I'd like to try shooting handheld using my C100. What's the best way to go about it, shoulder mount? Or something else?

the best rig to have is simply a monopod, Manfrotto 561 BHDV has been my weapon of choice for years, this thing beats any shoulder rig or any handheld setup, especially with the tilt and pan features.

otherwise i would suggest using 24-105 with IS on, installing an eyecup on the c100 and shooting with the eyecup pressed against your face.

Thanks, I do have a monopod and love it. I wasn't sure if there was a better way of doing this. What if I wanted follow focus?

Thanks, I do have a monopod and love it. I wasn't sure if there was a better way of doing this. What if I wanted follow focus?

A monopod doesn't help much if you are walking around, it's only good stationary..... might just as well use a tripod.

I took a monopod with me to India this year..... I had a hellava time using the follow focus, and zoom together while trying to hold the monopod still. When I got to Thailand I left the damn thing in the hotel room so I didn't have to bring it home with me.

Other than that, Phillip Bloom had a nice set up in his revere of the C100.

A monopod doesn't help much if you are walking around, it's only good stationary..... might just as well use a tripod.

I took a monopod with me to India this year..... I had a hellava time using the follow focus, and zoom together while trying to hold the monopod still. When I got to Thailand I left the damn thing in the hotel room so I didn't have to bring it home with me.

Other than that, Phillip Bloom had a nice set up in his revere of the C100.


The weight and the vertical inertia of the monopod makes it much steadier than handheld while walking ,most of time when I use it it's fully closed and standing n my thigh im able to zoom and focus with my left hand very easily and fast , I find a follow focus is usless while runing and guning handheld.

P+S Technik recently had a go at redefining the monopod:

ProShot DSLR Rig 1192 (http://www.pstechnik.de/k-tek-proshot/a-1192/)

The trouble with this is, and monopods in general, is that with a C100 it's going to be top-heavy.

A super-light monopod stuffed into a shoulder-strap 'ceremonial flag holder' thing is still an oldie but a goodie that's worth considering. You can, with a stiff enough monopod, do some faux crane stuff and just about squeeze off a few high shots by shooting almost blind.

However, getting an extra 1 meter of height makes such a difference - hence the press-shooter's favourite: the small ultralight step-ladder. LOL

The weight and the vertical inertia of the monopod makes it much steadier than handheld while walking ,most of time when I use it it's fully closed and standing n my thigh im able to zoom and focus with my left hand very easily and fast , I find a follow focus is usless while runing and guning handheld.

For me even holding it still trying balance it, and operating the zoom and focus was more than I could bare..... if I had one extra arm then it would have worked for me..... but I only have two.

I learned a trick with my 5D3........ put the strap on around your neck, then pull it tight using the camera..... the strap pulled tight around your neck helps stabilize the camera to an amazing degree...... however you still can;t do much with the zoom and follow focus.

A monopod doesn't help much if you are walking around, it's only good stationary..... might just as well use a tripod.

I took a monopod with me to India this year..... I had a hellava time using the follow focus, and zoom together while trying to hold the monopod still. When I got to Thailand I left the damn thing in the hotel room so I didn't have to bring it home with me.

Other than that, Phillip Bloom had a nice set up in his revere of the C100.

I disagree with this. Ever since getting my monopod I don't even touch my tripod (unless I am shooting an interview or something that I don't need to move around). It's easy to move around (no legs collapsing, fits everywhere, I can get a variety of shots). Not sure what kind of tripod you are using but I think what makes it so great is the little three legs on the bottom. I almost never zoom while shooting, though.

The weight and the vertical inertia of the monopod makes it much steadier than handheld while walking ,most of time when I use it it's fully closed and standing n my thigh im able to zoom and focus with my left hand very easily and fast , I find a follow focus is usless while runing and guning handheld.

I disagree with this. Ever since getting my monopod I don't even touch my tripod (unless I am shooting an interview or something that I don't need to move around). It's easy to move around (no legs collapsing, fits everywhere, I can get a variety of shots). Not sure what kind of tripod you are using but I think what makes it so great is the little three legs on the bottom. I almost never zoom while shooting, though.

Mine didn't have the three feet at the bottom it was strictly a pole. B&H through it in the deal when I bought my 5D3 last year. It was at the bottom of the pole when it comes to monopods.

I seems as you said you already have a monopod so your question is obviously about something else. Phillip Bloom has a great solution at 13:30 into the video. Don't know the cost, but I hope it's more affordable than Matt Davies $1200 wonder-pod!

