Tag Archives: DSLR Cage

• 11 Comments

•

Well Gini is definitely all ears and listening to feedback. Here's a look at a more complete Gini Follow Focus. All things black anodized, magnetic marking disc holders. Still lacks a pointer and packaged lens gear, but obviously something that anyone can add on. Shipping prices have also come back down from the $150+, so if you can score one for $1 dollar at auction that would still come out cheaper than anything else on the market. Find the Gini Stuff here.

Screen shot 2011-08-14 at 9.17.02 AMScreen shot 2011-08-14 at 9.17.10 AM
find-price-button Gini Rigs DSLR Stabilizers + Follow Focus

• 6 Comments

•

lensse-rigx-cagelensse-cage-dslr

Lensse adds another DSLR accessory to their lineup - the RigX DSLR Cage. (Not to be confused with 'RigX' from Express35 which is an offset shoulder rig). This very basic frame (cage) around your video camera providing you with a few different mounting points for your LED lighting, LCD Monitors, Microphones, Audio recorders, Wireless Receivers, and other add-ons. The frame can stand on it's own with built in legs and offers a top handle for stable low shots. The RigX Cage from Lensse also includes a couple of quick hot shoe mounts.

lensse-rig-x-dslr-cage

To finish this setup off, I think it could definitely use a quick release adapter. Perhaps the longer Manfrotto 357 Sliding Mounting Plate might be a good choice to balance out the camera, and a couple of Friction Arms to get akward accessories positioned in the right place. Price, not so bad for the amount of mounting points + top handle + shoe adapters, but shipping could be a deal breaker for most some. Found below.

lensse-dslr-mounting-cage
find-price-button Lensse DSLR Cage steady-camera RigX

• 14 Comments

•

JuicedLink is definitely down with DIY and looking out for the budget minded. We were actually setup on one of the JuicedLink DIY brackets for NAB2011 on the main camera, but it's great to hear pricing is even lower with volume pricing now that they've become popular. First starting out with DSLR Cage like brackets to easily mount accessories, now Robert is looking into making cost effective roller bearing sliders.

Interesting how you could be surrounded by millions of dollars worth of professional equipment, yet one of the coolest things on the floor is an unpolished DIY slider. The prototype slider looked a little rough on the edges, but I was pretty impressed with how well the fit was on the rails. Using standard cheap roller bearings and angled mounts to lock in between the rails, the movement was very effective with just about zero lash. [Thanks Olivia]

The idea behind the new DIY Slider is to sell only what needs precision manufacturing which can be shipped in a fairly small package. You can pick up your own rails in any type or length desired (so long as it fits the minimum OD - outside diameter) which not only brings down cost of overall unit, but also shipping. This modular design will allow you to have a 4ft. slider today, and a 6ft. one tomorrow. Great idea so far. I'm interested in seeing what the final version would look like. More information always at the JL blog here: JuicedLink sliders (click here).

juicedlink-slider
find-price-button JuicedLink DIY Slider Kit

• 1 Comment

•

Vimeo member MIchel takes a chance on that odd flex DSLR rig that's been on just about everywhere lately. If you can get over the light blue and black Mortal Kombat theme, the rig converts into a few different positions to provide stable shots, and the one he has setup as a double shoulder support looks pretty functional. Setting it up in that fashion would definitely reduce the amount of camera roll. As mentioned in the video the 1/4 x 20 threaded ends could allow use of counter balance weights. When this was first brought to my attention the prices were pretty low. Not sure if demand is driving prices, but it seems to have inflated quite a bit. [Thanks MIchel]


dslr-rig-shoulder-mount-kit
find-price-button Flexible DSLR Rig Shoulder Support

• 30 Comments

•

Screen shot 2011-03-31 at 1.50.54 PM

I've been pointed out to this TrusMT company for quite some time. I didn't bother attempting to decipher the language on the main website and just believed they were just retailers for Letus equipment. Turns out I was wrong, and they are stamping TrusMT brand logos over what 'looks like' a Letus Aluminum Hawk VF, and DSLR cage, and Shoulder Rigs. I don't think it's up to the same standards or build quality. I stand corrected as it's not a retailer selling the Letus Brand, and for the first time they've shown up on eBay with a low sticker price into the DSLR market. My guess is they won't be online for long because of the design resemblance, but we'll have to keep an eye out to see where this goes. They've actually been selling around the UK for some time under that brand, but maybe not this 'other' line of mocks. Can't go wrong with the Letus stuff, which can all be found here: https://LetusDSLR.com

