FC-02 Shoulder Rig Kit with Matte Box & Cage for DSLR Cameras

Bang for your buck, there's nothing to match it. Low cost, highly functional, works a treat. Others have said that the matte box alone is worth the ticket price and they're not wrong. For DSLR shooters, this is the (near)-perfect solution. Rather than repeat what others may have said, I'll summarize briefly: -The matte box (with metal flags) is the right size to be functional and the right weight not to be too unwieldy when the rig is on your shoulder. -The counter balance is a major plus. I brought the handles back as far as they would go (up to the base plate) to even out the weight. It makes a big difference. -The cage is made from a hard, composite plastic. It seems very strong and it keeps it light, but it is plastic. -The rig is easy to carry around with the top mounted handle (and easy to lift off a tripod). A real plus on a set. -It looks slick. Everyone wants to know what camera I am using when I'm using it. -A knicker is supplied to cover your lens and block out light as it houses up to the matte box. You don't need it. It gets in the way of focusing and zoom controls. Move your camera lens to the red donut that is on the rig already. -I have a $150 rack and follow focus solution. I no longer use it. Too heavy, too many gears, too many adjustments when you changes lenses, too much play etc. I use a lens strap focus solution. They are $15.99 on Amazon and work brilliantly. Consider saving your money. Don't buy the rig with the follow focus solution. Buy this one and some lens straps. -The handles themselves are sturdy enough, but as another reviewer pointed out, they slip round the rod, no matter how tight your pin them down. I put electrical tape over the rod and it keeps them still without over-tightening them. The matte box wings are attached with one red thumb screw, so if they're not tight or you knock them, they pivot and can come off. I wish there were two thumb screws like there are on the top flag. -The quick release base plate (which comes with a spirit level) is functional but plastic and a little awkward to get in and out. Vaseline helped (really) but I finally changed mine for a metal base plate and it's the best thing I could've done. Still, the plastic one does work okay. -There is no vertical adjustment on the shoulder arm. I wish there was. The idea is that you rotate the handle grips to get the right angle. -The shoulder pad could be a little more comfortable (but, given the price, this is just being picky). -The rig and weight distribution allows you to take really fluid shots. -It does get heavy after a few minutes, but they all do. Overall, this rig is probably the best $150 I have spent on my camera equipment. If I'd have paid $300 for it, I would still be happy.

I spent a lot of time researching shoulder rigs (and also comparing the FC-02 to the FC-10) and it seemed like that by far, this was the best one for the price, which usually means they skimp on the quality. I've never owned another shoulder rig, but a few of my friends do, and this one feels just as good of quality and (almost) just as sturdy as their $400+ ones. The only difference I notice is if you have the shoulder part extended all the way out, it may creak a little when you pick up the whole rig by the handle on top. I find it much more comfortable and easier on my arms if the shoulder part is not extended all the way out, so it now feels very sturdy. My Canon T3i fits beautifully on it, and works great with my 50mm f/1.8 and my 18-55mm zoom lens. Quality: All of the rods, the matte box, and screws are metal. Everything else is a very strong, hard plastic. The cage is made out of this plastic, and the cage doesn't even bend when you pick up the whole unit from the handle on the top. You won't have to worry about the plastic parts. Appearance: This. Thing. Looks. Amazing. When you whip this thing out, your clients are guaranteed to be impressed. With the sleek black metal rods to the orangeish/reddish accents/nuts/bolts, this is one shoulder rig that is sure to turn heads. Assembly: It came with step by step instructions, so it only took me about 15 minutes to assemble it, then I was out filming. For portability, you can easily take off the shoulder pad/counter weight part to make it smaller, then reattach it in 30 seconds when you arrive at your destination. I would recommend this shoulder rig to any and every amateur filmmaker on a budget, this simply cannot be beat. (The shipping also only takes 3-4 days, regardless of how long it says!!!)