The better late than never review of the Canon C100 - YouTube

Phillip Bloom has a great solution at 13:30 into the video. Don't know the cost, but I hope it's more affordable than Matt Davies $1200 wonder-pod!

Well, he says "zacuto" and while their products are of excellent quality they are also covered with a layer of gold, must be at these prizes they charge :)

Well, he says "zacuto" and while their products are of excellent quality they are also covered with a layer of gold, must be at these prizes they charge :)

Well that's when you should hit ebay and find a Chinese made alternative, but at least it gives you an idea.

I'm back asking the same question. Let's say you are not allowed to use a monopod or a tripod what's the best stabilization method for hand holding the C100? Any other new ideas?

Shoulder/stock type brace on a basic rail system?

Meet the Zacuto Recoil V2 for the Canon C100/300/500 on Vimeo

This has been my personal favorite solution for the last year or more. It's light weight, super flexible, gets the grip in the right spot. Zacuto has just come out with the 3rd generation Recoil stuff too. The plates are a little bigger but allow for even more flexibility. What do you think of the rig in the video? Do you think it might meet your needs?

Eric Petrie
provideoandtape.com
Lease the Canon C100 for $129 a month
Lease the Sony FS7 for $248 a month

Thank you, that Zacuto recoil looks great except the price tag, haha.

This may sound odd, but my favorite way to handhold my c100 is to simply hold it in my hand. No rig needed. I find that if I have a stabilized lens, right hand on the grip and left hand cupping the underside of the camera/lens works really solid. I find that to much other stuff gets in my way.

This may sound odd, but my favorite way to handhold my c100 is to simply hold it in my hand. No rig needed. I find that if I have a stabilized lens, right hand on the grip and left hand cupping the underside of the camera/lens works really solid. I find that to much other stuff gets in my way.

I was going to say that myself. In my case it's with the C300 but handholding, esp. with a stabilized lens, works just fine and makes you as low key as possible.

I find that if I have a stabilized lens, right hand on the grip and left hand cupping the underside of the camera/lens works really solid. I find that to much other stuff gets in my way.

That's my experience as well, though for longer shots it becomes a little heavy. I think the Zacuto Recoil rig is probably the best in-between setup I have seen.

I was going to say that myself. In my case it's with the C300 but handholding, esp. with a stabilized lens, works just fine and makes you as low key as possible.

Same. But I put the neck strap on, and around my neck and pull it tight. I used to do this with my 5d2 all the time. With a wide or an IS lens - it holds up pretty good.

The zacuto rig looks like they want you to buy the base and keep giving them money until you run out.

The zacuto rig looks like they want you to buy the base and keep giving them money until you run out.

What do you mean?

This is interesting about not using any rigs. I was just talking to a friend about this and he basically said the same thing. Just handholding with hands, everything else gets in a way.
So if you are handholding the camera how do you manage to keep the camera in focus? (maybe that's a silly question), but let's say I want a relatively shallow depth of field, handholding the camera, keeping it in focus by using the little screen is hard, no? I haven't tried but that's what I'm thinking.

I can still keep the front base of the camera settled in my palm and use my thumb and my index finger to pull focus. I've been doing it this way long enough that it has become second nature and I don;t really think about it.

What do you mean?

Hey Gary, I mean - I think the base unit will just get you started, and they want you to buy every accessory they have for it to really make it reasonably functional. And with zacuto prices, that's going to add up pretty quick. I'm all about investing to make either the client product or the work flow better, I just don't really see it in shoulder rigs. I suppose if you shoot a lot of eng style, it might work - since there are not so many off the shelf eng style cameras these days.

This is interesting about not using any rigs. I was just talking to a friend about this and he basically said the same thing. Just handholding with hands, everything else gets in a way.
So if you are handholding the camera how do you manage to keep the camera in focus? (maybe that's a silly question), but let's say I want a relatively shallow depth of field, handholding the camera, keeping it in focus by using the little screen is hard, no? I haven't tried but that's what I'm thinking.

Kathy,

I use the push auto focus button to confirm focus - you will have to center your subject, then drift off center for preferred composition, but it works. But I spent a full 5 years focussing manually with the 5d m2, so the c100 feels almost like full auto, just by having this feature. Be careful because if you're in low light, or the subject is not very contrasty, you might end up way off. In a pinch, you can also glance at the lens barrel distance reading and estimate.

Also, it helps to be mindful of your distance to subject, and your approximate depth of field - and noticing if the subject (and you) are maintaining that distance.

Hey Gary, I mean - I think the base unit will just get you started, and they want you to buy every accessory they have for it to really make it reasonably functional.

