www.spiderbrace.com

i ran a search for this item which yielded no results, which was a bit surprising to me.

as a self-admitted gear junkie, my xl1 now weighs over 12 lbs fully loaded, which has been taking it's toll on my arms on prolonged shoots. i'm trying to hunt down a decent shoulder mount, and you can't beat the price of the spider brace.

does anyone have any experience with this unit? what are the advantages or disadvantages of the spider brace lite over the regular spider brace?

your assistance is appreciated.

This looks like a really nice product that's very reasonably priced!... what am I saying? It's CHEAP!

When I clicked your link it was refreshing to see a video product that isn't through the roof just because it's a video product... how well is it made or how does it work? I don't know... but it seems like a logical design and as best I can ascertain... it probably works really well.

I've had a style for a while now... where I pick up my tripod and put the base of two legs into my thighs... one per thigh... and then I fold the front leg down... next I turn the pan arm up and lock it in... that's for my right hand... with my left hand I can change focus and run the cam. Holding the camera in this position makes some really interesting shots possible. You can pivot on your legs and you can push and pull the cam in and out... and you can still pan and tilt. Have you ever seen "Arrested Development"?... If not you're missing the best show on TV... but anyway, I wanted to mimic that style of shooting and this works really well.

Sorry I got off topic, but the gist is that this spiderbrace looks like a product that would assist in a very similar way. For a paltry $59.95 I'll bet that it would bring a lot of new options to your usual shooting style.

I wish he had a model for a DVX... now I gotta' figure out how to make one.

hey there... thanks for your thoughts. that's some pretty inventive shooting! it sounds like it can get a little uncomfortable carrying a tripod kit on your shoulder... in any case, kudos to you.

i just bought the spider brace for my xl1, and will report back on how it feels.

regarding your dvx, the site claims that their spider brace 2 will work on the dvx, as well as the gl1, and others. not that i want to curb your determination and creativity in building one from scratch, but just know that there seems to be an option for your camera.

Hey Henry... when I'm shooting with the pod braced into my thighs there's no walking... it's a standing still thing only.

That figrig has got me inspired also... between the figrig, spiderbrace, and my own uses of a tripod... I'd like to come up with something that has the best of three worlds.

Still... I may try a spiderbrace 'cause the price is so cheap!

interesting, matt. that is pretty much exactly my tripod technique...the tripod as cheapie brace/stabilizer. i walk around with mine, though. instead of using a full-size tripod, i bought a very sturdy table top tripod for about $35, so that the legs can be made very short, bringing the camera closer to my chest, and if i tuck the two back legs into a belt, i can walk around with it very comfortably for long periods of time, and the unit is very stable but also fluid and mobile. so instead of thigh-bracing, with a smaller, lighter tripod, i can brace into the waistband of my pants or belt. (it also helps to wear a fanny pack--geez, i hate that word!--or backpack or something with a denser nylon strap for greater stability).

one of the big advantages is that, even though the tripod is shorter than a typical tripod, i can set the whole thing on the ground for low-angle tripod shots or elevate it on a nearby rock, if outdoors, or a table, if indoors, or move all around with it and get either tripod-mounted shots or handheld without the jitter factor, without the camera ever leaving the tripod. it's great for shooting outdoors, especially. the other day, i was shooting on skis, at a resort, and got very interesting point-of-view shots by loading the tripod into my belt and skiing down the hill. a bit scary to be skiing with my camera loaded to my chest but very cool footage, without an expensive helmet mount and using my GL2 instead of a small single-chipper. the little tripod brace really smoothed out the shots and produced a handheld effect without the jitters. i didn't have to ski very fast in order to appear to be skiing very fast because the camera was so intimate with the action.

i have thought that the bracing effect of the desktop tripod is much like what the manufacturers' are trying to achieve with the fig rig, without the additional cost and without the arm fatigue of floating the camera rig in front of your body. plus i can toss my desktop tripod into my backpack without adding much weight. it can also be compared to a steady stick, except that the steady stick does not break down as efficiently for transporting, which is pretty meaningful if you're doing idiot things like dragging your camera equipment into the backcountry or up a ski lift.

