Reminds me of my friend who was fat. He would just lean a bit back and put the camera on his belly and footage actually will look more stable than my work.
I've been shooting like this for 20yrs. ProTip: Get a gel padded guitar stap attachement. Shoulder bliss - stops the strap from knifing into your traps :)
Have had my Cinesaddle for nearly 30 years - pretty indestructible. One feature not covered is how great this is to rig to vehicles. Have rigged everything from a 5D2 to a fully rigged fs7 onto the door or bonnet (sorry hood!) of a car for steady shots of the driver from the passenger side or through the windscreen - polariser essential or out of the vehicle for P.O.V shots. Makes a very comfortable seat or pillow, strap your camera on and lash it to your car seat with a seatbelt for safe travel and of course - no batteries to go flat. Expensive, but great value in my experience. Great review and have to agree that probably a good tripod should be a first investment that is camera agnostic and will last longer than any camera, but this is a close second for grip.
I've got a couple tripods and a monopod that I'm pretty satisfied with, but this seems to have it's own benefits. Might have to add it to my wishlist...
Sounds like you got a great setup! Definitely one to consider, but like I say in the video.. the cinesaddle is a nice to have based on shooting styles, and definitely not a must have. Thanks for being here!
As Documentary Videographer for Netflix I have been using a Domke Camera Sling bag just like this for the past 14 years lol. Products like this are just one more thing to waste money on and carry around, especially if you are shooting documentary. Last thing I want to carry on the airport is 400$ bean bag lol
Good review - the cinesaddle is great for a putting a big rig in tight spaces at awkward angles, in my experience - that can save a huge amount of time on a short film, for example.
I also got a cinesaddle last summer, and I'm very happy with it so far. It is not an easyrig or a gimbal. It's a totally different tool and I really like it. My setup is very heavy, and it is another key thing that helps me get stable shots. I got the big version, the pockets are also nice to fill with some cine stuff. It does get heavy when I'm shooting for a long time with it, this is my biggest con. Also, it looks funny but who cares as long as I get the shot. There are lots of different ways to use it. I also listened to the advice of a very established DP, and I'm very happy about it.
Great video!!! I’m shooting on the canon R5C with a monitor, microphone, top handle and a battery pack on the back for longer battery life. Which size do you think would be best for me? I’m also 6’2 250 pounds if that matters… Thanks again!
Dope review, Austin. I agree with your sentiment about having a smaller footprint. A Cinesaddle wouldn't have been beneficial while filming a documentary in Cuba. What travel bag/case do you place the saddle into?
Thanks Danami! Really appreciate the words of encouragement. So when I've been traveling for shoots, I've been packing my minisaddle into a ThinkTank VideoRig 18 (I show my packing setup of the cinesaddle at this moment in a packing video: czcams.com/video/DgSRuXZGxOY/video.htmlsi=K_BSpta8WS0DxGO0&t=605). If I wasn't bringing the VideoRig 18, I could definitely throw it into a big duffel bag! I haven't ever traveled with a full size Cinesaddle, so I am not exactly sure the best way to pack that size. Hope that helps!
Good question. So I really only hear the beans in the saddle during motions when I am tossing the camera onto it, or adjusting the height, and those are typically moments that aren't making the cut anyway. But when the camera is just resting on the bag and I'm making small adjustments in the camera's position while following a scene, the beans do not create any noise that has bothered me. Thanks for your question!
Thanks for the nice review! I still feel a monopod would be a better solution, like an iFootage Cobra 3. Much easier on the road with a backpack, and at least as stable while it takes all the weight of the camera too. The saddle is very bulky, and seems to me it could have been half the volume while retaining the same functionality. If you have to carry this saddle next to a backpack with film gear, it would get in your way. If you drive everywhere with a car, maybe.
I have both, but I don't like using my cobra with the heavier setups because it feels dangerous and doesn't make sense. I only use it when I remove the entire rig and only attach a camera and a lens. It is not a good idea to have a cine lens on a monopod, it is very dangerous. that's why I barely use it.
Haha, good thing he was stronger than I am, cause I would have been dead after that shot. It was cool getting to share the piece of gear with him though. He got to take it around for a try that evening. I feel like it's so hard to find opportunities to try all this expensive gear out before dropping a bunch of $$$, so I always like working with others and getting to try what they are using and vice versa. Thanks for being here, Rick!
