DSLR Skier O-Rig Cage
Recently I got to review one of Skier’s DSLR rigs. The first thing I noticed was the close attention to detail that went in to making this rig. The Skier DSLR rig comes with adaptable accessories so you can build it up with your own gear. This is awesome for those of you with random gear from other companies because it means that you can use it with the Skier. Okay, so what does this rig have?
Let’s get right down to the nuts and bolts here:
*There is a camera quick release plate that you can adjust up, down, left, right. There are 1/4 threadings and cold shoes with locks on the O Ring that fits around the lens. This means you can mount gear onto the rig easily, ie: LED light, mic, monitor, etc.
*The standard 15mm rods that the Skier comes with means that you can build up on this rig.
*The Skier has metal clamps, a top handle grip and lightweight carbon-fiber like rods.
*There are small removeable pins with rubber bumpers on the back of the quick release plate to prevent the camera from twisting on the quick release. Anyone who shoots enough knows what it’s like when this happens. Introduce a follow focus and with enough twisting loose, the gears are no longer mating and you have to readjust everything! It’s the tiny attention to the small details like this that I’m totally loving about this rig.
*The follow focus uses a quick release clamp and it comes with different size lens gears in electric blue. I personally like this little color splash.
*The follow focus is made with a Huco gear box. There is NO riser on the follow focus though so it can only mate certain lenses and if you have a battery grip it might be difficult to fit. You can use the Follow Focus on either side, but the gear is NOT reversable, it is fixed on one side of the gearbox.
*This follow focus has minimal backlash. The pointer on the follow focus, however, is not adjustable. This means that you must look around to the front of the dial to really see where you need to stop in order to hit your mark on the dial.
*With this rig you have access to your battery door which is nice. You don’t need to take it all apart to swap out a dead battery.
The Skier Rig also offers optional cage pieces to allow different configurations of the rig. This will fit a camera with battery grip, as the O Ring will not. The Skier Rig configuration with a battery grip is shown below.
The true benefit of having a rig like this is the versatility you have while shooting. You can move from a Glidecam to a monopod to a tripod to a shoulder rig in one motion with the quick release plate. Meaning, this is really meant to be a modular piece. You can transfer your setup and keep it all together. Great stuff from Skier! You can find more information about Skier at http://www.luck-in.com, and for UK buyers distribution can be found at http://shop.nomadvision.co.uk/
You can also find some of their products via eBay (click here).
Skier DSLR Video Equipment
I like how compact the system is and the handle. It probably balances pretty nicely. But, whoa, not sure that three times the price of the Express35 rig is worth it for just the follow focus and handle. And the Express35 rig is made in the US whereas this is made in Taiwan. How does this ff compare to the D/Focus, Olivia? The D/Focus at least has a riser option.
The D Focus is mostly plastic and Express 35 doesn’t make it, they just resell it. I honestly haven’t played with the D Focus enough to speak on whether I prefer it over the Skier FF. I CAN say that the Skier FF is super accurate, minimal play. The Express 35 shoulder rig is great for what it is. The Skier O-Rig Cage is a modular piece. I like its versatility and detail.
Can you replace the quick release plate where the camera attaches into a manfrotto 577qr?
If you can, will the camera be high enough to be able to fit any lens inside the handle? Thanks!
Aji, the stage is designed with the it’s own quick release. It’s possible to add an entire Manfrotto Quick Release adapter on top of the current stage. The stage can adjust lower to still possibly fit the lens through the ring. If not, you can use the other cage like adapter.
Impressive review!
You really get into the detail of it,
do wish you can compare the quality of the rods and accessories though.
The shoulder rig extend idea is very thoughtful and kind as a Pro reviewer.
Great job, plus you took our breath away.
Cheers.
I like the idea too… looks like good quality. But still not sure if the price is right
At least for my budget. Specially when you have to add shipping + custom charges, that ends up over 1000$ for us here in Europe.
Dear Damirk
Where about in europe are you? I am running the UK reseller site HERE and may be able to help you with pricing.
Get in touch if you are interested.
Many Thanks
Ibrahim
I’m actually based in California out of the USA. =) The best way to contact me is on the “contact” page.
Hey Olivia
I was replying to the comment from Damirk, he was talking about the pricing in Europe, and I was asking him to get in touch with me…. Not sure what happened there… I know you’re based in Cali
Thanks for the great review, I really appreciate it. Have a great weekend.
