Fingerless gloves

[Jason Williams]

Hi all,

 

Something I've noticed on some ops, some of them wear fingerless gloves, I have some, but is it really worth me using them, does it improve operating?

 

Just would love to know everyone's opinion on this one....

 

Thanks!

 

Jason :)

[Richard W. Davis]

Jason,

 

As with so many things it is personal preference and what you are used to. On a ProVid as your signature states you fly, it might be a bit of overkill. Like all things give it a shot see what you think.

 

Rich Davis

[Marc Abernathy]

jase,

 

what did you decide to do on this? just curious...

[Jason Williams]

Hi Marc,

 

I've only ever worked without gloves, but will try it over the next few weeks, I'm not sure if it will make any difference as my hands will still get warm, and most likely sweaty, so might make control harder, but it's worth a go!

 

Will let you know what happens....

 

Jason

[Charles Papert]

Jason:

 

The glove issue was sort of a fashion trend back in the day, but it was born out of the early Steadicam's having far less ergonomic gimbal handles than they do now. I was prone to using them myself but haven't in years. In particular, the hand on the post is so tactile in use from the fingertips to the palm, that I wouldn't personally entrust that to fabric of any kind. The only exception to this would be working in extreme cold, where it's more about avoiding frostbite than achieving subtlety...!

[RobVanGelder]

I use tennis-racket griptape wound around the gimbal for better grip even with sweaty hands (as is always the case here :D ). I prefer that instead of the gloves and if I would use gloves it would be full-finger gloves (like golf-gloves) as I don´t like the feel of the edge where the fabric stops.

[PaulSommers]

I only use gloves in the cold. I have mittens that fold out to fingerless gloves. Between takes, toasty warm, during the shot not so much. Now if only PRO would come out with a gimbal warmer...

 

Paul

[Jason Torbitt]

I've never used fingerless gloves, but I do wear normal gloves from time to time when it's very cold and I want to be able to feel my fingers!

 

I did a short film last year underground in some old prison cells and stone walled corridors. It was a weird sensation, whilst being boiling hot as usual and sweating up with the Steadicam on, at the same time I couldn't feel my fingers or toes that well as it was freezing cold down there, hence the gloves.

 

I don't much see the point of fingerless gloves, as it's your fingers that get coldest, but they are exposed with fingerless gloves.

[Jason Williams]

Jason:

 

The glove issue was sort of a fashion trend back in the day, but it was born out of the early Steadicam's having far less ergonomic gimbal handles than they do now. I was prone to using them myself but haven't in years. In particular, the hand on the post is so tactile in use from the fingertips to the palm, that I wouldn't personally entrust that to fabric of any kind. The only exception to this would be working in extreme cold, where it's more about avoiding frostbite than achieving subtlety...!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thanks for your advice, I bought the gloves a few years back when I was using my copy rig and having issues operating (although it turned out to be a hardware problem), so just kept them safe just in case I ever needed them, but it's good to get everyone else's feedback too.

 

Jason B)

[JobScholtze]

The only time i use them is during multi cam sessions. Try to keep completely black, and so are my hands. Even when doing handheld on set it's handy to keep low profile for other camera's.

[Marc Abernathy]

i appreciate all the feedback from you veterans in this regard.

 

i have been operating out in the cold (less than 30 degrees. thats cold to me as im very cold natured) and for one long walk and talk scene i have had gloves on because i want to keep my fingers from freezing. i would like to get some tennis grip and try that.. can i just go to a sporting goods store and obtain this?

[Bryan Trieb]

I'm a huge fan of the racquet grip tape. The brand I use is called Black Knight. What's nice is the backing of the grip tape is NOT sticky...so it won't offend the cosmetic look of your gear, which is always good for many reasons.

You should be able to find these grips for under $10 at sporting goods vendors who carry racquets.

 

Bryan "SweatyHands" Trieb

[Jeff Muhlstock SOC]

In extreme cold, I use Golf Winter gloves, both hands. These gloves are designed to maintian good "feel". They arent extremely warm, but it is a good compromise to keep the cold air off your hands. Thin Baseball Bating gloves are good as well. Keep lots of hand warmers in your pockets between takes.

 

Jeff

[Guest (O_o)]

As someone stated earlier, it all boils down to your personal preference. I like to use fingerless gloves because, although it may be purely psychological, I feel it gives me a better grip on the gimbal. That and I don't like the feel of sweat and rubber together.