the main problem that i've encountered so far, is that i have not yet found a tabletop tripod capable of managing the increased weight and more-awkward weight distribution of my XL2, so this has been mainly a technique i use for the smaller camera. the spider brace looks like it could be a cool solution, except for my now-persistent gripe about being left-eye dominant in an XL2 world. might be awkward. i guess i am less inclined to ski down a hill or take silly risks, anyway, with that unwieldy, expensive beast strapped to my chest. GL2 rules, when it comes to mobility!

you're the only other person i've heard of using this technique. i'd be interested in hearing more specifics of the kinds of shots you've been able to achieve.

Meryem... I came up with it one day when I suddenly had to get a different perspective for a shot... it was a panic move to get above people... after that I noticed that it had a kind of "you are there" feel similar to the shooting style of Arrested Development... (as I mentioned earlier). I really like that shooting style. You wouldn't want to do it all the time, but it does something for a scene... maybe it's just because I'm a video guy, but it really gives me the feeling that I AM there. It's almost like a tiny bit of slop on a steadycam rig... I'm not describing it really well and that's why I keep going back to the AD referrence. As I practice more and more I find that I can get really stable if I want to... but then I find the shot looks better if I don't do that... so I just let the little imperfections happen... sometimes I'll even do some burst zooming. If you watch AD you'll really get what I'm talking about. AD is funny and interesting, but with this style you can take a fairly boring conversation and make it feel dynamic and intimate.

i got my spider brace earlier this week, and got my first opportunity to use it yesterday.

here are some pictures of the unit with my usual xl-1 handheld setup on it.

http://www.downwiththefuture.com/spiderbrace/side1.jpg
http://www.downwiththefuture.com/spiderbrace/side2.jpg
http://www.downwiththefuture.com/spiderbrace/front.jpg

the brace is made out of solid plastic, and the padded grips are foam. because it's primarily made of plastic, the unit is EXTREMELY light.

after a couple of hours of running around with this rig on my shoulder, i was still very comfortable, a far cry from carrying my setup around without the brace. at just under $75.00 shipped to your door, the spider brace is an absolute steal, and i can't imagine shooting handheld footage again without it.

that said, i have one major issue with it. my setup, with an MA100 xlr adapter, dual battery, and the way i mount my wireless receiver, is slightly heavier on the right than the left. i can't put this setup on the floor without it falling over to the right. even without all the audio extras, a strong breeze would knock the setup down. giving the left and right handles a slightly wider berth, even just an inch, would drastically help. right now, i have to lean my rig on a wall when i put it down.

in conclusion, despite it's one pretty major flaw, the spider brace is an awesome value, and shouldn't be passed up, especially if you're on a tight budget.

Henry, I use Bogen tripod and was wondering if it's possible to use a bogen quick release on the spider brace.

Thanks,
Ray

hi ray,

i couldn't imagine why not. i'm not sure which quick release plate you're using.

the flat mounting area is approximately 1.5"x3", and the mounting screw is standard 1/4".

hope that helps.

i just thought of something i omitted from my review of the unit. i tried to attach my manfrotto 521 zoom controller onto the right bar, which would have given me focus and zoom control right from the brace's right arm. unfortunately, the foam handles are a little too long for this, and the zoom rocker is blocked by the handle. the controller clamp will not fit on the curvature of the arm. i was going to suggest to the manufacturer to shorten the length of the handles, but now that i think about it, i can do this myself. when i'm feeling adventurous, i'll pull the foam handle off, and cut off about 2 inches which would allow the zoom controller to be effective.

Based on the information in this thread, I purchased a Spider Brace (for XL1s). It was nice to discover the Varizoom Stealth mount worked without modification to the brace but I am in the market to replace that controller with another manufacturer as Varizoom's small controllers don't let you set a fixed speed. I was settling on the Bogen but now I'm interested in more information about the problem you had getting the Bogen 521 to work and if the ZOE works.

