PROAIM 6-CF Carbon Fiber Shoulder Rig Kit REVIEW +Follow Focus +Matte Box

❓ Not sure what to get? Then look in the Ultimate Gear Guide: www.nitsan.co.uk/gear ✅
⬇️ You can support this channel by purchasing from the links below! ⬇️
A fantastic shoulder rig kit at a great price! Comes with the follow focus, cage, matte box and tons more! LINKS to this product and others: (Ebay USA:) rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-532...
Ebay UK link: rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-534...
Amazon UK link: www.amazon.co.uk/s/?_encoding=...
Amazon USA link: www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UT...
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(In short: I am an affiliate with eBay, Amazon, B&H and Adorama, which means I get a small commission when you buy through my links. This helps me create more great videos for you guys. I still always review items honestly, and I never accept any payments to shoot reviews. Thank you for your support.)
Disclaimer:
I shoot these videos in the hope that it will be helpful, but all information given is just my honest opinion. I make no guarantees whatsoever. You are responsible for your own safety and how you use that information.

[@perrymorrisjr]

Good jab man, I'm subscribing to you because you appear to always respond to questions and I appreciate that. Keep up the good reviews!

[@EITRPRODUCTIONS]

I am so happy that you posted a video like this. Thank you and great job.

[@jeremynunns7496]

Nitsan, great review, learnt lots about what to look out for generally on shoulder rigs! Good work.

[@nitsan]

+Jeremy Nunns Thanks, glad you liked it. :)

[@DarkWhiteMedia]

Great in depth review - probably going to pick this rig up shortly. The only thing I was worried about before seeing this was customer service and shipping from overseas but it's nice to know that they are on point with that! Keep the videos coming!

[@regionalshooter]

thnx for the review man. i got mine few months back from proaim only and i fall in love with it everytime i use it. amazing ware!!

[@chrischungvlog]

Yo Nitsan! great review, shoulder rig looks great man :)

[@RikkWolf]

Thanks for the speedy reply, friend. Might just have to pick up one of these.

[@sulfodk]

Thanks for the review! It was really nice and confirmed what my next buy should be :)

[@Sunshinecoastphotography]

It's great to poke through your videos and find yet another very helpful video, Nitsan, so thank you for this one and all the others! I bought the Felicity version of this unit a few years back, which looks exactly the same as yours, but mine uses aluminum rods instead of carbon fiber, which made it much cheaper, but I'm not sure how much lighter. They seem to have the same basic parts and I have found it to be very versatile. I'd say that if someone is looking for an even less expensive version of this unit, that the Filmcity one would be a decent choice. One thing I'm not in love with though, is that it seems I can never get the handles to be tight enough. I was thinking of drilling them and putting a locking pin through them, just to keep them from moving. Other than that, I added another piece of rod to connect the counterweight to the front rails, because there was some flex between them. Perhaps the CF one is not like that. Lately though, I've been using the BeHolder DS-1 3 axis gimbal stabilizer for my "walking" videos and have found that to be better for some things. The shoulder rig is still better for doing some types of shooting though. Anyway, thanks for all your videos, great job! Cheers.

[@eastcow]

this review is really great and thorough. I'm getting one nao! :) thanks bro.

[@vargdegard321]

I bought this rig thanks to your video. Thanks :)

[@GarettMcDermid]

Thanks for getting back to me. I did a little searching and found it on the proaimshop com looks like they've got some pictures of you on the page.

[@NeyBar]

Great review! thanks for the info

[@yaegarmora]

Great Review, going to get the current version on this

[@DennisKussener]

I shot a school event back in April without any counter balance, at the end my back was hurting like hell. I was searching the cause of the problem, I think I will give a counter balance a try., tanks for the tip :D

[@hmol1955]

Very inspiring Simantov - ordered one.

[@ubermakubex]

cool! i want one to, thanks man you rock!

[@AVPROJECT1]

Great review!

[@soudanthos2]

Yea the more I have looked at the field runner in videos I could see it was very small. Thanks I appreciate the response!

[@TheGregoryGUY]

great video nitsan! i can't afford this but I'm going to try to replicate this as best as possible in a homemade rig. i really like the design of this particular rig.

[@mikekillagreen9432]

Thank you!! I was debating on getting more counter weight. You just confirmed it.

