The Ergorig Lightweight Body Mounted Harness from Cinema Devices is an innovative body vest for shoulder-mounting a camera without putting any stress on the spine. It supports heavy-duty loads, such as a fully-accessorized ARRI ALEXA 65, and 100% of the weight is distributed to the hips. This standard version is designed for operators with an average-length torso (see more about this below).
The Ergorig features a robust shoulder rest that sits slightly elevated off your shoulder, and you place your camera rig right on top of it. At the same time, because the Ergorig belt secures above your hips, all the weight of the camera load is displaced to the hips, so there’s no pressure at all on your spine.
You do feel some contact with the shoulder rest, just a touch, especially as you move about, and this helps have optimal control of the camera. You can alternatively float the shoulder rest a bit higher so there’s no contact at all. The Ergorig was developed by a veteran camera operator over a period of about two years, with consultation from an orthopedic surgeon. It transfers all the weight from the thoracic/lumbar vertebrae to the hips.
