Compact run-n-gun shoulder rigs are nothing new, and there are a multitude of companies that make excellent solutions for shooters who are on the move. However, oftentimes these rigs contain a plethora of small pieces that need to be fastened together before you can use them, and how long this process takes can be the difference between getting the perfect shot and missing it entirely. Zacuto is looking to eliminate build-time with their new foldable, highly compact DSLR rigs, the Marauder and the Enforcer. Check them out below:
Here's the Zacuto Round Table video in which they discuss the features of these rigs and how to use them:
To me, these new rigs from Zacuto seem to be the perfect combination of form and function for shooters who need to pack light and be ready to roll at a moment's notice. I can see these rigs being heavily adopted by documentary and news shooters all over the world simply for the fact that they'd be able to pack lighter than with other rigs.
While the Enforcer and the Marauder are not particularly designed for narrative-style production, their compact form factor makes them the ideal rigs for shooting run-and-gun with the new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera and the other Blackmagic cameras. Even though shooting in public places without permits is not recommended, quick and discreet rigs like these -- coupled with our smaller modern cinema cameras -- could make the process easier than ever.
The Enforcer is retailing for $475 and the Marauder for $775. You can purchase them through the Zacuto store.
What do you guys think? Are these new rigs going to make run-and-gun shooting quicker and easier? Let us know in the comments!
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37 Comments
Phew Very Expensive - better buy in china for $ 25 !
August 1, 2013 at 5:44PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
My Cullman travelpod does the exact same thing, is quicker to set up, doubles as a mini tripod, and they go for around £70 and one went for £11 on ebay not long ago.
August 1, 2013 at 5:52PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Thanks Rob this something that looks very interesting as doubles up as a quick tripod , very handy for one man band event type stuff , recently i needed to adjust other cameras while putting down my main camera...so with this maybe i could point it at the subject while milling around anymore items like this would handy to know off (i found cullmann Cruiser) and maybe Zacuto could implement a free standing addon to ad value ;^)
August 10, 2013 at 2:59PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Looks good but I don't agree with them adding stabilization in post to the footage shown testing the unit. It's like they don't believe in their product.
If they are built the same way as their other rigs, you can be sure they are rock solid although Zacuto's reputation of being over price seems to be still a thing with those.
August 1, 2013 at 5:53PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Get a spiderbrace for $70. Very easily collaspe-able and light to carry/travel.
August 1, 2013 at 6:04PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Notch the prices down to $100 and $175 and it's a deal.
August 1, 2013 at 7:38PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
I'll buy zacuto gear the day I have money to throw away. I hope that day come soon, but don't count on that.
August 1, 2013 at 8:39PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
What I really want to check out is their new documentary (Camera Shootout 2013) due out any day.
August 1, 2013 at 9:16PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
I think Zacuto's stuff is really good but I also think it's way way overpriced. I just don't ever seeing myself buying their products. It's not weather or not I can afford it, It's a value issue. (to me) I just don't feel like it's worth what they charge.
August 1, 2013 at 9:36PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
any of these rigs have springs/coils or heavy padding to take the vibrations out of it?
August 1, 2013 at 10:15PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
So expensive
August 1, 2013 at 10:29PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
I just don't get the cost of rigs. Standard rigs are made up of a few CNC'd aluminium connectors and standard 15mm/19mm aluminium or carbon fibre tubing. There is no form of serious engineering involved. So far I have bought my stuff from Korea for 25% of the price. When I saw this I thought . Aagh. This is some real engineering, They actually had to design something and manufacture it. But honestly, The camera they are using for the demo is half the price of the rig! I'll rather just use a Gorrilla pod with a tipod plate. Very adjustable, flexible and I can also attach my camera to a tree if needed!
August 1, 2013 at 10:57PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Hey guys, could you recommend a couple of websites to buy these kind of low-cost rigs? Any specific recommendation? I've been looking on ebay and there are some great deals, but I'd rather get advice than buying something I might feel like "too cheap" and is a pain to return.
August 2, 2013 at 12:43AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Cowboy studio shoulder rig. 25 bucks on amazon does the same thing if not better. Sure it's plastic but I've had it for over a year and haven't had a single problem. Oh yeah, did I mention it's under 30 US dollars?
August 2, 2013 at 12:52AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Zacuto = rip off merchants.
August 2, 2013 at 2:20AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Who still supports companies like Zacuto and Red Rock Micro when there are so many reliable makers that cost wayyyyyyyyyy less.
August 2, 2013 at 5:39AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Starting to seem like Zacuto has hired a former Nerf employee to start naming their products.
August 2, 2013 at 6:06AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
As pretty much every comment has stated: looks great, way over-priced. As I watched the video I thought, "Oh good, a cheaper rig I might afford." Scrolled down and saw it was $475 for the "cheap" one.