[@nitsan]

This video is old. My current preference is to reduce camera weight and accessories and just go as light as possible.

[@nitsan]

But if this isn't possible then yes counterweight may help.

[@mikekillagreen9432]

@@nitsan Yes!! Its funny you say that. I added more weight and it was uncomfortable on my shoulder and back so now Im taking it off whenever this shutdown is over and we can back to set.

[@NitsanArt]

EXCELLENT review !!! thanks

[@R1ski3]

Thanks for the quick reply. I am looking at the Rokinon Cine Line, so I don't imagine they are too big. Also adding in the Matte Box, the Monitor, and sound equip. I will keep an eye out on your site then.

[@imrtun]

This is a really good video. Thanks.

[@IUSECAMERAS]

excellent review man!

[@nitsan]

Thanks!

[@zoltanpocza]

Thanks for the great review! You made me chose this setup and just placed my order of the same kit with a different Follow Focus (the one with A/B hardstop). Can't wait to put my hands on it and try the different setups can be built from it! How about the rods? Are there any extras included?

[@chrismifsud871]

Thanks for your help!!

[@falconass001]

OH!! Thanks soo much!! You're a life saver! :D

[@taki143]

'I really do', like this review!

[@oli333]

Fantastic video. Thanks :)

[@nitsan]

Glad i could help. No extras included but if you got the matte box then you'll have plenty of them to play about with. if not you can pick up extras on ebay.

[@lemmonsinmyeyes]

Seems like really good deal man, you get alot more extra goodies than with a Jag35 set up at the same cost!

[@jamiemacleod92]

Nice Review!! How would it work with having a viewfinder on.. any latitude to do that or do the bars get in the way?

[@nitsan]

yeah makes sense. this one was all metal and carbon fiber. I had the fc-10 which was plastic and carbon fiber, didn't break for me but i can see how it could.

[@tommyjones1978]

Hello, I see your link but i dont see in the items none like yours (like carbon fiber, the shoulder couchin)... can you help me please and send me the link with the same kit as yours. Ive a Black magic Pocket cinema camera and i would like to have that kit. Many thanks.

[@nitsan]

glad u got it fixed :)

[@nitsan]

As i explained in the review the full setup was too big for me so I sold a lot of it. My friend Lucas Pfaff still uses the matte box he bought from me, i think he may have reviewed it on his YT channel. The rails from this are the best i've seen so far and they're still in use on my rig. Most the other stuff i sold since i have to sell stuff to afford new review items.

[@ChabsUK]

Thanks for your you tube shoulder rig. We at a process of putting our shopping list for our charity project in Kenya and having come across your video, am now more confused. lol My question is this, would It not be better to get a good HD video camera instead of buying a Canon 5D mark iii and then all these lenses and rigs and audio etc. Please help!!!!!!!!

[@nitsan]

hey 1 no idea, i'm in england. 2 very sturdy but also heavy 3 if it doesn't come with counterweights then yes, depends on the package you buy. you can use some gym weights or something.

[@ghostpictures]

Thx for this nice Review! Is it the best Kit for you if you on a Low Budget?

[@nitsan]

For me it's too big. I prefer smaller rigs for most of my uses.

[@TheGregoryGUY]

i was planning on using a 15mm rod system. i found some 15mm rods on the ikea website that i was going to attempt to put together into a rig of some sort. but if i was gonna spend that much it makes more sense to buy one a more pro rig.

[@R1ski3]

Thanks for the review, good info. Question: I am considering the BM Pocket CC and a rig setup like this one. Moving from Shoulder to Tripod to Stabilizer, do you find it effortless or is there some frustration in the process? Do you have any tips on making those transitions easy or quick with a setup like 6-CF?

[@nitsan]

yeah, there should be some square metal disks in the spare parts. those are raisers. they connect under the quick release :)

[@samrappschannel]

Nitsan thanks for the fast reply! It's a revolving matte box but what I'm finding is it's so loose that it spins around so the slightest movement and its rotating so I'm constantly needing to straighten it out. Just wondering if that's your experience. Funny thing is a couple of weeks ago before I ordered it they replied to my emails within a day. now I've sent two e-mails on how to tighten it up and have not heard from them. postage back and forth is too expensive I'll just figure out a way to

[@iPhoneiPadReview]

Great video Nitsan! Could you please show your white background setup? :)

[@FrozenSkiller]

Do you have an awesome high quality china dslr rig thing you can absolutely recommend? Like the way you did with the stabilizers :)

[@nitsan]

I mostly use manual focus lenses. They have smoother focus rings and are more compact which is great for video. My 55mm f1.2 has been my most used lens for about 4 years. Looks great on full frame (5d) or crop cameras. I'd recommend an Olympus or nikon 55mm or 50mm f1.2 if you can afford $200-300 or f1.4 if you only have $100-150. Other nice ones are the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm, 35mm and 24mm (all f1.4) and if you need a zoom lens then there are some inexpensive f2.8 zooms from tamron and sigma.