The Bogen spec says it will clamp onto a round surface 1.38" in diameter. The foam on my brace is 1 3/8 (1.375) inches in diameter and compresses so I'd think the 521 would work. I mounted the Stealth after the first curve in the handle (right hand). How did you mount the 521 that you felt you needed to cut off 2" of foam?

Henry, I use Bogen tripod and was wondering if it's possible to use a bogen quick release on the spider brace.

Thanks,
Ray
Which tripod? I use a quick release plate on it. I've
used it more sense I got the quick release plate.

I see that LANC zoom/focus controllers were mentioned already. I could never use a product like this without some kind of remote zoom and focus control. Looks neat, though.

I see that LANC zoom/focus controllers were mentioned already. I could never use a product like this without some kind of remote zoom and focus control. Looks neat, though.

Actually, it helps to cut back the considerable strain
on your outstretched arms (when using a Lanc
controller) if you can bend your arms in more and
use the cam's zoom/focus -- unless you've got
a really light-weight cam.

ernest,

i'm sorry about my late reply to your question -- i had no idea this thread was still active. i can get the 521 on the handlebar with a little effort, since the bar is cushioned. the problem is the rocker's pivot is exposed and gets pushed against the cushioning as well, making it difficult to have any decent control of the zoom. i would imagine zoom controllers with push button controls, or any controller that doesn't have the zoom rocker directly pushing against the handlebar, would be better off.

is this spider also suitable for use with other cams than canon?
would be nice to use it with my z1.
Anyone used it like this?

www.spiderbrace.com

is this spider also suitable for use with other cams than canon?
would be nice to use it with my z1.
Anyone used it like this?

The one question I'd have is how it would work
out with your having the LCD screen on the top
of the cam, instead of right in front of you
like the SD cams.

for another $40 more you can get the steady stick, and have full support of the camera weight, with two hands free to work both the camera zoom and focus at the same time.

issues with the steady stick include it's length, because it's too long for people with a short torso, and the fact that when you breathe, the movement could get transmitted to the camera if you aren't careful... but you can also use the steady stick with just it's arm, without the belt and it's attachment to the camera... the arm gets locked onto the camera, in the straight down position, so your left hand is holding the weight of the camera against your body, while the right hand is holding the camera and working the zoom.

i don't mean to hijack this thread from the spider brace, i'm only bringing it up as an alternative.

The one question I'd have is how it would work
out with your having the LCD screen on the top
of the cam, instead of right in front of you
like the SD cams.

I can't answer the question entirely, but one of the cool ways to operate the Spider Brace is to grip the shoulder stock using your arm pit. That puts the lcd screen at a reasonable angle, and lowers the shooting position, avoiding that "looking down on" perspective us tall guys get sometimes interviewing you vertically challenged people.

Spider Brace is a good bang for the buck, IMHO.

Wayne

Both the steady stick and the spider brace seem like good options to me. I'll be filming bar mitzvahs soon and that involves holding the camera for a great deal of time.

Does anyone have any videos of these supports in action? Seems to me that each could bob up and down during tracking shots.

A brief report on the Spider Brace 2. We just used one with a GL-2 to cover the protest rallies and candidates at the New Jersey Gubernatorial debate last night. The Brace worked great for us.

I think it is a real plus that it is light but sturdy plastic. It can ride on top of my camera bag when not in use and thus is not yet another thing to carry. You can still carry the camera around by the top handle with the brace attached without overloading it. The weight on your shoulder in use is still pretty light. We have shot about 2 hours with the brace and it doesnt get tiring.

I attached a $35 LANC controller I had onto the brace and we waded into the protesters outside and also into the crowd of senators and governors on stage after the debate broadcast ended. We got very nice steady shots for handheld work. Even walking down the line of protesters and cops gave some useably smooth shots. The two front grips are rather useful for pushing a lobbyist or two out of your way to get a clear close-up of the candidate :). Although the rig is still much lighter than the big broadcast cams everyone else was slinging, I think we came pretty close to their results.