From where I sit, the basic Recoil rig is all I would need. Sure, you can build it up, but you add weight and not much functionality. Though I would consider a Gratical, which is probably the cost of all those optional accessories combined!

I want a relatively shallow depth of field, handholding the camera, keeping it in focus by using the little screen is hard, no?

That's why you don't focus by eye, you focus using peaking and magnified focus assist.

I can still keep the front base of the camera settled in my palm and use my thumb and my index finger to pull focus. I've been doing it this way long enough that it has become second nature and I don;t really think about it.
OK, I am going to start practicing this. Do you use focus assist?

Kathy,

I use the push auto focus button to confirm focus - you will have to center your subject, then drift off center for preferred composition, but it works. But I spent a full 5 years focussing manually with the 5d m2, so the c100 feels almost like full auto, just by having this feature. Be careful because if you're in low light, or the subject is not very contrasty, you might end up way off. In a pinch, you can also glance at the lens barrel distance reading and estimate.

Also, it helps to be mindful of your distance to subject, and your approximate depth of field - and noticing if the subject (and you) are maintaining that distance.

Thanks Ken. I guess I always found it hard to use the crappy monitor on C100 but I will have to just practice

That's why you don't focus by eye, you focus using peaking and magnified focus assist.
Yes, I normally don't focus by eye and I'm not a fan of C100 screen so I have been using external screen which I won't be able to use handheld. So I just have to practice.

That's why you don't focus by eye, you focus using peaking and magnified focus assist.

Oh, Yes.... focus peaking is always on... gotta love the focus peaking...

I always just smash the back of the C100 against my chest and put my left and under the "toe" to both support and focus. It's also worked really well for me to use a small EVF (for outside use) or monitor on a ball head on the front cold shoe. It becomes a very tall camera, but you have lots of points of contact, it's close to your body, and it feels very natural to me. Couple it with a good IS lens and you're set.

I use this method primarily for docu-style shooting, for more "cinematic" applications, I rig up the C100 on a Zacuto C-Shooter. The package becomes larger and more difficult to handle, but I think the handheld style looks more authentic for some reason... Gut feeling I guess, but for fast-moving docu, I much prefer the smaller package.

Thanks for all the tips.

anyone heard of or used this? It's pricey but wow could be very useful if you need moving shots:

M?VI M5 Stabilizer | Freefly (http://freeflysystems.com/products/movi/m5/)

FREEFLY MOVI M5 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer with Spektrum 950-00012

anyone heard of or used this? It's pricey but wow could be very useful if you need moving shots:

Depends on how often you have a crew with you, can afford to buy/rent a wireless follow focus and a wireless monitor, or if you will one-man-crew it, have enough time to go through the setup, and are willing to let Dual Pixel AF handle everything for you.

Scott,

This is a more affordable version by DJI that you might want to look at if you like the MOVI but not the price. I've been considering it, but really need to try it out first.

DJI Ronin 3-Axis Brushless Gimbal Stabilizer CP.ZM.000078 B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1046473-REG/dji_ronin_3_axix_gimbal_stabilizer.html/c/product/#inpage:IN+STOCK)

The Ronin is great, but it does weigh almost twice as much as the M5. Depends on how much weight matters when you're lugging it around. Definitely more versatile if you ever upgrade to a camera that needs a sturdier rig though.

Do you all rely on the focus peaking? I find it a bit unreliable for getting critical focus.
Ken Diewert
do you use push auto focus? does that work? I guess you have to have your lens in auto or am I wrong? I have been struggling with manual focus and it's hard even with the mag function.

Do you all rely on the focus peaking? I find it a bit unreliable for getting critical focus.

I do. Haven't had any issues with missing focus.

Gary,
what settings do you use?
I find that sometimes a big are is supposedly in focus when in fact it isn't really.

Gary,
what settings do you use?
I find that sometimes a big are is supposedly in focus when in fact it isn't really.

I use push focus and peaking all the time... so yes the lens has to be set to auto. I trust peaking more than my eyes. And I like shallow dof, so I often use ND to open the iris a little more. I don't use the mag button as much.

The lens that I use most right now is the 17-55 EF-S f2.8 with IS.

I find that sometimes a big are is supposedly in focus when in fact it isn't really.

A big are?

The trick is to know when the peaking is actually "peaking". You get that with practice. Just because there's a little bit of peaking doesn't mean it's in focus. You can get some peaking and then more peaking, just have to know how to read it. And use the magnified focus to double-check. If it's peaking in magnified focus, it's in focus.

