EA50 Should Stabilizer Rig at DVinfo.net

Aaron Jones Sr. · September 2nd, 2014, 10:17 PM

Does any one here use a should rig with your EA50? If so, do you also use a NEX - EF Adapter that fastens to the rail of your rig? I have been looking for a inexpensive shoulder rig with rails for my EA50 where I can include Matter Box and counter weight... I have the NEX - EF adapter (Actually 2) on the way trying to see which shoulder stabilizers that works well without the expensive price tag.

Chris Harding · September 3rd, 2014, 12:15 AM

Hi Aaron

Think hard before you add a fancy rail with matte boxes ...the EA-50 is already very front heavy and I decided (unwisely) to get rails and matte boxes and that added so much weight to the camera front end it nearly killed me on my shoulder. So I decided to make a counterweight like Tom has so I added a neat 2kg to the back end of the camera and that didn't really balance out the matte boxes and just doubled the weight of the camera ...and killed me even more!!

The matte boxes and rails went on eBay and now to connect my support rod under the camera I have a DIY rail ...all it has is 2 x 1/2" aluminium tubes and at each end a piece of aluminium flat bar (one to connect the rod and the other to go under the camera and screw into the tripod thread) it weighs almost nothing, cost almost nothing and works perfectly

Seriously adding anything to the front end it bad news for your back and arms ... but a super light frame is no issue. Lens hoods work just as well as matte boxes too and don't weigh nearly 1 kg!!

Chris

Aaron Jones Sr. · September 3rd, 2014, 01:18 AM

Thanks Chris, my current shoulder rig is a DIY and it cost me hardly anything.

I was hoping to be able to get one that would support the weight of a bigger tele lens. Thinking ahead out these adapters that are on the way. If the adapter does not fit with a perfect snug interlock then I'm thinking it will be too much weight on the E mount, especially when the fit is not perfect. So, in my mind, if I could get a rail rig that would ease my worry. Can you post images of your DIY Chris, or any of you for that matter...?

Chris Harding · September 3rd, 2014, 02:20 AM

Hi Aaron

You are talking about the EA-50 right??? Why would you want a shoulder mount rig on a camera that is already a shoulder mount?? The only rig as such that I need to use on the EA-50 is my support rod/waist belt which is what the simple frame is for under the camera body ... If you look at the post "Saved by the Rod" you can see the setup.

I bought CamTree rails and matte boxes last year but they were so heavy on the front end the cameras were just too out of balance to be practical.

I see yours has left and right grip handles ... I started with those on my Panasonic AC-130 rigs but found it much better using the support rod so both my hands were free.

Chris

Aaron Jones Sr. · September 3rd, 2014, 03:13 AM

Yes Chris i am referring to the EA50. I built this one before I had the EA50, but it works good with it. I use this at receptions toward the end of the night to get some last minute footage of dancing and congrats for the couple. I will take a look at that thread...

Chris Harding · September 3rd, 2014, 06:50 AM

Hi Aaron

Seriously, I found that using a support rod is way better than having a rig under the camera as you can't really keep the rig stable with one hand and sometimes you do need a hand to do something even in full auto. Even with handles on both sides you are still relying on your arms to hold up the front heavy camera ...trying using your rig and holding it dead steady for 15 minutes without a wobble!! Your arms do get tired!! However with a waist belt and a sprung rod all the weight is spread out over your hips and legs and the camera becomes weightless at the front and you are still hands free.

I find it's a brilliant solution!!

Chris

Michael Spanheimer · September 4th, 2014, 08:57 AM

Hi
another very cheapo solution is the use of one of those cheap China DSLR Shoulder Mounts.
something like this:

Schulterstütze für Canon Nikon Panasonic Kamera Video Camcorder Schulterstativ | eBay

I have a similiar one but i exchanged the complete part where you put the camera onto with a quick release plate from manfrotto. Carries the EA50 with battery and lens and led light without problems.

Chris Harding · September 4th, 2014, 06:05 PM

The only issue I have with those Michael, is that they use a chest support rather than a waist support so if you have to run somewhere and you are puffing and panting the chest support pad will rise up and down as you breathe and cause camera movement. However it's a pretty cheap option. The only real issue with the EA-50 is the heavy front end and trying to hold it up. I weighed by Sigma 18-35 F1.8 lens the other day and sheesh, it's almost 1 kg!!! No wonder your arm can get tired with something like that on the camera body

Anyone else have/seen anything interesting that helps with camera weight ... The Camtree Flexirig looks interesting Flexible Camera Mount|DSLR Steady Stabilizer Rig|Camtree

They also have a backpack unit with a bar over your head that physically takes the weight off from above.

Flycam Flowline Camera Support|Steady Shots It's a bit bulky though and would be a little intrusive at weddings

Chris

Michael Spanheimer · September 9th, 2014, 01:34 PM

Your totally right Chris, these "rigs" are not ideal when you walk etc...
But last sunday i had to run around on a big "open doors" event and after
4 hours of shooting stage and all the different attractions for kids and families
i had to film another bunch of "statements" by guests.
So my cheap shoulder/chest rig safed my right arm from collapse
- after some practice i am almost able to film without hands...

September 2nd, 2014, 10:17 PM	#1
Aaron Jones Sr. Major Player Join Date: May 2013 Location: Flint, Michigan, USA Posts: 393	EA50 Should Stabilizer Rig Does any one here use a should rig with your EA50? If so, do you also use a NEX - EF Adapter that fastens to the rail of your rig? I have been looking for a inexpensive shoulder rig with rails for my EA50 where I can include Matter Box and counter weight... I have the NEX - EF adapter (Actually 2) on the way trying to see which shoulder stabilizers that works well without the expensive price tag.

