Reddit reviews CowboyStudio Shoulder Support Pad for Video Camcorder Camera DV / DC

Heres the shoulder rig

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1374173576&sr=8-3&keywords=shoulder+rig

You know, I was about to type a long reply but I've decided to be lazy and copy/paste the contents of an email I sent to a buddy who just bought a T3i. I use a 60D, and use all these things, but most all this stuff should work for you with a 5D.

Crane and eyecup:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SAHSVI

Cards:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WE4HE2
I buy 8 or 16 gigs, with the idea being that that's NOT a lot of room. If I had a 32 or 64 gig card and that card failed I'd much rather lose 16 gigs of footage than 64 gigs which could be an ENTIRE production.

Batteries:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZSHKIO
Work justs as good as the Canon name brand ones.

My 'Kit' lens:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EXR0SI

Cheapo plastic shoulder mount we used for the music video:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036NMQ7S

Gini camera rigs:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/gini-2011/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686
I did a minimum purchase right as the auction ended, and snagged their "dslr rig pro 10" for 235 + shipping. If you look at their past auction history, it seems like EVERYONE does this.

Audio Recorder:
http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Handy-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B001QWBM62/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315766729&sr=8-1
They just got me this bad boy at work to plug my XLR mics into, so I record audio to it, and video to my dslr and then sync in FCP. Works awesome, however you probably could do the same thing with your HDV camera, they'd be about the same size.

As always: cheesycam.com has the best reviews and whatnot on all this stuff.

Here's KEH.com's listing for the kit lens you are looking at. They have a rating system with UG at the bottom, then BGN, and up. I'd go for BGN though, they tend to be extremely conservative with their appraisals. http://www.keh.com/camera/Canon-Digital-Zoom-Lenses/1/sku-DC079990648100?r=FE

Remember, it's the glass that matters. so buy the (or borrow my) cheapest lens you can and start saving for the nice lens.

These are the cheapo flashes on probably ebay brackets. I have a feeling this guy is actually using a rig like this to do some work. The thing on his back is this only inverted.

That looks like shoulder mount to me, the camera is pretty high off the ground to be actually handheld.

A nice cheap option for shouldermounting a lightweight camera is this cowboy studio shoulder rig - though it's often available unbranded for far lower prices, especially if you're happy to wait for a direct import from China.

There are other systems available, though I'd personally advise against any of those super-cheap ones with the two handles on; as you need to have a free hand to pull focus and operate the camera.

For both handheld and shoulder mount, camera weight is the key. If you're trying to do either with a tiny, lightweight camera, you'll get a lot more shakes and wobbles. By adding mass to your rig, you'll end up with more stable shots and a smoother result.

Boom.

The exact setup that i decided on when i first bought my equipment was a G7, sigma combo, and Sachtler Ace M. Very solid stuff.

Honestly, i just went with this guy: https://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S. The reviews were surprisingly good, and for that cheap there's no reason why you shouldnt have it in your kit. It's super compact and you can even take your hands off the rig and it stays up. I'll be honest, i've used it maybe once, but that's because i really dont like shooting anything handheld or with a shoulder rig. I guess you have to ask yourself what you want a rig for? I'd rather just keep my shots on a tripod.

If i had a blackmagic, sure! I'd throw it on a rig. But with these tiny bodied, cameras with the jello-ey shutter and strong video look that they have...i stay far away from that look.

I also dont know that i'd ever use the 50mm on a shoulder rig. The longest i'd probably go is the 35 end of the 18-35mm. Depending on what you're doing, i don't know that a cage is a good investment. Especially since you might want to get a cage made specifically for your camera, and if you're planning on upgrading your G7 like i did, you dont want JUST a G7 cage.

Note: i also somehow managed to find a Camtree Hunt GH4 cage on ebay for $120. It's amazing quality, and i don't know how i got it that cheap because now i can only find them (or the varavon similar ones) for like $350. Either way, they're good quality for the price.

Thanks.

The helpful chap that sold me the GH1 managed to find a one-hand friendly rig for me today, a very cheap $30 shoulder stabilizer from CowboyStudio (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036NMQ7S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Have ordered and will test using with my street photography to see how viable it is. A good challenge for sure.

You could go with the Cowboy Studio Shoulder Mount. It's 25 dollars at the moment.

The addition of more B-Roll will go a long way. Food, pedestrians, colors - these are all great things to use for filler or cutaways.

Absolutely, get more footage of the food. Closeups....REALLY tight shots work well in this instance.

For story, I would've liked to see the 'illegal' carts (usually found at night). Downtown or Hollywood after the clubs close are great locations. Lighting might be an issue but this will add another dimension to the overall production.

Drop the image stabilization. Early in the video, there appears to be driving in a car shot? It can be a little disorienting. There are really cheap shoulder mounts that I use when shooting. This is a relatively inexpensive option: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036NMQ7S/

This works surprisingly well. It has some limitations though. It's cheap and plastic so you have to be carful not to break it, but it gets the job done. If you are going between handheld and tripod a lot it's a bitch because you have to take it off the entire rig and put the plate on each time.

