Gini Rig

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I grabbed one of these little starter rigs to use for a prototype product i'm working on that will be an addition to existing rigs on the market (it will make more sense later). I decided to share the unboxing and assembling images for the 'Thanks SJ' Gini rig. If you're curious what 'Thanks SJ' means, this odd little title for a rig came about after the death of Steve Jobs.

This is one of the cheapest Gini configurations he makes available that has a shoulder pad, handles, camera mount, and tripod mount. That's pretty much the bones most people are looking for in a basic shoulder rig. There are two foam pads depending on if you want firm or soft cushion. The firm pad is is very very firm, and I can only imagine it to be uncomfortable.

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The provided Camera Mount / Tripod Mount is actually a quick release design.The large knob on the side tightens up the top stage so you can dismount your camera very quickly and easily. If you are planning to add something else on the top stage (another quick release adapter), the knob provides plenty of clearance and sits low enough to be out of the way of any obstruction. Anything you place on the top camera mount will have a wide level surface.


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find-price-button Gini Rigs Follow Focus Shoulder Rigs DSLR Cages

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If I had to figure out who made this green DSLR cage with polished clamps, I would never have guessed it's actually a Gini Rig. [Thanks Steve] Normally we see the Gini Rigs sporting a cliche' and traditional Black with Red accents, but now we're seeing a bit of color splash in a few products. What do you guys think? Go or No-Go? There's a few more new Cage and rig configurations over at the Gini store following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Gini Rigs Green DSLR Video Cage

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Gini DSLR CageScreen shot 2011-12-09 at 11.24.28 AM
find-price-button Gini New DSLR Cage-1 15mm Rod Adjustable Frame
[Updated] New images added shown with Camera and Rod config

Gini is going mad and seems to be adding more and more to his line up of products. Today a new 'Cage-1' is being auctioned, with a ridiculous amount of threaded accessory ports [Thanks Jim]. If you know anything about machine work, more threaded taps means higher production costs. You can see there's still a cut out for battery access under the cage. Notice how top and bottom stage are the same? Can be used in different orientations depending on camera model. Everyone has been very impressed with Gini quality products, and a cage was definitely long over due.

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Instead of a solid block frame, he's gone with a cheese-plate style top and bottom plate with 15mm rods on the sides, giving you virtually unlimited height for cameras that are short like a GH2, or tall like a 1D Mark IV or cameras with Battery Grips. The 15mm rods can obviously accept 90 degree clamps so you can build on it like any normal rig. Remove one rod and you've got room for your swing away LCDs (60D, T3i, GH2). I say replace the rods with custom sized carbon rods if you're rocking a lightweight setup. Check out some additional specs and images over at the site (click here).

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find-price-button Gini New DSLR Cage-1 15mm Rod Adjustable Frame

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Unusually designed follow focus systems show up on Gini's auction page listed as a 'Fuco' gearbox. Unless i'm mistaken, that should actually be 'Huco' gearbox. These might be earlier designs, and don't look to be as good as the one branded as the iFocus. But even with the high shipping fees included, the overall price is pretty good. [Thanks Rob & Jacob]

You can find those Fuco *ahem Huco Follow Focus systems following the link (click here)

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find-price-button Gini Follow Focus with Fuco Huco Gearbox

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Another new item added to Gini's product line. There isn't very much information on these new universal Follow Focus lens gears from Gini, but from past prototype photos, these could be those metal ones now with an anodized plating. Metal lens gears? Don't see that too often. So far the auction doesn't clearly state what the maximum or minimum diameter lenses these will support, but my guess is a circumference of at least 10". Check them out at the store (click here).

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find-price-button Gini Universal Follow Focus Lens Gears

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Speaking of DSLR follow focus systems, here's another new one. Looks like the same RJ follow focus with a few upgrades adding in some hard stops. [Thanks Jacob]. This version is also reversible, but the mostly plastic quality will not stand a chance against the new Gini iFocus FF on the market. The hard stops is a nice added feature, but the asking price of this new version RJ follow focus will have it collecting dust on the store shelves. It's about $160 more than the original RJ Follow Focus. Until they do something about pricing, I would definitely skip the 'A/B hard stop' pony trick and check to see if you can get a better deal with the latest Gini version first.

