Patrick Verhey Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Hi everybody, I´m looking to buy a rig right know but I´m a bit unsure what to get. For me at the moment it is mainly a question of the weight a rig should be able to handle. My main working focus is TV Shows in germany. So beside the camera there will be some additional equipment like focus pull, light and wireless transmitter. My problem is that I could not find out how much that stuff will be in average. It is even hard to find out the cameras average weights. Mainly the camery will come from the production company, so I do not know which model it will be, but in germany it will be a HD for sure. So can you tell me a brief average a system should handle? I don´t want to spend money for something I cannot use. And there is a big difference of money in between rigs to carry up to 12kg / 26lb and those who can take more than 30lb. Thanks for your help. regards Patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Kris Torch Wilson Posted October 1, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Patrick, I can't answer your question with exact weights but I will tell you how I addressed this a few years ago when buying my first rig. I didn't want to limit myself to lightweight cameras. Can you imagine showing up for a show and finding out your rig couldn't handle the weight. I considered the worst case; betacam with all the crap; mic, sun gun, wireless etc. Well over 30 lbs. So the answer was simple. Go big or go home. Of course a big rig costs more, but that's the way it is. Either you're in or you're out. I started with a 3A and now have an Ultra2. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Fabrizio Sciarra SOC ACO Posted October 1, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Agreed with Kris F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Thomas English Posted October 1, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Get the most you can afford. I have done jobs on 3a arms when the camera body was unexpectedly way too much (Moviecam with anamorphics). I was physically lifting the arm up a lot but I got the shots. Get what you can afford and when a big job comes in you will have the showreel to convince a hire company or another operator to rent you a bigger rig. Get a 3a if you can but make sure you buy a Steadicam, MK-V or PRO. This way you have an upgrade path. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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