Fig rig footage? at DVinfo.net

Tim Sargent · October 23rd, 2007, 10:26 AM

I'm looking at purchasing the Manfrotto fig rig.

Apart from official manfrotto footage, is there anyone who had shot stuff with a fig rig? Is it worth it?

Duncan Craig · October 23rd, 2007, 10:36 AM

Personally I would buy a DVTEC MultiRig Pro instead.

It's a little more money, but way more versatile and holds the weight of the camera for you, so you can film all day. The Fig Rig will kill your back after 30 minutes of use.

It's a shame you missed the IOV show in Covenntry last week I was demoing it with Danny from DVTEC. Great kit, great guy.

Steven Davis · October 23rd, 2007, 10:52 AM

Well, I have extensively posted on the fig rig so I'll limit any repetition I may do.

1. The fig rig is very handy and versitile when filming people walking.

2. The fact that you have a round handle means you can hold it many ways. For instance, one shot I like to do is from the floor, I can hold the fig rig on the top, set it on the floor without worrying about damaging the camera.

3. The fig rig takes practice, your arms will sustain the brunt of your movement, but if you're like me, the longer you use it at a shoot, the better you are.

The limitations are that you are shooting from the chest most of the time, and I'm short, which means I am shooting at an upward angle.

A while back I started really working on my hand held technique, which means I've used my fig rig less, but I haven't thought of selling it because of it's specific uses.

Tim Sargent · October 23rd, 2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncan Craig

Personally I would buy a DVTEC MultiRig Pro instead.

It's a little more money, but way more versatile and holds the weight of the camera for you, so you can film all day. The Fig Rig will kill your back after 30 minutes of use.

It's a shame you missed the IOV show in Covenntry last week I was demoing it with Danny from DVTEC. Great kit, great guy.

I was there too. I did demo the Pro HD rig i think.... I must of met you!

Duncan Craig · October 24th, 2007, 09:20 AM

What was I doing wrong on the demo then? (wink) you must have been seriously unimpressed if you're after a frigrig!!

Tim Sargent · October 24th, 2007, 12:41 PM

Well i didnt actually get to hold the Fig Rig. Really wanted to hold one to see the difference! Manfrotto stand was lacking anyone to help or offer help!

Duncan Craig · October 24th, 2007, 03:06 PM

Actually there was a lonely FigRig hanging on the wall on the Hague Stand next door to the DVTEC stand.

Bless.

Tim Sargent · October 24th, 2007, 04:22 PM

Yeah that was a bit of an awkward stand I thought. Stuff behind the counter almost. Apart from the jibs! It was a bit like a new version of Open All Hours... just without Awkwright!

Duncan Craig · October 24th, 2007, 05:31 PM

HA LOL
Spot on.

Don't get me wrong though I have their biggest jib and the hague tripod dolly and track - really great kit.

Eric Stemen · November 13th, 2007, 12:45 AM

I used a fig rig for my first time at a basketball game 5 days ago. We were running audio,video cables with lanc and intercom system along with a sony 1 chip hd camera. It doesn't stabilize anywhere near as good as a glidecam, but then again my arm(s) didn't get nearly as tired as with a glidecam. If you are using a lot of accessories then it is definitely good to have the fig rig, it does also stabalize better than hand held.

Personally for what I do on my own, I would buy a stabilizer.

October 23rd, 2007, 10:26 AM	#1
Tim Sargent Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny Shropshire, England Posts: 145	Fig rig footage? I'm looking at purchasing the Manfrotto fig rig. Apart from official manfrotto footage, is there anyone who had shot stuff with a fig rig? Is it worth it?

October 23rd, 2007, 10:52 AM	#3
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Well, I have extensively posted on the fig rig so I'll limit any repetition I may do. 1. The fig rig is very handy and versitile when filming people walking. 2. The fact that you have a round handle means you can hold it many ways. For instance, one shot I like to do is from the floor, I can hold the fig rig on the top, set it on the floor without worrying about damaging the camera. 3. The fig rig takes practice, your arms will sustain the brunt of your movement, but if you're like me, the longer you use it at a shoot, the better you are. The limitations are that you are shooting from the chest most of the time, and I'm short, which means I am shooting at an upward angle. A while back I started really working on my hand held technique, which means I've used my fig rig less, but I haven't thought of selling it because of it's specific uses. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

October 23rd, 2007, 10:36 AM	#2
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	Personally I would buy a DVTEC MultiRig Pro instead. It's a little more money, but way more versatile and holds the weight of the camera for you, so you can film all day. The Fig Rig will kill your back after 30 minutes of use. It's a shame you missed the IOV show in Covenntry last week I was demoing it with Danny from DVTEC. Great kit, great guy.

October 24th, 2007, 09:20 AM	#5
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	What was I doing wrong on the demo then? (wink) you must have been seriously unimpressed if you're after a frigrig!!

October 24th, 2007, 12:41 PM	#6
Tim Sargent Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny Shropshire, England Posts: 145	Well i didnt actually get to hold the Fig Rig. Really wanted to hold one to see the difference! Manfrotto stand was lacking anyone to help or offer help!

October 24th, 2007, 03:06 PM	#7
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	Actually there was a lonely FigRig hanging on the wall on the Hague Stand next door to the DVTEC stand. Bless.

October 24th, 2007, 04:22 PM	#8
Tim Sargent Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny Shropshire, England Posts: 145	Yeah that was a bit of an awkward stand I thought. Stuff behind the counter almost. Apart from the jibs! It was a bit like a new version of Open All Hours... just without Awkwright!

October 24th, 2007, 05:31 PM	#9
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	HA LOL Spot on. Don't get me wrong though I have their biggest jib and the hague tripod dolly and track - really great kit.

November 13th, 2007, 12:45 AM	#10
Eric Stemen Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 378	I used a fig rig for my first time at a basketball game 5 days ago. We were running audio,video cables with lanc and intercom system along with a sony 1 chip hd camera. It doesn't stabilize anywhere near as good as a glidecam, but then again my arm(s) didn't get nearly as tired as with a glidecam. If you are using a lot of accessories then it is definitely good to have the fig rig, it does also stabalize better than hand held. Personally for what I do on my own, I would buy a stabilizer.