Rigs and related stuff

$16 DIY Rig

bostonmike — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:02:20 +0000

Anyone who is on a tight budget and really wants to spend their money where it counts might benefit from this. I am not a professional photographer and I don't do event shooting or any other type of situation where I'm getting paid to shoot photos/video. Its just myself and a small crew who are into shooting short films. I try to spend what little money I have on the camera and sound gear and improvise using DIY lighting, dollies, rigs, etc...That being said, I really don't care if someone notices that I'm using a VHS box and cut up plastic blinds for a matte box..its only the finished product I care about.

This is also a prototype, there are many ways this can be improved, but its fully functional in its present state. Sorry for the lousy photo, but my Canon Powershot is half dead. I still need to do a few adjustments such as replace my plastic and rubber mounts with metal plates, spray the matte box with a flat, non-glare paint, attach a black elastic bag between the matte box and lens so when I use smaller lenses there will be no light seeping through on the sides, etc.

If anyone is interested, I'll give you the full details. The whole thing was built using these two racks and scraps of items I found laying around in my garage/tool room. It holds my GH2, and Juicedlink nicely. I have my NTG-3 on a boom pole ($17), so there is no mic support arm. It would be easy enough to attach one.

Shrigg Jig Production Cage

shrigg — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:37:54 +0000

Check out the GH2 cage I designed a few months ago. It's loaded with holes and slots to bolt your goodies on.
Makes the cute little GH2 very tough looking! The cages are now being manufactured in the USA by indisystem

Mounting "Rods "

Brian202020 — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:39:16 +0000

Looks interesting. Now that the Nikons have clean HDMI out, and will more than likely start a trend, some people will be wanting to use external recorders with their DSLR's. This is a good potentially inexpensive mounting solution.

Cages: TrustMT cage for GH2

last_SHIFT — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:00:03 +0000

Looks like trustmt has their modified cage up for sale which is more GH2 friendly. It would be nice if it was a little more form fitting and not just a couple of adjustments to accommodate the LCD and battery. Having said that - all these cages still cost way too much.

Price - $430+ shipping or less, check our deals

http://www.trusmt.com/en/proview.asp?id=99

Way to mount various stuff

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:18:41 +0000

Price with shipping: $20

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/o-shape-twin-flash-bracket-for-macro-photography-black-122769

Good deals: Cheap arm with 15mm rails clamp

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:14:05 +0000

Best, and cheapest, option for now with good clamp (much better than nano that slips constantly):

Price: $64.8 $48.6

Good price and good sale, 5 days remain.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wieldy-7-8-LCD-field-monitor-Arm-15mm-Rig-5D2-7d-DSLR-/110709615967?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c6cead5f

See other arms in this topic :
http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/71/mounting-your-accessories.-arms.-clamps.

VEry , Very cool DIY rig i found on youtube....

wedphoto — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:16:28 +0000

I really dig this DiY rig . Check it out.

Multi Gear Bundle for GH2

Alexauwa — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:22:26 +0000

Hi!

I am looking for a proper, but affordable multi gear including rails and follow focus, ideally with shoulder mount for the GH2. It should work with various lenses, steel or gum focus ring. I'd also like to use a view finder. It should also easily be mounted on a tripod or used hand holded.

Is there a system you would recommand? Whats your experience.

I looking forward to your reply!

Best, Alex

Koolertron DSLR shoulder rig ?

SkinnyP — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:13:33 +0000

Is this one any good ?

http://www.amazon.fr/Koolertron-%C3%A9paule-montage-cam%C3%A9ra-Canon/dp/B005KGXXXU/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1328990094&sr=1-3-fkmr0

(Hey Vitaly, it's my 2nd post - I dare to post a link, right ? ;-)

Any experience with this cheapo model ?

Thanks for your inputs.

Lumix GH2 DSLR Cage

djhessler — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:28:01 +0000

Honestly I have been buying a lot of gear lately, I find it best to simply buy quality gear first instead of spending twice in cheap stuff then buying the real deal, but when it came down to buy a Cage for my GH2 I could simply not find one except for the Rewo Cage which is beautiful but way to expensive for my pocket, so I decided to do something simple and inexpensive to solve mounting options and access points for my GH2 and this is what I came up with.

Hessler
www.beyondcinema.net

Car Rigs and Mounts

HillTop1 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:35:46 +0000

Hi I will be shooting a short this summer about drifting and illegal street racing. Wondering if anyone knows any site where I can get some good car rigs to mount my camera. Need something solid that will not break my bank.

