I am on the lookout for a good simple shoulder brace (the kind without the abdomen brace). Doing some run and gun filming where this could be really handy.

So far I've seen two that seem do-able, but I'm wondering if anyone out there has experience with one of these.

http://www.studio1productions.com/dvbrace.htm

http://www.varizoom.com/pages/oneshoot.htm

I've searched around on this forum and only found info on the kind with the stomach brace, which is a little too much for what I need....

I've been using the brace from studio1 for quite a while with a 150 and I love it. After the big battery, W/A lens, wireless receiver and light on top of the camera, the shoulder brace is great.
DonB.

I have a Mighty Wonder Cam shoulder brace, which I think is a knock-off of the VariZoom. It's OK, but I don't love it.
Still if that one sells for $99, that's not bad.

Thanks guys. I ended up getting the Studio1 model. I'll report back on my experience with it in case anyone else is interested.

Imran, have you gotten a chance to try out your new shoulder brace yet? How do you like it?

Nope, still waiting. According to UPS tracking it arrived in Jacksonville at 5am today... I'm really hoping I get it tomorrow since I'll have free time with it over the weekend.

Well I finally got it, the Studio1 miniDV shoulder brace.

Overall, I'm actually pretty happy with it. I was able to instantly create that kind of soft-moving camera effect that I really love in films like Next Stop Wonderland, and I was also able to keep it so steady it was almost tripod-like. Heck, if I lean against something in just the right way, I can actually make it look dead still like a tripod.

No it doesn't have any abdomen brace, but I was looking for something I could use in run and gun scenarios, and I am very happy with it. It is compact and seems very well constructed. I do wish the knobs for adjusting the 2 sliders (up/down and forward/back) were a little more 'tighten-able'. But the knob and platform for the actual camera's tripod mount seems solid and safe. I have never used the Mighty Wondercam or the Varizoom shooter equivalents of this brace, but I know this one can't be any worse than those.

Glad you like it. I finally got the nerve to shoot a wedding without the tripod using the brace and I have to say it was awesome. I got shots I wasn't able to get before (of course the B/G & officiant were good about my moving around on the alter)-remember I carry alot of stuff on the brace. I didn't use the W/A but I had my shotgun, BIG battery, wireless receiver and the magnifer for the LCD on the cam. I wasn't fatigued at all after the ceremony. I will be doing every wedding I can using this method. PS-my VX1000 was positioned to cover my moves just in case.
Oh yeah, I also use a Bogen QR plate (the same as for the 3063 head on my tripod, on the brace so I can switch quickly and cleanly)
Have fun,
Don

That's good to hear, Imran. Some people have said that it could stand to be more sturdy but it looks like it'll do. About how much weight do you think it can really handle, nevermind the manufacturer specs?

I'll look into it along with the Bogen plate Don suggested, thanks you guys.

My only complaints about sturdiness have to do with the knobs that I mentioned earlier, but other than that, this thing is actually really sturdy. It doesn't bend or sway, and seems to be of a durable construction. I don't know if you could put an XL-1 on it, but the config that Don mentioned that he uses would work for me as well. A GL-2, which is what I have, with a shotgun and a big battery would work swimmingly. Don even adds on an LCD thing and a wireless receiver!

I will eventually get a zoom control too, which will make it very convenient to occasionally switch hands if fatigue does kick in...

Oh yeah. The Knobs. I keep a small tool pouch in 1 of my cases and I ALWAYS have a pliers handy. Once I got the positioning set I tighthened all the knobs up with the pliers and promptly broke the plastic cover off of the bolt that would normally screw into the camera. No big deal, it's only a cover and as I said I use the Bogen QR plate. Also, I made a bracket for the back part of the shoulder brace for my receiver. I made it out of some 2"X6"X1/8" brass plates and pop riveted them together and then to the brace. It balances out really nicely and even during the reception with the light on the camera it stays pretty well balanced. I'll try to get a picture of it and get on here so you can see it.
Don

I'd really like to see a picture of that. Think the shoulder brace could accomodate an AG-DVX100?

It should hold it no problem. I'll post some pics as soon as I figure out how!!! (this is beyond me at 6AM)
Don

I went ahead and placed an order for a Varizoom VZ Shooter shoulder brace. I'll report back when it arrives.

