I'm looking to purchase my first shoulder rig. I've got about $500-$600 to spend and feel like a Gini rig might be the way to go for that price range. However, a lot of people have reported scams/resellers on the forum.

Can anyone point me to the real Gini? Is the quality still high for the price?

I'm shooting with a GH3. Any suggestions on which Gini setup? I have no cage for the GH3 and am looking at the Extreme 17

Thanks!

Looks like there's now slider from Gini: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Slider-for-Dslr-/251138780270

Mine took one week from the time I ordered to arrive, but because of needing to sign with DHL and the weekend I didn't get it to this week.

Haven't really put it to the test yet but first impressions are that it's extremely well constructed. The Extreme 17 allows for a lot of different configurations.

I may need another counter weight to really balance the whole rig. The shoulder pad thing does unstick quickly but it's fairly easy to re-attatch or stick better and it's not as uncomfortable as many people seem to say.

My only real concern is that sometimes a rod seems to slip in a clamp. They seem to be able to be tightened completely without damaging anything, however, just takes some effort. I think I can adjust them more precisely with an allen wrench to get the correct tensions for the various areas of the rigs, so I'm not concerned.

Overall I couldn't be happier. I paid $399+84 shipping for the extreme 17. Waiting on lens gears but the follow focus is buttery smooth. Footage is immediately more stable and the camera feels well protected.

@antcuc - hold decent enough for me. If you transport in a hard case you'll be fine. I have a dslr backpack and they do decent. Occasional slippage but nothing awful.

Also remember about magnetic rings from Indiesystem.

@artiswar thank you for your input. Those look like a great deal and I would probably get them however I wonder if the spokes ever slip? Especially when removing and transporting? Or do they hold well when set? I ask because I'll probably be switching them from lens to lens often. Thank for your time.

What lens gear does everyone prefer to use with the ifocus? I notice most people are using redrock type lens gears that increase the diameter of contact like this:

http://store.redrockmicro.com/Catalog/lensgears/microLensGearKitBlack

vs zacuto type legs gears which are very close to the lens.

Is this because of the ifocus large size and short lenses? I have an ifocus but still deciding on lens gear, thanks for your time.

First pic is the cheaply made foam stickon for the shoulder support. Next 2 pics are my solutions to a better support system using the oversized rubber grip for some back support! (I jammed it into one of the longer rod clamps and it stays pretty well! And it's actually more comfortable than the original) The horizontal bottom handle lets me balance the rig with my right hand and pull focus with my left via FDFF. The top handle can be either vertical or horizontal.

I got the GH2 cage with the shoulder support, and the foam piece that you're suppose to stick onto the curved metal support, well the sticky part came completely off, only a day after installing, and not even field tested! It was just sitting on a tripod in my office and the next day it was on the floor. Also, when I first received the package, it was missing some 5mm bolts necessary for the rod clamp to go on the backside to hold the shoulder support, and one of the rubber grips was a couple sizes too big! Gini(Toto) did manage to refund some money back to compensate... I did however find a slightly better solution for the shoulder support...pictures to come!

@artiswar: What lens is that? Lomo OCT-18?

my gini FF broke where the wheel connects, very small connection, after limited and "babied" use. It was missing from the first package he sent, might have been a defective one? He offered new one for 149 with 60 shipping... my only negative. I have the extreme 17 and another small C cage version, very quick shipping as well

@Nayche : I bought these ones http://cgi.ebay.fr/Set-of-4-Adjustable-Gear-Ring-Belts-for-Follow-Focus-FF-/251067434910?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a74c9079e#ht_752wt_1396 but i'm not very satisfied because they only work with larger lenses (outer barrel diameter >70mm) otherwise you'll get bumps while pushing/pulling focus... Anyway I recommend you to choose some kind of plastic gears like the Cinematics ones