You can check to see what the prices are on these new FFs (click here).

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find-price-button Latest Follow Focus with A/B Hard Stops

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Here's a closer look at Gini's latest Follow Focus a.k.a. 'iFocus'. Having been a huge fan of the Cinevate Durus design and quality, it was very obvious where Gini was getting inspiration from. I took the chance of ordering this latest FF knowing that it would be good. Especially since it's a custom designed gearbox and not the ol' Huco plastic Box. The craftmanship on this entire FF is like any other Gini part. Flawless machining, quality anodizing, and smooth finish. Absolutely no plastic on this follow focus system (except for marking ring).

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find-price-button Gini iFocus DSLR Follow Focus

The marking disc holds strong with 4 powerful magnets. The hand knob (obviously influenced) is large and comfortable with a standard mount in the center for a whip or crank. The Gini FF gear is 'reversible' and can be used on both left and right side of your rig by removing the rod clamp and swapping the position. The design is tall enough to hit lens gears on a variety of different sized lenses - No riser required (a problem some FFs have because they aren't designed tall enough). To put weight in to perspective, the Durus is 19.4 ounces and the Gini iFocus is 19 ounces, both very solid units.

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find-price-button Gini iFocus DSLR Follow Focus

The one thing that Gini falls short on is the marking disc pointer. It can only be used at the top position and makes it hard for you to see if you're standing from behind the camera. It would be nice to see that changed in future versions, and a couple of hard stops would make this one hell of an FF. Of course, I jumped on the deal early, but who knows where prices will be as this FF becomes more popular. You can find the Gini Rig parts following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Gini iFocus DSLR Follow Focus

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This morning I woke up and literally slapped myself in the head for finally figuring something out that should have been pretty obvious from the start. A few months ago Gini DSLR Rigs began working on a few prototype follow focus system that attached only to one rail. The first versions were based on a Huco gearbox, which is the same stuff found in old RedRock Micro Follow Focus systems. Gini eventually ditched the Huco gearbox and began working on a second design with a different gearbox.

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Through this process there were unfinished versions so it wasn't clear about the direction this follow focus was heading. Now that there are more recent images of the new Follow Focus, I finally figured out the inspiration for this design! (Slaps ForeHead) The entire time the follow focus was being developed, it was based on the Cinevate Durus Follow Focus system. Single Rail mount, adjustable marking point, the removable marking disc, knob design, and latest gearbox design. In fact the new Gini Lens gears are also a tribute to Cinevates universal lens gears. Here's a side by side on the FFs.

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Cinevate Durus (left) Gini Latest Follow Focus (right)

Hands down, the Cinevate Durus Follow Focus is the best Follow Focus i've used under $1300 dollars. If you want something rock solid, literally ZERO Backlash, and built to last for years don't hesitate on any of Cinevate's equipment. They make the best sliders, Matte Boxes, Follow Focus systems, and more. Customer service behind all their equipment is a big added bonus. Find more of Cinevate products (click here).

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find-price-button Cinevate Durus Follow Focus

From looking at all the other photos, Gini truly appears to have been inspired around the Cinevate Durus, but the question is how closely has the new FF followed in actual design? Gearbox design? You can see all the new additional photos following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Gini i Focus Follow Focus

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Yeah that's a Gini Follow Focus and of course without the finished anodizing, it looks like a prototype. See something different? Yeah no Huco gearbox. Is Gini making his own metal gears? [Thanks Kenrik]

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Also what looks to be in the works is some new metal lens gears. I don't know about the rest of you, but it would be great to have an option of these new metal lens gears in that sexy Gini red. You can see more images and details following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Gini Rigs Follow Focus and New Lens Gears