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counterweight recommendation


Wedookayfilms
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I recently purchased this rig http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0095PTKMA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

which is pretty solid but the shoulder mount is super weak. I need some type of counterweight because the rig is pretty heavy as is.. Can anyone recommend a good counterweight that I could purchase online?

something like this but just got the counterweight- http://www.amazon.com/Koolertron-Shoulder-Camera-Stabilizer-Olympus/dp/B00OJXMMZA/ref=sr_1_27?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421797695&sr=1-27&keywords=counterweight+shoulder+rig

Thank you!

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Go down the listing and check 'Customer Images'. There's a guy reporting on a DIY solution:

Problem1 - Counterweight: This is not usable without counterweight, I tried it at a wedding (thx god I only need 30 mins video) and I want to die within 10 mins holding it. I tried to find screw that fit into the shoulder pad, home depot/lowes... no luck! Is this rig made by North Korean who want to mess with us?! I spent so much time and finally found a working DIY solution with a clamp from home depot, cost me total $5 and doesn't look too bad! (will update with that I used) Now with the DIY attachment, I can easily add weight, hang stuff on the shoulder pad. I can't believe Fotodiox made this rig without compatible counterweight or at least tell us where to find them! I also wish they use dual rods to connect the shoulder pad, the single rod is a pain.

 

[..]

 

Fotodiox finally replied, they first claimed the shoulder pad was 1/4" until I had them try to fit a 1/4" in the hole. They said it wasn't designed to amount any counterweight but it was for LCD via magic arm (who mount LCD on shoulders?). Anyway, they said they received many request on counterweight and will revise on future version of the rig. Therefore, we learn that they really didn't know what they were doing when designing the product...

You might want to change up your rig game altogether though, these single rod thingies are far from ideal imho.

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The best counterweight for any rig (and I'm not going to get into particulars here) is a solid V-mount battery and some kind of cheese plate and rail clamp to mount it to your rig. A cheap D-tap cable, a soldering iron and some heat-shrink, and a few radio shack plugs (and of course a converter if your rig is sensitive to voltages - most are not) and you have a huge battery that will keep your gear running for hours plus less weight up front (no batteries needed anymore except for the one in the back!) which gives you both a lighter overall setup, a longer battery time, and a more balanced rig in general. It's worth the few hundred it costs because you save it in diverse batteries and fewer charge rounds and less overall lost time on set. 

Also you only have one battery to change when power gets low rather than two, three, four (camera, EVF, recorder if you have one, lights, etc.). 

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I just bought this rig, is there a way to add 2 bars instead of 1? and Cinegain- can you recommend a good/better rig?

 

and does anyone know of anyone selling just the counterweight shoulder pad? From something like this http://www.amazon.com/Koolertron-Shoulder-Camera-Stabilizer-Olympus/dp/B00OJXMMZA/ref=sr_1_27?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421797695&sr=1-27&keywords=counterweight+shoulder+rig

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You could peek around the corner at Zacuto, see what they're doing on the Fast Draw: http://store.zacuto.com/images/products/secondary/z-dfd-4.jpg .

So, to mimic that to a certain degree you could get the FOTGA / NEEWER DP3000 shoulder pad for example. Then get a second rod and a counterweight. For parts check Jag35, Kamerar, Tarion, Bandc, Fotga, Neewer, et cetera.

But a 2 rail offset (not straight to back) setup imho is king. I know you have your solution because it probably kinda works and was cheap. But there's pretty affordable stuff from the likes of ProAIM/Filmcity and Ginirigs for example, that would be much nicer to work with I feel like, also without breaking the bank (I mean, who doesn't want a rig from Vocas/Lanparte/Redrockmicro/Letus/Trusmt/Zacuto/Cinevate/Kinomatik/ARRI... but you know #topdollahdollahyall$$).

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Thanks! Maybe I will just keep this fotodiox rig as my back up.. I can't really afford zacuto, but could you or anyone recommend another rig with off set rails? (Under $500)... 

