Thoughts on the Element Technica Mantis

[Andrew Ansnick]

With all these front-heavy cameras nowadays I also recommend the shake-weight..... I also use the weight when watching Pedro's videos.

 

HAHAHAHA Probably one of the funniest things I've heard you say Ron!

 

I'm also against the mantis. It seems to never really get the weight far enough back and is always still too front heavy, plus the added height so many others have already complained about. Additionally, most handheld rigs just don't offer the same level of control that I have with grabbing the matte box. 1000 ft. mag works like a charm.

[James Davis]

Moose bars + Shoulder pad and leave the dovetail on....done, cheap and easy.

 

Although one option that no one has mentioned which is made by Ronford Baker is really nice, they make a shoulder rest integrated into a bridge plate dovetail.

 

Very quick to use/deploy, slap your moose bars on the front of the rails and you can easily adjust where/how the weight sits over your shoulder, a lot nicer than the mantis in my opinion and gives you more control than just grabbing the matte box.

 

You can see their moose bars here:

 

http://www.ronfordbaker.co.uk/video.html

 

But it doesn't show the shoulder pad/dovetail combo they make, I know a DP who owns it though and it's really nice, it looks similar to the Mantis shoulder pad section, but better made and sturdier with an integrated dovetail that slides into a bridge plate.

 

Give them a call, they will know what you are talking about and might be happy to send you some pictures, but I can't seem to see the exact version I am talking about on their website at the moment.

[Sanjay Sami]

actually I was half serious...an assistant I work with has a bong shipping bag she stuffed with foam. The strap goes around your neck and your elbows rest on the bag. Low tech is sometimes a good solution. Lifting the camera up too high with a gadget, pad, baseplate, or paycheck is a bad thing.

 

With all these front-heavy cameras nowadays I also recommend the shake-weight that James Puli mentioned in the "what the hell is that?" thread. I also use the weight when watching Pedro's videos.

 

John Seale used a similar system (if you could call it that) every time I worked with him. The bare rope of the bag around his neck. I padded the rope with some foam once, and he asked me not to spoil him with all these 'fancy' additions.

It worked well, but I dont think the bag was used to ship bongs.

[Alan Rencher]

I've built many rigs just from Berkey parts. They're cheap, and you can be creative. berkeysystem.com

[Pedro Guimaraes SOC]

most handheld rigs just don't offer the same level of control that I have with grabbing the matte box. 1000 ft. mag works like a charm.

 

what's a "1000ft mag" you speak about? :unsure:

[Andrew Ansnick]

what's a "1000ft mag" you speak about? :unsure:

 

It's binary code for a 1 TB Hardrive of course :D

[RonBaldwin]

most handheld rigs just don't offer the same level of control that I have with grabbing the matte box. 1000 ft. mag works like a charm.

 

what's a "1000ft mag" you speak about? :unsure:

 

it contains a substance that keeps the set sane, gives the crew rehearsals, and forces the directors to have their siht together. It also smell good.

 

and...you have my vote