Shoulder Camera Mount Rig ::: 03.07.10 - 03.15.10

Yes, that's a DSLR in there!

This is one that has been brewing. It's just sort of "on the list". But, more recently it has gnawed it's way to the front of my brain for two reasons: 1. Necessity of late and 2. my friend bought one. :)

To explain in short, this is simply a unit that a video camera or DSLR (digital single lens reflex... high end digital camera to you and me) attaches to, and allows for steadier shooting. An added benefit is that it also makes it possible to add accessories that would otherwise be overtly cumbersome.

This is a "rail-based system". Once you make the leap into professional or now even semi-professional camera gear, things become slightly universal. For example, a common device known as a "follow focus" attaches to the rails and allows for smooth focusing... off to the side of the camera at a more ergonomic position, and can even been lengthened using a "whip" to make focusing possible by another person standing a few feet away from the camera. This makes it easier for the camera operator to follow the subject, keep the camera steady, and construct the shot, without having to use one hand soley on the focus wheel the whole time.



In addition to a follow focus, matte boxes, LCD monitors, lights, batteries, hard drives, and any thing else you can think of can be added to the rail system. But which system do you buy? Recently, I've been investigating a few different companies and it's come down to RedRock Micro and Proaim. Redrock makes incredibly nice gear. It works amazingly, and looks amazing to the eye... but the strain on your wallet can be amazing too. On the other end of the spectrum, Proaim makes gear that will basically suit all your needs, is cheaper by half the price or more in some cases... but it also looks pretty cheap. See the example below. (Redrock is first, Proaim second)





I think by this point I have resolved in my head to go with Redrock. But I think I'm going to have a custom order. I want the stability of 2 handles and the positioning of the offset double rail system. (see below for the minute differences) But to get both, the price goes up. Slightly. If you know what to look for. I've got an email in to Redrock, and I'm trying to work out the details on what I want. In the end, it should be able to fit me well, be positioned how I like it, and be able to be expanded upon as I buy more gear.





The bottom line is... after really researching, and determining that it's best to buy the right thing first, then to learn from mistakes... I've resolved that somewhere around $600 is "reasonable" for what I want. To illustrate my sacrifice by going with Redrock... I'll be able to get the 2 handle rig with the offset camera mount. If I went with Proaim, I'd be able to get the "same" idea for the rig, with the added bonuses of a chest stabilizer, a follow focus, 6 adapter rings for various lens sizes, a focus whip, and a focus speed crank. To give you some idea... the Redrock equivalent for JUST the follow focus is $545!! Wow.

Thanks for visiting my madness. Come again.

The Dark Side (Aldo boots) ::: 01.25.10 - 03.11.10

Yes, the dark side of obsession. Sometimes obsession plants a seed in your brain for things it knows you will want... but waits until the most (or least) opportune times to sprout. This is the story of the Aldo Shoe brand "Benyo" boot.

Many weeks ago, on a trip to enjoy some of my favorite food of all time, Golden Wok, I stopped into Paradise Valley Mall. I made my way to this fairly unassuming store that carried some peculiar looking shoes, and my wife was drawn in by the purses, so we went in. After glancing at all the shoes in the store I saw this one boot that stuck out from all the rest... it was called, "Benyo". It seemed, to me, to fit the steampunk aesthetic I've been intrigued by lately... and for the pair, I was looking at a $140 price tag.

I quickly set the shoe down, and we made our way out. Later on that week, a root shot out from the seed in my brain, and I thought about those boots again. I looked online for them, trying to find a discount or a sale... no luck. I tried to let it go. But then, dun dun dun... tax return! I had a small pile of money to spend and I headed back to the Aldo store. Of course, they didn't have my size... so we ordered them. 3 days shipping time.



The thing about mixing obsession with impulse is that patience flies out the window. So NOW I'm on edge waiting for these boots in the mail. I'm checking the tracking number every day to see if maybe they've scooted my way a little sooner than expected. But shortly, they arrive... I tear open the box... look them over, and before I put the first boot on, I see it... the first sign of terrible craftsmanship... a long thread that completely missed the holes where it was supposed to stitch two parts of the boot together.



Then after more review, I notice lots of nicks and dents in the leather. Then I see that parts of the boot material aren't straight or symmetrical. It just seems very thrown together. The heel is held on with 3 nails... and you can see the heads sticking out from the bottom. The laces felt like spun paper, and after the first time I tied them, they felt creased and ready to break.



The boots were made in Portugal... now... if I was in Portugal, and there was a quaint market place that was selling these boots for say $60 - $70, I would buy them for the novelty of it. But after spending close to $150 after taxes... I'm having a hard time justifying them. I didn't wear them today, because I'm considering taking them back. I'm not sure what my final judgment will be... however, my next post is going to be about my current obsession with camera equipment... I could see the money going there instead! What do you think?