Shoulder Rig Idea

[Fredrik Callinggard]

Too bad the Meizler Module was not designed with all of the above in mind because, ultimately it's a camera design issue and all hand-held rigs that try to solve it end up being a compromise of some sort.

Depends on how you see it - As I see it, it's in a way a 435 - as you can get rigs that can position the battery wherever - meaning the balance can be the same as a 435 with a 1000ft mag. Also I find that the best option is to have the lens close to your eye so it's "seeing what you're seeing" - I find a low centre gravity shoulder pad directly underneath, with the camera pushed back as far as possible on it (without getting to close to the lens of course) and the battery "under slung" behind on "an arm/ extension" gets the best balance - But the meizler module with battery attached at the back of it and shoulder pad as far front as possible underneath is close enough.

 

[MJ KERBER]

Right, what I'm saying is that the Meizler is the only current module that really makes sense (to me) to have on the camera and if it had
a shoulder curve built into it (ala 435), we'd be getting that much closer to a lower center of gravity, balanced camera. But it's neither here nor
there, as I don't see Red re-designing/engineering it.

 

[Fredrik Callinggard]

Right, what I'm saying is that the Meizler is the only current module that really makes sense (to me) to have on the camera and if it had
a shoulder curve built into it (ala 435), we'd be getting that much closer to a lower center of gravity, balanced camera. But it's neither here nor
there, as I don't see Red re-designing/engineering it.

I understand what you're saying. What I'm trying to say is that very often I found myself, on the 435, with a shoulder pad connected to the dovetail for balance. Now with the Epic's being so small - I find that the centre of gravity is directly beneath or even slightly at the front (even if having a heavier front) - So the cut out should be on the Epic itself just underneath. Now they've never designed 100% for the shooter because they're pleasing to many different angles and I can see that doing so in the meizler would have probably been problematic and IMO wouldn't really have solved the issue. What I'm trying to say is that I find the best balance is simple Epic / Scarlet directly above shoulder - so work on or find the best solution that delivers the lowest centre of gravity from there. Now Matt's rig is good, but my problem there is that it is, no matter what anyone says, it's front heavy - all the weight is in front of you and it's simple physics - Now it works for Matt and that's cool but remember that the shoulder cut you're talking about and on the AATON had a magazine behind - so you need to have the battery doing the balancing weight if you want to go that route.

I'm just saying that my experience since these are small cameras - is that the best fit IMO is directly above shoulder - this is how I did my quick and dirty handheld in the old days - I threw the 435 on a sweater directly on and held onto the rods - still do if I think it's to much effort with putting on a handheld rig (depends on situation) - so for me it's easy - the camera is what it is and the best balance is where it is. Just my 2 cents

 

[Will Keir]

Looks like a Stinger Missile.

A for heavy lenses and B for the others;it can be lighter,the battery plate and the shoulder pad slide between the rods and can be adapted to many lenses weight;only the wide Red Primes are a bit front heavy.The optical axis is just under the eye.When the weight is on your chest,you suffer but when it is on your arms,you tremble.
And it's a mini tripod...

 

[Will Keir]

Matt,

I'm intersted in going on on this run. Could we demo yours in LA?

I've actually got a machinist who will produce a small run of them
for people who have insisted on having their own.

I'm not interested in making a business out of hand held rigs...
too much work for too little $$


Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

 

[Jean Wallez]

Looks like a Stinger Missile.

It's for the whorst scenario but imagine how more compact and light it can be with tiny lenses and mini configuration....Many solutions but balanced!
A Stinger!
Is that this is not a shooting device?

 

[Will Keir]

From my limited experience with the current should rigs on the market, I can say this is probably the most important part.

The "Clutch" had the best balance but it's like having a octopus on your shoulder and chest, plus limited vertical mobility and a hefty price tag.

Something like Matt's compact shoulder rig with balance and of course, the battery clips on back for counter weight.

The most importand rule is to have a well balanced rig on your shoulder.

 

[Jean Wallez]

Yes,but...

c’est le serpent qui se mord la queue!(it's a vicious circle!).

