19Jul DIY DSLR Rig -Johan Plug Wire Clamps

26 Comments

1. 1
   
   Thomas
   July 19th, 2010 at 10:52 am
   

   I love the design of this rig and was debating making a modified version of it for myself. I don’t know if i see tent poles working very well though. In my camping experience (granted i haven’t gone camping for a few years) the poles were rather flexible and they wouldn’t give you much support. This may make for a rather shakey rig or it may give you a bit more shock absorption maybe.

   I plan on making a rid somewhere between this and the square cage style cheesycam rig. I think the combination of shoulder mount plug room for extra gear (screen, Zoom H1, shotgun) could make for a great run and gun set up.

2. 2
   
   Emm
   July 19th, 2010 at 10:59 am
   

   Yes, tent pole are very flexible but only after a certain length. When cut shorter they are very firm. The rig i’m planning on building will have several short run pieces of tent poles combined with the clamps, and supporting a four-thirds or smaller camera should be suffice. We’ll see what I can pull off.

3. 3
   
   Thomas
   July 19th, 2010 at 11:14 am
   

   I bet your right Emm. I showed a co-worker of mine this rig and that was the exact same thing he said, at short lengths these poles would do very well. Looks like I need to take a trip to walmart.

4. 4
   
   Mike
   July 19th, 2010 at 11:16 am
   

   Interested to see what you pull off Emm. Make sure to document it so we can follow suit!

5. 5
   
   Josh
   July 19th, 2010 at 11:28 am
   

   I like the design too. and I am thinking of making some modifications, I saw some solid aluminum rods, that looked like they would fit. And was thinking of putting a standard rail system baseplate on with short rods for a follow focus, and other equipment. Those just my thoughts on it.

6. 6
   
   Emm
   July 19th, 2010 at 11:39 am
   

   I should have something posted by tomorrow of what i’m mocking up with these clamps. Definitely take a trip to Walmart and test out the poles. Like I mentioned in the article, it’s hard to understand the capabilities until you see them in person. Definitely beefy enough for a small cam. Excited to get a Zoom H1 on there too.

7. 7
   
   Ryan
   July 19th, 2010 at 11:47 am
   

   Man I love stuff like this. Gonna make it harder for these high-end companies to explain why their rigs cost so much with these cheap and sturdy alternatives are costing! Looks awesome!

8. 8
   
   James DeRuvo
   July 19th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
   

   GENIUS!

9. 9
   
   Josh
   July 19th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
   

   Which clamp set did you get? The 24 pack one? How many do you need to make one?

10. 10
    
    Emm
    July 19th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
    

    I bought (2) of the 12pcs Pack. I’m not sure how many I need or what my configuration is. I’ll see what these 24 pcs can make for me.

11. 11
    
    Rick Q.
    July 19th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
    

    Can’t wait for your verdict. This looks promising.

    Do u think this can hold a 5d with stronger rods?

    Maybe with aluminum?

    Rick

12. 12
    
    Thomas
    July 21st, 2010 at 1:24 pm
    

    yeah I’m thinking with aluminum rods it could hold my t2i with a short lens, follow focus, h1, an LED light, a beachtec XLR to stereo mini adapter and a shotgun mic. Should make for a fairly large rig but not impossible i don’t think.

13. 13
    
    david
    July 29th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
    

    The clamps seems work great with the fiber rods.
    What size is the screw going between the clamps, 1/4-20, 3/8-16 or something else? Thanks

14. 14
    
    olivier
    August 18th, 2010 at 9:01 am
    

    this is an amazing solution and very cheap too.
    I tried it and it’s very strong.No worried about the weight!you can add many tools on it!
    thank you for sharing the idea!

15. 15
    
    Chris
    September 29th, 2010 at 11:53 am
    

    This is truly an awesome rig and idea…. which quick-release plates were used, which bike grips/handles were used (and how are they mounted?) and what misc. screws/wingnuts would I need?

    Can someone please provide a full parts list? Thanks!!!

16. 16
    
    Christophe
    October 19th, 2010 at 7:38 am
    

    I made it !
    look here: http://www.christophemilet.com/?p=1190
    Photos and parts lists !

17. 17
    
    Wolf
    January 16th, 2011 at 3:02 am
    

    How about combining these clamps with the Gini rig? Are they the right size? Will that work, Emm?

18. 18
    
    Emm
    January 16th, 2011 at 10:34 am
    

    @Wolf – Standard rods – Gini, RedRock, Zacuto, Cinevate, mostly are 15mm. These clamps won’t work and doubt they can hold the weight of all the rods combined.

19. 19
    
    tony
    September 30th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
    

    Love this build. I did my own version with a matte box, custom counter weight and clamp on focusing ring.

    My version of The great Johan design can be seen at

    http://zehphotoblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/diy-dslr-shoulder-rig.html

    Thanks for your inspiration!

20. 20
    
    Dante Fortson
    November 14th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
    

    What was used for the grips on the rig. Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t see it.

21. 21
    
    Hampus Samuelsson
    December 16th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
    

    That top picture is mine, so is the rig and camera. I have no idea who this “Johan” is.

22. 22
    
    ANV
    June 9th, 2013 at 5:01 am
    

    Easy to make, very economical and just as good as professional equipment.
    Do it yourself.
    Facil de fabricar, muy económico y nada que envidiar a material profesional.
    Hazlo tu mismo.

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