This brace is as useful as any of the ones I have tried. Certainly you cant go wrong for the price, as long as you dont get some nonsense in your head that a brace is a replacement for a steadicam or tripod.

I am anticipating picking up a Z1 in a few months, and although I haven't actually tried the two together, it seems that the top/forward mount of the Z1 screen really isnt going to be a problem. In fact I think tilting the screen down slightly while the cam is mounted on the brace will help keep it out of glare.

From my minimal experience walking with the Brace
while shooting, it seems best to push the cam/Brace
out away from your body.

[QUOTE=Bill Ball]Re: I think it is a real plus that it is light but sturdy plastic. It can ride on top of my camera bag when not in use and thus is not yet another thing to carry."

Hello Bill...I was just wondering if the spider device can be mounted onto a tripod with a quick release plate underneath so that I can go from tripod to spidermounted cam. I currently use a GL-2 mounted on a stroboframe bracket (which has a quick release plate screwed underneath).
One more thing - where can I get a $35 LANC for the GL-2 ?. Thank you

Randy,
I use a quick release on the top of my Brace to go
quick from tripod to Brace.

Sony RM-VD1 Control L Wired remote control - for Camcorders and Digital Still Cameras
Mfr# RMVD1

$33.49 at BHPhoto.com

Just be aware that you get what you pay for. It provides basic 2 speed zoom, record, and power functions. It works for me but it is not in the same league as the >$300 Zoe/Varizoom/etc in terms of construction, precision and ergonomics.

Thank you Dave and Bill for the helpful advice. I'll be placing orders for both soon the spider and the cheap LANC are within my budget and would make a nice combo for my style of constant switching from tripod to handheld.

Bill, how does that controller attach to the handle?
(I couldn't tell from the picture.)

> Bill, how does that controller attach to the handle?

Good question. The controller is made to clip onto the small diameter pan bar of a tripod. The spring loaded clip does not open far enough to fit around the much wider diameter of the spider brace.

I carefully pushed out the hinge pin (so I could replace it later for other uses) and removed the jaw and spring of the LANC controler. Then I just used a piece of steel safety wire to wire it down to one grip of the Spider Brace. Not pretty but worked fine.

That's what it looked like from the pic, a
spring clip. I guess, for $33.

This looks like a really nice product that's very reasonably priced!... what am I saying? It's CHEAP!

I'm pretty sure I posted this before, but I didn't see my reply. You should check out the Steadybrace.
Steadybrace.com - Video Camera Shoulder Support Steady Brace and Brackets (http://www.steadybrace.com)

That woman looks like she's not happy....

looks very similar to the spiderbrace.

That woman looks like she's not happy....

looks very similar to the spiderbrace.

That's funny. She's serious about her video! Ha!

I'd say it's similar, but I think its better. I have both. The steadybrace's joints don't squeak when you stress it (bad for audio) and the handles have more room for mounting my Varizoom, which I use constantly. Lastly, I think my favorite steadybrace feature is the "leg" that rests on your chest. You don't have to hold all the weight with your arms.

Anyway, just my .02... which is probably worth less due to the economic downturn! ;-)

Speaking of shoulder supports and Varizoom. Has anyone used the VZ1 Shooter? It seems really nice, although expensive. But it only has one handle and my fear is that the single handle design will not be good with a Varizoom controller and awkward to hold. Thoughts?

I have a spiderbrace and I like it. I broke mine last year, and when I wrote to the mfgr about a replacement, they sent me one for FREE. Great customer service.

The was some discussion earlier in this thread about whether the Manfrotto / Bogen 521Pro remote could be fitted readily to the spiderbrace, or whether the foam covering got in the way. I found a setup that worked well - allowing right index finger on the toggle and second finger on the control buttons.

You can (ahem!) see a semi-closeup of the arrangement here: Manfrotto 521Pro Lanc Remote, with Spiderbrace - eBay (item 120365643039 end time Jan-25-09 15:10:18 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120365643039)

(If that link 's unacceptable I'll try to find somewhere else to post the pictures).