Anyone used "CowboyStudio Shoulder Support Pad"

I was wondering if this would be useful for BIF photography.
It's original use is for video, but was trying to see if we can use it for birding as well. If we can, this would be great tool and less clumsier that tripod or monopod.
What do you think?

http://www.cowboystudi​o.com …_p/shoulder%20s​upport.htm

rndman wrote in post #17863735
I was wondering if this would be useful for BIF photography.
It's original use is for video, but was trying to see if we can use it for birding as well. If we can, this would be great tool and less clumsier that tripod or monopod.
What do you think?

http://www.cowboystudi​o.com …_p/shoulder%20s​upport.htm

Looks like not very popular and or useful.. Hmm

rndman wrote in post #17865081
Looks like not very popular and or useful.. Hmm

Found one link with pictures while googling.

http://birdphotoph.pro​boards.com …e-camera-shoulder-support

I use them from time to time with my Panasonic GH3 as a video rig. It alleviates some effort in handling the camera. It also does make things steadier.

It's so darn cheap that I had to try it. I dont regret buying it for video application.....not sure about birding.

I would imagine a joystick mount on a stabilized footed monopod would be more suitable for BIF. But for short duration bursts shooting BIF I bet the shoulder "cowboy" could track equally as well but now you'll be holding the weight of the gear.

I have not used this product, but I have used a similar device called Bushhawk. It's no longer made so I bought mine from ebay.

I shoot flying aircraft at air shows. I thought the Bushhawk would help in panning and tracking aircraft. I used it all day at an
air show, but it didn't help with panning. And it made shooting awkward. Although when shooting static objects, it did help
steady up/down jitter a bit. Here's what the Bushhawk looks like...

http://www.bing.com …4962a5247ad1o0&​ajaxhist=0

But I like the Cowboy Studio device due to it's over-the-shoulder rest. The Bushhawk has a rifle butt that presses against the front of the shoulder, and it would slip off the shoulder. The Cowboy may be better. For $28 I might give it a try.

Thanks Alan and Frank.

Somehow I kind of kept missing/ignoring that this thing is plastic. And many reviewers (10% as per amazon.com) complained that it breaks after some use..
May be a light aluminum version would have been good.
Still pondering..

rndman wrote in post #17869513
Somehow I kind of kept missing/ignoring that this thing is plastic. And many reviewers (10% as per amazon.com) complained that it breaks after some use..
May be a light aluminum version would have been good.
Still pondering..

Well, you could buy it just to see if it's a benefit for you. Later you could buy a better quality version.

After seeing some light stands from Cowboy Studios that some friends have purchased, I don't think I'd buy much from them.
Their stuff just doesn't seem very well made. Another case of getting what you paid for maybe.

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #17869672
Well, you could buy it just to see if it's a benefit for you. Later you could buy a better quality version.

Yeah. It's not just the product being weak and it's low cost, but in the process I would not like my equipment to ram on the ground..

I totally see you point. I still fail to see that shoulder support failing that quickly.

Please note "cowboy" is just 1 out of many companies rebranding this plastic piece.

I use a quick connect on my gh3 so that I can connect it to the shoulder support quickly.

If your that concerned buy a black rapid strap and have that tethered to your shoulder while you use it.

I've used the shoulder strap with my lighter gear and never felt concerned about having it bust. Majority of the time you'll be using that type of setup i'd say 98% of the time your hands would be holding your camera.

I've used a friend's model for video. It was okay, but felt a little small for my bigger frame. There really are 1000 clones out there, too.
Personally, I prefer the double handle style, with proper 15mm rails. That way you can mount a follow focus, a monitor, and even matte box, if you decide you want them.

I've used a rail with the shoulder support and used it to follow "zoom" as I run and gun in AF for family documentation. It worked great.

This is a snap shot photo when I have the rig on a fluid head. Same setup on the shoulder setup.

JonKline wrote in post #17871045
I've used a friend's model for video. It was okay, but felt a little small for my bigger frame. There really are 1000 clones out there, too.
Personally, I prefer the double handle style, with proper 15mm rails. That way you can mount a follow focus, a monitor, and even matte box, if you decide you want them.

Yeah. But that's more for the video.
My intention is to use it for BIF.

AlanU wrote in post #17871039
I totally see you point. I still fail to see that shoulder support failing that quickly.

Please note "cowboy" is just 1 out of many companies rebranding this plastic piece.

I use a quick connect on my gh3 so that I can connect it to the shoulder support quickly.

If your that concerned buy a black rapid strap and have that tethered to your shoulder while you use it.

I've used the shoulder strap with my lighter gear and never felt concerned about having it bust. Majority of the time you'll be using that type of setup i'd say 98% of the time your hands would be holding your camera.

Yup. That could be the insurance..