Jump to content

Front vs. Back mounted


Erwin Landau

Recommended Posts

  • Premium Members
But so far even completely brand new and not broken in, I am VERY very very happy with the PRO vest! I liked the Ultra 2, but for my size, the custom PRO already feels like a great improvement in comfort and finesse.

Hi Jaron,

 

Great post.

 

I've tried all the vests I can lay my hands on, and for me, the LX is the most comfortable of all. I urge people not to overlook it just because it's cheap!

 

Chris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 51
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Premium Members
I've tried all the vests I can lay my hands on, and for me, the LX is the most comfortable of all. I urge people not to overlook it just because it's cheap!

I also prefer the LX vest to the Ultra2 vest. I personally feel that the Pro vest fits me better than both of them.

 

~Jess

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

I own a BM and it s true that legs falling asleep! But i have felt it only one time at a Job and that was my first Job with the BM and i think i have wear it too tight like the FM!! But from ther on i have loosen it a little bit and a bigger foam and i have no problems till yet! I have done a 2 times 4 ours studioshow for 2 days and no problem with my legs falling aslepp or anything else like pain in the lowerback! Normaly when i operate as a Cameraman i have alway pain in the back..but as a steadicam operator and espacially with the BM i feel no bad pain. Of course tired feets and legs but no kind of unhealthy pain;-) So i am glad to use Walters BM Vest!! I´ll get a PRO Vest for testing it. I have heard that it is possible to let the weight be only on ypur hips. That sounds nice....

Daniel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

Daniel - Any front mount with an adjustable chest spar should allow you to rest the weight on your hips should you choose. The Steadicam vests will be much quicker in that adjustment than the PRO, but all good FM's can vary the amount of weight on your hips vs shoulders. One advantage I like about the front mounts is that you don't HAVE to rest all the weight on your hips. Chris wrote some fantastic stuff a while back about posture, and there are many ops who can attest to how "working out" daily in the FM vest helped prevent back injuries in other situations. I know personally 2 guys whose doctors said "if your back muscles weren't so strong, you would be in MUCH worse shape after _____ accident." Feeling the weight of the rig you're flying isn't the worst thing in the world. I'm of the mindset that my body's nerves are generally there for a reason, and when they scream at me it's because they want me to know I'm approaching a limit past which damage can occur. I generally feel at the end of the day like I got a good workout, but I NEVER feel pain in my back. There is a difference between genuine pain and a little lactic acid.

 

As for actual vest choice - my opinion is that above a certain threshold, like most things in Steadicam, it's about personal choice. I like the PRO vest now, it feels great to me and I'm glad it was suggested that I try it. But someone else may like the LX or U2 or Klassen much better. If it offers the adjustments you need to fit the way you like, rock on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

Like mentioned many times above, it's a personal thing. I have been using a bm vest since 2001 on episodic tv (meaning a lot of steadicam). I love it and I know it reduces my fatigue because at the beginning I switched back and forth to feel the difference. I have had one "tingly leg" and one "leg completely asleep...can't move or I'll fall" situation in the 8 years -- both times were while using hd (the real meaning, huge delay). What happens to directors when it's tape that makes them lose all sense of reason and keep the shot rolling through several takes? It's always nice when your 1 minute shot with a 30 second lock at the end becomes an 8 minute marathon with reset after reset after reset.

 

I still have my old model 1 vest, but never use it. If I had a pro vest I'm sure I'd throw it on sometimes...a really nice piece of equip!

 

rb

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...