Finally finished my Rig...homemade

wedphoto — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:16:08 +0000

Well, i am truly happy about the Rig ive made and in fact its Waaaaay better than the bigger one i have . I am probably going to just build another one of these for my other Gh2. The only benefit to the other one is that it really looks the part . Some customers as we know want cameras that look right out of hollywood. Anyway i made this out of Tent poles from Academy $7-8 dlls, spark plug clamps from ebay $14 dlls. Follow focus is from a lego ff that i copied from my buddies rig. A handle from ebay $5 dlls. Lastly, i added a handle that curves to the top ..which i bought the parts from Home Depot and it cost me a total of about $9 dlls. This handle is just absolutely remarkable i can just float around like a flycam in a sense just balancing the camera with my three fingers. I get low angle shots so comfortably and the footage is just like my flycam nano. So freaking happy with this rig. I can also add a monitor to the handle which i will be doing in the near future. I will probably always be modifying it and improving it as i go. I have used this with my monopod and have to admit that it gives me the most steady shots ive ever experienced. Ive used shoulder mounted systems and have quiet a few of them and all would give me problems at times with movement..either when im breathing or just standing. Anyway hope this can give you all some ideas. You dont have to spend a fortune to have a real nice Rig..

Wondlan rigs topic

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:01:47 +0000

Data and photos will be added later.

Info:

Topic made to sort out posts residing in wrong topics and move them in one place.

Has anyone removed or exchanged the cork on Ginirig´s camera mount?

JackBayer — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:54:57 +0000

Hi,

I was shooting a concert yesterday on my Ginirig. When I wanted to take some pictures I grabbed my GH2 with my right hand of course and shot the stills. When I continued filming I realized that the follow focus wasn´t touching the lens gear anymore because by just holding the cam on its grip it twisted a little bit on the cork. I have grip tape on the GH2´s bottom and it is tightened to the base plate as humanly possible.

So now I´m thinking of removing that cork and I am wondering if anyone has any experience to share on that matter.

Thanks!

Questions about Using the TrustMT Cage

rchaney — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:54:07 +0000

Can you have full access to the GH2 battery compartment?

With one of the vertical supports removed (for LCD flipped out or HDMI clamp) does the cage flex?

If I don't get the base plate for rods, is there a clean way to mount a tripod plate directly to the bottom of the cage?

Right now, Letus is selling the Talon for $399, BUT it looks like it does not accommodate the LCD swung out (has all four vertical pieces in place) and I read somewhere that it does not allow battery change with GH2's.

Guys interested in Tilta gear

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:36:18 +0000

All deals details are now in:
http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/834/tilta-stuff

This topic is made to understand how many guys will be interested in buying Tilta gear.

Topic about gear with photos:
http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/834/tilta-stuff#Item_33

Please leave a note below if you are really interested.
After some time I'll list possible prices (as usual with shipping to US/UK/Aus/Europe).

Next evolutionary step in camera rigs?

ed_lee83 — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:31:26 +0000

Or the newest Ghostbuster Proton Pack?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/T-Rex-hand-held-rig-DSLR-RED-ONE-EPIC-MX-CANON-5D-7D-/300644433887?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45ffcdffdf

Actually, I thought it was a joke when I first saw the pictures. Reminds me of the "Passion Aggression Chassis" rig:

Oh, and happy new year PV'ers.

new cage for GH2?

mrbill — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:41:01 +0000

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DSLR-camera-CAGE-RIG-5D-MARK-II-7D-15mm-rod-block-plate-/200677519091?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb94feef3#ht_4486wt_1396

Found this and thought it interesting - not as oversized as the Trust cage, I think. Price looks ok, just wondering how you might use the hot shoe as an additional mounting point.

Cheapest and most compact rig for the GH2

Donnie88 — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:59:35 +0000

What is the most affordable rig would you guys advise to purchase for tracking shots and stationary shots that will have movement, but steady enough to eliminate jello and jitter.

So with tracking shots and still shots the primary importance - I've researched a few rigs:

The CowboyStudio seems great for still shots, but not very good for tracking shots (too shaky for tracking shots, and the camera angle will be stuck relative to the height of the user).

Edelkrone Pocket Rig is compact and shows promise. Though the price is a bit much, and I haven't seen many videos of it yet.

Express35 seems pretty good, but a little out of budget.

So for tracking and stationary shots, which cheap and compact rig would you guys recommend? Planning to buy one this week.

Cheers.

Best shoulder rig?

L1N3ARX — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:30:34 +0000

After browsing around here and seeing some of the deals, Lanparte and Wondlan seem like really nice options. They're a little out of my price range, and I'm willing to try just about any off-brand from China or anything really. Is there a good shoulder rig w/ follow focus someone can recommend for around the $500 range? There are so many to choose from, that it's hard to tell what's a quality product, especially since many makers are headquartered on ebay it seems.