As a fellow Left Eyed Guy, I’m surprised to hear about the challenges of kitting out a shoulder rig…like can’t the camera just go on the left shoulder and the EVF ? In any case I, too, think Shoulder rigs are crazy expensive and I don’t much like the perspective, or rather how it becomes impossible to get a low angle. As a tall guy I’m just generally given to shooting at chest height anyway to get closer to the perspective of my audience and to leave myself open to detail shots of stuff like hands. Shoulder rigs have their place, there’s some kind of magical realism pulling on childhood memories of photojournalists running after tanks and protesters…but I think even that may fall away, as so much of raw event video comes out of phones, which most people hold at chest height.
hello to my fellow left eyed friend! Interesting perspective on how cell phone video might change the way people receive footage shot at different angles/heights. I hadn't thought about that before. In terms of the shoulder rig, maybe these cameras exist, but I haven't seen a camera that is built for a left sided shoulder rig (in terms of layout, buttons, etc). If they do exist, maybe that is something I'd look at in the future. I feel like, as I grow in my career and get more opportunities to work alongside folks who have shoulder rigs or other types of setups, I will get to learn by trying their system. For now though, I'm happy with this!
Ok definitely not for me. Haha. Thank you for the honest review and pov. I was struggling to understand what the cinesaddle actually was and I finally understood its uses and all. Thank you for the video 🙏🏻
I had Cinesaddle and sold it. If you have a super light camera like fx6, with light lens it can make sense. But if you have a heavy rig, like Red Raptor around 5-6 kg, you will add so much pressure on your neck and will see very quickly how uncomfortable it is. Only one scenario use to work for me when you put Cinesaddle on the ground and camera on it for tripod like shot. And another con it is a hot weather, it's uncomfortable to wear Cinnesaddle when temperature is high around you.
Yeah, I wish this had a better strap. While researching for the video it did look like the latest models have updated the strap to be improved, but still, I agree with you
Interesting! Do you mean a strap that is attached to the FX6? I know that when I have shot on mirrorless cameras, it's been a useful technique to use the camera strap as stabilization while doing pans or holding a still frame. I haven't ever tried a camera strap on the FX6 (because of the size), so I can't speak exactly to that question, but if you give it a try, I'd love to learn from your experience! Thanks for watching, Sean
Hey Chris! Thanks for the recommendation. Never heard of El Cheapo, but will keep an eye out for it in case I ever get a chance to try it out. Glad it's workin for you and your setup!
@@austinmeyerfilms Fig Rig is usually a wheel like stablizer. Sometimes square. It has a camera mount on the bottom. Its a way to do handheld but eliminate the quick shakes that a pair of hands create. Look it up. The only bad part is you can't easily adjust the lens.
never heard of this before, but I see the appeal if you shoot handheld a lot with larger cameras. I’m shocked about the price though! You could buy an FX3 for that price. Or you could pick up a nice light and an entry level cinema lens for $4000. Do you think it was worth it?
Reminds me of my friend who was fat. He would just lean a bit back and put the camera on his belly and footage actually will look more stable than my work.
🤣 to each their own
I've been shooting like this for 20yrs. ProTip: Get a gel padded guitar stap attachement. Shoulder bliss - stops the strap from knifing into your traps :)
They recently made their own comfy strap
Thanks for the tip!
Crazy it doesn't come with a better strap at $400
Very helpful. I really enjoyed watching this. I bought a Cinesaddle earlier this year and will start to use it more. Thanks.
Thanks for watching! Hope it helps you out on your shoots
Have had my Cinesaddle for nearly 30 years - pretty indestructible. One feature not covered is how great this is to rig to vehicles. Have rigged everything from a 5D2 to a fully rigged fs7 onto the door or bonnet (sorry hood!) of a car for steady shots of the driver from the passenger side or through the windscreen - polariser essential or out of the vehicle for P.O.V shots. Makes a very comfortable seat or pillow, strap your camera on and lash it to your car seat with a seatbelt for safe travel and of course - no batteries to go flat. Expensive, but great value in my experience. Great review and have to agree that probably a good tripod should be a first investment that is camera agnostic and will last longer than any camera, but this is a close second for grip.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I haven’t tried a car rig, but awesome to know it works for that 🙌
Great input and worthy advices
Thanks for watching!
THANKS, Austin, Awesome Review!! Instant subscribe from me, and wishing you a Great Rest of the Year, my Brother. 😎
Thank you for the love and support! Wishing you the same 🙌
Great helpful content! Subscribed!
Thank you!
Gotta have the right equipment🙌! Great video and review👍
Keeping the kit simple yet effective 🎥
Yeah a 20 dollar bag with a 5 dollar bag of beans and a strap.
I've got a couple tripods and a monopod that I'm pretty satisfied with, but this seems to have it's own benefits. Might have to add it to my wishlist...
Sounds like you got a great setup! Definitely one to consider, but like I say in the video.. the cinesaddle is a nice to have based on shooting styles, and definitely not a must have. Thanks for being here!
