MiniDV Shoulder Brace

Bryan Beasleigh · May 22nd, 2003, 10:42 PM

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.

Dylan Couper · May 22nd, 2003, 11:30 PM

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!

Chris Mah · May 22nd, 2003, 11:33 PM

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.

Rick Spilman · May 25th, 2003, 07:16 PM

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

Emilio Olivares · January 8th, 2004, 04:00 PM

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

Imran Zaidi · January 8th, 2004, 04:07 PM

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.

Dennis Parker · April 20th, 2004, 04:17 AM

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.

Ken Tanaka · April 20th, 2004, 10:05 AM

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

I recently purchased a DV Rig Pro brace 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.

Dennis Parker · April 20th, 2004, 10:29 AM

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

Rick Bravo · April 21st, 2004, 11:19 AM

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

RB

Cory Bantilan · May 5th, 2004, 03:45 AM

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

May 22nd, 2003, 11:30 PM	#32
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	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! __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

January 8th, 2004, 04:00 PM	#35
Emilio Olivares New Boot Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Monterrey. Mexico Posts: 20	Do you think... 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

April 20th, 2004, 10:05 AM	#38
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Since Dennis resurrected this thread, I'll toss in my update. I recently purchased a DV Rig Pro brace 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. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

April 21st, 2004, 11:19 AM	#40
Rick Bravo Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 574	We have Studio 1 braces for the XL, TRV-950 & VX-2000...we love them. RB __________________ "The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra. www.rbravo.com

May 22nd, 2003, 10:42 PM	#31
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	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.

May 22nd, 2003, 11:33 PM	#33
Chris Mah Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 34	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.

May 25th, 2003, 07:16 PM	#34
Rick Spilman Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 366	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

January 8th, 2004, 04:07 PM	#36
Imran Zaidi Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,315	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.

April 20th, 2004, 04:17 AM	#37
Dennis Parker Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 58	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.

April 20th, 2004, 10:29 AM	#39
Dennis Parker Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 58	Please post a link to that article once you finish it Ken. The DV Rig Pro brace looks very sweet in that link.

May 5th, 2004, 03:45 AM	#41
Cory Bantilan New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, CA / Columbus, OH Posts: 7	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