Opinions on this shoulder rig?

**Steve_Karl** · 2012 February 15th, 16:06

What do you think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=220849767146

**DigitalBard** · 2012 February 15th, 16:16

Here it is for a few dollars less.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260812466908

A friend of mine got one and he really likes it. He says it's comfortable and very adjustable. I think the only problem is that it came with 8-inch rods which were a little too short for a matte box. I traded him my extra 12-inch rods for his 8-inch ones and a few bucks and that worked out for him.

I haven't had a chance to "borrow" it from him yet to use it myself, so I can't give you my own opinion yet.

**Steve_Karl** · 2012 February 15th, 16:28

Thanks. Good to hear that someone has one and likes it.
Actually your link ( when adding in shipping ) comes to $149.00 as opposed to the $136.89 (with shipping) of the one I posted.

Have you seen the bottom of the plate and do you know about the holes I show here in this pic?
http://www.sightsea.com/renders/holes.jpg

I'd like to be able to put a quick release on this that will mate with my tripod.

Thanks!

**DigitalBard** · 2012 February 15th, 16:54

I have no idea. My friend is shooting in another state right now, I'm going to "borrow" it as soon as he gets back next week. I'll email him and see if he can tell me.

**Steve_Karl** · 2012 February 15th, 18:51

Thank you!

**drapeama** · 2012 February 16th, 17:55

Steve, it seems to be 1/4 holes... 3/8 in the worst case.
Should be standard though.

**Steve_Karl** · 2012 February 16th, 18:14

Thanks drapeama.
I thought about it a bit and even if they're way off and odd I can just attach a block of wood with a 1/4"/20 ( thingie ) in it,
I have a few made up already from when built my PVC version of this idea,
and that will get it done.

**DigitalBard** · 2012 February 16th, 18:22

The large holes are 3/8 and the smaller holes are 1/4. None of them are threaded according to my friend.

**Steve_Karl** · 2012 February 16th, 19:37

Thanks!

**Bif** · 2012 February 16th, 23:26

Originally Posted by Steve_Karl

I'd like to be able to put a quick release on this that will mate with my tripod.

Thanks!

The quick release would work better if placed on the camera platform so you could switch camera between shoulder rig and tripod in seconds. I use a SpiderBrace II, have a Manfrotto 577 quick release adapter (http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-577-...9452377&sr=8-1) on the "camera mount" plate and by now I must have 5 of the 501PL adapter plates (http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-501P.../ref=pd_cp_p_1).

My tripods have Manfrotto 501 and 503 fluid heads that use the 501PL adapter plates so I can go from shoulder brace to either tripod in seconds, and have another DSLR or two as well as two camcorders with 501PL plates already mounted and ready to go in seconds.

If you can switch the camera from your shoulder rig to tripod in mere seconds you have no need for the shoulder rig to be on the tripod. You then have a "cleaner" configuration to work from.

This Manfrotto quick release adapter is the most sturdy one I've seen

Bruce Foreman

**Steve_Karl** · 2012 February 17th, 01:02

I hear ya Bruce, but I need my Lilliput Monitor, monitor battery, and Zoom H2, to be with the camera, in this case mounted to a rail on the shoulder rig with clamps, and then be able to take the whole thing mobile by just snapping it off the tripod.

I'm doing that same kind of thing now, but with a PVC cage / shoulder rig that just isn't stable enough when it's on the tripod. It's too vibration sensitive.

I've got the Giottos M621 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tos_MH621.html

to go between the rig and the camera and Bogen Manfrotto 3046 sticks with a 3063 head with an extra QR adapter that is currently mounted to the bottom of my PVC rig.

**Bif** · 2012 February 17th, 10:13

Yes,

I didn't think of nor consider "peripherals", needing to remain with the camera.

That Giottos quick release system looks pretty close to the Manfrotto 577, almost as sturdy so it all should work find for you. I can see the tendency for vibration in that pvc rig in the photo. Balance should be a lot better with the rig you are considering.

Good luck,

Bruce Foreman

**cgbier** · 2012 February 19th, 04:51

I have built a similar rig as pictured (just for fun). I got rid of the vibrations by just filling the pipes with sand. Made it more stabile for hand-holding to boot.

**Steve_Karl** · 2012 March 16th, 16:17

Update:

Got it ... the eBay one.
All the holes on the bottom of mine are threaded and the 2 in the center are 1/4" - 20.
My QR plate goes right on it.

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