I have a Canon 60d. I love the freedom of going handheld with a 30mm/50mm lens. I recently got a cheapie monopod and a manfrotto 361 shoulder support to help stabilise a little without losing the character of handheld, but didn't really notice a significant stability difference (vs pure handheld) unless I was really concentrating on keeping still and filming a static object (like in an interview) - at which point, it probably would have been better to use a tripod anyway. It was the worst of both worlds, like it was trying to be still but, not... I really like James millers' handheld stuff (James, are you there?!), like this , this , and this - he just uses a z-finder which apparently brings a little more stability. His stuff is obviously handheld, but in a way that isn't 'jittery' (rapid tiny movements that seem accidental, which I'm still getting), but more like the camera is slow dancing around the object in a graceful/purposeful way. How do I do that? Technique or gear?
I dont know which camera he used on the first video, but the second was filmed with fs100 and last was filmed c300. These cameras has a lot less of the rolling shutter/jello effect compared with your 60D. I think that may be one of the reasons.
First was a 5dii. Personally I have found recently that having a rails mount on a camera, follow focus and monitor in the top allowing me to essentially hold the rails with one hand and hug it to my body has been particularly useful. But that is probably the same price as buying a rig. I'd be interested to know what others think on this.
For small handheld rigs the more points of contact the better, configurations like the Zacuto Target Striker with a Loupe pulled in tight to the chest are really useful. No Follow Focus or rails, just hand on the lens. For on the shoulder I pull the handgrips in nice and tight so when I'm holding them my elbows sit flush against my chest, more points of contact mean less wobble and less exertion holding the rig for longer periods of time. Sit the camera body back for counter balance.
Jim technique wise keep the camera moving a little, if you try and hold the shot rock steady even with the help of a z finder it is going to be a bit shaky, if you intentionally keep moving a little this will help, the jitter/shake will become movement. Kit wise yes a z finder or similar will help that extra point of contact reduces fine movements, a small into the shoulder gun stock style rig is also nice for when you need to hold a particular shot for a bit longer. I have the super affordable "Magic Rig" it was my way of seeing if this sort of set up was worth while and I do love it. It's perfect I keep considering getting a second one and building something using parts from both. http://goo.gl/r3UUh for a tenth of the price of some of similar big name rigs out there it's worth a punt. this video was shot almost entirely with that rig
Hey there Jim I have the Manfrotto 361 with a Z Finder and I find the two of them together fantastic for run and gun shooting. But you're right in that the critical part of the rig is the Z Finder. If you're anything like me you found it hard to swallow spending hundreds of dollars on a shoulder brace that seemed quite simple. And I think the 361 does a really great job considering it's around 30 - 40 bucks. But you REALLY have to sink the cash into a viewfinder. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
Thank guys. Really helpful stuff about the technique etc. I actually got a manfrotto 361, no zfinder as yet. Was thinking of getting the lcdvf which should do the same thing.
Jim there are also a couple of z-finder esq view finders like VF Prime and Seagull VF which are probably worth checking out.
Jim we have one of those coming into the office this week for our new 600D so if you like I'll let you know my thoughts asap.
Could I get some more info on that rig? I have been looking at buying a rig and when I saw the price of this I was bowled over! Plus the fact that it is in fact made from metal. Have you used any of the other "pro" rigs and can you tell me how it compares?
when I'm really going run-and-gun and don't want to bring the full shoulder rig, I just take cam with the Z-finder and the Manfrotto 561BHDV which has a fluid head... works pretty well for me to be honest! It eliminates the vertical-wobble, while keeping the 'handheld' feeling...
Ditto, remarkably cheap but judging by the above video looks like it would do the job. Something like this for quick handheld shooting would be ideal, I assume you could use a z-finder with this? Wouldn't imagine it would last very long compared to Zacuto gear but so cheap you could replace them multiple times!
Interested as well to know if you splashed out on the z-finder but skimped on the rig? I bought a 600d last summer knowing that I would probably upgrade sometime around now so I cheaper out on a £15 LCD Viewfinder that screwed into the bottom of the 600D so I still had the option of swivelling the screen. After using it for a few solid months I am annoyed that it fogs up when I get hot and the fact that I can't attach a tripod or my monopod at the same time but apart from that I don't know what else the extra £200ish would get me!
Are you sure it's not when it gets hot, rather than when you get hot? Personally I think it's the same dilemma as buying lenses and filters. You can get away with cheap options, but the end result will be inferior. I know someone who spent £1000 on a lens but insists on using a rubbish £15 ND filter with it, crazy. The z-finder will be much sharper and therefore easier to focus, better built and won't fog up - well worth the difference basically. In terms of the cheap rig though it depends whether the z-finder can be used with it, assume it can but confirmation would be useful.
Archie and Donald, about the rig, I looked at a the similar genus rig at the canon pro solutions event last year and liked it but really couldn't justify the £400 or so being asked for. Then I saw the rig I got on cheesycam and with some cash I'd made selling some old film SLR stuff I took a punt. I think it's worth it. And would buy it again, or as I said buy another one to use exctra parts to make a bigger rig. Is it up to the build quality of the Genus or Redrock or Zacuto stuff out there, we in some ways yes, it's all metal construction, the tightening knobs etc work well, but in other ways no, the black finish proabably won't last as long as it would on others all though Zacuto stuff is all uncoated anyway, did I take apart the handle and Araldite it together to stop is twisting apart, yes. However this has totally fixed the problem or I could have spent some money, and still might, on a better handle. I bought it on whim not even sure if I'd use it that much and now use it on most shoots. Donald, yeah I use a VF with this although not a Z Finder, I used my friends Z Finder and whilst it was good I didn't think it was £200 better than what I have. I may however upgrade from my very cheap VF to the Neewer/GGS ours just arrived for our office 600D, which hasn't yet turned up! I like the fact that the Neewer is held in by a clip rather than held on by magnets. On the fogging up issue why not try so anti-fog solution.
