Exclusive! New Camera Stabilizer from Manfrotto

Leigh Wanstead · April 26th, 2005, 12:37 AM

Hi Marc,

That is cool. 8 )

Regards
Leigh

Dan Selakovich · April 27th, 2005, 09:13 AM

I saw this rig being used on the streets of LA years ago. Of course I went home and made one for myself (not commercially available at the time). It's a cool thing. You can also use it one-handed, and it's so simple to use that you can throw it in the hands of an actor if need be. Like a stabilizer, crane, dolly, this is just another tool in the arsenal. Does it replace a steadicam rig--heck no! But it also requires almost no training and is very cost effective. The FigRig is incredibly handy to have around, especially on multi-camera shoots where you've got a lot of different rigs happening at once. I've also used mine hanging from a jib (attached with a ball and socket at the top of the figrig). You can just grab the bottom of the thing and do pans and tilts and booms (within reach, of course). I think a lot of people look for one rig that will solve all of their shooting problems. Until that rig exists, don't count out the figrig so quickly: just add it to your garage full of equipment. Just my 2 cents.

Dan
www.dvcamerarigs.com

Doug Fearman · April 27th, 2005, 01:46 PM

Very cool (and practical) Marc.
doug

Kevin James · April 29th, 2005, 08:49 PM

So.......I'm still not sure where to go for portable stabilization. I'm essentially back to square one as I feel the Steadi JR is the best solution at the moment. I'd like to try the fig rig, but I fail to see how it can have the same smoothness as a counterbalanced system.......

Steven Davis · May 27th, 2005, 01:23 PM

That's it, I'm spending the weekend in my local junkyard ripping a stearing wheel off a 60's stationwagon.

A very neat idea, but I do agree that this would have limited usage. IMo. For doing that walking along like in the demo video, it rocked. I was hopeing that the price would be a little lower though.

Lamar Lamb · May 27th, 2005, 07:56 PM

I saw the FigRig on the Manfrotto site several weeks ago and was a little skeptical then after seeing this post today I decided to figure out a way to simulate the concept to see if it actually works. I took my DVRig Pro apart, ditched the weight and shoulder bracket, and put the camera mounting plate on it upside down so that the handles would stick up rather than down with the camera attached. I took it for a test drive this evening and I have to admit after a little practice it definitly is better than just hand holding, at least for me. I won't buy one since I have discovered a new mode for my DVRig but if I didn't have it I would consider the steering wheel FigRig thingy seriously.

Steven Davis · May 27th, 2005, 08:50 PM

Post a picture of that rig, I gota see it

Lamar Lamb · May 27th, 2005, 10:04 PM

http://www.glassdolphinvideo.com/temppics/MVC-473X.JPG
http://www.glassdolphinvideo.com/temppics/MVC-474X.JPG
http://www.glassdolphinvideo.com/temppics/MVC-475X.JPG
http://www.glassdolphinvideo.com/temppics/MVC-476X.JPG

Alex Gee · June 30th, 2005, 01:40 AM

What's that thing hanging under the camera mounting plate?
For US$300 there must surely be more to it than just a wheel with a flat metal strap welded to it.

* Duh! after seeing a video of the original model I guess it's a pistol grip albeit a small version

Steven Davis · June 30th, 2005, 05:01 AM

Yep, for what my little opinion counts, this 300 dollar tag is about 100 too high.

Brent Marks · July 6th, 2005, 05:15 AM

Will Manfrotto bring down the price of the Fig Rig?

$300 is too high.

$125-175 would be right.

$300 is too much.

Terry Thompson · July 6th, 2005, 07:38 PM

After watching the footage and reading all the posts and also having seen it at NAB I'm inclined to state it is better than straight hand held due to the easier hand holds as well as the extra mass. There isn't any real stabilization involved that I can see other than that. It is an interesting item though and would be useful for those who do a lot of handheld shots and don't use a tripod or stabilizer. Anything that helps you take better shots is an improvement.

You wouldn't be able to do the amazing floating/flying shots that you can get with a gimbaled stabilizer. Not happening so the idea of calling it a stabilizer is a bit of a stretch. More like a camera utility mount. Some of the ideas are pretty good though.

Tery

Charles Papert · July 6th, 2005, 07:40 PM

Agreed, Terry. It's a bit of a cheeky move to appropriate the term "stabilizer" as it is traditionally used in the camera world. I'd call it a "brace" or "handheld mount"

April 27th, 2005, 01:46 PM	#18
Doug Fearman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: upstate new york Posts: 97	Very cool (and practical) Marc. doug __________________ Would someone turn on the lights!?

