30Oct Opteka Straight Shoulder Rig
Opteka is now offering a shoulder rig stabilizer. Very basic with a pair of straight rods, shoulder pad, mounting plate, cross bar, and two handles. A decent set up to minimize rotation. Claims to be made of heavy duty aluminum construction and standard 15mm compatible (for most accessories). You can find it available following the link (click here).
Opteka Shoulder Rig Camera Stabilizer 15mm
Also available via Amazon below (click here)
Opteka Shoulder Rig Stabilizer
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October 30th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
pretty interesting, I think if you get a Jag35 riser, it could work for those that need it to be offset.
October 30th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
The price is low enough for this to be fairly compelling. You’d probably want to add a few pieces to it, like a counterweight, but that’s not a bad price for the pieces you get.
October 31st, 2011 at 12:54 pm
You think I’d be able to mount most kinds of follow focus to this? I’m thinking fotga. Do they all space the rods universally?
October 31st, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@David – They should be following the same standards.
October 31st, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Looks like Redrock Micro stuff. Might want those counterweights they have listed.
October 31st, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Thanks- I might give this a try. Nice looking cheap unit for my t3i and HMC-150.
October 31st, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Defiantly thinking about picking on of these up, just gotta figure out a way to make a cheap counter weight. Anyone got any suggestions?
October 31st, 2011 at 8:30 pm
@marshall – Here’s one idea http://cheesycam.com/diy-counter-weight-solution-for-shoulder-rigs/
November 1st, 2011 at 12:57 pm
I bought and used this rig on a shoot a week ago. It’s a very easy rig to use, however the shoulder pad isn’t so comfortable. We used the Opteka Counterbalance weight that you can buy for $30 additionally. After we rigged it up with a Marshall monitor, a follow focus, a cinetape range finder, a mattebox and a few other things it picked up a good amount of weight. It was very easy to shoot with for a straight rig, however it’s hard to get those really good shots when you’re constantly having to keep it at shoulder level. However it works as a great rig for the price! Definitely would recommend to others!
November 1st, 2011 at 5:30 pm
@ Joshua – Can you post some pictures of your rig with it setup? Also, are all the parts made of aluminum? It looks like the tightening knobs and other parts that hold the rods is plastic. How do you think it will hold up? Using professionally but babying it too. What kind of mattebox are you using? I’m looking at the D|Focus and the Cine City stuff but can’t decide on one. I’m leaning towards the Cine City since it comes with side flags. Looks to be better quality too.
Thanks,
Frank
November 2nd, 2011 at 5:24 am
Does anyone know where I might find some replacement thumb screw fasteners for this that aren’t orange?
Everything else looks solid for the price!
November 2nd, 2011 at 7:53 am
@Joe G – It really depends on the thread size, but you can find some of those professional adjustable levers here: http://www.mcmaster.com/#control-handles/=ercf1e
November 11th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Got this in the mail.. I’d say a good buy if you want something simple and solid. Great for my t3i and hmc150. Handles are soft and comfortable, plus they stay very solid when tightened (I heard some bad reviews about jag35 handles.. which is ridiculous considering they’re price difference). Threads are under the tip of the shoulder pad for a QR plate.
I didn’t feel like building my own rig from scratch and end up paying about the same so this works. Also, I’ll probably replace the orange and go all black. And then DIY the counter weight.
November 15th, 2011 at 11:52 am
@ David. Are you planning on adding an offset to use with a viewfinder? I’m torn between this one and the Cinecity 6″ cage. I was planning on using my cowboy studio shoulder rig with the cinecity cage. My only concern is how to make it offset. Any ideas?
December 5th, 2011 at 5:43 am
Nice rig! I just got a GH2 and am looking for a lightweight rig that I can also mount a focus follow and a matte box. I do like this and would love to see more photos by you guys who have it!
December 7th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Thank you so much, Emm. Such a good deal!
I have a few questions though…
Are there any counterweight bars or anything, or would I have to screw through the thing to attach some?
Also, how is it focusing with one of these? I imagine you would take one hand up off of the handles. Wouldn’t that mess up the balance?
*I have no experience whatsoever with one of these, but I’m skeptical about getting one.*
March 5th, 2012 at 7:10 am
lookin fwd to mine getting here…this plus the polaroid “target shooter” is a great system!
March 15th, 2012 at 6:26 am
…got it last week…loving it…for all intents and purposes, it IS a Red[ORANGE]rock Micro straight rig…
If i get one of those offset pieces [why since i use a DIY EVF?] and use a set of short rails, i can easily have a very cost effective Redrock Micro “Eye Spy” setup…
…since i am used to using a run and gun set like the Zacuto Striker [polaroid chest stabiliser], the shoulderpad so many complain about is a welcome change…with a QR plate attached it CAN be a bit awkward, even uncomfy, to use depending on the length of the plate…that aside, it works quite well and is worth the small coin spent…compare it to the big name wallet-rapists…i mean companies…COMPANIES…and you will see it has value
I hope this helps anyone on the fence like i was…
March 22nd, 2012 at 11:16 pm
It’s a great rig, and i love mine. But, Do you think theres enough room to mount a follow focus, say a lanparte?
April 18th, 2012 at 6:46 am
Just got mine and seems great. I agree with the shoulder pad comments but reckon for the price I can live with it. Any solutions to the offset issue, Redrock Microlink 4 or Jag35, has anyone tried these, you would need 2 more rods to slide the baseplate onto right? (first rig, excuse silly q’s) Just waiting on the post to arrive with the Opteka FF180 Reversible Follow Focus, anyone tried this? Cheers!