Product Review: The Zacuto Enforcer

When shooting stills, you can put the camera down and let it hang freely at your hip until you’re ready to make the next shot. But with video, you’re shooting for long periods of time— sometimes hours—which can quickly lead to fatigue and poor camera handling.

This is why camera rigs such as the Zacuto Enforcer have become invaluable accessories for videographers. What makes the Enforcer an interesting alternative to the more bulky and complex camera rigs currently available is its amazingly small and collapsible design. While other camera rigs often require their own separate bag or case to accommodate the various components and accessories, the Enforcer fits easily into almost any camera bag, making it ideal for photographers who are working alone or who prefer working with a minimal kit.

The Zacuto Enforcer, used in tandem with the Zacuto Z-finder, provides improved stability for run-and-gun videography. Photo courtesy of Zacuto

CONSTRUCTION
The Enforcer’s solid metal construction is at the heart of its design, providing much-needed stability. When the gunstock’s comfortable rubber pad is pressed against your chest, it creates a stability that isn’t possible when handholding the camera away from your body.

A rubber pad provides extra comfort.

The camera is securely mounted onto a Gorilla Plate V2 using a standard ¼-20 screw. The plate can accommodate the popular Zacuto Z-finder, which provides a clear view of the camera’s LCD by eliminating glare and reflections. When your eye is pressed against the Z-Finder, it provides a valuable third point of contact, which along with the hand and body contact lends incredible stability for run-and-gun shooting.

The camera plate is then secured to the main rig by turning a red quick-release ratcheting lever. Just a short turn of the ratcheting lever is enough to provide a secure hold to the rig.

But the unique style of the Enforcer lies in its gunstock pivot joint, which collapses the entire rig into a compact storable configuration. Depressing the silver knob and squeezing the gunstock itself releases it from its collapsed position. It clicks in place and locks into position.

A support arm lever allows the unit to switch to configurations that accommodate the use or non-use of the Z-finder.

The support arm level lets you position the support arm into one of its two positions. The first position is designed to use when the Z-Finder is attached, providing just enough working distance to comfortably press the finder’s rubber eyecup on your eye and hold the camera body in your right hand.

If you’re not using the Z-Finder, the second configuration positions the camera further away, providing a good view of the camera’s LCD screen. But now with the Enforcer’s physical contact with the body of the photographer, the resulting footage is smoother and steadier even when walking to keep up with a moving subject.

A small tension lever aids with fast attachment and removal.

FIELD USE
Though I used the Enforcer in both configurations (with and without the Z-Finder), I preferred its use with the finder. I not only found it more comfortable this way, but it helped to keep unwanted vibration and movement to a minimum as I moved to keep up with my subject. I did need to adjust the angle of the gunstock a couple of times in order to find the ideal fit for my body, but once I found it, there was no need for readjustment.

The rubber pad of the gunstock made it very comfortable to press the rig against my body. This was a welcome alternative to traditional shoulder rigs that put pressure and strain on the shoulder. Even rigs with ample padding can become uncomfortable over extended periods of use.

My right hand was positioned on the handgrip of the camera, but the angle at which I was holding it sometimes made my wrist hurt. This is where changing the angle of the rubber pad on the gunstock became critical. Though I was never able to completely eliminate it as an issue for me, it was comfortable enough to get me through several shooting sessions.

I worked without the Z-Finder on several occasions when I was filming fast-moving and unpredictable action. The isolated view of the finder just didn’t work for me in these situations. However, I was able to quickly remove the finder and extend the length of the Enforcer in less than a minute, freeing me to capture my footage. All that was needed was a small flat-edge screwdriver to remove the Z-Finder mounting frame, and then, after depressing the quick release lever, I was back in business.

ACCESSORIES
A sibling to the Enforcer is the Marauder, which provides an articulating handgrip. Though I didn’t have the Marauder for this review, I suspect that the presence of the grip would have completely eliminated the issues with my wrist. The Marauder is slightly larger but still as compatible and storable as the Enforcer.

There is no follow-focus mechanism that comes with the Enforcer, which is really my only lament about the device. However, an accessory is available that allows you to control focus without having to turn the focusing ring of the lens with the left hand, which would not be ideal.

STORAGE
While there are dozens of different rigs out there that promise the kind of stability and ease of use that the Enforcer offers, they can’t compete with the ease by which the unit can be collapsed and stored. When I’m done shooting, I can quickly remove the camera, collapse the rig and store it in a pocket in my shoulder bag or rolling case. Other models require several minutes disassembling and packing.

This rig is the fastest and easiest unit to pack away as any I have used to date. This is important to me because I am often shooting with a crew of two, or sometimes just by myself. The ability to quickly prepare and pack for a shoot can be critical for me when I am pressed for time, especially when I am moving from one setup to another.

The Zacuto Enforcer is available for $475 (without the Zacuto Z-Finder).

Related Links:

How to Rock Steady with Smooth Tracking Video

Invasion of the Camera Rigs: Bringing Stabilization to the Masses

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