Okay, my shoulder brace arrived today. First impressions:

The Varizoom VZ-1 Shooter is very light. At first I was alarmed when the FedEx driver handed my package over, I thought maybe it was the wrong product inside. Of course it was the correct item but I guess I was thinking along the lines of weight = sturdiness and so I had some doubts about how strong this brace really was.

It is also very simple in construction with drilled holes along the metal length, washers, some nuts. It looks like a proficient welder could put one of these together quite easily. There is no padding along the curved, fixed shoulder brace itself and the foam around the handle is of the variety that will flake off with extensive use.

I definitely think these are priced too high but to counter some of the points I've brought up there are some advantages as well. It is light! Why would one want to add on extraneous weight if its not needed? In this regard, the brace is actually good. The simple construction also means less hassle and once its setup, you're ready to go. It performs exactly as its required.

My only genuine fault with the product is the convenient 'stand' it comes with. I wish it could be removed as an option since I feel it gets in the way. And I'd replace the foam around the handle with something else. Otherwise, when braced against my shoulder it holds the shot fairly steady.

Here is a link to the product in question:

http://www.varizoom.com/pages/oneshoot.htm

I wonder if I should have gone with the Studio1Production brace instead?

I have a knock-off of this model (MightywonderCam). I think they used to sell for $299, not $99. I got mine used for a bit less than that. I rarely use it anymore with my Canon XL1. $99 is about what it's worth, IMHO. If I had to do it again, I think I might have bought the other one.

You can add more foam to the shoulder area. Go to Home Depot.

so i ordered a varizoom vz-1 from zotz to use at a dog show last weekend. here's my quick breakdown, keeping in mind that i only put the thing on for the last hour of a 4 hour shoot since prior to that my arms weren't too tired to keep the camera steady:

pros:
light, easy to adjust, kept the camera stable.

cons:
not enough pressure on your shoulder ( your arm still carries the weight ), must contort entire torso to change shot, i was too cheap to buy the zoom controller ( bad me ).

conclusion:
a good thing to have in the kit for when you need it, but not something i'm going to shoot with every time. also, did not replace need for steadicam. =)

I agree completely with your assessment. What'd you think about the price? I removed the handle on my shoulder brace and started using the grips from my matte box instead, which extends to where the former handle used to be. I'd like to post a picture but the forums don't support this feature.

Have to go to Home Depot for the foam suggestion, thanks Dylan.

i got the shoulder brace for $99 at zotz, seemed reasonable.

re: foam, the Home Depots here in LaLaLand don't carry foam anymore strangely enough. but there is a great place called Diamond Foam on La Brea, just south of Wilshire. i got foam cut for 2 cases for $40. they'll do from 1-6" thick and as much cutting as you want for that price. if you're not in LA, check upholstery supply stores ( if you can't get your foam at Home Depot ).

Thanks for the tips, Brian. Was that $99 with shipping?

no, but the thing is really light. i got that plus an ME66/K6 overnight and the shipping was $36.

Anyone try this?

http://www.cullmann-foto.de/english/html/produkte/stative/spezial/2702.html

my favoured R&G support is the following

a leather pouch style tool belt (from handiyman store)
a manfrotto 434 monopod
a ball head with QR plate

connect camera to the ball head, then the ball head to the monopod then place the monopod in one of the tool belt pouches

adjust the belt to have that pouch in the crotch area

this way the camera weight is taken on the hips and is much easier to control and also allows for a more natural height of shooting from the chest area (I am over 6 foot tall and shoulder shots are too high)

when finished the monopod can be stowed in the hammer bay of the tool belt

tool belt is also used for filters, WA lens, tapes and batteries

I have had the screws from the shoulder pad to the cam arm get loose. They're small. I carry a set of hex head wrenchs all the time and can tighten them up. The last time I did I used a bit of thread goop (I forget the real name) and haven't had a problem since. I use theshoulder brace lots and lots so I kinda expected it to loosen up but it's never hurt me on the job
Don

I agree about the bolts on mine... they are harder to tighten than they should be, but overall, the thing is light, durable, and pretty darn comfy.

I ended up making a very simple but effective shoulder brace for about $20 in parts from Home Depot. All prices are in Canadian.

I already had a Manfrotto Super Clamp ($40) and a Varizoom VZ-Pro-L controller so I only needed to buy a few extra parts from Home Depot.