May 27th, 2005, 01:23 PM	#20
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	That's it, I'm spending the weekend in my local junkyard ripping a stearing wheel off a 60's stationwagon. A very neat idea, but I do agree that this would have limited usage. IMo. For doing that walking along like in the demo video, it rocked. I was hopeing that the price would be a little lower though. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

May 27th, 2005, 07:56 PM	#21
Lamar Lamb Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Baxley, Georgia Posts: 103	I saw the FigRig on the Manfrotto site several weeks ago and was a little skeptical then after seeing this post today I decided to figure out a way to simulate the concept to see if it actually works. I took my DVRig Pro apart, ditched the weight and shoulder bracket, and put the camera mounting plate on it upside down so that the handles would stick up rather than down with the camera attached. I took it for a test drive this evening and I have to admit after a little practice it definitly is better than just hand holding, at least for me. I won't buy one since I have discovered a new mode for my DVRig but if I didn't have it I would consider the steering wheel FigRig thingy seriously. __________________ Lamar Last edited by Lamar Lamb; May 28th, 2005 at 06:15 AM.

May 27th, 2005, 08:50 PM	#22
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Post a picture of that rig, I gota see it __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

May 27th, 2005, 10:04 PM	#23
Lamar Lamb Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Baxley, Georgia Posts: 103	Pics http://www.glassdolphinvideo.com/temppics/MVC-473X.JPG http://www.glassdolphinvideo.com/temppics/MVC-474X.JPG http://www.glassdolphinvideo.com/temppics/MVC-475X.JPG http://www.glassdolphinvideo.com/temppics/MVC-476X.JPG __________________ Lamar

April 26th, 2005, 12:37 AM	#16
Leigh Wanstead Trustee Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NZ Posts: 1,276	Hi Marc, That is cool. 8 ) Regards Leigh

April 27th, 2005, 09:13 AM	#17
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	I saw this rig being used on the streets of LA years ago. Of course I went home and made one for myself (not commercially available at the time). It's a cool thing. You can also use it one-handed, and it's so simple to use that you can throw it in the hands of an actor if need be. Like a stabilizer, crane, dolly, this is just another tool in the arsenal. Does it replace a steadicam rig--heck no! But it also requires almost no training and is very cost effective. The FigRig is incredibly handy to have around, especially on multi-camera shoots where you've got a lot of different rigs happening at once. I've also used mine hanging from a jib (attached with a ball and socket at the top of the figrig). You can just grab the bottom of the thing and do pans and tilts and booms (within reach, of course). I think a lot of people look for one rig that will solve all of their shooting problems. Until that rig exists, don't count out the figrig so quickly: just add it to your garage full of equipment. Just my 2 cents. Dan www.dvcamerarigs.com

April 29th, 2005, 08:49 PM	#19
Kevin James Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 204	So.......I'm still not sure where to go for portable stabilization. I'm essentially back to square one as I feel the Steadi JR is the best solution at the moment. I'd like to try the fig rig, but I fail to see how it can have the same smoothness as a counterbalanced system.......

June 30th, 2005, 01:40 AM	#24
Alex Gee Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cowell South Australia Posts: 32	What's that thing hanging under the camera mounting plate? For US$300 there must surely be more to it than just a wheel with a flat metal strap welded to it. * Duh! after seeing a video of the original model I guess it's a pistol grip albeit a small version Last edited by Alex Gee; June 30th, 2005 at 01:52 AM. Reason: the brain was a bit slow

June 30th, 2005, 05:01 AM	#25
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Yep, for what my little opinion counts, this 300 dollar tag is about 100 too high. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

July 6th, 2005, 05:15 AM	#26
Brent Marks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Houston TX and New Orleans LA Posts: 300	Will Manfrotto bring down the price of the Fig Rig? $300 is too high. $125-175 would be right. $300 is too much.

July 6th, 2005, 07:38 PM	#27
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	After watching the footage and reading all the posts and also having seen it at NAB I'm inclined to state it is better than straight hand held due to the easier hand holds as well as the extra mass. There isn't any real stabilization involved that I can see other than that. It is an interesting item though and would be useful for those who do a lot of handheld shots and don't use a tripod or stabilizer. Anything that helps you take better shots is an improvement. You wouldn't be able to do the amazing floating/flying shots that you can get with a gimbaled stabilizer. Not happening so the idea of calling it a stabilizer is a bit of a stretch. More like a camera utility mount. Some of the ideas are pretty good though. Tery __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com

July 6th, 2005, 07:40 PM	#28
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Agreed, Terry. It's a bit of a cheeky move to appropriate the term "stabilizer" as it is traditionally used in the camera world. I'd call it a "brace" or "handheld mount" __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com