I've been shooting weddings for almost a decade now. My physical conditional isn't what it used to be. I did a forum search for a good shoulder support for my HVX200A. I've read a lot of good things about the Fig Rig and the Steadicam Merlin. Since I've never used either system before, I wonder if either of them is any good at reducing shoulder and back fatigue. Should I be looking at a shoulder support like the Red Rock Micro's Shoulder Mount?

If this type of idiotic question upsets some of you, I apologize in advance for my lack of IQ. I would really love to hear some of your personal experiences on this issue.

A good set of sticks to put the camera on has saved my back over the years.

I'm not being a smartypants, but having the camera on a tripod means the tripod is supporting the full weight of the camera for 90% of the shoot, leaving me to shoulder mount the camera only for the bits that can ONLY be done 'commando'.

Ben

Hi Jason,

I've been shooting for many years starting with U-Matic years ago, plus many heavy broadcast cameras, thesedays I use a shoulder SPX800, i'm guessing it's four times heavier than a little HVX200. ( Recently I also have just purchased a HPX172 for run n gun jobs.)
Use a tripod is very good advice, and may i suggest you look at your feet, see a podiatrist, you may have feet issues, that radiates pain up your legs and to the base of the spine.
Orthodics may be needed in your shoes, a simple fix, and try doing some gym work to build up your muscles and stamina.

I'm getting on myself, as many are who began in Video in the eighties. just adjust your work methods to suit your age and fitness level, whatever that may be.

Cheers

Like Tom as a sound recordist I had to carry hi band u-matic machines and nagra recorders in the 80's. I now have an HPX301 and find that the shoulder mount format is the best for hand held but like others I use a good tripod for 90% of my shooting.

I have also added some matte box rails and a pair of grips and this gives more stability and spreads the weight across both arms rather than just one in the fujinon lens grip.

100% agree with the tripod method. I use a HPX172 here. For tripod, I use a Manfrotto Carbon fibre with a Manfrotto video pan head. Total weight about 3kg. Light enough for whole day use. Stable enough to support the HPX172 totally.

Hi Jason:

I shoot a lot of behind the scenes and EPK material and it is similar to what you go through with weddings as far as the amount of hand held footage needed. Here is my take on it:

1. Fig Rig isn't going to help you out at all as far as your body/back issues. You are adding weight and holding it away from your body. While the Fig Rig works nicely, it would actually add to your back and shoulder issues, not alleviate them.

2. Same with the Steadicam Merlin, unless you are considering the model that includes the vest. Believe it or not, using a Steadicam Merlin can actually cause you extreme pain in your back and shoulders, once again, because you are holding something with some significant weight out away from your body.

I agree with using the tripod mostly. I also would suggest that you acquire a monopod, it allows for more mobility and lighter weight yet can still give you steadier panning and if you buy one that can take a video head, steadier tilting as well. As far as shoulder mounts, one of the best values on the market is the Bushhawk Series http://www.bushhawk.com/_product_42133/Video_Camera_Mount I have one and it is pretty great and cost only around $300.00 with everything. There are really fancy and expensive rigs from Zacuto and Red Rock Micro as well as dozens of others but they are mostly really expensive and functionally, end up very close to the Bushhawk.

Good luck,

Dan

Thank you all for the helpful tips. The reason I don't use a tripod or a dolly is because the wedding photographers I've dealt with usually like to accuse me of getting in their way. Secondly, I've missed out on a lot of valuable "kodak" moments because my camcorder was on the sticks.

Having said that, I am grateful for your kind reminders about seeing a doctor. I'll test out the shoulder mount that Dan mentioned in his reply and I will write another thread on my experience. Once again, I consider myself very lucky to get helpful tips from professionals on this forum. Thank you all so much.

Hi Jason,

If a photo dude ever tells me that, I remind them that the Bride is not only paying for some Happy Snaps, but equally a dam good video/DVD, so time must be shared, if they don't play ball, I let all future brides know of the better photo dudes that realise that she is paying for both. yes I have met/worked with some of those self important people.
Don't be pushed about, your DVD is important, try getting people to cry (invoking human emotions) by looking at "Happy Snaps" and you'll see what I mean.
Moving images with audio is a very powerful tool.

OR, you could switch mediums and become a photographer yourself, their equipment is so light they have plenty of energy left to "cane out" others they feel are not as important as them.

Goodluck.
Tom

I have personally met those kind of photographers before. They think they are ALWAYS the king. I have had to pull some of those rude ones aside - and tell them off. Some even deliberately walk in front of your video camera - thinking they are transparent!