Practice is the best way.

Sorry, big area!
Ken, i don't understand why push auto would require the lens in auto. Surely that means it's redundant as it's already in auto. No push auto with the lens in manual would be useful

Sorry, big area!
Ken, i don't understand why push auto would require the lens in auto. Surely that means it's redundant as it's already in auto. No push auto with the lens in manual would be useful

Andrew,

The lens has to be switched to auto focus in order for the camera to be able to adjust it. If you push auto with the lens in manual nothing will happen. But set your camera setting 'AF Mode' to 'one shot', and not 'continuous', and it is a manual focus lens that only auto focuses when you push 'one shot AF' (default button 15 on the front). The box will turn from red to green when the camera feels like its in focus. It's pretty reliable... and unless you're cutting razor thin dof, you should be pretty damn close to sharp focus. I trust the camera more than my eyes if I don't have reading glasses on.

I use it so much that I re-programmed button 7 (default Magn), to a secondary push auto button. I find it to be very quick and very reliable...

It also helps to know your aperture when you are using peaking (i use red), and you will have a rough idea of how much dof you have to play with. If you have a pretty small aperture (meaning large f number), you're going to be seeing a lot of red, and you will have a lot more room to still be in focus.

thanks Ken.

I always just smash the back of the C100 against my chest and put my left and under the "toe" to both support and focus. It's also worked really well for me to use a small EVF (for outside use) or monitor on a ball head on the front cold shoe. It becomes a very tall camera, but you have lots of points of contact, it's close to your body, and it feels very natural to me. Couple it with a good IS lens and you're set.

I use this method primarily for docu-style shooting, for more "cinematic" applications, I rig up the C100 on a Zacuto C-Shooter. The package becomes larger and more difficult to handle, but I think the handheld style looks more authentic for some reason... Gut feeling I guess, but for fast-moving docu, I much prefer the smaller package.
Nate, how do you smash the back for the camera against your chest and still be able to see the screen?

Can anyone show me what results you are getting when handholding C100? I just did some tests and the results were pretty bad. I want to see what I should be aiming for.
Thanks

Can anyone show me what results you are getting when handholding C100?

This was using the C-Cup (http://shop.texasmediasystems.com/C-CUP-Custom-Eyecup-for-the-Canon-C100--CCUP_p_5688.html) on the C100 Mark I with a Ninja Star.

Shalottlilly

At 4:22 in this video, you will see a load of b-roll that was all shot handheld with a Sigma 50mm ART lens wide open (f/1.4) and my eye pressed into the C-Cup using the C100 Mark I's EVF. The LCD screen was closed.

This was using the C-Cup (http://shop.texasmediasystems.com/C-CUP-Custom-Eyecup-for-the-Canon-C100--CCUP_p_5688.html) on the C100 Mark I with a Ninja Star.

Shalottlilly (https://vimeo.com/112642534)

At 4:22 in this video, you will see a load of b-roll that was all shot handheld with a Sigma 50mm ART lens wide open (f/1.4) and my eye pressed into the C-Cup using the C100 Mark I's EVF. The LCD screen was closed.

Gary, thanks. I'm going to try using the C-Cup so if I get my shots more stable but what about other shot in the video, like the opening shot, is that just on a slider? What about at about 3:20, are these handheld?

Only one shot out of the rest is handheld, and that's in the sequence at 3:20, but only a single shot from behind the back of the head, mostly because it was just quicker to dismount the camera and handhold it for that one instead of the setup time involved otherwise.

Everything else is tripod and slider.

Meet the Zacuto Recoil V2 for the Canon C100/300/500 on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/85778699)

This has been my personal favorite solution for the last year or more. It's light weight, super flexible, gets the grip in the right spot. Zacuto has just come out with the 3rd generation Recoil stuff too. The plates are a little bigger but allow for even more flexibility. What do you think of the rig in the video? Do you think it might meet your needs?

Eric Petrie
provideoandtape.com
Lease the Canon C100 for $129 a month
Lease the Sony FS7 for $248 a month

HI Eric,

I'm thinking of renting the Zacuto recoil because I have a gig where I need a shoulder rig. Looking at the video, it looks like I need a Zacuto EVF, is that correct? It doesn't look like I will be able to use the screen that comes with the C100. I do have an external screen that I could use but it doesn't seem like it will be so close to my face I won't be able to see too well, my external screen is 7". What do you think? Anyone else has experience with this rig? Or maybe someone has other shoulder rigs they can recommend?

Thanks
Kathy