September 3rd, 2014, 12:15 AM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: EA50 Should Stabilizer Rig Hi Aaron Think hard before you add a fancy rail with matte boxes ...the EA-50 is already very front heavy and I decided (unwisely) to get rails and matte boxes and that added so much weight to the camera front end it nearly killed me on my shoulder. So I decided to make a counterweight like Tom has so I added a neat 2kg to the back end of the camera and that didn't really balance out the matte boxes and just doubled the weight of the camera ...and killed me even more!! The matte boxes and rails went on eBay and now to connect my support rod under the camera I have a DIY rail ...all it has is 2 x 1/2" aluminium tubes and at each end a piece of aluminium flat bar (one to connect the rod and the other to go under the camera and screw into the tripod thread) it weighs almost nothing, cost almost nothing and works perfectly Seriously adding anything to the front end it bad news for your back and arms ... but a super light frame is no issue. Lens hoods work just as well as matte boxes too and don't weigh nearly 1 kg!! Chris

September 3rd, 2014, 01:18 AM	#3
Aaron Jones Sr. Major Player Join Date: May 2013 Location: Flint, Michigan, USA Posts: 393	Re: EA50 Should Stabilizer Rig Thanks Chris, my current shoulder rig is a DIY and it cost me hardly anything. I was hoping to be able to get one that would support the weight of a bigger tele lens. Thinking ahead out these adapters that are on the way. If the adapter does not fit with a perfect snug interlock then I'm thinking it will be too much weight on the E mount, especially when the fit is not perfect. So, in my mind, if I could get a rail rig that would ease my worry. Can you post images of your DIY Chris, or any of you for that matter...?

September 3rd, 2014, 02:20 AM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: EA50 Should Stabilizer Rig Hi Aaron You are talking about the EA-50 right??? Why would you want a shoulder mount rig on a camera that is already a shoulder mount?? The only rig as such that I need to use on the EA-50 is my support rod/waist belt which is what the simple frame is for under the camera body ... If you look at the post "Saved by the Rod" you can see the setup. I bought CamTree rails and matte boxes last year but they were so heavy on the front end the cameras were just too out of balance to be practical. I see yours has left and right grip handles ... I started with those on my Panasonic AC-130 rigs but found it much better using the support rod so both my hands were free. Chris

September 3rd, 2014, 03:13 AM	#5
Aaron Jones Sr. Major Player Join Date: May 2013 Location: Flint, Michigan, USA Posts: 393	Re: EA50 Should Stabilizer Rig Yes Chris i am referring to the EA50. I built this one before I had the EA50, but it works good with it. I use this at receptions toward the end of the night to get some last minute footage of dancing and congrats for the couple. I will take a look at that thread...

September 3rd, 2014, 06:50 AM	#6
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: EA50 Should Stabilizer Rig Hi Aaron Seriously, I found that using a support rod is way better than having a rig under the camera as you can't really keep the rig stable with one hand and sometimes you do need a hand to do something even in full auto. Even with handles on both sides you are still relying on your arms to hold up the front heavy camera ...trying using your rig and holding it dead steady for 15 minutes without a wobble!! Your arms do get tired!! However with a waist belt and a sprung rod all the weight is spread out over your hips and legs and the camera becomes weightless at the front and you are still hands free. I find it's a brilliant solution!! Chris

September 4th, 2014, 08:57 AM	#7
Michael Spanheimer Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Frankfurt Germany Posts: 62	Re: EA50 Should Stabilizer Rig Hi another very cheapo solution is the use of one of those cheap China DSLR Shoulder Mounts. something like this: Schulterstütze für Canon Nikon Panasonic Kamera Video Camcorder Schulterstativ \| eBay I have a similiar one but i exchanged the complete part where you put the camera onto with a quick release plate from manfrotto. Carries the EA50 with battery and lens and led light without problems.

September 4th, 2014, 06:05 PM	#8
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: EA50 Should Stabilizer Rig The only issue I have with those Michael, is that they use a chest support rather than a waist support so if you have to run somewhere and you are puffing and panting the chest support pad will rise up and down as you breathe and cause camera movement. However it's a pretty cheap option. The only real issue with the EA-50 is the heavy front end and trying to hold it up. I weighed by Sigma 18-35 F1.8 lens the other day and sheesh, it's almost 1 kg!!! No wonder your arm can get tired with something like that on the camera body Anyone else have/seen anything interesting that helps with camera weight ... The Camtree Flexirig looks interesting Flexible Camera Mount\|DSLR Steady Stabilizer Rig\|Camtree They also have a backpack unit with a bar over your head that physically takes the weight off from above. Flycam Flowline Camera Support\|Steady Shots It's a bit bulky though and would be a little intrusive at weddings Chris

September 9th, 2014, 01:34 PM	#9
Michael Spanheimer Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Frankfurt Germany Posts: 62	Re: EA50 Should Stabilizer Rig Your totally right Chris, these "rigs" are not ideal when you walk etc... But last sunday i had to run around on a big "open doors" event and after 4 hours of shooting stage and all the different attractions for kids and families i had to film another bunch of "statements" by guests. So my cheap shoulder/chest rig safed my right arm from collapse - after some practice i am almost able to film without hands...