Jacques,

Thanks again. It does look like it has a ton of advantages over a shoulder brace. Anyone else here used one to give an opinion?

Wearing one of those you'd never have to ask anyone to smile again. I'm not saying they don't work well, just that you'd have to endure a lot of comments.

I find it very strange that some people are far more worried about how someone else 'may' think they look, as opposed to how their video looks.

Here's what I have found. About a year ago, I
was the on-stage camera guy for the band Tantric.
Tantric was the opening act for Kid Rock on that tour. You know, Kid Rock, America's badass? The
guy who goes out with Pamela Lee Anderson?
I don't think they would have hired a dork to do their shoot.

Anyway, the arena was packed full of 8000 screaming
fans. As I went through the main floor wearing my MARzPAK and XL1 rig, the seas of people
parted for me. Comments I heard were, "Wow, cool steadicam rig." "Hey, check it out!" No one was laughing, but even if they did, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest. If I make a person laugh, that's cool I brightened their day. The faces I saw were in awe.

Just the fact that I had a rig like the MARzPAK
let everyone know I was a pro and there doing a job. Had I an XL1 alone? Nothing special there.

In any case, the shoot was for Maverick Records
(Maddonna's label). I was on stage with the band
in front of a sea of adoring fans. It was
the best experience I had since my band opened for The Clash. I know I looked cool, and my video was
stunning.

Best way to make $$$ I know of.

I wasn't slamming the product just telling it like I see it.

When I show up with my gear I realize I look like super dork but who cares. We have to maintain a sense of humour or at least try, it sure helps.

It's like a cameramans vest, it gets looks and comments.