shoulder/hip support for EX1 – extended hand-held shooting

[Michael Slowe]

Max, the thing about the Vortex brace is that it sounds as though you can get the camera higher than yours. I find that shooting people (sounds illegal) I constantly have to remember to keep the camera in their eyeline otherwise you get the dreaded ‘nostril’ shot.

Michael Slowe

[Max Reid]

Well, I’m 6 ft 4 in tall, so getting the camera lower is good. I’ve often put the brace under my arm pit to get even lower.

[Rick Wise]

It looks like the DvRig JR, similar in design to the Tiffen stick, works well for the EX1. Adam Wilt describes using it on a feature he shot this last summer and liking it a lot. (https://provideocoalition.com/index.php/awilt/story/maelstrom_production_part_1/)The DvRig JR is more expensive ($320 VS. $100), but includes a pan-tilt head and a shock-absorber column.

Wilt writes in part: “The DvRig’s spring-loaded center column carries the weight, while its dual-axis fluid head (tilt and dutch-tilt axes) allows full freedom to aim the camera as needed. The Rig will remain on the camera for all but a fraction of the shooting, and I now consider it an essential accessory for EX1 handheld work.”

Rick Wise
director of photography
Oakland, CA
http://www.RickWiseDP.com
email: Rick@RickWiseDP.com

[Chris Babbitt]

Based on my own experience with the DV-Rig Jr. and the EX-1, I cannot recommend it. Maybe if you are using the camera bare with no light, wireless mikes or wide angle lens attachment. Otherwise, the camera is just too heavy for this unit. If anyone wants to try it, mine’s for sale.

[Rick Wise]

Thanks very, very much to all of you who have responded to this post. My summary of your suggestions and advice for a rig that carries some/much of the weight on the hips is:

–the least expensive solution that any shooter likes: $100 (B&H) the Steady Stick Compact. Disadvantage as far as I can see: no shock absorber

–the next up in expense: $320 the DvRig Junior; one poster does not like it, but Adam Wilt does a whole lot; advantage: shock absorbers, right hand on camera with access to zoom rocker, left hand free to adjust focus etc., able to tilt up/down, and dutch; disadvantage, B&H does not sell it so no discount; must buy at full price from maker

–and then: $382 (B&H) Varizoom DV Traveler; also shock absorbers, also ability to tilt, dutch; but both hands locked to handles; requires a remote zoom controller; uncertain if can free left hand to focus etc.

–the most expensive solution: $1,000 (B&H) Easy Rig Turtle X; no one here has suggested this rig. The one review on B&H is not good but I’m not sure the guy knew enough.

I have not listed any of the Cine City rigs (https://thecinecity.com/tcc/home.php?cat=3)as they have to be shipped from India, making them extra expensive. Also, they seem to take support too high — abdomen — which means they will rise and fall with your breath if you breathe (as you should) from your “stomach” instead of high in the chest.

My conclusion: for an EX1 with no add-ons other than possibly a wide-angle lens, the DvRig Junior is the one to get. From one post it would appear that if you add lights, sound, then the rig will not handle the weight effectively. If you need to do that, then it looks like you need to go to the Varizoom rig, and add remote controls to attach to the hand grips.

Rick Wise
director of photography
Oakland, CA
http://www.RickWiseDP.com
email: Rick@RickWiseDP.com

[Max Reid]

Chris–

I thought this shoulder brace you pointed out on ebay seemed worth a try– I got it for $21 and $20 shipping. It’s pretty good. Made of high impact plastic, it looks like it will take a lot of banging around. The chest pad can rest on the side of my chest, which pretty much seems to eliminate breathing movement. It’s made in India by Sonia.

https://cgi.ebay.com/Hands-Free-Camcorder-Video-Camera-Shoulder-PAD-Support_W0QQitemZ110291289179QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBags_Cases_Straps?hash=item110291289179&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Looks like they are catching on– the other prices for the same thing went all the way up to $60.

Max Reid

[Chris Babbitt]

I got one too. It appears to be identical to the CVP unit. Well constructed. A real deal.

[Bob Mark]

A friend bought a Cavision unit and likes it very much.
https://www.cavision.com/rods/shoulderpads.htm

Bob

[Rick Wise]

To add to my previous post: There is now a sort-of-clone of the Easyrig made by Atlas that looks very promising, especially for someone who needs to shoot long segments hand held. Costs around $350. https://atlascamerasupport.com/

Rick Wise
director of photography
San Francisco Bay Area
and part-time instructor lighting and camera
grad school, SF Academy of Art University/Film and Video
https://www.RickWiseDP.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwise
email: Rick@RickWiseDP.com