Rig and Follow Focus for GH4

[JazzBox]

Dear all, 

 

after some years of shooting with tripod, flycam, slider etc… I started to shoot more with monopod and Gorillapod, especially for medium close up (i.e. during music videos).

I'd like to go a step further and build up a little rig for handheld shooting for my GH4 and G6.
I cannot afford a MOVI and I don't like that much the flycam, so I was thinking to buy a little rig and a follow focus.

I'm searching something very light, like this, but I don't know if it's good enough:

http://www.amazon.it/Aputure-Magic-Rig-18001-videocamera/dp/B006MSF694/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1410350466&sr=8-18&keywords=shoulder+rig

http://www.amazon.it/handheld-Camcorder-Shoulder-Stabilizer-Viewfinder/dp/B00FVJHXVE/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1410350466&sr=8-24&keywords=shoulder+rig
 

http://www.amazon.it/Movie-Shoulder-Follow-Cameras-Camcorders/dp/B00CRJWZ7I/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1410350466&sr=8-26&keywords=shoulder+rig

 

Have you some suggestions for both rig and follow focus? :)
Thank you!

 

[Inazuma]

I would not recommend those things which press against your chest. I used to have one. Because you're still using your arm to support the weight and to press the pad into your chest, you will still get jitters.

 

If I were you i would continue using the gorillapod, which rests on your shoulders.

 

My personal setup includes:

• Four 15mm, four inch rods.
• One Z bracket
• Shoulder pad
• Baseplate with quick release to mount the camera on
• Counter weight
• Handle
• Kamerar Follow Focus
• Kamerar Viewfinder Magnifier

I would not take this for casual shooting though :P

 

'>

[JazzBox]

Thank you for your tips!

I like very much your rig, super cool!
Where can I find it? :)

[Inazuma]

All from Amazon UK except for the followfocus and viewfinder - bought from ebay :)

[andy lee]

I have found that a follow focus on micro 4/3 is not very good so I stopped using it years ago

the lens mount is very small in diameter and you get movement of the mount as you turn the follow focus and this applies an upward or downward force on the lens , I had to cable tie the lens to the rods and always use lens supports to stop any movement.....so I dont use at any more .....

 

I was using the Kamera follow focus .

[JazzBox]

Thank you!

[JazzBox]

 

I was using the Kamera follow focus .

Wow, good to know it! (I always try to do everything as simple as possible).
How do you suggest to do with lenses such as FD or Zeiss Pancolar adapted to micro 4/3?

[andy lee]

its difficult with short lenses as you need a lens support on your 15mm rods and a cable tie around the lens to hold it steady plus you then need to get the follow focus into position with the gears etc.......its all trial and error for each lens they all have different needs !!

 

and then Nikon is another story as they rotate the wrong way so you need a step gear to reverse it --aarrgghhh!!

 

in the end I just scrapped the whole idea of follow focus on micro 4/3 as it just slowed me down so much, try changing lenses in a hurry on set with actors waiting around ......forget it

 

So now I just use 3 cameras with different lenses on each rig .

When I need a different lens...I grab a different rig all set up its so much quicker

[JazzBox]

Thank you Andy, your experience is always precious! :)
And - of course - thank you Inazuma, I really appreciate your help!