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

Hello. About the Meizler. Actually its not that bad and it can be balanced perfectly we already have a solution to this as well as a solution to the lens distance . I bet you it can get perfectly balanced
My answer about rigs that are strapped on you in many places just to create balance is very wrong. having a rig nailed on your body doesnt create balance nor releaf you from stress, in fact it createds stress in other places of tyour body.
Secontly the more contact points of a rig with your body the more motion errors. Hold your breath a little guys. Fred have gone hands free before ,
And there wont be any straps, glue, nails or anything else to fake it hahaha.
regards

 

[Thomas Koba]

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)

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

dont say best before you try them all Thomas, what you are showing is a front heavy rig, and it will be even more with longer lenses, matte box, motors, etc.

best regards

 

[Will Keir]

Thomas,

That's actually a pretty cool rig I've never seen before. Where did you get this and how much?

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)



View attachment 32161View attachment 32162View attachment 32160

 

[Fredrik Callinggard]

From my limited experience with the current should rigs on the market, I can say this is probably the most important part.

The "Clutch" had the best balance but it's like having a octopus on your shoulder and chest, plus limited vertical mobility and a hefty price tag.

Something like Matt's compact shoulder rig with balance and of course, the battery clips on back for counter weight.

Own 3 of them and we had to DIY the shoulder pad, so its the other way around (so it's under the camera). Needless to say I'm disappointed at myself for ordering 3 at one go and didn't try it out before purchasing. And the "clutch pad solutions" is just a gimmick they do nothing for balance (that I did know though when buying - never intended to use them).

 

[Fredrik Callinggard]

Listen I'm not to say what you want or not. I'm only throwing my own experience into this conversation as I've spent a great deal of time on this. Matt's rig is good, but I still suggest to make a solution where the battery is behind the shoulder pad, preferably low - for balance. Thomas yours is closer, but still front heavy - if you can get the shoulder pad forward instead of being back end of the camera it's centred. You have to push the EVF forward as well, but balance is balance. Just so you guys understand I'm sharing my experience from realising that the fact is how small the camera is - the stinger missile is clearly balanced and therefor a solution - but it's a lot of power for such a small camera with double power sources . What I found is that if I want to have a smaller package and balance the shoulder pad has to be underneath the very Epic/ Scarlet and in some cases at the front end more than the back end (Thomas, yours is not at the front end in context with what I'm saying).

Now this doesn't mean this is the way you want to end up with your rig - but consider the logics in what I'm trying to share. Balance = equal weight distribution on each side of centre of gravity - low centre of gravity = the point where the weight of a "body" is acting - at it's lowest. Move that point and you have to move weight distribution - simple physics.

 

[Bob Gundu]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...7000_7000_V_Lock_Quick_Release_Baseplate.html

Thomas,

That's actually a pretty cool rig I've never seen before. Where did you get this and how much?

 

[Janne Amunét]

I gotta say that the Letus Master Cinema Series system is probably still the best rig option I've come across... I've now shot a feature on it in china, braved the elements, even fallen with it once in the midst of a battle scene where my spotter failed me and apart from a small bend, it's still intact and the Epic survived. With it's o-connor tapngo baseplate AND the V-lock feature of the cage itself, it's easy to mount to pretty much any tripod without having to remove pretty much anything.

I've gone from shoulder to tripod to steadicam always within a few minutes. Take a good look. It's a great system.

Excuse the awkward EVF angle (still setting up) but here's one photo. Compact, sturdy, stays up when you lay it down. Brilliant.

 

[Jean Wallez]

the stinger missile is clearly balanced and therefor a solution - but it's a lot of power for such a small camera with double power sources

It's not the power which counts but the possibility to add or skip weight;the Red primes are really heavy and you can't push the chest pad forward,you will kiss the FF.
Here is the mini Stinger :

 

[Will Keir]

Thanks Bob!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...7000_7000_V_Lock_Quick_Release_Baseplate.html

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Quick piPhone snap shot of what we are setting up, bottom Plate and Shoulder Pad piece form the ET Mantis, and RED's Collar Bone Double Arm, and two RED Fixed Handles.

Entire rig goes form the Tripod or any other choice of mounting support to and form the Shoulder Rig set up in seconds

 

[Fredrik Callinggard]

It's not the power which counts but the possibility to add or skip weight;the Red primes are really heavy and you can't push the chest pad forward,you will kiss the FF.
Here is the mini Stinger :

That looks much better .