Side Handles for Handheld?

[Steve McBride]

I'm going to be 1st ACing a RED feature coming up and 90% of the shoot will be handheld. The kit that we're renting comes with four side handles and I know some DP's like to grip the mattebox for handheld work instead of using handles, so I was wondering if I used 18" rods on top and bottom and then put the side handles toward the mattebox if that would be sturdy enough to grip for handheld work.

My only worry is that since the side handles don't go completely around the rods that it may come loose and actually come off as the DP is operating.

I'm still trying to convince them to get an Arri 19mm adaptor and Mantis kit.

Thanks!

 

[C.H.Haskell]

O-box from oconnor is designed for gripping or attaching grips to the MB, might be worth looking into.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMjo54TQLvw

 

[ericyoung]

Side handles would be plenty strong enough - you could hang a camera off them if they were done up tight. But they are not toolfree in their stock configuration, and so can be awkward to adjust and may also interfere with Follow Focus and/or matteboxes. They also would force the operator to hold their arms up high which will get very tiring after a short while.

Handheld bars like "Blue Bars", moosebars, Element Technica Mantis are better for being able to fine tune handle position for balance and comfort.

 

[Steve McBride]

Yeah, I'm just trying to come up with as many configurations as I can.

That O-Box looks amazing. I had seen it before awhile back, but always as a normal under the mattebox configuration.