As Documentary Videographer for Netflix I have been using a Domke Camera Sling bag just like this for the past 14 years lol. Products like this are just one more thing to waste money on and carry around, especially if you are shooting documentary. Last thing I want to carry on the airport is 400$ bean bag lol
Glad you found something that works for you!
Good review - the cinesaddle is great for a putting a big rig in tight spaces at awkward angles, in my experience - that can save a huge amount of time on a short film, for example.
Thank you! I've been feeling the same way. What kind of short films do you enjoy making?
This was really good review
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it
Great Video:D!
Thanks David! Really appreciate that. Hope you're doing well
I also got a cinesaddle last summer, and I'm very happy with it so far. It is not an easyrig or a gimbal.
It's a totally different tool and I really like it. My setup is very heavy, and it is another key thing that helps me get stable shots.
I got the big version, the pockets are also nice to fill with some cine stuff.
It does get heavy when I'm shooting for a long time with it, this is my biggest con. Also, it looks funny but who cares as long as I get the shot.
There are lots of different ways to use it.
I also listened to the advice of a very established DP, and I'm very happy about it.
Nice! That’s awesome that it’s also working for you 👊
Great video!!!
I’m shooting on the canon R5C with a monitor, microphone, top handle and a battery pack on the back for longer battery life. Which size do you think would be best for me?
I’m also 6’2 250 pounds if that matters…
Thanks again!
Dope review, Austin. I agree with your sentiment about having a smaller footprint. A Cinesaddle wouldn't have been beneficial while filming a documentary in Cuba. What travel bag/case do you place the saddle into?
Thanks Danami! Really appreciate the words of encouragement. So when I've been traveling for shoots, I've been packing my minisaddle into a ThinkTank VideoRig 18 (I show my packing setup of the cinesaddle at this moment in a packing video: czcams.com/video/DgSRuXZGxOY/video.htmlsi=K_BSpta8WS0DxGO0&t=605). If I wasn't bringing the VideoRig 18, I could definitely throw it into a big duffel bag! I haven't ever traveled with a full size Cinesaddle, so I am not exactly sure the best way to pack that size. Hope that helps!
@@austinmeyerfilms thanks for the info and link to the other video. 👌🏾 What stories are you currently working on?
Got the original for a larger rig and needed a strap extension. I contacted them and got one made and sent to me with no issues. Good investment.
Love to hear that you had a good customer service experience 🙌 Thanks for sharing your experience!
Have y’all tried the cinesaddle before?
Do the beans in the saddle create a lot of noise when you’re moving around?
Good question. So I really only hear the beans in the saddle during motions when I am tossing the camera onto it, or adjusting the height, and those are typically moments that aren't making the cut anyway. But when the camera is just resting on the bag and I'm making small adjustments in the camera's position while following a scene, the beans do not create any noise that has bothered me. Thanks for your question!
I configured a gimbal to resemble a handheld look and feel.
Thanks for the nice review! I still feel a monopod would be a better solution, like an iFootage Cobra 3. Much easier on the road with a backpack, and at least as stable while it takes all the weight of the camera too. The saddle is very bulky, and seems to me it could have been half the volume while retaining the same functionality. If you have to carry this saddle next to a backpack with film gear, it would get in your way. If you drive everywhere with a car, maybe.
I have both, but I don't like using my cobra with the heavier setups because it feels dangerous and doesn't make sense. I only use it when I remove the entire rig and only attach a camera and a lens. It is not a good idea to have a cine lens on a monopod, it is very dangerous. that's why I barely use it.
Just gotta find the setup that works for you and your shooting style! This has been working for me
You must have been so smug at that student presentation when the video guy beside you was dying without a saddle😂😂
Haha, good thing he was stronger than I am, cause I would have been dead after that shot. It was cool getting to share the piece of gear with him though. He got to take it around for a try that evening. I feel like it's so hard to find opportunities to try all this expensive gear out before dropping a bunch of $$$, so I always like working with others and getting to try what they are using and vice versa. Thanks for being here, Rick!
As a fellow Left Eyed Guy, I’m surprised to hear about the challenges of kitting out a shoulder rig…like can’t the camera just go on the left shoulder and the EVF ? In any case I, too, think Shoulder rigs are crazy expensive and I don’t much like the perspective, or rather how it becomes impossible to get a low angle. As a tall guy I’m just generally given to shooting at chest height anyway to get closer to the perspective of my audience and to leave myself open to detail shots of stuff like hands.
