I"m looking for a simple waist belt with spring loaded support like this here: https://www.cvc.de/en/sfo/9181/DVTEC-DSLR-extreme-H%C3%BCftg%C3%BCrtel-Update-SET-von-Standard-zu-DeLuxe.html
and wanted to know if there are others that are using similar systems from other brands and are happy with the results.

Basically I am just looking to have a waist belt where I can stick in a support rod which is springloaded and that directly attaches to the camera, don't want any other accessories attached like rails etc onto the camera, just the bare basics to offload the weight from my hands for camera's that are max 2,5kg.
Not sure how much help the spring is in such a rod to improve stability?

I have one that I used very occasionally, but Chris Harding used one extensively with his EA50 - He's the guy to ask

Pete

Which one was that and did it help? My main concern is when I want to tilt the camera down a bit as I don't want the rod to prevent that, also for panning, I guess you need to move your entire body to keep the camera level or are there systems that have a spring which allow light panning motion while you still can keep the camera level?

This is the one I have Noa - there are a few versions around - this is a fairly cheap one :)

DSLR Rig Support Rod|Shoulder Mount|Waist Belt (http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/CAMTREE-Shoulder-Rig-Support-Rod.html)

The bit that goes into the belt is on a plate with a ball and socket so you can pan relatively smoothly without moving your body and the end that slots into to rod adapter is flexible to allow for small tilts

I bought it mainly to help my back as I used to get back ache late in the wedding day with my EA50 but I found the rod was a little too long - Chris Harding posted a way of cutting it down a little but I never got time to look at it.

Now you have brought it back to my attention I dig it out for these 2 pictures and will have a play around with it - I won't get rid if it as it did help with my back but now I'm using the A7s it's not too much of a problem unless I use one of my heavy lenses.

The good thing about it is that the rod adapter is not fastened but simply slotted on so you can instantly remove it for really low or high shots.

Both sections are sprung but the damping is not particularly smooth - I guess because it's a cheap one.

I got one years ago, never used it much & there are chinese knock-offs around now.

You can adjust the spring as I recall and set a neutral position and then use a little pressure to pan down - panning up will just lift the rod out of it's waist support.

I have recently got the multirig out to use with my new camcorder and it's still useful - I may even find the belt and rod and give it a try again

This is the one I have

Is it the same as they show in below video? (you can see the rod at 10:43sec) It is reasonable priced, the dvtech rig I linked to is 3 times more expensive but not sure if it is worth the extra cost, I mean it's just a belt and a simple alu tube with a spring inside. Have you not noticed any reduction in the spring tension after a while?

I am also looking for a solution to take all the weight out of my hands when I"m shooting handheld because of my backproblems.

https://youtu.be/Ik1zxDx_E1A?t=10m43s
I have recently got the multirig out
From which manufacturer is that?

It's very similar but the camera end looks a little different - mine doesn't have the foam grip. I haven't used it enough to notice any change in spring tension.

Noa,

I bought mine here and I'm very happy with it. You need to shorten it.

CAMTREE Shoulder Rig Support Rod (C-SR) (http://hdvideoshop.com/steadycam-stabilizer/160-camtree-shoulder-rig-support-rod-c-sr.html?search_query=rod&results=413)

I already ordered it :) it's 3 times cheaper then the dvtech and eventhough I do expect a difference in quality it just is not worth the extra cost, especially because it is so simple in construction.

Noa,

I bought mine here and I'm very happy with it. You need to shorten it.

CAMTREE Shoulder Rig Support Rod (C-SR) (http://hdvideoshop.com/steadycam-stabilizer/160-camtree-shoulder-rig-support-rod-c-sr.html?search_query=rod&results=413)

Tom how did you shorten it?

Pete

Hi Noa -
The MultiRig is the DVTec shoulder/handle "rig" with the sprung rod. I've found a couple ridiculously cheap on ebay since most people have "gone small" on their cameras! I also have one of their simpler "rigs" that has a tilt head on it, uses the same rod.

It's not as good when you're moving as a steadicam, but with practice and the "steadi-walk", you can get some decent results (better with the shoulder rig).

The spring typically has two different strength springs, so you effectively "lock" one section, then leave the other loose to get the spring action you need. Works reasonably well, again, with practice.

Since there's a 1/4 thread on the one you got (the DVTec ones have custom fittings), you could always fit a simple ball or fluid head (probably have something suitable laying about, I know I've always got bits and pieces to play with) to meet the need.

