Minimizing Camera Shake...

[Jon Amerikaner]

Hi

I just shot my first shoot utilizing a Letus and PL-mount with Arri film lenses. There was a tremendous amount of camera shake on focus pulls. (I was pulling focus and operating together because this was a no budget shoot)

 

Now I am prepping a 2nd shoot with the system and looking for a 1st AC.

 

So my question for you pros is: what other equipment do I need in order to stabilize and complete the rig so the AC does not get as much shake when he/she focuses?

 

FYI the camera is an EX1 with standard Letus/PL-mount set-up

 

Thanks

[Brian Drysdale]

Are you using a follow focus, or directly pulling focus on the lens?

[Adrian Sierkowski]

Generally follow focus with whip is nice, and you gotta make sure you got it on a good tripod rated for the weight and awkward load you get. I love my 50D O'Connor which I use for everything from my naked EX1 all the way up to smaller 35mm packages (like my 2M and other MOS systems). Tripod is so very important to keep things stable.

When hand-held, an easy-rig is quite useful, or you can do what I stole from Chris Doyle, tape a pillow around your tummy and tuck your elbow into it for more stability

 

Like this

 

 

ahh, I kinda miss my old letus sometimes.

 

Also, counter-weights are very helpful in keeping everything hand-held stable.