VEEDION Rig+ mattebox + FF

csaapi — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:28:27 +0000

Hi,
has anybody tried it befor, or has any information about VEEDIOn rigs, and accessories?
I found it on ebay, it is from UK (I think from china :) )
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130620186756&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_4308wt_1174
please let me know, if somebody know anything about it
thnx
csaapi

Camera base question

konjow — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:17:36 +0000

Hallo everyone
its my first post here.
I have my DIY rig which id like to upgrade. In using a bigger manfrotto plates and adapters 357. Im looking for a part like in this video 0.15

regular 15-60mm rods mount with possibility to fit manfrotto 357 plate adapter. Id like to have same quick realise on rig, tripod etc.
can you recommend something?

New cage from Letus coming soon

TheMonk — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:34:11 +0000

I sent Letus a message about their cage for the 5D/7D for use with the GH2 and got the following response:

This would be over sized for the GH2. You could certainly put the GH2 in it if you really needed a cage but it's designed for the 5D/7D. We are working on a custom GH2 cage as part of our new Master Cinema Series. Should be available in late December.

-letus35

Has anyone heard about this? @Vitaliy_Kiselev do you have any inside information on it?

CamGear DSLR CAGE

bahman — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:37:52 +0000

Hi all,
I need input on this 5D/7D/GH2 HDSLR Prototype Design Cage System.
It offers adjustable hood lens with four flags which is not shown on this prototype.
It has a unique shoulder mount with head rest which you can fill it with any kind of liquid (water) or sand to adjust the weight to balance the back and front of the gear. It is rainproof which means you can shoot when it's raining. Top handle and bottom handle.

This product has not been completely produced yet and I'm open to any ideas to make it more useful. I'm an Art Director/videographer and due to my past education, I had the chance to have extensive studies about Industrial design. About couple of years ago I've decided to go to Iran (homeland) to check the film industry and see if I could get anything done there but due to my activities in United states (L.A. Base) and making music videos and all, I was detained, questioned and banned from any activities and banned from exiting the country! Well that's life with all its bluffs and tricks. I have learnt not to panic and I have learnt to take and accept everything as it comes to me. So I had to go fishing after my 94 days in custody of Intelligence Service and court played for 2 years up to couple of months ago! The good news is I've got my passport back but still banned from any activities around Art Business! Cool I can open a Pizzaria!

For the past 2 years I was only into web and searching and searching for different kind of rigs and gears to compliment my DSLR camera I bought here. I was amazed how rational everyone is using these cameras and how thirsty the market is for +K resolution small size gear. My understanding from this market is that the key picture is always with Canon. It is true that once in a while there is a none well known company coming up with a surprise products that shifts up the industry standards, but it's always the big guys who run the business and run it better and NO I'm not a Canon paid internet junkey!
I've started video with Canon L1-L2 Hi8 / XL1-S/XL2-S/Panasonic DVX100B (loved this one back then)/SonyEX1-EX3 with Redrock Full Cinema Bundle. My activities stopped there! I bought a 7D since it didn't look like a video camera and I could take it anywhere as a photo camera but instead do the actual guerilla shooting to make a documentary. While I was falling in love with my DSLR, my messed up brain started to spoil my 7D. I was aware of some cages, mostly bunch of clamps and pipes with a bicycle handle in Blue! Although they are user friendly when there is no other product to the job better. So after spending so much money on so many different rigs and gears I have decided to create a cage base on my own studio and field experiences and kept in mind that all cameramen love a gear with a resemblance of a military instrument. Am I so wrong about this?! Na...

This Cage gear is a fourth generation design from my first scratch. Everything is precise to outer body of DSLR cameras and it has four window panel to access keys and bottoms on your any kind DSLR cameras but my focus was on 5D-7D Body since they are standard and offers more support and upgrades by time and the resale value is far better than any other brands. The adjustable hood lens not only protects your length of your lens from straight sunshine or the rain and dust but it acts as a matte box with four flags. The hood is FF friendly means there is enough space to use your FF lens gear. The body is made from strong polyamide at the right grade. So it's kind of unbreakable unless you really do not know how to run your production right! The base plate and rod system is included and all made from anodized die cast aluminum with matte silky finish. The benefits of this product compare to rest besides the look of it is in these facts:

1. Rainproof
2. Prevents from over heating when shoot under the straight sunshine
3. Light and well balanced
4. endless add ons all around the cage
5. protects your camera from any damage at all points except if you put it in fire or sink in water.
6. Interchangeable lens savvy
7. forehead rest arm while using your visor and location change handle while moving your entire gear bundle.
8. Universal V mount on the shoulder mount unit
9. 1 year warranty for any electronic parts (E Models) and 6 months for clamps and body parts
10. Minimum expose of your DSLR so your client wont think that his/her job is getting done by a photography camera! I had this experience once and I basically had to payback the deposit!
11. Various common colored accessories used by other companies so you can easily match and adopt other rigs with the cage
12. It comes in with grey compresses foam box and make it easy and safe to move and travel around.
13. Reasonably priced with excellent buy back program!
14. Crane friendly with minimal setup time
15. Extra set of colored accessories for free
16. Free forth flag for the matte box
17. Can purchase separately and upgrade by time so makes it ideal even for beginners and film students.
18. it comes in with on board umbrella to protect the shooter from rain besides the fact that the unit itself is rainproof so this makes it very ideal for guerilla shooting in rainy or sunny days.
19. camelflagued option for wild life shooting

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE YOUR INPUTS AND YOUR NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS FROM A DSLR CAMERA CAGE AND SHOULDER MOUNT UNIT SO I CAN UPGRADE THE OPTIONS AND DESIGN FOR THE FURTER UPCOMING PRODUCTS.

Letus Talon Rig - $499

hishimaru — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:40:40 +0000

Just noticed that Letus is selling off some of their previous gen rigs for a big discount.
If anyone was looking to buy the talon rig, it's now available for $499 from their direct site

http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/talon-universal-kit.html

I have no clue whether this is a good rig or anything. Just thought I'd share

Cheers

Fig Rig for GH2

Donnie88 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:30:14 +0000

Below is what I'm after, with those points could you guys let me know whether a fig rig would be ideal, if so, which one would be best.

I'm after a stabiliser, that can be used to steady still shots and also stabilise tracking shots to a reasonable amount (a bit of shake is fine, as long as it is more stable than hand grip). My work will have movement and won't be 100% still - when I try this hand gripped, it comes out too shakey, to the point of looking amateurish.

I'm after something I can carry around with me, so it shouldn't be too big. Steadycams are a little big, and also over stabilise shots, giving really smooth images that I'm not after. Monopods don't seem ideal for the tracking shots. Shoulder rig's were my alternative, but after some research they seem a tad big and too big.

Fig Rig seems nice and relatively compact compared to the others. With the description above, would this be ideal for my needs to use with the GH2?

Much appreciated.

Anti Cage

stoney — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:26:28 +0000

Last year community got excited about cage rigs designed for vdslrs. Not anymore. A typical cage has many holes for attaching a camera body and a bunch of gears. But that's also a design flaw. Why put many gadgets so close to a camera body? It makes harder to control buttons and wheels. There are better alternatives. C-clamp with a top handle. Attach preamp/battery on a shoulder pad as a counter weight. It's better to place ext mic further away from a camera body. Lens adapters with tripod leg gives enough support for heavy lenses. Cage design is not so useful for such adapters. Most cheap cage rigs are missing a baseplate with 15mm rods raiser. There are cheap shoulder rigs with a raiser. Those 15mm rods can have power arms to attach more devices like ext monitor. Those pro cams like AF100 and F3 have cage like features with their blocky bodies and more mounting points, but they work better with a shoulder rig for run-n-gun style. I don't need another cage design unless it's cheaper than $100. I just need more ergonomic designs for shoulder pad and C-clamp to attach more devices.

Target Shooter/Rapid Fire rig for cheap

ipcmlr — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:36:14 +0000

I was looking for stuff on ebay and found a gunstock that looked ok.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shoulder-Gunstock-20cm-rod-/250877407739?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a697571fb#ht_3500wt_1346

However, I can't seem to find the joint that connects the 2 rods together (looks like 2 rod clamps stuck together as seen here

I also can't seem to find a baseplate that can be stuck into a rod just as was show in the video.

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!

Easom cages

KevinTraywick — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:59:20 +0000

I've been using an Easom cage (www.easom.com) for a while now. Its been solid, has a great feel, easy to handle with plenty of room in and out. It adapts to changes in cameras/bodies/lenses without feeling too big. Excellent for HH work.
Updating to add Lanpatre handles. Perfect fit for the Easom cage, great overall balance with the cage, cam, etc. I bought $5 of dense foam and shaped (use a band saw) it into a shoulder rest to complete the rig. Works great, Kevin

Lanparte new handles

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:25:58 +0000

They'll be very soon on our 24h deal on special introductury price.