Easy Rig

[Ken Nguyen]

Hi all,

Personally, I found the rig is a total waste of money!

I've been doing handheld for years.

I tried using the rig for a few months and ended up sold it in ebay.

The rig has a very limited use for handheld work.

Most of the time, handheld is called because there is no access for other camera support systems.

The main purpose of the rig is to distributing the load down to your leg.

And only good when camera is on the shoulder.

If this is what you want, a monopod is cheaper, and more stable (yet, no load onto your body).

 

Dues to the configuration of the rig, the cable is attached to the camera handle not the film plane.

So tilt, roll, dutch shots won't look good or won't work.

Booming up and down is very limited. You might find that the rig is ruining your shot also.

Combined move or complicated shot such as boom then dutch then pan etc. (typical handheld style) is very challenging if using the rig.

 

The camera is hanging in front of you.

So, for low angle shot - lower than the shoulder shot, as you bend down to look into the viewfinder, the post bends with you.

You have to bring the camera closer to your body. At this point, the cable of the rig acts as another force that pulls the camera away from you.

Your hands need to counter it.

And, you still need to carry most of the load of the camera with your hands.

 

Those are just a few examples!

Thing, doesn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for other.

Ken Nguyen.

[Peter Hoare]

They have just done a limited edition RED easyrig, and I had a go on one yesterday (infact the ONLY one in the UK at the moment).

 

At first it felt quite uncomfortable, the weight of the camera levering forward pulled back on the strap, which did nothing for 'personal aesthetics'

 

It was definatly easier than shouldering the camera without it though.

 

 

I think if I had the time to get used to it, I would probably feel the benefit.

 

One problem with the easy rig though, you do look absolutely ridiculous.

[Jeff Muhlstock SOC]

Good to hear from all of you and thanks for the input! Bottom line is It may be a very good additional tool for my bag of tricks. With the popularity of handheld work still climbing, I feel it will help take some of the unbalanced feel off of the shoulder, simply less painful with a heavy camera. I don't really care what I look like, if it helps me get through the day just a bit easier, it makes sense. Obviously this is not a tool to stabilize, smooth out or make a better camera move, this is purely a weight and balance distribution method to aid in the struggle of an over weight camera that isnt ideal for shoulder work. Handheld camera work should be handheld, but if an LT, 235. XL, or 416 isnt possible, then the easyrig may just take the curse off. I will look into Walter's rig, but I dont fly a back vest so Im guessing its not an option for me $$$. Thanks again for all your points.

 

Jeff