I'm sorry, but it's really hard to look at such a small piece of equipment and see it as worth that much. Yes our cameras may be small too, but we literally couldn't do our jobs without cameras, but we can do our jobs without these rigs.
What is a good rig worth to me? $100 or less. I really want one, but not that badly.
August 2, 2013 at 9:07AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Polaroid chest stabilizer: $55 on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-Stabilizer-Support-Cameras-Camcorders/dp/...
August 2, 2013 at 9:15AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Looks like it packs down alright, but their Slingshot design is still my favorite run-n-gun rig by a long shot. I like shooting with it more than with a shoulder rig. For those of you griping about Zacuto pricing, please understand that their hardware is engineered and machined in the US with the best materials and to the highest specs. It costs money to engineer and manufacture in the US and pay a living wage to employees. English speaking customer support and a lifetime warranty factors in as well. Their stuff works and is interchangeable with amazing custom-ability options. I'll pay the premium for all that without a single gripe. A premium product commands a premium price.
If the Far East knockoffs get the job done for you, good for you. Just understand the why that stuff is so cheap. The Wal-Martifcation of the US has resulted in the consumer knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
August 2, 2013 at 9:52AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
I agree with your statement, nevertheless a lot of US products seem to be priced based on a "sale" culture, where once in a while you get a fantastic 50$ off of a product. Both rigs are genuinely engineered, but they are targeted towards DSLR run'n gun shooters, where the 5DIII marks the high-end (the 1DC probably isn´t used that much for run´n gun...). Zacuto, take 25% off the price for good and most people will still buy the original, once the copy cats hit the market (if at all...).
August 2, 2013 at 10:11AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Good point Marc B. Also is good to add that there's a price for development of a new product, knock offs are cheaper because they skip this, they don't have to pay for ergonomic R&D neither design projects, they buy stuff and just copy them. I'm sure Zacuto must be successful on their sales otherwise they would have taken a different approach. There are tons of professional productions that would rather go for quality, reliability, warranty and support above all.
August 2, 2013 at 11:03AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Have you guys seen the new rig by Rhino Camera? it's on Kickstarter right now, their base package is $350, but I want their whole kit, it's $950 which seems pretty good for what you get compared to some rigs I've looked at recently.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rhinocg/rhino-rig-for-dslr-and-cinem...
August 2, 2013 at 10:18AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
This looks like another sturdy product by Zacuto, but is lacking any type of top handle element and a base support to put the camera down...I'm not always in shooting position, so the thought of having to take the camera off the rig anytime i am not shooting is not worth the trouble.
p.s. In Italy, laying a camera down on it's side equals to 12 years bad luck
August 2, 2013 at 10:35AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
I would characterize myself as an enthusiastic amateur. I live in Chicago and I've bought Zacuto products. They are very expensive. I have a few Kessler products too, they are also very expensive. But they are by far the best products I own in terms of quality and engineering and are clearly targeted and priced towards professionals. I've also bought Gini rigs and they too are awesome but they are not in the same league as Zacuto, much like a Konovo slider is not built to the same specs as a Kessler slider. Can you get professional results with both? Of course you can, but that doesn't mean there is not a market at the high end for people that make a leaving and use their gear everyday and don't want to worry about it. Most of the gear that I purchase today is not from Zacuto and Kessler because I am more of a hobbiest and it's awesome that there are cheap, quality alternatives that folks can use because even a few years ago that wasn't the case. But if I was running my own shop and using a rig everyday I'd probably be aspiring towards using Zacuto gear, it's top notch.
August 2, 2013 at 1:14PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
$130 will get you the Fotodiox foldable compact rig: http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Compact-Rig-Stabilizer-Lightweight/dp/B00...
August 2, 2013 at 9:48PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
I don't care that it's "expensive". I care because its more useless zacuto shit....