Shoulder rigs have their place, there’s some kind of magical realism pulling on childhood memories of photojournalists running after tanks and protesters…but I think even that may fall away, as so much of raw event video comes out of phones, which most people hold at chest height.
hello to my fellow left eyed friend! Interesting perspective on how cell phone video might change the way people receive footage shot at different angles/heights. I hadn't thought about that before. In terms of the shoulder rig, maybe these cameras exist, but I haven't seen a camera that is built for a left sided shoulder rig (in terms of layout, buttons, etc). If they do exist, maybe that is something I'd look at in the future. I feel like, as I grow in my career and get more opportunities to work alongside folks who have shoulder rigs or other types of setups, I will get to learn by trying their system. For now though, I'm happy with this!
I am super excited to wear cinesaddle because I wear just lenses, batteries, still camera, drone, tripod... :D
Hey Tors! Thanks for watching. If you get a chance to try the cinesaddle, keep me posted on how it works out for you. Hope this was helpful!
Ok definitely not for me. Haha. Thank you for the honest review and pov. I was struggling to understand what the cinesaddle actually was and I finally understood its uses and all. Thank you for the video 🙏🏻
Thanks for watching! Glad I could help. All the best 🙌
Gotta get one I just broke my arm badly but I can’t not shoot a project I’ve been planning maybe this will help
Now just to find $300 lol
Sorry to hear that you broke your arm. Hope you're feeling okay!
I had Cinesaddle and sold it. If you have a super light camera like fx6, with light lens it can make sense. But if you have a heavy rig, like Red Raptor around 5-6 kg, you will add so much pressure on your neck and will see very quickly how uncomfortable it is. Only one scenario use to work for me when you put Cinesaddle on the ground and camera on it for tripod like shot. And another con it is a hot weather, it's uncomfortable to wear Cinnesaddle when temperature is high around you.
True, but it's not like alternatives are better at this in any way.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
This strap is really shameful for a such price!!
Yeah, I wish this had a better strap. While researching for the video it did look like the latest models have updated the strap to be improved, but still, I agree with you
do you find the stabilisation similar to using a camera strap?
Interesting! Do you mean a strap that is attached to the FX6? I know that when I have shot on mirrorless cameras, it's been a useful technique to use the camera strap as stabilization while doing pans or holding a still frame. I haven't ever tried a camera strap on the FX6 (because of the size), so I can't speak exactly to that question, but if you give it a try, I'd love to learn from your experience! Thanks for watching, Sean
They also sell a smaller one for DSLR sized camera. Cinesaddle - TinySaddle. $95
Yes, very true!
30 dollar shoulder harness. Philip blooms fx6 review calls it el cheapo been around for a decade. I have three.
Its not really the same use case, if you want handheld over the shoulder theres many different ways to rig it.. This is more for firing from the hip
Hey Chris! Thanks for the recommendation. Never heard of El Cheapo, but will keep an eye out for it in case I ever get a chance to try it out. Glad it's workin for you and your setup!
Gotta give your arms some more credit, they’re pretty strong!
Hahah, I appreciate the vote of confidence, Dommy! Nice YT username :)
It seems like a gym bag full of old underwear would work too.
Go with whatever works for ya!
Easy Rig is good. No one feels intimidated. I've used one for over 5 years.
Nice! Keep rollin with it. Glad it works for you!
@@austinmeyerfilms Thanks bro!
No one feels intimidated? Darn it, I only bought it to be 'scorpion boy' 😂 I agree though, they're good!
Where does the Fig Rig fit in these days?
Not sure what that is?
@@austinmeyerfilms Fig Rig is usually a wheel like stablizer. Sometimes square. It has a camera mount on the bottom. Its a way to do handheld but eliminate the quick shakes that a pair of hands create. Look it up. The only bad part is you can't easily adjust the lens.
@@itspoffy Ahhh, gotcha! Thanks for letting me know about it
never heard of this before, but I see the appeal if you shoot handheld a lot with larger cameras. I’m shocked about the price though! You could buy an FX3 for that price. Or you could pick up a nice light and an entry level cinema lens for $4000. Do you think it was worth it?
$400 dollars :) My tone would have been different in the video if it was $4000 haha
@@austinmeyerfilms😂😂 that makes much more sense
Looks like a shooting bag for the range with a strap attached
Haha, that’s out of my area of expertise, but I trust you!
It's a miniture bing bag
😂 it’s like a lunchbox
throwback!
That’s an expensive duffle bag!
Haha, I completely agree!
Hell naw.
Should have changed the title to "i got paid to do a review of this product"
That would be a lie though. As I say in the video, I wasn’t paid anything
The link in the description to the cinesaddle is also not an affiliate link. But appreciate you being here and boosting with a comment!