The Manfrotto SYMPLA Lightweight Shoulder Mounted Rig is a ready-to-go offset shoulder mount solution for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. It includes the necessary pieces for creating a flexible configurable shoulder rig, including a counterweight. It features swivel-joint handles for control and flexibility, and an RC2 quick release plate. The kit comprises a shoulder mount, shoulder pad, 12" rods, 6" rods, an RC2 mount, 80mm H-Offset, adjustable handles with spacers, clips, rod connectors, a light counterweight, and a spacer for counterweight with adapter.
The MVA511W-1 SYMPLA Padded Shoulder Mount from Manfrotto is a rig component consisting of the aluminum SYMPLA Universal Mount combined with the SYMPLA Shoulder Pad. The mount features two 15mm rod clamps designed to provide near universal compatibility with most rod-based shoulder rigs. The padding is developed to ensure comfort and ergonomics with most SYMPLA configurations. A 3/8"-16 counterweight thread has been integrated into the shoulder pad to allow for properly balancing a front-heavy rig.
The Manfrotto SYMPLA 12" Rods come as a pair that can be connected in length using the included screw junctions. They can also be joined at different heights or shifted laterally by way of optional SYMPLA V-Offset and H-Offset components, respectively.
Standard 15mm in diameter, and made of stronger and lighter-weight tubular aluminum, the pair can be used in a variety of SYMPLA rig configurations such as with Fixed or Variable Plates and with the Flexible Mattebox.
The Manfrotto SYMPLA Pair of 6" 15mm Rods includes two aluminum rods threaded on both ends. A screw junction is included with each rod for connecting to additional threaded rods. Optional SYMPLA V-Offset and H-Offset components can also be used to connect these rods to other rods at different heights or shifted laterally.
The Manfrotto MVA525W SYMPLA RC2 Mount is a lightweight solution in order to combine video equipment such as HDSLRs or light camcorders with a rod system. Thanks to its design, it is possible to adjust the operating height of the camera in two different positions, depending on the size of the body and the dimension of the lens. The RC2 quick-release plate allows fast and secure connection between the camera and the rig.
The Manfrotto SYMPLA H-Offset connects two sets of SYMPLA 15mm rods in order to join a SYMPLA Shoulder Pad onto the second set. The top plane connects to a set already part of a SYMPLA rig, and the bottom plane allows a second set to be connected. (The Pad connects to the second set by way of an optional Universal Mount.)
You can also use the Offset to mount other compatible accessories via the added rods.
The Manfrotto SYMPLA Adjustable Handles can be set in pretty much any position -- vertical, horizontal, up-side down, and every other in between. They can be set closer together, wider apart, and rotated 360°, allowing comfort and precision. Once you find the right position, just lock it in place -- each handle has its own locking dial (and each handle can be positioned differently).
The Handles hang by ball joints (hang until locked). The flyout arms they hang from are attached to a SYMPLA Universal Mount. These arms can be angled closer together or wider apart similar to how the Handles do. Two metal spacers come included to be fitted between the Handles and flyout arms to extend the lengths of the Handles.
The Handles also play a part in incorporating remote controls into SYMPLA rigs. SYMPLA offers two different remote control units for adjusting focus on DSLRs. One of the ways of mounting these remotes is by way of the Handles. They attach to the top parts of the Handles, in conjunction with the same spacers mentioned above.
Another application to note: when used with a SYMPLA rig that's attached to a video head, the Handles can serve as double pan bars.
The Handles are designed PVC-free.
- Each Handle adjusts and locks into most any position
- Can be rotated 360°, used upside down, and as pan bars
- Accommodates the attachment of SYMPLA remote controls
The pair of aluminum red anodized MVA520 SYMPLA Connectors from Manfrotto feature 1/2”-13 UNC screws to precisely connect two rods.
When using SYMPLA as a shoulder-mounted rig, placing the Manfrotto MVA521L SYMPLA Light Counterweight at the back of the rig securely attached to the shoulder support pad can aid balance and stability. It puts the centre of the overall rig and equipment weight in line with your body's centre of gravity. The counterweight screws securely onto the SYMPLA Shoulder Pad via a 3/8" thread. Counterweights can also be stacked to offset very unbalanced loads.