[@applejuice0125]

Thanks for the review. How much does the whole thing weigh?

[@BaoNguyen-iv1zx]

I got a question, I'f I'm wide somewhere around 17-24mm does the mattebox get in the way?

[@nitsan]

yeah you can mount the h4n anywhere you want. search on ebay for a cctv mount, they cost about $3 and are short so are great for mounting audio recorders to anywhere you want. otherwise, there are shock mounts or magic arms you can use. or just use a bolt, clamp, rubber band, velcro, what ever you want.

[@MegaSina777]

Thanks for your nice videos ;) By the way how come your shirt is for summer and your wool hat for cold winter?!! :D

[@hakamsoufan]

good video thanks

[@chrismifsud871]

Thanks for this great review!! I just have one question which I really hope you could help me with. Does the FF-125 follow focus which comes with this have adjustable positions which you can pre-set so that once filming you can focus from a predetermined object onto another predetermined preset setting? Thanks a lot!!

[@Skybluezsam]

good informative video, subscribed. If I wanted to have the last set up, with a shotgun mic into a zoom h4n, how could I attach the zoom to one of the rails? thanks

[@douglasthorell2416]

Great vid! Do you know where I can get more counter weight to screw on to my proaim rig? Looks like I could just add more of the ones the came with the rig and screw them on to the existing ones?

[@nitsan]

No idea, sorry. There are various other things you can use. Gym weights, etc. Just gotta make sure they don't fall off and break somebody's foot.

[@cjamled]

Hi, first off great review! I am looking to get a rig and this one seems pretty good. I was hoping you could answer a few questions for me if you wouldn't mind. I live in the states, and I am always weary about ordering online from overseas. 1: How painless was the process to actually order this rig? 2: How sturdy is this rig? 3: Do you have to buy counterweights for the rig from them, or would it be easy to make some decent looking and functional DIY counterweights for this rig? Thanks!

[@nitsan]

many follow focus units have play in them. The only thing I can recommend is to return it or sell it and get one that's better. Most the ones i've seen have a tiny bit of play, but some can get pretty bad. gini and kamerar are good

[@cyprus20112011]

Hey there, congrats on this video. What happens when your camera doesn't have a flipout monitor. I use an LCD viewfinder. Can I still get this rig?

[@nitsan]

This one is not ideal for using with a viewfinder. I think the cage would get in the way.

[@EazyPurple]

ok man, thanks a lot for caring! 2 more quick questions: 1: do you sell your stuff on ebay? and if yes give me your ebay store. and 2: is it possible with this proaim 6-CF to use a viewfinder? i mean can you take it to the right side? (i hope you understand) i really want to use a viewfinder with a rig like that.

[@soudanthos2]

How does it stack up to the field runner by Jag35? Love the video! Very informative!

[@OutOfTheBoxShootings]

thanx for the review, I like the Proaim stuff, why did you chose the 6-CF vs. the 10-C, it appears like they cost the same and perhaps the 10 has better components (or maybe just a better follow focus). I havn;t purchase it yet and I'd like to hear your opinion before I do. thanx

[@nitsan]

i usually use the more compact systems. You can see my reviews about my other rigs. I got this because I wanted to review it. After the review I built my own rig using the parts from this rig that I wanted, then I sold the parts I didn't use.

[@samrappschannel]

Hi Nitsan have a look at this video to see what I'm talking about. just wondering if yours is the same or i just got a very loose one ok youtube won't let me put the link to the video in here? but if you search MB600 rotating matte box you should find it

[@Straightonproduction]

You should get a gini rig setup and review that!

[@TheLimbReaper]

I use the same Giottos mounts and they are interchangeable with Manfrotto at much less cost. Not as smooth as Manfrotto but quality is good.