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367963672&sr=8-1&keywords=cowboy+studio+rig

Using the viewfinder pressed to your eye, one hand on the grip and one hand on the lens is almost all you need usually. Otherwise, might be time to add more weight. A cage or a gunstock to add a fourth point of contact pushing against your chest will help a lot too. A very cheap and effective option is the classic cowboy studio shoulder rig for 30 bucks. https://www.amazon.ca/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522194992&sr=8-1&keywords=cowboy+studio+shoulder OR if you have some budget zacuto enforcer is great https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/997525-REG/zacuto_z_der_dslr_enforcer.html and edelkrone has a great compact folding gunstock https://edelkrone.com/products/pocketrig-2

Interesting question. Its one I've been experimenting with for some time.

I have a manfrotto 680 monopod with a benro s4 head, so basically a video monopod minus feet. I'll choose my tripod (also benro) every time. Here's why:

1. A lightweight tripod can also be used as a monopod. Just extend one leg down.
   
   
2. You can extend two legs to get stable dolly style shots.
   
   
3. If you extend the third leg, you have....a tripod!
   
   
4. With my tripod or similar models, you can lock the head pointing up, unlock one leg, and carry the whole rig horizontally to create a makeshift steadycam.
   
   The one and only advantage I've found from using a monopod is the speed of setup. But for true run and gun I prefer to use this:
   
   http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036NMQ7S/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=30934079781&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1583563968911428565&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_7dxgxvpsm7_b
   
   In the end its all personal preference, but that's my experience.

No it isn't. Yes you can.

EDIT: No idea if this is good, but it is cheap.

That shoulder mount appears to be about half the cost on Amazon as it is on eBay. Just FYI.

This is the rig that I like to use personally

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B005UF3G2Y
combine that with this
http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0036NMQ7S
and your hands are free to adjust focus, settings, etc. while you shoot.

Since your budget is tight, ditch the spider rig, and consider these instead of the spider rig...

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-CXS-25-Universal-Aluminum-Camera/dp/B00A4EAJAI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408856359&sr=8-2&keywords=dslr+rails

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036NMQ7S/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=33867566155&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5234213955375955278&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7g0sbnoesl_b

It's about the same price, and you could at least build off it.

Couldn't you just get something like this then? https://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1466753053&sr=8-6&keywords=cowboystudio

EDIT: This is a review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rhJ-m3-Qa0

Have you looked into making your own?

i was looking at shoulder rigs yesterday and had the idea of maybe doing a diy rig and this is the rough list I've come up with so far.

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Might I suggest you purchase a cheap shoulder rig off amazon for your cam. I'm assuming you're using a DSLR, you can buy a cheap one from cowboy studios off of amazon. That or cropping your vid and stabilizing it in post.

Here's some budget friendly pieces to get you started.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HTMYTO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036NMQ7S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EAJK2CS/ref=od_aui_detailpages03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-System-Handle-Stabilizer-Follow/dp/B00CRLBXTC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420818004&sr=8-3&keywords=FOTGA+DP500+Rail+Rod+System

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373501162&sr=8-1&keywords=shoulder+mount

Thanks for being so elaborate reply! Really appreciate the effort of putting the links up to everything.

Yeah the GH4 has been the camera that I had been leaning towards although I still haven't made up my mind totally, you seem to be pretty happy with it? Any draws backs you have found?
I was also looking at Sony a7s have you had any experience with this camera? I hear there are limited lens options for it, but I guess you can always get a converter?

I'd actually been looking at that tripod for a while but was worrying that even though it looks it, it might not be heavy duty enough, cheers for the assurance!

Do you have any advice regarding sliders and LED kits?

And also have you used a cowboy before? I was running on a shoot the other day and the op had one and he really rated it. http://www.amazon.co.uk/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414548876&sr=8-1&keywords=cowboy+shoulder+rig

I made a handle to go with it. Not too bad.

I've worked full time as a camera owner/operator for a few years now and I still use the cowboy studio rig I got like 4 years ago. It's durable, versatile, cheap and does the job. I can shoot all day with it on my shoulder, and it fits really nicely at hip height too so getting a good variety of shots on the move is definitely possible.

I also got a small rail system just to put a handle in front of the camera, but it can be used with or without it.

EDIT: Just reread the OP and i realize now you're more looking for a rail system with follow focus. I'd say look into renting one, cheap ones suck and the good ones are super expensive.

Perhaps, But I don't know a damn thing about Color hahah I think it looks great! I'm just starting to get into color correcting and was just curious if those effects could be achieved totally in Final Cut. As for my question about a shoulder mount, I was going to recommend this if you weren't already using one.

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S

Its $30 and works pretty damn well for the price. I love mine to death. Heres a quick (and very sloppy) sample of the first thing I recorded with it.

http://vimeo.com/22252489

I use this piece a lot for weddings and prefer it over a monopod. https://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S

Express35 Rig-X on a Cowboystudio shoulder mount. Combine with a D|Focus Follow Focus and you have your self a cheap and effective rig.

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S/ref=cm_cmu_pg_t