which of these handles is "best" - to go with which "best" shoulder pad??

[Stefan Ciupek]

I am using the Action Products Shoulderpad with their extremely lightweight Carbon Fibre handles. It´s a bit pricy but very flexible and modular. I like the fact that you can mount your battery module at the end of it and have a flexible counterbalance solution. O Grips are great, but im not a fan of adding more weight to the front of the camera which you then have to balance out towards the back again. My Carbon Rods weigh nothing:)

http://eu.innocinema.com/index.php?cPath=5

[Les C.]

I am using the Action Products Shoulderpad with their extremely lightweight Carbon Fibre handles. It´s a bit pricy but very flexible and modular. I like the fact that you can mount your battery module at the end of it and have a flexible counterbalance solution. O Grips are great, but im not a fan of adding more weight to the front of the camera which you then have to balance out towards the back again. My Carbon Rods weigh nothing:)

http://eu.innocinema.com/index.php?cPath=5

Yes, I like that option for the battery.

The Shape shoulder pad also comes with a 1/4-20 mount

http://shapewlb.com/en/product/produ...ort%3dTitreASC

But, I just received a game-changer post http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthr...=1#post1052255 , and am considering getting the Zacuto Z-QR Q-Release http://store.zacuto.com/q-release.html and either the Shape shoulder pad or the Zacuto shoulder pad pictured in that thread (I already have the Zacuto Studio Baseplate pictured as well).



The center of gravity looks perfect. It would move the camera up a bit, but ... I'm unclear on how that would affect using the rig - as I've never used a rig before.

I'm still torn between the Shape and the Zacuto shoulder pad.

One is very small, the other looks more comfortable and ?maybe? more stable?

It's hard for me to see this in my mind, how it would feel in practical use, to tell which is preferable?

[stu aull]

Les-
same angst before finalizing my choice too.
FWIW w SHAPE:
-the pad is actually formed to correct shoulder slant, which is a +.
-Also enough "meat" on rear of plate to attach other stuff to it (and a fitting is drilled to do so).
-Larger shoulder "footprint" (actually wraps around front much more) aids stability IMHO.
both will mount as you have illustrated above...

Stu Aull
Alaska

[Les C.]

Les-
same angst before finalizing my choice too.
FWIW w SHAPE:
-the pad is actually formed to correct shoulder slant, which is a +.
-Also enough "meat" on rear of plate to attach other stuff to it (and a fitting is drilled to do so).
-Larger shoulder "footprint" (actually wraps around front much more) aids stability IMHO.
both will mount as you have illustrated above...

Stu Aull
Alaska

Stu - yes, choosing equipment without having it in front of you is a pain!!

I ended up ordering the Zacuto shoulder pad, as when used with the Zacuto Studio Baseplate, there's just a tiny amount of room available if you have a quick release mounted to the bottom of Baseplate (which I do).

At least looking at this picture (the Shape folks directed me to) http://www.shapewlb.com/upload/publi...640x480-v1.jpg , the Shape shoulder pad rod block must stick up at least 1/2" past the rods, and I don't think there's clearance if it were centered underneath the camera.

I definitely like the design of the Shape pad better ... oh well. If it doesn't feel right, I'll see if I can swap it out, but it's working out well for John Galeano (from the thread I mentioned in the previous post) who also has the Zacuto Studio Baseplate, so ... I'm very hopeful. Thanks!!

[Dmitry Burenok]

This one looks pretty bad-ass :)))

[Eric Auclair]

I can shoot all day with this one and keep on shooting... with no weight on my hands

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...74759925_o.jpg

[Mike Garrick]

Heres my Shoot 35 setup as explained earlier in this thread.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Terry VerHaar]

While we're talking shoulder pads here, can anyone comment on the one from the company with "Wood... Cam..." in their name? lol Thanks.

[Curt Pair]

This one looks pretty bad-ass :)))

Who makes this one? Is that all "ALLSTAR?"

[Les C.]

While we're talking shoulder pads here, can anyone comment on the one from the company with "Wood... Cam..." in their name? lol Thanks.

Those lost souls who foolishly mention "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" may find their posts deleted and their minds trapped in limbo forever.