Great place to start. Awesome value for what you get. Let me start with the positives. 1. the counterbalance. Most cheap rigs don't include one, and they're expensive. 2. the matte box: not the greatest, but it works in a pinch. 3. the handleing is okay, and it breaks down small. things I added. 1. Fotga follow focus. 2. iPad teleprompter (walking with a teleprompter rig is... challenging! but if you can pull it off, it's great, otherwise, mount it to a slider or tripod.) 3. A Cheap remote start/stop for the camer Things I replaced: 1. The shoulder pad. It sucks. Uncomfortable, and I don't like the obnoxious logo. Replaced with a Fotga shoulder pad. Much more comfortable, and a professional black finish. 2. The bracket to connect the shoulder rails to the camera rails. It's flexible (not a good thing) and since I use a Zacuto Z-finder, did not align the camera with my eye. I bought an aluminum z bracket instead, and it made the entire rig much more stiff. It also brought the camera to my eye. Things I will eventually upgrade. 1. The half-cage. It will help protect your very expensive DSLR for now, but as your rig gets heavy and you add good glass, the cage gets flexible. I will save up and buy a $250 cage with Manfrotto quick release plates as money allows. For not, though, it's alright. 2. The Quick release plate. It's plastic, which can flex a bit. Not cool if you're trying to tension the lens against a follow focus. When I replace the cage some day, new quick releases for the camera and below the rig for a tripod will be added.

IT ARRIVED 2 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER PLACING THE ORDER!!! I'm extremely happy with this rig. The matte box alone is well worth the cost - WOW!! Its made of metal along with the rods and has two 4x4 inch filter slots. Everything else is made of a sturdy plastic. Its paint finish is unrefined but black overall and the shoulder pad is red. Its about what the camera sees and not what you see on the camera. Your clients' jaw will drop anyway when you pull this bad boy out. Not a big fan of the mounting plate, there's to much slack and the camera won't stay firmly in place. It feels flimsy and plastic. You'll have to watch for this. However the plate does have a couple of vial levels on it for leveling your tripod with accuracy. The rig is durable and strong enough for attachments and any external DSLR gear, be careful though the rig itself can be heavy once put together. Its recommended to NOT over tighten the screws for it may strip the plastic pieces. It can easily be put together by following the manual provided so don't be too intimidated for the first timers. It did not come with a follow focus or bag - but did come with extra parts if needed which was awesome. After using and looking at this rig, if something needed to be replaced I'm sure I'll be able to go to my local home improvement store and find the parts to replace or repair it. If not, the cost of this rig makes it easy to purchase any needed parts in case of repair. It may be too flimsy for the ARRI and RED cams but PERFECT for Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Panasonic DSLRs. Works very well with prime lenses, not so much with telephoto. I currently use a 501 Head Manfrotto tripod, Canon 60D, 7D, Mark II & III along with a H4n Zoom, Rode NTG-2 mic, and Beachtek. Currently live outside of Chicago so the shipping was unbelievable and unexpected given the time stated.

After an hour of customizing this rig to my liking, i love it. The optional pieces are very handy when you are in a versatile film situation. Very good product, hope it last for more than a year, but at this price, I will but another as backup. Great Rig. Got it in three business days. The weight can be heavy after a while, but that's where the tripod comes in handy. It's best use is for light equipment (i.e. do not load this up with lots of equipment/accessories and then carry for hours, your arms and back will wear out). Matte Box: Sturdy, make sure you tighten red screws. Awesome product it self. It holds filters. Handle Bars: OK, could be of better quality, but not a deal breaker Quick Release Plate: This is OK for light use, I would look into a metal for heavy duty use. C Stand/Bar: Nice. Very handy when you need to carry this or use at a low angle. Shoulder Pad: Ok for now, a more comfortable one for heavy duty use would be preferred, not too bad for starter rigs. Counter Weight: This and the matte box are the best accessories to the rig itself. Rig: Overall a good rig. You're able to customize this, so you do not have to build it as shown in instruction book. I replaced longer bars with the shorter bars so I could reach my front handle bars (my arms are not that long). I only added my Rode mic and 160 LED Light. I will soon add a follow focus and that will complete my rig. any external monitors would go on a separate tripod as this is already heavy enough with just the camera and lens. This took me an hour to put together, if I were to buy another, it would take 1/2 the time so don't give up! Great product! Here are a few pics of the rig itself. Take by @mbishop86 on Instagram.