August 4, 2013 at 9:39AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
"its an cheaper device cuz you dont have the complex handle"
pffhahaha
August 4, 2013 at 4:44PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
I understand some of your frustration. Trust me I'm frustrated that I can't get costs down. And as some have mentioned, we are the company that innovates products, the ones that most of the foreign providers rip off. Both our innovation, design and their off shoot of our design. Just so you know it took 9 months to develop this product with an enormous amount of R&D. It's not as easy as it seems to have these moving parts snap into place and be able to take the force of a hand torking on it without any wiggle. I have over 20 very expensive prototypes to prove it. It seems easy but there are over 40 aluminum and some stainless parts in the Maurader. Some of these are large very intricate parts, that are very expensive to mill. Could I have made molds and created these parts out of plastic or cast, sure. It would have been a cheaper product, but would have flexed and wouldn't last. Also, some have mentioned they want a handle, on this type of rig, the idea is to make it small and light since you are holding it out in front of your body. You don't want one ounce of extra weight or size. Imagine this for jumping out of a car and grabbing a shot, pulling it out of your back pocket or bag to get a shot at a wedding. Every rig is not for every use, sorry, I wish that were so. Just like every camera is not right for every job. I realize that Zacuto is not for everyone. Some said it's more for working professionals and that is true. I hope you can respect my option to design and make products to highest quality possible. Not taking price into account when I start the design process. Making them so durable and functional that I warranty them even for accidental customer breakage. And let me tell you, I rarely have to replace products under my warranty, that's why I do it, because the design is perfected to last for life. This type of warranty is a worlds first. Philip Bloom once mentioned that my products are sometimes twice or three times what a rip off costs but that he found after you break several of those rip offs you already spent the cost of Zacuto. As well, I don't make a stink when Indian or Asian companies rip us off, I could prevent the sale of these on ebay and Amazon, because of trade dress and patents. I absolutely realize that my products are not for everyone and too expensive for non working professionals and I respect that. I hope you can understand that I just enjoy innovating the best possible thing I can make. Many of you own iPhones and macs which are very expensive but you know that they are the best and you enjoy that. Same holds true for a Tesla or a Mercedes, not for everyone but they have the right to create these exceptional products for those who want them. In all my programs a web series I always say a Zacuto rig does not make you a better filmmaker. Hone your skills, get creative with what you have, that's what is really important here.
August 6, 2013 at 9:18AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Indians are Asians too, Steve.
August 9, 2013 at 10:41AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
For real though, these things are crazy ugly. Charge the premium if you want Zacuto, but maybe try not to make them look like robot baby scorpion skeletons.
August 8, 2013 at 1:36PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Those are pretty cool. I can't wait for another company to make a product similar and much less expensive!
August 9, 2013 at 8:26AM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Too and Very very Expensive things!!!
Just wait a little bit and there'll be Chinese versions that you can buy less than 100$. Or about or less cost, go DIY. Or you may get it from Indian makers for much less cost, but the same result. Those Western makers are money mongers, but thanks for the idea.
August 9, 2013 at 6:05PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
That's nice that you are all so fine with people stealing ones designs. Letting us bear the burden of design and R&D while others don't have those costs. Not a lot of integrity in consumer buying. And everyone wonders why the USA is heading into the toilet. We don't pay slave wages but eventually we will and then people will really have something to complain about. Regardless, I'll still keeping these innovative designs coming for your pals to copy.
August 10, 2013 at 2:09PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
I am really looking froward to owning the Marauder very soon. I find that this will be really helpful in the coming months of "run and gun" documentary work. I understand people's frustration with prices, but I feel that the "over-priced" argument is getting a bit stale. You are paying for something of fantastic quality, and something that will be used countless times. Zacuto also has a fantastic warranty/replacement policy that is completely above and beyond anything else.
I purchased the Scorpion Rig last year after a few years of looking at shoulder rigs, and I have been completely satisfied with it. Sure, it was pretty expensive, but I made the money back from it in no time doing film jobs. You have to look at these pieces of equipment as investments (things to better your craft), not just toys to play with. Sure you will take a hit to the wallet at first, but become efficient with your new tools and give yourself a reason to up your rates. These tools add value to your product and show your clients that. Be persistent and you will make your money back in absolutely no time.
It took me a long time, and a lot of effort, to be comfortable to buy something from Zacuto. I made it a goal of mine to reach a point where i would be able to make that purchase, and when I did it felt great. All of my hard work has paid off, and I have something to show for it. It helps motivate me to push even further. That may not work for some, but products like these make me push harder in my dream.
August 13, 2013 at 9:16PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
Everyone crying is probably some poor ass filmmaker that doesn't the value of losing a shot in a critical moment.
Sometimes you only have one chance to get a shot (corporate meeting, wedding) and when your Chinese knockoffs get loose, you will be the one getting chewed out by your client.
Zacuto's products have NEVER failed me and I have already made back the cost I spent on a Zacuto Scorpion and Follow Focus with two videography jobs, and then some. If that's not justifying an investment, then I don't know what is.
August 15, 2013 at 4:27PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM
I just got a Marauder, and the rapid set up and solid construction eased my mind in regards to how much it cost. This can fit in my backpack, so I don't have to hold or rig something to my pack awkwardly. The connections are tight, the fit of everything feels very secure, and the color scheme fits right in with Canon L lenses which is an aesthetic plus. This is actually my first piece of Zacuto gear (I returned my Z-finder) and so far I am happy with my decision.
September 23, 2013 at 6:17PM, Edited September 4, 8:21AM