Hi
Go into a work out center and learn how to strengthen your back.This helped for me. To much doing nothing but sitting in a chair editing - or driving your car, leaves your body in no condition to do handheld jobs. I am not a health freak - this just works for me when it is needed. I also try to do some of my job on a tripod. Steadycams and such things -does not help your bag.....

Bo.

I went to a local camera store and picked up a Varizoom DV Traveler. I mounted my HVX200A on it and shot a wedding with it. I have to say it totally solved by back pain problem. And, it produced really steady shots. I guess having the weight of the camera evenly distributed down to my hips is the key to reducing fatigue. By the way, I've tried out the Red Rock Micro shoulder mount, Hoodman's Wrist Shot, and number of other prosumer-level models. Varizoom's DV Traveler works really well for event videographers who have to be on the move constantly.

Looks very interesting. Will investigate this further ... thanks for the lead.

Personally I think the viewfinder on the smaller HVX and HPX is not in an ideal position, If I could get an extended HPX viewfinder flat cable, I'd reposition the viewfinder forward as it is the pro-cameras.
then only a small "shoulder rest" would be needed . tripods in my opinion are much better for long runs.
pic attached
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/images/attach/jpg.gif
Cheers

Tom,

That is MAJOR SURGERY to a HPX, HVX camera :-). Definitely, no more warranty after that.

Jason,

Have a question for you. According to ZGC people, the DV Traveler can only support up to 2.1 kg - and that puts the HVX200 into the "too heavy" category. The HPX170 is just on the threshold. But you seems to be happy with the DV Traveler. Can it really adequately support your HVX200? If it can, then I shouldn't be too concerned about it supporting a HPX170 - which is much lighter than the HVX200.

Thanks.

Hi TingSern Wong,

Not major surgery at all, if you have a closer look the viewfinder is just mounted by two screws and a flimsy flat ribbon cable for the electronics.
A slide out bracket could be made very simply and easily, then mount it onto the cameras shaft directly opposite the Mic mount.
If I can source an extension cable for the VF, (feed it thru the camera handle)I'll give it a whirl.
Used with a small pullout shoulder rest (from the base plate) it would be much more comfortable to use the cam than the rear position that Pana put it in, I suspect they did it that way because it's easy, and/or no one has asked for a more ergonomic option.

Maybe they could make it an option, ie "shoulder position" or "hand held position" mountings.

Who knows what the future holds ?.

Cheers

Hi Tom,

Ah ... maybe Panasonic might just introduce a HVX172 version 2 with that option?

Cheers,
TS

Hi TSW

I'd be happy with that, no doubt alot of others would be too..

Cheers

I'm surprised no one has metioned Easy Rig: EasyRig (http://www.easyrig.com/)

I've used the full rig shooting long handheld takes on Varicam/HDCam and Digi Beta etc and it is an excellent way of reducing and spreading the strain on back and shoulders that long periods of hand held can cause.

Hi Jonathan,

Yes it would be good for a commercial shoot, But hey, if you straped that on at say a wedding, the guests would think you are the floor show or a handicapped camera person.
All I'm saying is make the cameras more ergonomic and user friendly, not needing various add-on devices to remove pain caused by bad design in the first place.
seems as if fast/cheap camera design "rules" in this camera price range..
an example of very good small design is the newer JVC's range
JVC Professional Australia - Products Details (http://www.jvcpro.com.au/JVCPRO_2008/client/ProductCatalogue/c_catalogueItem.jsp?pID=27&catID=77&prodID=527)
If Panasonic had designed a similar unit with all the recording abilities of the HPX172, it would sell like hot cakes at Golden Arches.
If the JVC shot 50mb in P2 format I'd buy one tomorrow, but I think that will not happen.

anyway, good to throw ideas about, thanks for your input, that's what these boards are all about.

Cheers

Jason,

Have a question for you. According to ZGC people, the DV Traveler can only support up to 2.1 kg - and that puts the HVX200 into the "too heavy" category. The HPX170 is just on the threshold. But you seems to be happy with the DV Traveler. Can it really adequately support your HVX200? If it can, then I shouldn't be too concerned about it supporting a HPX170 - which is much lighter than the HVX200.

Thanks.

The Specifications for the DV Traveler are as follows:

Weight 4.5 lbs
Full Width 9"
Full Length 21"
Folded dimensions 23" X 10" x 3.5"
Pod Min. Length 18"
Pod Max. Length 32"
Compatibility Camcorders up to 7 lbs.
Includes Suspension pod, padded shoulder support rig w/ quick release assembly, adjustable belt w/ holster
Warranty 2 year parts/labor

The magic lies within the rod, which has built in spring that serve as shoock absorbers. I am certain that you will have no problem with your 170.