First of all I wanted to thank all the readers that come to this blog, provide feedback, and comment on some of my really Cheesy DIY ideas. So many people have picked up on the things I make, link back to my blog, and even take the time to create videos about their own DIY adventures. It's been an exciting week having been featured on the News section of Cinema5D.com, one of the largest DSLR video forums. Now just yesterday I was Podcasted by Dave Dugdale over at LearningDSLRVideo.com. I'm a pretty boring guy on audio, but Dave grabbed me for some really good questions about the projects I've been sharing with the DSLR community. I even mentioned a little secret information about the next version DIY Skater - 'Spider Trax Dolly' i've been drawing out (get your wheels turning). Check out my Podcast with Dave at LearningDSLRvideo.com, and stick around his website to view more Podcasts and some very informative Video tutorials.
Since the dawn of HD Video DSLR's there's been some random and weird stabilizers being made by so many different companies. One thing is for sure, they are out to capitalize and mark up equipment from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Not to say they aren't functional. In fact many of these new DSLR cages and Fig Rig style stabilizers work well for these small cameras. You know me though, there's gotta be a way to make something cheaper, just as functional, and still look damn good.
Well i've been looking at a couple of different designs, and thought about what I needed from each one of the stabilizers above. First, I wanted a handle. Handles are a great way to get some really low shots. Secondly, my hands needed to be spaced apart. It's proven that spacing your hands further from the camera can really help stabilize your footage, even helps when walking. Third, I needed something to mount extra gear like a DSLR Cage. Finally, stay away from PVC. PVC is great, but doesn't give it that professional look or feel. After careful consideration and a trip to Home Depot, here's the latest DIY Camera Stabilizer from Cheesycam.com.
My goal was to merge a couple of different products and functionality into a very very Cheap DIY DSLR Stabilizer with Cage function. Another goal was to step up my game and make it look a bit more techy and something not so 'DIY'. I think I did well this time around for approximately $30.00. Actually it can come down much cheaper if I could find a shorter rail and cheaper handlebar grips. Unfortunately I wasn't shopping for a deal, I had this idea stuck in my head that needed to get out. It's a bit of a rush job, but I really wanted to share it with the community. I'll go back and refine it later with some hot shoe adapters and a quick release plate.
I have a ton of photos, and a parts list i'll put together later if anyone is interested. The video should explain more about what you need and how I put it together. The hardest part was cutting this rail. I have more information about this rail in my photo gallery, I was able to take a picture of the Price tag / Description from my iPhone. After cutting the rail, I was able to purchase everything for straight bolt on without any further modifications needed.
Here's a real basic parts list:
2 Hex Bolts (6" long 3/8 size)
2 carriage bolts (6" long 3/8 size) Use these for the top, they give you nice finished look
2 3/8" coupler nuts
2 - 1/2 X 12" pipe rods
1 - 1/2 X 10" pipe rod
Bike handle grips
Black flat matte paint
1 - 8-10 ft strut channel bar
Enjoy the DIY video on how I made it (below).
Update: Really good questions coming in, i'll try to answer a few. Reader: Have you thought about off setting the camera so that with the lens it's balanced front to back? CheeseyCam: Yes, this is where the quick release plate comes in. I decided on the Monfrotto 357 (found here) to give me that lateral as well as something to quickly move from the DIY cage to my 701HDV Fluid head. I wanted the camera more forward originally so that it is actually balanced with the handle (above). For shots that require using the Handle, it's much more balanced being slightly forward. Hopefully the Monfrotto 357 will help by sliding the camera either foward or back depending on what shot is being taken.
Monfrotto Quick Release 357, click image
Reader: If you were to use electrical conduit for you end pieces it might make your rig lighter. Cheesycam: Yes, I wanted to get something as close to 'off the shelf' as possible. I may try Conduit on the sides, but the top Handle I feel will work better if it remained as a Steel pipe. Conduit normally comes in super long lengths and requires additional cutting. It is lighter, and cheaper, just a little more time consuming though with the cutting. For information on the HotShoe mounts I plan on using, check out this article http://cheesycam.com/?p=723
Ok well it's getting late, i'm tired and i'll get to showing it off more later. Leave some comments, ask some questions, and please don't forget to share, twitter, facebook, digg, etc. (use the icons below).
Whoa, i'm flattered so many people stop by to read and comment on this blog. Better yet, i'm humbled by those who find time to even leave me a donation. Joel C. was a reader I blogged about earlier who created an awesome DIY version of the Shoulder Rig. Shortly after, Joel dropped a huge huge huge donation towards the blog. Thanks Joel! BTW, i've partnered with a company to create a special unique steel adapter, ordered a few hundred of them, and you'll be getting one in the mail. Thanks for the donation! If any one else wants to support, the donation button is at top right. Thanks readers!
First, I just want to apologize to all the readers about the lack of content on this website lately. Secondly, I just wanted to rub it in everyone's face that i'm in Hawaii enjoying the sunshine and tropical weather! Just kidding (partially), but really i've been a bit busy closing a deal in Maui and entertaining some guests. Yeah that's me with the ol' ball and chain...let's hope i'm still able to afford my camera hobbies. Anyways, i'm still on vacation giving everyone an update, but i'll be back to DIY'ing next week with some new things i've come to think about while out in Maui.
Just wanted to give a big thanks to a special reader and huge supporter of Cheesycam.com. A fellow named Ted Frank earlier this week provided this website with a huge huge huge donation, and it's totally totally appreciated. These donations allow me to review other items and share that information with the community. Hopefully saving many others the frustration of the expensive learning curve of buying other items that just don't always work out as well as we'd hope. Thanks Ted, much appreciated for your donation. By the way, there's an adapter being manufactured right now, and as soon as I get those in, i'll be sending one your way. I'll leave that unique item as a surprise.
Being the gadget geek that I am, I just realized i'm going to need a better camera case to fly with. It's definitely got to be a carry on roller case, i'm not crazy enough to 'Check in' any of my camera gear! Pelican is a top brand for camera cases. This Pelican 1510 case seems awesome, and at the price it's pretty much a no brainer for me. Why did I always associate Pelican as $500 + company? This roller I think will do the job for my travels, and while working gigs around the city.
The above video was shot at night while we were hanging out in Emeryville, Ca waiting to pick someone up from the train station. Two things I want to point out in this video. First off i'm using the BodyPod that I created not too long ago. The camera used in the video is the 5D Mark II + Battery grip + Canon 85mm F/1.2. If anyone knows this setup it's a beast and quite heavy. The DIY BodyPod camera stabilizer (for it's small discreet size) really met it's purpose, and i'm excited to start making a carbon fiber version that's even lighter and smaller. Next, I wanted to point out that in this video I'm shooting at 85mm at F/1.2 and if you know that aperture + distance it's super hard to keep something in focus. What helped me out with the whole F/1.2 at 85mm was using the LCDVF loupe. If you don't have one 'Get One'! You'll have better focus as these loupes are designed to Magnify the image on the LCD. Giving you better view of what pixels are in focus. The best LCD ViewFinder loupe going today is the Zacuto Z-Finder (below), but if you can't afford that, you can get the LCDVF from www.jag35.com.