[@nitsan]

which manfrotto does it fit? my giottos never fit my manfrottos.

[@TheLimbReaper]

Nitsan Simantov Manfrotto 3433PL 577 rapid connect www.amazon.com/dp/B00009XV3M/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_img?_encoding=UTF8&colid=SWSQIOX2T4TK&coliid=I3SNMZAM8HV62 Giottos MH621 www.amazon.com/Giottos-MH621-Release-Adapter-Sliding/dp/B0010SIAV2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387845541&sr=8-1&keywords=Giottos+MH+621 The Giottos even has the levels, but is a rougher mat finish compared to the Manfrotto with the satin finish.

[@nitsan]

those are called an a/b hard stops, and no mine didnt have that. Fotga and CatClaw have one that does. if you have the budget, get a gini rigs FF, it's noticeably nicer to use than most others.

[@ExpressiveImagery]

I really like your camera rig as it looks to be very versatile. I was thinking of buying a Filmcity FC-02 but curious as to how you feel about yours over the long-term when used on the shoulder or hand-held. It seems that whenever I look for shoulder-based rig reviews on KZbin that not many have been uploaded between 2016-2018. What do you think? Thanks Tony

[@nitsan]

Hey. I rarely use them anymore. Just not needed for my current work. When I do need one, a big gorillapod gives me the most comfort, stability and compactness, since I don't need any add-ons except what I can fit on my camera's hot shoe. For most stability I set it up with all legs wrapped around my shoulder with both hands on the camera. Or for more movement, one leg on the shoulder and two legs as handles. They are not as durable as a proper rig but I still prefer them.

[@ExpressiveImagery]

That's great, thanks for taking the time to reply and it's interesting that you have found a different method of holding your camera. Do you have any videos that you have produced actually using the gorillapod that you can share please? Cheers Tony

[@nitsan]

you can use something like a friction arm (£10) and/or a super clamp (£6)

[@nitsan]

unstabilized tele lenses are usually better suited for tripods, but would work fine on this too, certainly much better than nothing at all.

[@nitsan]

that's a good option anyways, as the smaller plates allow for more movement and adjustment, and less weight. the cage will still get in your way if you want to use a viewfinder - i think. see my facebook for a photo and parts list of my current rig setup, which is perfect IMO. I've never used a better rig, and i've tried a lot of them.

[@nitsan]

ah cool. just add some elastic bands right at the connection point. a thin one and then a thick one on top, should do the trick.

[@MichaelBouhnikProductions]

hey, can u send me a link to the black tape u used for the shoulder pad, i like the size and the fact that its matte black, not glossy so it matches with the proaim pad

[@nitsan]

no that might be a bit too wide. I dont have it here but i think it was only ok up to 18mm on crop.

[@DjDrop1dannysfilms]

DOES THE MATTE BOX DO GOOD ON WIDE LENSES LIKE 14MM ON A CROP SENSOR? LIKE A T3I USING THIS MATTE BOX

[@rampagetv]

I was going to comment about the insane price, but then I saw that the video was uploaded in 2012. Man how prices have gone down on stuff like this.

[@nitsan]

1. a few days, they sent it via courier if i remember correctly. 2. not very much at all, but i dont remember the exact cost. 3. added link in description. 4. this setup is really heavy. it would take too much weight to properly counterbalance it. maybe 5kg. If you want a more balanced rig, check out one of my other rig reviews, maybe the fc-10 or my custom pro build. 5. not anything i can think of. Get well soon man! :)

[@samrappschannel]

Nitsan sorry for the late reply I got locked out of google (they're a pain) and I just found my password! anyway thanks for you idea. i didn't think of that. Funny thing is a couple of hours after posting the little video I got a reply from proaim. they had a photo of the back, there are 8 tiny screws which need to be tightened. That worked but I'll add the rubber band to add a little more friction. thanks again. take care.

[@nitsan]

hey i would go for the Varavon, it looks awesome. i'd love one that can tilt but my cam has no tilt screen. :(

[@dennisthered]

Thanks for the review. I have a couple of questions. 1. Is this rig solid? I mean no wiggle or play between the camera and shoulder mount? 2. Are the knobs metal or plastic? How have they been holding up? Thanks!

