pad.
Using the quad battery module could be an option. But the module seems rather not so well designed technically (redvolt XL - SSD conflict) and it seems a bit silly to just use it for ergonomic reasons.

We will have very long shoulder camera takes where the cameraman follows the action. So we need a small, lightweight, balanced system where nothing is sticking out in the back.

Can the quad battery module just be used empty or with dummy batteries with another battery pack on the back?
Another option might be to buy a used (damaged) quad module and convert it into what we need.

All ideas welcome
 
since i am quite short, the extra 3" the red rock shoulder pad gives me are tremendously helpful. I absolutely love shooting epic on shoulder--its perfectly balanced and i can easily go for hours.
 
An empty "cheese box" module allowing a battery plate on the back, mounting holes on the top and sides and a pad on the bottom would be very useful.

I agree with a lot of folks here that many of the options are way to high on the shoulder. I'm currently using the ET mantis which is an amazing rig (and probably the best if you have an AC for focus) but for ENG single user style its no where close to perfect.

The two major rules I have are:

1. No additional counterweights. Bolting weight to a rig, in my opinion, is nuts. The batteries should be the counterweight and if the rig is designed correctly thats all you should need.

2. The ability to reach the lens and focus without obstruction. This is a lot more difficult to achieve in the classic sense. The eyepiece and rigging normally gets all in the way.
 
To tell you the truth... traditional designs are really outdated for these smaller cameras. The problem is in handle placement. What you need is one handle next to the cam on the dominant hand and an extension to the less dominant hand so both hands are vertical from the shoulder therefore making the arms less fatigued. The added bonus is the roll/ sway axis is a lot more stabilized and this is the most important axis. Less roll on the shoulder and also more control in roll movement makes this a no brainier. What i would do if i had some machining access is to machine a simple rod to shoulder mount from the centre of gravity (COG) line to a shoulder pad. I would use a material with some flex to get rid of some shoulder vibrations for running or walking shooting. I would have the right handle (I'm right handed) either with controls as close to COG (more forward to balance out shoulder mount)as possible on right side of cam. Or for ENG work i would have the handle up near the lens so you could thumb the lens for focus. The left handle should come out from COG on left side and go all the way over in alignment with left shoulder. I made a really simple one for red1 when i went to india about 3 or 4 years ago and footage, versatility and control was excellent. It cost me about $20 to make and packed up in travel kit. However because of its simplicity it did not align with COG as i had to screw into top plate. It doesn't look exciting but it works well. Always been mystified why these expensive hand held units don't take advantage of the x roll control? Creative commons free...
 
What did you build? I'm resuming some work on the "perfect" shoulder rig.
KETCH ROSSi said:
Still looking for that perfect Shoulder Rig... I guess We'll have to build it after all... ;)
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Not bad.

Thomas Koba said:
This Shape solution is the best solution out there, just saying :) Shoulderpad is nicely pushed forward beneath the camera. Also has support for rear 15 mm rods, if you want to push the battery/cheeseplate further back for counterbalance. Although I think it's nice when this compact. . It's also great to have the arms attached to a Rosette mount instead onto the front 15mm rods,. I can lift the camera rig onto my shoulder just by holding one arm.

Would like to find a Aaton-handle with rosette mount to use instead of the two Shape arms. I would mount the Aaton on the opposite site from the head, and hold the lens with my left hand.

This plate also clicks onto the tripod with a Sony V-lock/quicklock plate, but you have to un-velcro the pad to get it to fit.

(dunno what happened to the font in this thread. I had a hard time inserting pictures)



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