C100 and handholding

[Andy Young]

This may sound odd, but my favorite way to handhold my c100 is to simply hold it in my hand. No rig needed. I find that if I have a stabilized lens, right hand on the grip and left hand cupping the underside of the camera/lens works really solid. I find that to much other stuff gets in my way.

[Jon Roemer]

Originally Posted by Andy Young

This may sound odd, but my favorite way to handhold my c100 is to simply hold it in my hand. No rig needed. I find that if I have a stabilized lens, right hand on the grip and left hand cupping the underside of the camera/lens works really solid. I find that to much other stuff gets in my way.

I was going to say that myself. In my case it's with the C300 but handholding, esp. with a stabilized lens, works just fine and makes you as low key as possible.

[Gary Huff]

Originally Posted by Andy Young

I find that if I have a stabilized lens, right hand on the grip and left hand cupping the underside of the camera/lens works really solid. I find that to much other stuff gets in my way.

That's my experience as well, though for longer shots it becomes a little heavy. I think the Zacuto Recoil rig is probably the best in-between setup I have seen.

[Ken Diewert]

Originally Posted by Jon Roemer

I was going to say that myself. In my case it's with the C300 but handholding, esp. with a stabilized lens, works just fine and makes you as low key as possible.

Same. But I put the neck strap on, and around my neck and pull it tight. I used to do this with my 5d2 all the time. With a wide or an IS lens - it holds up pretty good.

The zacuto rig looks like they want you to buy the base and keep giving them money until you run out.

[Gary Huff]

Originally Posted by Ken Diewert

The zacuto rig looks like they want you to buy the base and keep giving them money until you run out.

What do you mean?

[Kathy Smith]

This is interesting about not using any rigs. I was just talking to a friend about this and he basically said the same thing. Just handholding with hands, everything else gets in a way.
So if you are handholding the camera how do you manage to keep the camera in focus? (maybe that's a silly question), but let's say I want a relatively shallow depth of field, handholding the camera, keeping it in focus by using the little screen is hard, no? I haven't tried but that's what I'm thinking.

[Andy Young]

I can still keep the front base of the camera settled in my palm and use my thumb and my index finger to pull focus. I've been doing it this way long enough that it has become second nature and I don;t really think about it.

[Ken Diewert]

Originally Posted by Gary Huff

What do you mean?

Hey Gary, I mean - I think the base unit will just get you started, and they want you to buy every accessory they have for it to really make it reasonably functional. And with zacuto prices, that's going to add up pretty quick. I'm all about investing to make either the client product or the work flow better, I just don't really see it in shoulder rigs. I suppose if you shoot a lot of eng style, it might work - since there are not so many off the shelf eng style cameras these days.

[Ken Diewert]

Originally Posted by Kathy Smith

This is interesting about not using any rigs. I was just talking to a friend about this and he basically said the same thing. Just handholding with hands, everything else gets in a way.
So if you are handholding the camera how do you manage to keep the camera in focus? (maybe that's a silly question), but let's say I want a relatively shallow depth of field, handholding the camera, keeping it in focus by using the little screen is hard, no? I haven't tried but that's what I'm thinking.

Kathy,

I use the push auto focus button to confirm focus - you will have to center your subject, then drift off center for preferred composition, but it works. But I spent a full 5 years focussing manually with the 5d m2, so the c100 feels almost like full auto, just by having this feature. Be careful because if you're in low light, or the subject is not very contrasty, you might end up way off. In a pinch, you can also glance at the lens barrel distance reading and estimate.

Also, it helps to be mindful of your distance to subject, and your approximate depth of field - and noticing if the subject (and you) are maintaining that distance.

[Gary Huff]

Originally Posted by Ken Diewert

Hey Gary, I mean - I think the base unit will just get you started, and they want you to buy every accessory they have for it to really make it reasonably functional.

From where I sit, the basic Recoil rig is all I would need. Sure, you can build it up, but you add weight and not much functionality. Though I would consider a Gratical, which is probably the cost of all those optional accessories combined!

[Gary Huff]

Originally Posted by Kathy Smith

I want a relatively shallow depth of field, handholding the camera, keeping it in focus by using the little screen is hard, no?

That's why you don't focus by eye, you focus using peaking and magnified focus assist.

[Kathy Smith]

Originally Posted by Andy Young

I can still keep the front base of the camera settled in my palm and use my thumb and my index finger to pull focus. I've been doing it this way long enough that it has become second nature and I don;t really think about it.

OK, I am going to start practicing this. Do you use focus assist?

[Kathy Smith]

Originally Posted by Ken Diewert

Kathy,

I use the push auto focus button to confirm focus - you will have to center your subject, then drift off center for preferred composition, but it works. But I spent a full 5 years focussing manually with the 5d m2, so the c100 feels almost like full auto, just by having this feature. Be careful because if you're in low light, or the subject is not very contrasty, you might end up way off. In a pinch, you can also glance at the lens barrel distance reading and estimate.

Also, it helps to be mindful of your distance to subject, and your approximate depth of field - and noticing if the subject (and you) are maintaining that distance.

Thanks Ken. I guess I always found it hard to use the crappy monitor on C100 but I will have to just practice

[Kathy Smith]

Originally Posted by Gary Huff

That's why you don't focus by eye, you focus using peaking and magnified focus assist.

Yes, I normally don't focus by eye and I'm not a fan of C100 screen so I have been using external screen which I won't be able to use handheld. So I just have to practice.

[Ken Diewert]

Originally Posted by Gary Huff

That's why you don't focus by eye, you focus using peaking and magnified focus assist.

Oh, Yes.... focus peaking is always on... gotta love the focus peaking...