Shoulder Rig

[Michael Frymus]

Although I do not have the Red Scarlet/Epic or any of the gear yet, I am trying to see what the best possible rig would be.
Why? Well, I have a way to make it compatible with the DSLR I currently own... after months of searching for the right gear/rig. So, it should work with both the DSLR & Red.
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I'm wondering, for the Scarlet/Epic owners, looking at the two pictures, which handheld rig would be a better solution?
*As in the height of the shoulder pad*
*Assuming YOU are the same height of the subject - Which often is for me*

PIC #1) Is the one with no bottom rail. I found a similar shoulder pad like the one seen elsewhere as its not available through Red
Comparing the pictures, this one looks like it would be the better option because the camera is slightly lower than eye height. It doesn't seem like it will be too high for eye height, but just slightly below which is perfect.
*On my rig, it would be the same setup, but there would also be a dovetail quickrelease platform + 19mm rods on the bottom for the mattebox/follow focus.

PIC #2) The picture with the tripod is the Red Shoulder Pad.
Looking at this picture, it looks as if the camera would be directly at eye height or possibly slightly above?

Do not want the shoulder pad to be below the bottom rods. They need to be either level as in Pic #2 or slightly higher as in Pic #1. If they are below the bottom rods, then the camera is too high

- If you have the Red Scarlet/Epic, and have the Red Shoulder Pad, is the camera at a good height? (Compared to your eye height) Or is it too high? - Possible to post pics with it on your shoulders with the camera?
- If I went with setup #1, would I be able to pull this off with 15mm LW rods on the top? 15mm Studio is not an option. Its either 15mm LW or 19mm Studio. (The Shoulder pad has 15mm LW brackets. And there is no adapter from 15mm LW to 15mm Studio.)

 

[Ned Wilson]

Neither, both look front heavy.

 

[Paul Schneider]

I like the camera directly over the shoulder. No counterweight should be needed.

Element Technica Mantis is my fave.

 

[James McLellan]

I agree. Camera should be over the shoulder. Counterweight to balance against the lens and matte box if needed.

 

[Michael Frymus]

By looking at many pictures of peoples rigs with the shoulder pad below the camera, it looks like it is too high.
It looks like the camera would be above the eye line though.

Especially because the Red cameras have a higher lens height.

I have been leaning towards the second setup due to simplicity. But, even with the battery in the back as pictured, would it still be that front heavy?

 

[ALLSTAR]

You can consider this:

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, lower height and center of gravity, wide and soft shoulder pad.
These are what this system offers.

 

[Will Keir]

ALLSTAR.

I like your rig. Is there a shop in LA we can demo this rig?

Where is your Mattbox and Follow focus? That's surely will with the weight forward, thus a need for counter weight or a larger battery.

Do you have any reviews or demo videos with the MB and FF attached, this would be extremely useful.

Thanks.

 

[Ned Wilson]

By looking at many pictures of peoples rigs with the shoulder pad below the camera, it looks like it is too high.
It looks like the camera would be above the eye line though.

Especially because the Red cameras have a higher lens height.

I have been leaning towards the second setup due to simplicity. But, even with the battery in the back as pictured, would it still be that front heavy?

Yes, they're both front heavy. I use a strap on House of Power shoulder pad when using Epic. Goes on faster than mounting a dovetail rig. Allows me to slide back and forth to get perfect balance without tools. The grips I use these days are Spider Grips. Lightest, versatile and can be adjusted by the operator without having to take it off your shoulder. Having just wrapped 12 hours on my shoulder with an Alexa, I'm a big fan of minimizing rigs. They got it right.

With both the rigs pictured, after a five to ten minute take, you'll be dying

 

[L. Walter]

I have Allstar rig, and it raises the camera too much, so it becomes unstable, swings left and right. From now on ARRI only.

 

[Stephen OBrien]

I use the shape 7000 v-lock quick release base plate with my epic - with the Cartoni Delta tripod. I ordered it from Abel last summer and it's so well built. The red rosette push button are 360 degrees adjustable and they lock when you release them.
when you order the 7000 base plate - it comes with the panasonic v-lock plate that you fix on your tripod. I can use my base plate with a c300 and the sony F55 as well. the system is parallel to your ears. it's not front heavy. And - they are lifetime warranty.