Ibrahim
I have been using Skier rig and accessories for some time now, what I can say is their products are really solid and high quality design. Their modular design allowed me to build my rig the way I need it. After using their follow focus I couldn’t be able to work without it, just few in the markets are built with the same precision and quality. I have also to say that the people at skier are very helpful in suggesting you and taking suggestions from your needs.
Love your reviews!
I’m more interested in the Follow Focus. You said that it is based on Huco gearbox. I wanted to get one of those Huco L-boxes and build my own DIY follow focus, until I read that both versions of Huco gearboxes (ones with steel and ones with plastic gears) have a LOT of backlash (give/play/slack).
So how is the backlash on your Skier Follow Focus? Are its internal gears steel or plastic?
Is it worth its steep price tag? or shall I just get a FOTGA or RJ follow focus?
Garen, the follow focus on the Skier didn’t give me much backlash. I didn’t take it apart so I don’t know for certain if the internal gears on the Skier are made of plastic or steel. I don’t have any experience with the Fotga or RJ FF. I’ll do some research and get back to you before the week is over. =)
Olivia,
Do you know if a 5Dii with the battery grip will fit into this rig?
Thanks for the great reviews!
- Paul
Hi Paul, at the end of this post there is a picture of a camera with a battery grip. It explains that the Skier Cage in a different configuration will except a battery grip, just not the O-Rig.
Olivia,
Thanks for answering my question (twice)! I have another question about this rig: I’ve never seen a “lens gear” like this one. It looks like a simple rubber band without any teeth. Is that right? How well does that work compared to more traditional rigid “toothed” rings?
Thanks again!
Paul
A lens gear is pretty straight forward, it’s a rubber ring. The key is that it is fit perfectly for the lens you’re using and it grips well. In my opinion, the teeth don’t matter as much as the ring itself. The ring that comes with the Skier is a nice deep blue and it’s just the right amount of gumminess for a secure grip. =)
hey olivia, planing to buy this rig but i really cant find any handles or shoulder supports as in this video. there awesome as they are long and this rig would need long handles. i live in the uk so if u have any links i will be greatful.
cheers.
Hello Ahmet, the handles and shoulder mount are from Express35.com. They ship internationally!
Great review! I’m really looking into this rig. You did mention though that it may not support all lenses. Will the Canon EF-S 17-55mm 2.8 work with this? If not, would you happen to know what else wouldn’t work?
Another option I’m looking at is the Skier Mine Locator PLUS. Looks like a really solid rig, but I’ve scoured the net and can not find any decent review.
I just found out about your blog now and I think it’s great! Hoping to hear from you soon!
Raski, your Canon EF-S 17-55mm 2.8 will work on the Skier O-Rig Cage. I haven’t used the Skier Mine Locator PLUS so I don’t know much about it. You’re right though, there aren’t any reviews on this rig! Let me know if you come across any.. in the mean time, I’ll continue to look into some.
Hi,
Where can I purchase this? I live in Canada so I would like to make sure I receive it.
Is it on ebay or amazon?
Thanks so much for your videos. It has been very helpful and inspiring to women who want to further expand their knowledge base.
@NordX You can check with their list of resellers and/or contact the company directly. TRY THIS LINK HERE.
Hi,
What monopod was used in the skier video?
@Nadia We were using the Manfrotto 190XDB tripod.
Just thought I’d post a quick personal review for anyone considering the skier gear. I recently purchased the o-ring handle, follow focus and tripod base kit.
I purchased it from Ibrahim (Nomad Vision) who is a really nice chap. Very helpful and knows his stuff.
This rig is solid. It just feels bomb proof in your hand. This was very important for me considering the environments in which I use my camera.
The follow focus has minimal backlash and is very smooth. It comes with two gears so that if you can change the ratio between the follow focus and the lens focus ring. The gear is also reversible – if the follow focus gets in the way of the o-ring hadle; just flip the gear and it’s sorted.
The o-ring itself has two cold shoes (one either side of the handle) and even these can be moved with a screw driver. They each have a locking pin so you know if you were to put an expensive monitor on it that it is going no where.
The only downside is that it can take a little while to set up when you first receive the gear (different dslr’s require different heights for the o-ring handle). But once it’s all set up; it never moves and just stays solid.