PR-1 DSLR Shoulder Rig Review & Test Footage

A review of the PR-1 Prime Video Shoulder Rig from Photography & Cinema -- a lightweight stabilization & support system for your DSLR. In this review, we compare test shots of handheld, steadicam, glidecam, and shoulder rig.
Filmed with:
Canon Rebel T4i / 650D / Kiss X6i
18-135mm STM (Silent Stepping Motor) Lens
Music:
"Remember Me As A Time of Day" by Explosions in the Sky
"First Breath After Coma" by Explosions in the Sky
Special thanks to Phet Tran, Paul Renken, Stacey Phuong Cahu, Khoi Nguyen.
Please visit us at: / glasspixelstudios
Handheld vs shoulder rig, handheld vs Steadicam, steadicam vs shoulder rig, and glidecam vs shoulder rig.
Most DSLRs are small, light-weight, and front-heavy cameras, which make them incredibly sensitive to movement. Even at a slow walk, shooting with a handheld DSLR can be shaky and unstable.
Let's repeat this same test with the PR-1 and see what happens...
At just over 3 pounds, the PR-1 sits comfortably on the shoulder and adds enough weight and stability to help smooth out your shots. Although not perfectly smooth, the rig helps to eliminate many of the tiny, "micro shakes" you get when shooting handheld.
As a point of comparison, let's repeat the same test with another popular stabilization device...
Shoulder rigs are not mean to be replacements or substitutes for steadicams. Steadicams and shoulder rigs are different tools that produce very different looks. Steadicams usually produce smoother, more free-flowing shots; while shoulder rigs produce rougher, more action-oriented or documentary-style footage.
It's important to consider these differences -- as well as the kind of look you're going for - before settling on a particular device.
By default, the handle bars of the PR-1 are set to a narrow, upright position, which we found somewhat difficult to balance. Fortunately, all major joints of the PR-1 are adjustable. This allowed us to set the handle bars at an angle, which gave the rig a wider base and made it easier to balance.
One cool feature of the PR-1 is the adjustable shoulder pad, which allows the rig to be configured into a "target shooter" mount. As a target shooter, the PR-1 can be pressed firmly against your chest, making it an extremely compact rig -- perfect for small and confined spaces.
Overall, we found the PR-1 to be a very nice shoulder rig - well-constructed, light-weight, and fully expandable.
If there's one disappointment we had about the PR-1, it's that it doesn't include a counter-weight system. Even without any additional accessories, the camera and shoulder rig alone can be quite front-heavy. For longer shoots, we definitely recommend purchasing or rigging your own counter weights.
Otherwise, we found the PR-1 to be a very nice shoulder rig - well-constructed, light-weight, and fully expandable. A great tool for any filmmaker or videographer.
The PR-1 includes: 2 x 10" 15mm standard rods, 2 x 6" rods, 1 x camera plate w/ tripod mount, 1 x 4" offset clamp, an adjustable shoulder pad, and 4 x 1/4-20 thread mounts for additional lighting, microphones, monitors, and other accessories.
This concludes our review of the PR-1 Prime Video Shoulder Rig from Photography & Cinema. For more information, including pricing and order information, please visit "www.Kamerar.com".
I'm Phet Tran with Glass Pixel Studios -- until next time..."

[@Raychristofer]

pretty Model, she redeems this review whether folks like it or not.

[@tejproductions6131]

It is a great review...instead of just talking while playing around with the toy in your hands, this is a powerful way of demonstration... Bravo! However, I am getting a Opteka CXS 2..seems to be very good.

[@2MuchSwag4Funzies]

Even the best rigs need practice. I can reproduce the same stabilization as most of your clips here without any rig except the glide-cam one. But these are nice rigs if you know how to use em. Tip: Bend your knees when anything is handheld. Even with my flycam I look like a rooster with a camera as a head. But the shots look hella good

[@Juviara_Jaylani_mami]

What camera

[@psicoarma]

I just have subscribed, because I can not stop seeing you.

[@theozunas]

Awesome review. It covered things that other videos dont! (Such as which lens and if it has IS or not. Also you showed how you can fix it further in POST to get a very smooth look.) Thank you very much

[@InfinitelyDarkFilms]

Awesome review! Great you included lots of TEST FOOTAGE in there. Not enough reviews do that. Wondering if this rig includes a mount?

[@PeglegMediaX]

so do you use auto focus for those moving shots like when you walked towards the subject?

[@0816greg]

hi there..nice one..I know my question is a little bit irrelevant, but I just wanna ask how did you shoot using canon camera without the letterbox (the black bar on the top & bottom of the video clips) Im just new in video making so i hope you dont mind to answer my queries..thanks.

[@TheSoccerballz18]

Nice review. liek the comparison test at the beginning. what steadicam/glidecam device did u use?

[@MegaLeonidovich]

San fancisco rules baby. Nice vid.

[@eladbari]

wow, if you only had some counter weights to create this test footage,man!that's whats missing to show how this rig works! You took very nice and relatively stable shots with what you had, but i bet it was not easy at all! I bet it took a lot of strength & concentration for short periods of time-to pull off these shots, and that's what counter weights should eliminate when theyre installed. I wonder if P&C will come out with a new shoulder rig sometime soon,as time passed since this 1st release

[@glasspixelstudios]

The PR-1 Shoulder Rig is available at kamerar(.)com

[@TheSoccerballz18]

how much does this rig weigh? also can you attack a mic to it?