Shipping was surprisingly fast as it came from across the world, reaching me in just 3 days (Although my local FedEx did screw me over quite a bit). The overall quality is nice, but nothing impressive. You get what you pay for. The major con was that there were NO included instructions for assembly. Other than that it is a nice beginner rig for a cheaper price.

I've had this baby less than a week, but here are first impressions: this is a solid rig. This is the second rig I've ever owned and is far superior to any of the cheaper ones Amazon offers. I am 5'1" and 130 lbs and this thing is HEAVY. While it's a pain right now, I feel encouraged to practice with it and build up my arm muscles because it is so sturdy and to get the best use out of it muscles are necessary. The instructions were emailed instead of in the box, which worked fine. I had a few extra parts that I didn't use in assembly for some reason despite following the manual to a t. Once built and adjusted specifically to my Canon 80d with an 85mm 1.8 lens, this thing is killer. It looks and feels extremely professional. The shoulder pad is not very comfortable but that is easily replaced. Shipping was super fast and everything was packaged individually and safely. I do wish the arm handles were a bit longer and tighter; mine keep loosening during use but nothing I would call a deal breaker. If you need a rig on a poor man's budget, please get this one and not the flimsy cheaper ones. I feel confident in the durability of this rig and get absolutely giddy every time I pick it up.

When I write a review for a product, I take into account the price of the product. If something cost $100 then I will be objective about the quality and value of the product for that $100. That being said, this is my first "full scale" p[professional DSLR shoulder rig. I use a GH-2 and other than the directions lacking somewhat, I am impressed to no end! The feel of the grips, the solid construction even though some pieces are plastic, the use of the counterweight, the quick release, mounting on my tripod...I can't say enough. Having this new piece of gear makes me FEEL more professional and I know I will push my envelope to be more creative. As a professional (fee for services) I have learned my clients will respond to my gear. If it looks expensive, their confidence goes up and they will write a check quicker. This piece definitely looks professional in every way. This with a slider, fluid head tripod and lights means you can get some checks...if you have the skill. I am super happy and for the price, it will be hard to beat. I will buy from these guys again! Oh, by the way, like everybody else said, the shipping was freaky fast! Must use voodoo or something.

I originally bought this for making my canon 700D look good, I also bought a nonja V to get 4 K and there were some handy points to screm an arm in for the monitor. The Matte box makes the rig look cool, along with teh elasticated hood that wraps around the lens, but you will need ring adapters to stop it slipping of your normal non Cine lenses. I have since Cine converted my lenses, and also bought vintage glass to convert to cine. I have now bought a Sony FS700U (pictured with NinjaV 4k) .Don't be put off by it looking plasticy, it turns heads with my little canon 700D. and now coupled with my Sony FS700 jaws drop after the heads of turned. For teh price it is great value for money, if you notice in the pic, to balance my rig make up, I have positioned teh counter weight at teh front to compenste for teh two V Lock batteries I use to power the Ninja V and the Tascam 70DR which you may make out underslung at the rear under the batteries. I do have some extra add ons (Cheese plates, V Lock battery & 15mm Rods clamps etc) to enhance from small rig, but everything compatible with this pro aim DSLR Shoulder rig. I've also bought extra quick release plates so I can rip it off the tripod onto my shoulder with minimal fuss and effort. It is very customable to your own requirements, and with the range of assorted different size 15mm rods, you can make this up how you want to.

Buena calidad de producto a buen precio. Zapata rápida podría ser mejor.

Very bad, low quality

Muy bueno. Me preocupa un poco que el material pueda sufrir daño por el peso, pero si es para empezar o para darle un look más profesional a tu set, lo recomiendo.

Jeden Cent wert