Easy Rig

[Matt Workman]

Hey,

 

I'm thinking about purchasing an Easy Rig for handheld work. I do a lot of music videos where 3-5 minute handheld shots are required.

 

I mainly shoot with the RED w/ Super Speeds and Cooke S4s. I'd guess the average weight is 30 lbs?

 

I'd also want to be able to operate with a 235 or 435, which are a little more ergonomic but still kind of heavy, for me anyway.

 

Does anyone have experience with the 2.5 versus the Cinema 3?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

[Larkin A Seiple]

Hey Matt,

 

I did a music video with the RED on a 2.5 easy rig. We had lomo primes with a ff3 and a 6x6 mattebox, plus hard drive and a battery on the camera. The 2.5 kinda worked? It' didn't take all of the weight off and it felt a little awkward but was nice as a leash, knowing you couldn't drop the camera, we were also able to switch hand held positions pretty easily. I don't think I would use it again unless it was the easy rig "3" that seems like it could carry the weight. But You could also ditch the mattebox, hard drive and find a way around the battery to lighten the load. Then again you could also just get the 3.

 

Best

 

Larkin

[Bob Hayes]

I own an Easy Rig 3 and it is great. Easily handles the heaviest cameras. I can shoot hand held with a 50 pound camera for long takes with out issues. It is also very steady with longer lenses which I find extremely useful. It is great for use under slung where I cradle the camera in my arms.

 

It is not for everyone however. Many people think it is a poor man’s Steadicam. It doesn’t work well like this. When you walk it tends to impart a side to side movement that takes some experience to overcome. Lighter cameras are too light and sometimes require a small weight to make them rest on your shoulder with the Cinema Rig.

 

Again, I use it all the time and love it.

[Alex Wuijts]

My experience with the easyrig is with the 2.5 and the SRII. While 'babying' the camera - holding the camera in front of my body - I found it difficult to keep the horizon level because the string was pulling it sideways. It did make the camera very light and a little steadier.

[Bob Hayes]

You have to be careful when using the Easy Rig with an SR with an old style handle. It is slightly tapered and there is a danger of the Easy Rig sliding off the handle. I added a small loop onto my rig to keep the handle in position.

[Alex Wuijts]

"You have to be careful when using the Easy Rig with an SR with an old style handle. It is slightly tapered and there is a danger of the Easy Rig sliding off the handle. I added a small loop onto my rig to keep the handle in position."

 

Yes we encountered this as well. We firmly secured the rig to the handle because of this.

[Andy_Alderslade]

"You have to be careful when using the Easy Rig with an SR with an old style handle. It is slightly tapered and there is a danger of the Easy Rig sliding off the handle. I added a small loop onto my rig to keep the handle in position."

 

Yes we encountered this as well. We firmly secured the rig to the handle because of this.

 

Interestingly enough I was watching the behind-the-scenes of City of Men (the theatrical feature of the TV series) and noticed how they were using it with one of the old Arri BL models - interesting to see if it changes the dynamics of hand-held.

 

Cheers,

Andy

[Matt Workman]

Thanks for the replies, they were very helpful. The Cine3 seems like the best future-proof purchase.

 

If I can ask, where did you purchase your Cine3 and how much was it? I'm having a little difficulty in my search.

 

Thanks again,

 

Matt