3 foot 1 inch square aluminum tubing with plastic end caps ($12)
3 inch C clamp ($4)
2 inch C clamp ($4)

The 3" C clamp attaches to the front left of the tube and becomes your left hand grip. The 2" C clamp attaches to the front right of the tube and the Varizoom attaches to it. The Super Clamp can be attached anywhere along the tube. I have a Manfrotto 501 quick release plate that's attached to the Clamp so it's very easy to move the camera from tripod to shoulder brace. The camera can also "swivel" because of the way the QR plate attaches to the Clamp. It makes more sense when you see how a Super Clamp works.

The tube can be cut to length anywhere you want. I just extended both my arms to what I thought would be a maximum comfortable length and left about 4" overhanging my shoulder. I purposely did not make a special shoulder rest but prefer the tube to rest anywhere on my shoulder.

For a really stable shot, I can pull both my arms in close to my chest or if my arms start to get tired. Another way to hold the brace is with your left hand on the C clamp and your right in the normal hand grip of the camera. I don't know if this is possible with the design of some of the commercial shoulder braces that I've seen.

Since everything clamps together in a few minutes, everything goes in my camera bag except for a 30" aluminum square tube.

If anyone's interested, I can send them a picture.

I'd like to see a pic!

the_klenzer@hotmail.com

Thanks!

Me too!

meridianm@comcast.net

Thanks.

Me as well, Thanks
beaser@eudoramail.com

Chris, sounds like this should be an article for the dvinfo.net website. If you can email pics to me, I'll post them along with your description, if you're up for it.

Thanks for the picture Chris.

That home made rig really has some great possibilities. The C Clamp is a natural grip if I ever saw one.

It's certainly looks very much able to do the job and very easy to use. With a little imagination one could even dress it up to look more commercial.

The C-grip doesn't look that steady to hold, I'd wrap it in foam, maybe a bicycle handle grip. Apart from that, looks interesting!

I wanted to assemble something really simple and functional. I already had the Super Clamp and Varizoom so it was just figuring out a way to attach it to the tube. It literally took me less than five minutes to make it. I cut the aluminum tube to 24 inches and popped on the end caps. Also, if I don't assemble it, I have two spare C clamps that might come in handy somewhere on a shoot.

I've sent the pictures to Chris Hurd and he's going to post them somewhere along with the text I originally wrote.

On a trip to Home Depot yesterday I say some 1/2" conduit sections that were bent in a short radius that reminded me of the shoulder sections of some shoulder braces. I bought a couple along with a length of conduit and a few fittings and built myself a shoulder brace for my PD150 for about $15.

I am quite pleased with it. Other than marching around the house I haven't done any shooting with it yet, but it feels good and is quite steady. The whole thing is 1/2" conduit and fittings, a piece of scrap oak, a little black paint and a Varizoom controller which I already owned. (As I recall the controller costs somewhat more than $15.)

Here are a couple of photos.

http://www.richardspilman.com/shoulder.htm

Hey guys,

Do you think I could use the Studio1 shoulder brace (or any brand for that matters) without a zoom controller? I think the oncam zoom controller with my GL2 does a fine job. Would you recommend I buy one?

Any thoughts? ??

Thanks!
Emilio Olivares

I guess it depends on how much you zoom. I don't use zoom much but occasionally in between takes and such, so for myself I've never needed one.

On the other hand, if you use it a lot, it would be extremely helpful because of the easy and quick access at your fingertips.

I purchased the video Innovators S-800 shoulder brace for my GL2 and it turned out being just what I was looking for. I bought mine from B&H.

It's very light and rests comfortably on my shoulder. I've been able to get some nice shots with a little practice. I highly recommend it if your looking for an inexpensive shoulder brace when your money is super tight.

Since Dennis resurrected this thread, I'll toss in my update.

I recently purchased a DV Rig Pro brace (http://www.global-dvc.org/html/DV%20RIG%20PRO.asp) and couldn't be more pleased with it. No, it's not an inertial stabilizer but it's not your run-of-the-mill shoulder brace either. In terms of performance it lies somewhere in-between the two.

I'm so enthusiastic about the DV Rig Pro that I plan to write-up an article for DVInfo at the first opportunity this summer.

Please post a link to that article once you finish it Ken. The DV Rig Pro brace looks very sweet in that link.

We have Studio 1 braces for the XL, TRV-950 & VX-2000...we love them.

RB

Here is a link to a shoulder brace a friend of mine (also on this site) made. I believe padding was later added and it turns out it was over built. But better to be too strong than have a PD-150 get ruined.

http://www.desertrides.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1343