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John Hwang decided to tackle Hal's DIY PVC shoulder support and provides a timelapse look into the project. With not too much more than a simple Hacksaw, this project was completed right in the living room floor. There's a fun test run at the end complete with sound effects. Of course there's nothing to show it's true stability or how this rig can further be loaded up with accessories, but it looks like a solid foundation that should perform well for a first time rig. This would definitely be something to look into for you GH1, NEX, and PEN fans. You can't complain for a $5 dollar project. [Thanks John].

DIY TIP:
If you're looking to get cleaner, more accurate, and straighter cuts into your PVC projects, check out these twisting PVC Pipe cutters running under $8 dollars. You clamp the unit to a PVC tube and just give it a spin. Continue to tighten and spin until it's cut all the way through. Very simple, and you won't break a sweat. Found here: PVC Pipe Cutter
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click image for pricing on PVC Cutting tool

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You won't find many of my DIY's using PVC, but here's one I think is worth mentioning. Submitted by Hal Robertson, I think it's a project just about anyone can tackle in an afternoon and an ice cream budget. If you're like me, they have the exact same parts available in at least Copper Piping, which I would personally use over PVC. Of course metal pipes are a bit more expensive and requires a little bit more tooling to work with.

This simple design has a few nice features. The double seperated rails keep the rig from rolling off the shoulder, and the angled brackets to the rear provide a shoulder rest and a counterweight mount. There's a crap load of photos, and If you want to check out the complete set of parts, and build instructions, head on over to Hal's blogspot: https://compactvideo.blogspot.com. Hey Hal, why isn't Cheesycam.com on your BlogRoll? LOL. [Thanks Hal]

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Lately, Ikan has been putting more effort into expanding DSLR accessories, especially Camera Support Stabilizers. Here's a recent Demo video talking about more additions to their 'Elements' line of DSLR targeted stabilizers and their F3 friction follow focus system, which mounts 'every which way but loose' (old Clint Eastwood reference). You can find some of their configurations and accessories over at B&H: Ikan Elements DSLR Support Stabilizers

You can find more information about their Friction Follow Focus here: F3 Friction Follow Focus

Or you can follow Ikan at their WordPress blog where they'll be talking about some of their new products here: https://ikancorp.wordpress.com/

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Vimeo member Tim Perkins looks to be a clever DIY guy. You can see him working a DIY LCD Viewfinder on his 550D. This time Tim takes a hint from a previously shared video found here: http://cheesycam.com/tripod-to-shoulder-support/ about using a tripod as a simple 'shoulder support' and finds gold in an old Bogen 3D tripod head. Using a monopod for the shoulder support, the configuration of this Bogen 3025 3D head helps position the camera to a better viewing height as well as being offset. Looks pretty stable as is, but curious if a handle, shoulder pad, and some counterweight could add some enhancements.

Not sure if it's the same, but this is the only version that shows up:

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Wow, we've got some really creative people out there. I'm shooting an event today (which i'm supposed to be doing right now), but I really had to take time out and share this idea. Evan Burns sent me an email about trying to solve unstable footing for his camera slider. Of course the first thing that comes to mind is to use multiple tripods or lightstands, but he's got a better idea. Taking a tip from my recent SpiderTrax Dolly DIY with a pair of sawhorses, Evan stumbles on to a really great 'cheap single sawhorse' with individual adjustable legs. The entire unit collapses into a single rail. He's using a few clamps to keep things together, but i'm thinking go for it and just permanently bolt that bad body down. The slider works even when the sawhorse is collapsed which I think makes for a great DIY platform for ground use. Good job Evan, thanks for making me late today too! Check out the video above, here's the link to the unit: Heavy Duty Steel Adjustable Saw Horse

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click image for pricing

If you don't already have a slider, this is based on IGUS linear guide rails. IGUS has been so popular with camera sliders, they are now providing several kits in different sizes to make this DIY camera slider much easier to build. Here's the link: IGUS Camera Slider Kits

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find-price-button Igus Camera Slider Kits

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Thanks to Thomas for sending in a very interesting DIY DSLR Rig. The entire rig was built by his father to be super light, super modular, and even adds a few wheels for some dolly style tracking. Everything packs up into a small bag, DIY follow focus included. There's a bit more information and a bunch more photos following the link to his blog. https://www.punto14.net/blog/2010/10/03/say-hallo-to-octopussy%C2%AE/

[Thanks Thomas]

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Wow, when it rains it pours. All i've been talking about is new DSLR rigs for most of the day, but it's good to know our options. Thanks to a tip from 'John', here's another company trying to get their lineup into the DSLR market. I have to say that these model closer to the 'blue guys' than the other company. There's a ton of different accessories already listed from basic rods, clamps, handle bars, follow focus, and shoulder pad. I haven't dug deep enough to find out pricing, but after all the previous posts, i'm not going to get overly excited. Even if they aren't rock bottom, dirt cheap prices, like we've been accustomed to with overseas products, the benefit of having more DSLR accessories in the market is compatibility. All of the accessories from different companies should play nicely together. Your follow focus from blue guys, will mount on a base rig from the orange guys, as well as handlebars from the purple guys. (I sure hope no cinema company is using purple.....) I'm a bit lazy to grab more images, so if you want to take a peek here's the link: https://www.eimagevideo.com/enproduct_largerimage.asp?id=972&cpfl=187

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Just got wind of a new company looking to play in the ever popular DSLR game. Above are a few photos, showing some new gear currently being 'prototyped'. That's about all I can say right now, as I don't have much more information (yet). Whether we'll see this on the market soon would be interesting as well, but looks like when they are ready to go they'll be offering quite a bit. Check out the gear that's in the works...