Digital Video - July 2008 - (Page 19) UGRIP DIAMOND “C” SUPPORT IN REVIEW READY, STEADY, GO THE UGRIP DIAMOND EASES THE SHAKES. BY DOUGLAS BANKSTON T he Ugrip kit is like the Erector Set of camera support, almost infinitely configurable. It accommodates 1⁄4" and 3⁄8" camera mounts, and most of those base plate holes are threaded for 3⁄8". Anything with a 3⁄8" screw can be attached, allowing you to build up the rig in whatever fashion. Sliding plates mount to the wings of the base. To those attach the handgrips. Once a comfortable configuration is found, the hex screws on the sliding plates can be torqued tight. Built-in rubber gaskets prevent plate shifting. The handgrips can be tilted for wrist comfort and then locked into place with a twist of a ring at the base of the grip. For my Canon HV30 (hence the “C” model), I staggered the handgrips: the left posi- tioned slightly toward the front and pitched forward with the right positioned toward the rear. If I wanted to switch to sticks, all I had to do was mount the tripod’s base plate to the Ugrip and leave it. Ugrip’s greatest benefit is that it provides a wider camera footprint, allowing you to effectively pull your elbows away from the body. This helps your arms to isolate the camera from a lot of up-anddown motion from walking, running and breathing. It’s not a substitute for gyrostabilized support, but with some practice, handheld shooting can be smoothed out. Extra plates, Bebob zoom/focus controls, bridge adapters and fastening boxes are available. The fastening boxes hold mike preamps, hard drives and other devices with spring-loaded clamps. At $1,129, the Diamond “C” kit cost more than my HV30, which I have a hard time justifying, but I can’t argue with the steadier footage it helped produce. Ugrip kits are available at B&H, Abel Cine Tech and directly from Ugrip. DV SCORE UGRIP DIAMOND “C” PROS: Almost infinite versatility; well-crafted; creates a more manageable camera footprint. CONS: Kits and accessories are very expensive. BOTTOM LINE: The Erector Set of camera support. MSRP: $1,129 CONTACT: www.ugrip.dk http://www.ugrip.dk http://www.edirol.com/f1 http://www.edirol.com/f1
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.