[@nitsan]

Hey, Sorry, this was so long ago that I wouldn't be able to tell you much more than what I already said in the review. Overall it was fine, if there were big wiggling issues i would have mentioned it. I sold most of the pieces after a while, I just have the rods left.

[@dennisthered]

Nitsan Simantov Thanks for replying so fast. Just looking for an inexpensive rig with follow focus. I may go with this one. It seems light enough to ride on my slider. Thanks again!

[@LifeSouthCBC]

Do you have a review of that Olympus 55mm 1.2 lens? I use a GH3 and need a good lens for talking head interviews and love a shallow depth of field

[@Skybluezsam]

thanks!

[@nitsan]

it's from videohive website and requires the program Adobe After Effects (you can get a free trial of this on the adobe website)

[@Guide504]

this looks cool but surely if compactness is the aim what's wrong with just the camera and image stabilization and a vari ND, its lighter weight and more discrete? cheers

[@nitsan]

Guide504 That's like saying "why are you eating cake? Pie is good too." What I mean is, things have different uses for different people. For example: 1. Image stabilization isn't available on every lens and on every camera. 2. camera and lens stabilization alone isn't always stable enough. 3. that combination doesn't have any place to hold a follow focus, etc. I'm not saying you're wrong, just saying, different setups work for different people and different needs. My current compact shoulder rig setup is a sony A7S on a gorillapod focus. I wish I could have stabilization but it's not available on any of the lenses I want to use.

[@EazyPurple]

I mean the one that i showed you from ebay is just like the Proaim KIT-3. Is it that bad? ... (i am THAT close to buy it... please respond, i have no experience with shoulder rigs so i trust you Nitsan)

[@jamiemacleod92]

@Nitsan Simantov thanks for the reply!! What if you we're to purchase the rig with the shorter tripod and camera plate meaning that you could compress the cage more allowing a viewfinder to protrude beyond the cage? Do you think that would work?

[@TexThai]

I just get it today.

[@jamiemacleod92]

Also, anywhere that you could mount a H4n, with idea being that you will have a shotgun mic on the side of the cage, and then that mic being plugged into the H4n and used to record external audio?

[@samrappschannel]

Nitsan thanks for your videos , enjoy them very much. I just bought the MB600 based on your review. It came very quickly and basically it's a nice matte box for the money. One thing drives me nuts. I wanted a revolving matte box which this is but this thing spins around constantly. at the slightest movement - and I shoot hand held 90% of the time and the matte box is constantly rotating at the slightest movement. The part that

[@nitsan]

sounds like you got a pretty nice setup. other nice lenses could be the samyang fisheye, tokina 11-16, fujian 35mm, olympus or nikon 50 or 55mm f1.2, a 135mm f2.5, samyang 85mm, etc. doesn't sound like you really need more lenses, maybe also invest in some lighting, camera stabilization, maybe a tripod/slider, etc. These are also really important.

[@tmp_sa]

Sorry I mean per minute 00:07 - 00:15 this design I liked it so much I want to know what is the program that you have worked for this design

[@jamiemacleod92]

Cool, thanks for the reply!! Where on your facebook page, can't find it?

[@nitsan]

Hey I recently had some communication issues with them as well. I dont understand what's spinning on your matte box. ?

[@MondragonMedia3]

can you put a battery grip on your camera & still mount it on the rig?

[@applejuice0125]

thanks for the reply. not necessarily looking for something lightweight, just wondering what kind of tripod i'd need for this particular rig?

[@EazyPurple]

is it THAT important to have much weight on the back? i say that because i need all the other things like the follow focus and the matte box...

[@nitsan]

they have a $95 rig called FC-10 (you might only find it under the filmcity name) if choosing one of the proaim rigs, that's the one i'd go for. I have one here and will post a review soon. Saves you some money you can invest in a tripod and slider. (see my reviews of the FC-270A tripod and the Konova K2, both absolutely amazing and cheap too) I also have a video coming up of the rig configuration i've been using for my own work, which is about the same price as this but only partially proaim.

[@RikkWolf]

Is it possible to mount a small Lilliput field monitor on this rig?

[@nitsan]

you could get them from the same company or on ebay.

[@nitsan]

awesome. you may want to wait a short while, i'm releasing my own line of rigs. :)

[@TheNewportBrothers]

how did you remove cheese plate and connect it back to the 15mm rails? thanks!