I ordered this rig solely because I needed something to help stabilize my shots and didn't have more than $100 to spend. I didn't expect a whole lot from it, but was pleasantly surprised.Pros:
* It's very sturdy considering the materials and the price. I have no problems trusting it with my GH1, though I might be a bit wary with something significantly heavier (or more expensive).
* Very comfortable to use.
* Very versatile. I can customize all the angles and positioning to fit me, which is nice since I have a relatively small frame.
* Folds to be very compact, small enough to fit into most camera bags.
* Plenty of 1/4-20 mounting points for accessories (sound recorders, monitors, etc.).
* Looks professional enough that you wouldn't be embarrassed to use it around clients or actors, etc. (unlike a lot of DIY or other cheap rigs).
Cons:
* Would be nice if there was an easier way to add counterweight when using it as a shoulder rig (it has a 1/4-20 threaded hole that can be used, but there's no easy way to attach weights).
* A couple of the plastic bushings are a little stiff. Like maybe the inside isn't perfectly round.
Really, for the money you're not going to find anything more versatile or better quality. Most decent DSLR rigs start at around $400 and go up from there. For $80, this thing is a steal. I know some people who are wary of cheap rigs like this, thinking that if it breaks in the middle of a shoot, they'll be screwed. But at this price, you could just buy a spare to keep around (which is probably what I'll do) and still spend less than half what most rigs cost.
When I saw this camera mount I really liked it. After I got it I still like it, but there are some things to point out.
First the good:
* I received it extremely fast.
* This mount is light weight which helps when you are doing a lot of hand held camera work.
* There are lots of places that weights could be attached for a "steadicam" like arrangement, or other camera accessories could be attached
* It can fold up very compact which makes transportation and storage much easier.
* It has many points of articulation which allow for different ways to set it up, or adjust it to fit you comfortably.
* It can be used as a low stand that can position your camera for great high shots. The ends of the "arms" have threaded holes. It might be possible to attach some wheels so that the mount can be rolled along the ground for a moving high shot.
The not so good:
* It is a bit expensive for what it actually is.
* It does not feel too sturdy, meaning that rough handling could cause parts to break. Also, I would not overload it with a large, heavy camera and accessories.
* It seems to be primarily made of plastic and aluminum. This is ok, but for the price I think it could have been made with sturdier materials. The plastic can break or strip if forced and the metal parts can bend with force. If you take care when manipulating joints and tightening the knobs you should be ok, just don't force things.
* There is a knobbed screw that allows you to connect your camera where your quick release plate would go. This is another part where, for the price, I think it could have been a better design. It is quite cumbersome to attach your camera, especially if it is a large video camera, while trying to hold the mount. I would have really liked to see some sort of quick release plate design here.
* No case or travel bag is included. Not a huge deal, but because it is so portable it would be nice to have something to help keep it clean or make it easier to carry.
* When I received it there was no instruction manual even though the product description on amazon states "About the usage and use, pls see the above pictures or user manual." I did contact cowboy studios regarding the instructions after I could not find it on their site for download (there are other products on their site with downloadable instructions, but not this one) and I was given a link to a youtube video which covered its usage (though it was more of an improvisation on how to use it, meaning I got the impression that the model demoing the mount didn't really know and was just kind of figuring it out on the spot). I did fool around with it before I got the link to the video, and I was pretty sure I had the usage right. The video simply confirmed that I did.
The long and the short of it is this: I like this camera mount and I think I will get some good use out of it provided I take care of it. I feel that, for the materials used and the lack of a quick release plate for the camera, the price is a bit high. It is hard to justify calling it a "premium" camera mount. If it was made out of stronger materials you could, but to me it's more of a light duty mount. You can; however, use it to get some creative shots.
I would recommend it as it does help to steady your shot and allow you to move around while remaining aware of your surroundings. Add some weights and you could have a nice poor man's steadicam. One thing to keep in mind is that the camera is potentially extended out away from your body quite a bit. This will move your center of gravity out forward. If you trip while walking forward and shooting, your camera goes lens first into the ground.
I only gave it 3 starts mostly due to the materials used and the lack of a quick release plate vs the price. If it had these two features it would be well worth the price. Without these features, I would expect it to be in the $40-$50 range; certainly not $159 as the list price is suggested.I must say that for the price I am very impressed with this item. It feels sturdy, and it's very customizable and flexible. I use it with an Iphone4 inside an MCam, and it fits on fantastically. The other fun thing about this is that there are littl holes and tripod mounts all over this thing. Someone like me, that likes to really play with what I have and change it around, this is very exciting.
The only thing this is missing is a rod system for mounting a follow focus or matte box. But if you don't need that, this will do exactly what you need it to do. A really great buy!gift for son who is a professional videographer-he liked it a lot-he uses it every day on his job-appreciated itMy boyfriend asked me to purchase this for him so he can shoot his DSLR for movements with stability. He loves it, and been using it ever since. He said it's comfortable on the shoulder, and it's easy to maneuvering. It is also not heavy so it's great for traveling and shooting for extensive period.
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