[@ocubex]

Hey guys, what size are the rods the camera sits on?

[@silentsnipe215]

is that a ND filter or Polarizer?

[@mrait]

link in amazon plz, thanks

[@PeteWoronowski]

Thank you for this review, very appreciated.

[@glasspixelstudios]

Pete Woronowski You're welcome. Hope you found our review helpful. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@philbiha]

what would happen if you had a wide angle lens or maybe a 70-200?

[@glasspixelstudios]

Phil's TV Generally, the wider the lens, the smoother the footage. We shot this review with the Canon STM 18-135. Most of the shots were shot at wide angle.

[@PeglegMediaX]

i love this rig!

[@namu5583]

+glasspixelstudios this is a great review,but I'm still hesitate to buy one. Do you any other input on why we should have a shoulder rig? thx

[@glasspixelstudios]

+Alfred Christanto Glad you found our review helpful! Potential reasons for using a shoulder rig: (1) Better support (less tired holding your camera), (2) better stability in certain situations, (3) more mobility versus a tripod or monopod, (4) ability to attach peripherals (i.e. follow focus, external monitor, etc), and (5) could make your DSLR look more professional to your clients.

[@glasspixelstudios]

+Alfred Christanto Potential reasons AGAINST a shoulder rig: (1) Bulky, (2) Expensive, (3) Depending on what and how your'e shooting, it may be totally unnecessary. There are more reasons PRO and CON, but those are some of the basic things to consider. Hope that helps!

[@WorksProductionFilms]

very nice review, girl is pretty

[@YesaDanuPhotography]

if you need focus pulling, go with rig, but if all you need is just smoothness with basically fixed focus, then go with the flycam. the chinese made a GREAT performing stabilizer: LAING P-04. ;)

[@ARKANAEditing]

Nice video

[@facciolite]

great review thank u

[@glasspixelstudios]

Glad you enjoyed our review! Hope you found it useful.

[@erfahnh7127]

Did I just fall in love with this review, or the girl?

[@rzxalbert]

Location?

[@glasspixelstudios]

Beach near the Cliff House in San Francisco.

[@aciandru]

Nice stabilization! Sony Vegas Pro 13 or Premiere Pro? It is clearly visible that the stabilization is done in post production, for fuck's sake.

[@thatoneguy9782]

I have a feeling you guys don't know how to use ISO properly since everything looks over exposed.

[@rkacademy9734]

that one guy DVD

[@feeltheholiday]

that was a good Video for me, thats the reason to subcrib the channel a a thump up

[@glasspixelstudios]

Glad you enjoyed our review of the PR-1 Shoulder Rig. Thanks for liking and subscribing!

[@sonnybrown4758]

2:50 daawww. That smile :)

[@EsenbekAliev_]

seems like useless piece of aluminum still shaky videos and not stabilized at all

[@glasspixelstudios]

ealiev60 I wouldn't say it's useless. Typically, it helps to stabilize the camera over hand-held (getting rid of the micro shakes). It's useful if you want to rig your camera with a follow-focus, lights and other accessories. And it's more comfortable over long term use (handles, shoulder pad, better balance, etc).

[@BijouCinema]

get a tripod or buy a steadycam, this tool is ment for people with rigs who are looking for a handheld look, without the micro-vibrations.

[@loganwalsh]

It's great for trade show interviews and run and gun footage. You can always bring the footage back into an effects program to edit out the micro shakes

[@casio007]

looks like a weapon:D

[@onetimemediaproductionz6204]

The footage is still shaky, Im not convinced

[@MrLeo168]

steady cam make your hand tired... lol Shoulder Rig is an elegant solotion

[@HistoryandReviews]

All Hollywood films today have lots of microshakes

[@cyranova1666]

Backgorund music should be 10% when someone speaking...

[@glasspixelstudios]

+Cyranova Apologies if the background music is too loud. We normalized the sound levels and tested on different speakers. We'll be more mindful in future videos. Thanks for let us know.

[@stickyrice2141]

i didnt get any of that information, was too focused on the girl ^^

[@bwest6275]

seriously bro? you need to get laid...

[@stickyrice2141]

bro^^ its just a comment man, btw been with my gf for 3 years now... you can guess the rest...

[@bwest6275]

Ok let me guess the rest. So....doing the math...you posted that comment 1 year ago. And you were with your GF for three years so far...I can guess you must not be happy with your GF to make a comment about the chick in this Rig review.

[@stickyrice2141]

Brian Westfield Checking out other girls while in a relationship is normal, as long as you don't cheat its all good.

[@soundstructuremedia]

Shit looks the same.... point not made

[@glasspixelstudios]

dj uncle gen Much of it is in the eye of the beholder. That's why we included a comparison -- so the viewers could judge for themselves. Sorry you didn't find it useful, but thanks for watching.

[@orioncreativearts]

I admit it.. I fell in love with the girl

[@DavideSchachterJazz]

I'm falling asleep :)

[@glasspixelstudios]

DavideSchachterJazz Find the review boring? Sorry to hear that. Tried to make this review as useful and interesting as possible. Hopefully, we do better next time.

[@DavideSchachterJazz]

***** not at all it's very relaxing! The review is awesome :)

[@dwyszynski]

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