Shoulder Rig Question at DVinfo.net

Clive McLaughlin · July 9th, 2014, 04:37 AM

I had never considered a shoulder rig. I always felt it would be too shaky with my style. But my recent foray into handheld shooting with IS lenses has got be re-thinking.

One question I've always had... They have two handles right? But when you need to adjust focus, your left hand (I assume) leaves the left handle and works the focus ring. Does this not make the setup a little unstable since you support of the camera is through only one handle to the right of the cameras center of gravity?

I've never used one, so if you tell me it remains rock solid, I'll take your work for it, but my logic and understanding of physics makes me question this...

Also - any suggestions for good rigs?

Chris Harding · July 9th, 2014, 05:09 AM

Hi Clive

Unless you are running full auto I agree with you that the handles underneath are pointless. The first rig I made for my Panny AC-130's had two handles and you have to think about your right hand too ...unless it's a long sequence handheld I find I need my right hand under the camera strap so I can stop/start etc etc( and reframe with digital zoom on my camera's rocker if I need it) so that makes the right handle useless to me.

Yes, you need to at least have your left hand free so you can focus too .. (unless you are shooting with an 8mm fisheye) so bam goes the second handle. I eventually removed both and just kept the shoulder mount only.

I think I posted previously about the ENG rig from DVTec that does the job better than both handles. My Sony's are already shoulder mount so I just use the ENG rig so all the weight is taken by the sprung rod and waist belt. Footage will look like it's on a tripod ... amazing to use and you have BOTH hands free!

Chris

July 9th, 2014, 04:37 AM	#1
Clive McLaughlin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Belfast Posts: 823	Shoulder Rig Question I had never considered a shoulder rig. I always felt it would be too shaky with my style. But my recent foray into handheld shooting with IS lenses has got be re-thinking. One question I've always had... They have two handles right? But when you need to adjust focus, your left hand (I assume) leaves the left handle and works the focus ring. Does this not make the setup a little unstable since you support of the camera is through only one handle to the right of the cameras center of gravity? I've never used one, so if you tell me it remains rock solid, I'll take your work for it, but my logic and understanding of physics makes me question this... Also - any suggestions for good rigs?

July 9th, 2014, 05:09 AM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Shoulder Rig Question Hi Clive Unless you are running full auto I agree with you that the handles underneath are pointless. The first rig I made for my Panny AC-130's had two handles and you have to think about your right hand too ...unless it's a long sequence handheld I find I need my right hand under the camera strap so I can stop/start etc etc( and reframe with digital zoom on my camera's rocker if I need it) so that makes the right handle useless to me. Yes, you need to at least have your left hand free so you can focus too .. (unless you are shooting with an 8mm fisheye) so bam goes the second handle. I eventually removed both and just kept the shoulder mount only. I think I posted previously about the ENG rig from DVTec that does the job better than both handles. My Sony's are already shoulder mount so I just use the ENG rig so all the weight is taken by the sprung rod and waist belt. Footage will look like it's on a tripod ... amazing to use and you have BOTH hands free! Chris