Fig Rig

[Meltwater Hawk]

Has anyone actually used this thing? I am sort of interested in at least trying it, but I haven't been able to locate anyone around me (DC&Balto) that have one to try out. The $300 price tag seems a bit steep.

[Evan Kubota]

Haven't used it, but the concept looks OK. It seems like it would be difficult to get smooth footage considering that the handgrips are fairly far from the camera, and most of the mass is at the center - the outer rim would probably be difficult to hold steady.

[fastwind]

To make that rig work well with a film camera,you would
need a video tap. Also, consider taping a bubble level to the top
of the camera. The shots would turn out very smooth because two
hands are holding the camera. To get an idea of just how fluid it is,
watch Mike Figgis' movies. It was used on HOTEL and TIMECODE 2000.

[Meltwater Hawk]

Yeah, actually I've seen how smooth they are(not from the terrible quality previews on Manfrotto's site). I think it works because the center of gravity is the camera, so any slight movement with the hands is not an issue. I've seen it compared to the "Evil Dead" rig which was mounted on a 2x4.

As for the film camera aspect, no, I'd probably use it for DV work. Although, one of the nice things about it are the mounts all around so I could put a video tap.