r/Lumix • u/djfettesfleisch • 1h ago
Show and Tell My approach to a sturdy, documentary-ready Lumix S9 rig
Hello everybody,
I'm a cinematographer in fiction and documentary. Last summer, I had to rig an S9 to be production-ready for two projects in Ukraine. The S9 was my private fun camera, but since it was the only camera at hand with a limited budget, I decided to go the route with the S9 and rig it out.
I want to share "my" rig because I think it can be helpful for others, who are looking for a working solution.
The concept was straightforward: sturdy but lightweight, ready for production. Of course, the latter is not really achievable with the S9 since you can't jam the timecode, for example. Also, sound I/O is strongly limited, as is the micro HDMI port on the right-hand side ergonomically wise.
These are the components:
- Lumix 24–60mm f/2.8 (with Hybrid Zoom, you get 93mm on the long end)
- Glimmerglass 1/8, 82mm (to work against sharpness in camera)
- Black Pro Mist 1/8, 82mm (not attached in pictures, to swap with glimmerglass, works better at night because glimmerglass introduces orbs around light sources)
- B+W Vario ND Filter, 82mm
- SmallRig Mini Matte Box mit 82mm Ring Adapter and 82mm Filterthread for ND (mist-filter is attached first in this directorion - glass, mist, adapter ring with filter thread, nd-filter)
- Rode VideoMic NTG + Rode DeadCat or pop-protection with power on/off trs-cable
- SmallRig Articulating Magic Arm with 3/8 ARRI and 1/8 ARRI mount
- 8Sinn Cage
- SmallHD 502 (with sunhood)
- Important: Angled Micro HDMI Spiral Cable https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0DM561J5F?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
I ordered a lot of cables and adapters, and with this rig, this is the exact cable that works because of its size and the angle of the connector.
Because of the size of the cage, my hand barely puts pressure on the angled micro HDMI cable. When holding the camera you feel the sticking out connector only a little bit. It sticks out by around 5 milimeters. One could optimize it, by installing something on the grip side (like a cheesebar for instance) to make it somewhat flat.
I also have to point out that the port on the micro hdmi S9 feels solid, since a lot of people worry about it online. Before shooting, I was really concerned and ordered a lot of different HDMI clamps, which never fitted the way I needed them to. Now, afterwards, I think this is a working solution, although the cable isn't protected with an HDMI clamp.
Why does this rig work?
The articulating arm is connected with an ARRI mount (3/4-inch screw and two pins). The monitor is also connected with a 1/8-inch screw and two pins.
The articulating arm itself is really sturdy; it works as a top handle.
Through the SmallHD, you can monitor audio and use the shotgun mic at the same time.
Videomic NTG has a safety track (good when bitrate is below 32), and it is not cumbersome. Sound is good enough, you have a long warranty, and support from Rode.
Problems?
When using the 82mm adapter ring for the matte box with the Glimmerglass, Adapter Ring and ND filter attached, there is vignetting between 24mm and 35mm. Fix is to get rid oft he adapter ring (and mattebox)
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I can't share footage because both projects are in their funding phase. Sorry for just posting boring pictures of the camera, but as I said, rigging this camera isn't ideal and some might say counterintuitive, and I couldn't find any proof-of-concept rigs on YouTube, so I hope this helps somebody eventually! Of course: The main idea behind rigging such a small camera is, that you make it somewhat ergonomically and more feature packed, but when you're done, you can make it small again.
If you happen to have any questions, I'm ready to answer them.
Happy shooting!
