HD-DSLR essential accessory #1
We are all constantly hearing about the essential items a videographer must have if using a DSLR for moving imagery. There are some solid and extensive gear resource blogs out there with Vincent Laforet’s Gear Page being a great example.
So what is our essential item #1? Is it the usual, Zacuto Z-Finder? No, stabilisation comes first.
As many of you will know stabilisation on a HD-DSLR is vital if you wish to avoid some fairly gut wrenching camera shake. We made the same mistake starting out but quickly realised that it is simply not possible to shoot on a DSLR handheld without something steadying it, be it a tripod, a flat surface, or a shoulder mount. If we can’t do either of those things then we won’t shoot.
Sadly the options are often pretty expensive, and to be honest, for the price not very good. Sponsored bloggers would often have you believe that something like a basic Zacuto or Redrock micro rig is a good start. They’re great, but only when you start going for the more comprehensive cinema rigs, which for the majority of us we just don’t really need nor do we want if we’re travelling, shooting on foot and want to keep a low profile for say documentary or news work. The starter rigs are better than nothing but when you’re still looking at hundreds of £ it’s a tough call when they don’t address many of the problems that a rig should.
If you want super steady, robust and able to handle a wide range of accessories and upgrades go for a cinema rig. If you don’t need a follow focus unit, a matte box, monitor or mounting rails and counter weight to make it possible to shoot with all this kit on your shoulder then you don’t need a cinema rig so why pay the price for one? You wouldn’t but then the cheaper options leave you dealing with fatigue in the arm preventing you from shooting for long periods of time, they’re clumsy and still relatively expensive.
Is there an alternative? Yep, this, and it’s CHEAP….
The CVP Shoulder Mount is in relative DSLR terms cheap as chips. What’s crazy is that it’s actually much easier, more comfortable and stable to use than the majority of rigs that do not have a counter weight attached. It’s light and folds up into a compact unit that’s great for jumping on a plane with or hiking around all day with. The front and rear chest/shoulder sections work together to ‘lock’ the unit and camera onto your body to the point where it’s possible to actually let go of the camera if you so wished!
Your camera simply screws onto the front of the unit that has a rubber pad to help grip the camera into place.
It can take a sound unit such as the Zoom H4N or a Beachtek with a mounted shotgun mic, the only draw back are the number of single screw for mounting devices all on the same plane which can cause some slight shifts in the direction of camera in relation to the shoulder mount. Which brings me to another one of its failings. All of the joints in the shoulder mount are secured by single bolts, which inevitably causes problems when a weighted object, like a DSLR camera or video camera such as an EX1 or HVX-200 is placed at one end.
Single bolts at the joints….
It is a compromise like all things, but for the price, it is an awesome piece kit that is going to allow you to get the shot, and if you do break it, it’s not the end of the world when it’s under £100. If you don’t need to add a million and one accessories onto your DSLR for a shoot and you want something comfortable and functional, get this.
willus.
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