Screen shot 2011-03-31 at 1.46.30 PM
Screen shot 2011-03-31 at 1.46.26 PM
Screen shot 2011-03-31 at 1.46.37 PM
trustmt-looks-like-hawk-vf
find-price-button TrusMT DSLR ViewFinder, Cages, Shoulder Rigs, Follow Focus

• 8 Comments

•

Varavon's new Armor adds a few extra handles as well as accessory mounting points. It's a cross between a cage and a hand held stabilizer. I think it looks pretty cool, but i'm not sure how you actually set the thing down. Either way, it keeps the camera looking fairly low profile while still adding functionality to shooting hand held, I think it's pretty cool.

Thinking about what I have laying around to simulate a DIY, it reminds me of a Photographer's Rotating Flash Bracket. Maybe throw a handle here and there, drill a few holes... Check this one out by Custom Brackets.
Screen shot 2011-03-06 at 10.00.42 PM
find-price-button CB Junior Rotating Flash Bracket Kit

Screen shot 2011-03-06 at 9.49.35 PM
find-price-button Variety of Rotating Flash Brackets via eBay

• 7 Comments

•

JuicedLink DIY brackets

If you haven't been keeping up with JuicedLink.com, you might have missed the availability of a new line of accessory brackets. Yeah I know right? Juicedlink best known for some kick-ass audio gear, has a new small line of Camera Brackets. The DIY line of brackets are pretty straight forward where functionality comes first and well ....let just say everything else isn't as important.

Targeted to the budget minded who just need a good solid way of mounting the ever growing accessories such as microphones, LED lights, portable audio recorders, LCD Monitors, portable audio amps, wireless receivers, whosamawidgets, thingyamajingies, and even support for whatchamacallits. The DIY brackets take on some familiar shapes from straight, L bracket, and cage like with multiple alternating 3/8-16 & 1/4-20 unthreaded holes. It's also finished off with black anodizing to blend in with your gear. You can find the new brackets with photo galleries over at the JuicedLink.com website. (Can you mount rails? Yup, there's an image on the site).

Screen shot 2011-02-17 at 5.43.54 PM
visit-button JuicedLink DIY Accessory Brackets for Cameras

• 3 Comments

•

John Lo over at John-Lo.com decided to try the Cheesycam DSLR Cage / Fig Rig as first DIY project. He's submitted some behind the scenes footage of how it can be used to provide some extra stability to your video shots, while still adding a mounting point for accessories such as the Z96 LED video light. Looks pretty good, and definitely a huge improvement over traditional hand held shots. He's also posted his own writeup on the DIY over at his website John-Lo.com, or you can find the original DIY article I posted here if you're interested in building your own: http://cheesycam.com/cheesycam-exclusive-diy-dslr-cage-stabilizer/

• 4 Comments

•

Jarrod over at JustBasl Productions has shown us some of his previous DIY's and now recently threw together a full dslr cage. It probably looks overkill with just the camera, but you have to imagine the use with other accessories including a monitor. With 5 handles, holding the cage can be done in various ways providing more stabilization for different shots.

His original video (below) shown used the framework of the DSLR Cage Fig Rig with the popular Strut Channels. These strut channels proved to be too robust and heavy for handheld use, so the video above shows his new redesign with aluminum channels shaving off quite a bit of weight. More description and information can be found at his video link: https://vimeo.com/14380333