Follow focus isn't TOO important- I'm really looking for some good stabilization that's smooths but still gives the handheld look.. Im im deciding between these three but will take other recommendations ! 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MLNMQZG/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A32RC70H1ZRC9F

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IVIHDRQ/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3QGM6ILKNM1RM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D0LQUQY/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AJCV7FG5IT9ZY

 

thank you!! 

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A key point to keep in mind when looking at shoulder rigs is upgradeability. I bought a cheap shoulder rig a while back and have slowly replaced just about every cheap component with something nicer. $30-$100 each time I 'upgrade' it with new parts, usually from smallrig. A big advantage of doing it this way is that you get your rig custom-tailored exactly to your needs without needing to drop a ton of cash all at once. If you're starting out, it will also help you discover what your needs are! You might find that a shoulder rig doesn't even suit your style of shooting. 

 

(this post is not necessarily addressed specifically to the original poster)

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​I own this one. I like it a lot, well made, strong. It's a bit heavy since everything is metal no plastic. Did not like the shoulder pad however. I got this one instead and I love it: http://www.shapewlb.com/en/product/products/accessories/shoulder-pad/adjustable-composite-shoulder-pad_53.aspx?id_page_parent=132 with the counterweight: http://www.shapewlb.com/en/product/products/accessories/shoulder-pad/counter-weight_55.aspx?id_page_parent=132 

With my other accessory's I have perfect balance on my shoulder, I can let go of the camera and it stays.

But yeah, I can recommend the gini rig :)

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A key point to keep in mind when looking at shoulder rigs is upgradeability. I bought a cheap shoulder rig a while back and have slowly replaced just about every cheap component with something nicer. $30-$100 each time I 'upgrade' it with new parts, usually from smallrig. A big advantage of doing it this way is that you get your rig custom-tailored exactly to your needs without needing to drop a ton of cash all at once. If you're starting out, it will also help you discover what your needs are! You might find that a shoulder rig doesn't even suit your style of shooting. 

 

(this post is not necessarily addressed specifically to the original poster)

​Would you say the ginirig has upgradeability? I am leaning towards this rig now with the recommendation but still open to other options, and are curious what other gh2 users use for rigs! Show me!

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If you read the comments there you'll find out that the one you're linking to, some of the parts it consists out of are plastic. I also have Ginirigs stuff. All metal everything.

Just threw two examples together real quick for ya. The first one below is one of these offset dual rod setups, is more rigid and well-built than all the really cheap stuff and much more modular. So you can get some parts from Lanparte for example and throw it on there. Yeah, haven't thrown any counterweights on it, but it's easy to adapt to. With a small lens it's nice 'n easy, but that 80-200mm for example does get to you a little. Follow focus is the Kamerar one (FF3 if I remember correctly).

2WiqCAi.jpg

qxTvH8Y.jpg

2nd one is more of a run 'n gun thing (ABCRig). It's more of a cage with handle that has some shoulder rig abilities than a shoulder rig per se. It's nice 'n basic though.

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I say go for the gini rig if you want durability and customization. It's a great starting base. You will find out what you need to add to the rig to your liking and as cinegain says it's easily customizable with other 15mm rod based accessory's. I have had mine for 2 years, one series all shot on a small boat at sea(small rust in screws cause of salt but no biggie, very easy to replace) travelled with it alot. Never failed me, solid. I like that :) 

Used it with 5D, Gh2, C100 and C300.

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  • 2 weeks later...

​I own this one. I like it a lot, well made, strong. It's a bit heavy since everything is metal no plastic. Did not like the shoulder pad however. I got this one instead and I love it: http://www.shapewlb.com/en/product/products/accessories/shoulder-pad/adjustable-composite-shoulder-pad_53.aspx?id_page_parent=132 with the counterweight: http://www.shapewlb.com/en/product/products/accessories/shoulder-pad/counter-weight_55.aspx?id_page_parent=132 

With my other accessory's I have perfect balance on my shoulder, I can let go of the camera and it stays.

But yeah, I can recommend the gini rig :)

​You were right, shoulder pad is terrible... I may try the one you got. Counterweight is nice though.

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