Shoulder Cam type of support at DVinfo.net

Greg Matty · November 18th, 2003, 11:15 AM

Someone posted a link to a website that had camera support I am interested in. It was like a steadicam but had a pistol grip that you used to hold the support bracket against your shoulder. Naturally I have lost the link but maybe someone here has seen this type of device and can provide the manufacturer or a retailer.
Thanks.

Greg Matty

Marc Young · November 18th, 2003, 11:54 PM

Video Innovators makes the cheapest one (S-800), followed by Varizoom, Image-2000, and Anton Bauer Stasis. Even Videosmith has a hodge-podge offering.

To tell you the truth, it's not easy to pick the best one from the manufacturer's photos. You might want to try them all out, if possible. Because the dvx100 must stick out in front of you to make use of the viewfinder, you should try to fit a handle to the bottom. I also wish the stasis (AB) had an ab brace, because the front weight of the camera makes it impossible to achieve a balance with the rear battery (even the 5 lb one) over your shoulder.

Come to think of it, you may also be interested in the Tortlerig.

http://www.easyrig.com/

This weird gadget has not been tested by me, so good luck special ordering it. You buy it, it's yours. No refund from B&H.

Peter Jefferson · November 19th, 2003, 01:26 AM

i use a manfrotto 501 head with 2 arms...
What i do is then use a hip bag, which teh long neck sits in.. then with the 2 arms flipped upward, i rest them on my shoulders with the DVX viewfinder dead centre... works great :)

and as the weight distribution is carried lower into the hip, it save teh backache :)

Greg Matty · November 19th, 2003, 08:44 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Peter Jefferson : i use a manfrotto 501 head with 2 arms...
What i do is then use a hip bag, which teh long neck sits in.. then with the 2 arms flipped upward, i rest them on my shoulders with the DVX viewfinder dead centre... works great :)

and as the weight distribution is carried lower into the hip, it save teh backache :) -->>>

Thanks Mark, Peter,

I have a left over 501 head so maybe this route is a good idea. I am still confused as to how the setup works. What is the head attached to? Can you post a photo?

I'll take a look at Mark's suggestions also.

Greg Matty

Peter Jefferson · November 20th, 2003, 05:06 AM

the heead is attached to the long neck which comes standard with the 501 head.

this is then either put agains the belly, or tucked into a belt pouch

I use a baby bottle hip bag now :) works a treat

the levers are actually facing upwards (pointin up not down) and these act as the shoulder rests

and thats really all there is to it i guess...

David A. Johnson · November 20th, 2003, 08:26 AM

Peter,

I'm still having a really hard time picturing this setup. Any chance you could post a picture?

Thanks,
David

BTW - Do go take a look at the TortleRig mentioned in post by Marc Young. Extremely cool, innovative support solution. The only catch is that it's close to $1000 from their US distributor...

Jim Quinlan · November 20th, 2003, 08:40 AM

The Marzpak www.marztech.com is similar to that backpack rig from Holland (TortleRig/easyrig). I think the Marzpak looks more efficient and more practical and is only $499.00 if memory serves me right.

I'm in the process of building my own Marzpak using an external framed backpack, shock cord and some tubes. I may also incorporate my Vreeze http://www.vreezecam.com steadicam in the final creation. If it works, it will have the stability of a full glidecam without the problem of the tremendous weight strain on your wrist and arms. I'm also hoping it will be less sensitive to movement and sway. We'll see .... it will be my Thanksgiving long weekend project.

November 18th, 2003, 11:15 AM	#1
Greg Matty Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 177	Shoulder Cam type of support Someone posted a link to a website that had camera support I am interested in. It was like a steadicam but had a pistol grip that you used to hold the support bracket against your shoulder. Naturally I have lost the link but maybe someone here has seen this type of device and can provide the manufacturer or a retailer. Thanks. Greg Matty

November 20th, 2003, 08:26 AM	#6
David A. Johnson New Boot Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 21	Peter, I'm still having a really hard time picturing this setup. Any chance you could post a picture? Thanks, David BTW - Do go take a look at the TortleRig mentioned in post by Marc Young. Extremely cool, innovative support solution. The only catch is that it's close to $1000 from their US distributor... __________________ David A. Johnson past - photojournalist present - IT admin future - documentarian

November 20th, 2003, 08:40 AM	#7
Jim Quinlan Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 177	The Marzpak www.marztech.com is similar to that backpack rig from Holland (TortleRig/easyrig). I think the Marzpak looks more efficient and more practical and is only $499.00 if memory serves me right. I'm in the process of building my own Marzpak using an external framed backpack, shock cord and some tubes. I may also incorporate my Vreeze http://www.vreezecam.com steadicam in the final creation. If it works, it will have the stability of a full glidecam without the problem of the tremendous weight strain on your wrist and arms. I'm also hoping it will be less sensitive to movement and sway. We'll see .... it will be my Thanksgiving long weekend project. __________________ Jim

November 18th, 2003, 11:54 PM	#2
Marc Young Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 112	Video Innovators makes the cheapest one (S-800), followed by Varizoom, Image-2000, and Anton Bauer Stasis. Even Videosmith has a hodge-podge offering. To tell you the truth, it's not easy to pick the best one from the manufacturer's photos. You might want to try them all out, if possible. Because the dvx100 must stick out in front of you to make use of the viewfinder, you should try to fit a handle to the bottom. I also wish the stasis (AB) had an ab brace, because the front weight of the camera makes it impossible to achieve a balance with the rear battery (even the 5 lb one) over your shoulder. Come to think of it, you may also be interested in the Tortlerig. http://www.easyrig.com/ This weird gadget has not been tested by me, so good luck special ordering it. You buy it, it's yours. No refund from B&H.

November 19th, 2003, 01:26 AM	#3
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	i use a manfrotto 501 head with 2 arms... What i do is then use a hip bag, which teh long neck sits in.. then with the 2 arms flipped upward, i rest them on my shoulders with the DVX viewfinder dead centre... works great :) and as the weight distribution is carried lower into the hip, it save teh backache :)

November 19th, 2003, 08:44 AM	#4
Greg Matty Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 177	<<<-- Originally posted by Peter Jefferson : i use a manfrotto 501 head with 2 arms... What i do is then use a hip bag, which teh long neck sits in.. then with the 2 arms flipped upward, i rest them on my shoulders with the DVX viewfinder dead centre... works great :) and as the weight distribution is carried lower into the hip, it save teh backache :) -->>> Thanks Mark, Peter, I have a left over 501 head so maybe this route is a good idea. I am still confused as to how the setup works. What is the head attached to? Can you post a photo? I'll take a look at Mark's suggestions also. Greg Matty

November 20th, 2003, 05:06 AM	#5
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	the heead is attached to the long neck which comes standard with the 501 head. this is then either put agains the belly, or tucked into a belt pouch I use a baby bottle hip bag now :) works a treat the levers are actually facing upwards (pointin up not down) and these act as the shoulder rests and thats really all there is to it i guess...