Your primary goal I'm sure is to take the load off the aching back, and it should help with that (you can adjust the belt so it might even give some added support to that "weak point"!). Keep in mind that your "bipod" will be more wobbly than a tripod, as handheld always is, so you may need to rely more on in camera stabilization.

Lately I've been using Sirui monopods (older model 324x and 424x with a 700RC2 bogen head) with bigger 'feet" than the ones Bogen uses - fold two legs out and they poke into the belt loops on my pants, fluid base for pans, head for tilt, no springs of course... though I usually use it as intended as a monopod with feet, it's fairly mobile as needed, then plant it when I am in one spot! More stable than using me as a "bipod"! With the right grip I can sort of mimic a steady rig too.

Hope that gives you some ideas - if you weren't on the other side of the planet, I'd let you play around with my "collection" and see what worked best - I've experimented quite a bit over the years to get the best results...

I have a Sirui monopod with the big feet :) Great versatile monopod, a bit on the heavy side but can even be used as a tripod for static shots, as long as you stay with it. The springloaded support I was looking for was just for static shots, one of my camera's is about 2kg which is not that heavy but is when you need to handhold it steady for 10 minutes. In the past I had used a light monopod that fitted into a belt but the problem was mainly with tilt motion as you needed to bend your entire upper body, something I cannot do anymore without the risk of getting a hernia. I now ordered that cinecity support rig which was only 60 dollar for the belt, extension rod and 15mm rod adapter and that might do the trick. If it would break I can still use it as a poking stick to move guests out of the way.

Hi Guys

I did a comprehensive thread on the Camtree belt and all the modifications I did to mine. Yeah the belt system is cheap (like $60) but does need a LOT of mods ... In a nutshell I found the belt itself was useless and it was stiff and uncomfortable so I ditched it and make my own from one of those money bag things you strap around your waist. I also added a ball joint on mine and shortened it ...Look at the thread in the EA-50 forum called "Saved by the Rod" ...DON'T cut the springs or tube!!! You will regret it!! The springs are covered in grease so those do need to be cleaned and you need to polish up the thin tube with some wet 1200 grit abrasive paper until it's really smooth then spray the tube and spring with silicone and it will be perfect to use and tilts nicely

I still haven't adapted mine yet and it's too long (I'm not sure who can use it without modding it) but will revisit Chris's post - I'm not an engineer though but I think I would use it more if it was the right length.

Pete

Hi Pete

I dunno who designed that but you would have to be 6'6" at least to use it as it is. The top fitting can lose at least an inch with a simple mod and then I made a bracket with a ball head that attaches to the belt but sits 3" below it ...that gets the rod to a decent and usable length! I used it with my EA-50 virtually all the time but the new cams are so light I never needed it!!

I'll check out your 'saved by the rod' thread as I would like to give it a real go and the fact that it's too long has stopped me - it would go some way to making evening receptions easier on my back and is more versatile than a monopod.

Hey Pete

It also gives great stability if you are using manual lenses with no OIS ..my 5 axis stabilisation on my Panasonics is awesome so I don't need the rod anymore ... I used the big tube almost closed and let the thinner top tube/spring do all the work. Good for long dance sequences .. However I'm so glad I moved to smaller and lighter cameras .. Maybe you should consider a simple twin handle frame like I use for handheld ... it really gives you easy shooting and the foam grips are close enough to the camera body to allow be to get to buttons without moving my hands?

Also worth checking out maybe?

VariZoom VZLSP Video Camera & DSLR Supports (http://www.varizoom.com/product-p/vzlsp.htm)

I use one of these quite often with smaller cams like the X70, had it since Z1 days. Also from Varizoom but without the shock absorber.

VariZoom VZLSP Video Camera & DSLR Supports (http://www.varizoom.com/product-p/vzlsp.htm)

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

I have seen similar systems where the support part leans against the upper or lower body, the only problem I saw with it was that breathing motion is transfered onto the camera while that is not the case if you suspend it from a belt.

I use this belt with a manfrotto monopod and a 701 head.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UL505HM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

I couldn't stand the rod's spring that shipped with that belt...it's filmsy and pretty much impossible to use for smooth tilts.

Received mine and like has been pointed out it's too long but that depends how heavy your rig is, it's current length is designed for heavy cameras and I tested the amount of weight you have to place on it to get it to eye height which is around 12kg when you have the foot placed inside the belt that's around your waste. The design is pretty simple, just 3 tubes with 2 springs inside and you can take it apart so I am going to cut the tube and spring back.