Austin Wilson from DVRebellion puts the $30 dollar shoulder support 'offset' piece to a weight test. I've seen this piece crack twice on items I have, and it seemed to break in the same place. Have they fixed a possible mold issue? Not sure, but i'm personally not taking that chance. I'm pretty happy with the Express35 RigX setup on the main shoulder support and toss out the offset. Either way, it's a good test he's put it through that still shows the main shoulder support is extremely sturdy. [Thanks Austin]
Tag Archives: dslr rig
Cinevate Simplis DSLR Rig
Here's a cool little Ad shot for Cinevate's new DSLR rig. Most DSLR rigs are built around a foundation of rails, but Cinevate's new 'Simplis' takes a different approach to where the rig starts from a custom Quick Release Base plate. The Quick Release base plate is Manfrotto compatible and has several 1/4 x 20 threaded holes to mount anything from handles, to shoulder stock, to monitor arms, and more. The text below is taken from their Vimeo page.
Introducing the Proteus Simplis DSLR Rig. This rig embodies simplicity and scaleability. At it's core it is the foundation for countless, customized DSLR rig configurations.
It is the DSLR rig that covers the complete spectrum of shooting styles and skill levels.
For more info visit cinevate.com/​simplis
This piece was shot/edited by our good friends at Imaginarium Studio. imaginariumvideo.com
Cinevate Simplis DSLR Rig VideoIndyMogul – Stabilizer Showdown w/ Q and Erik
Wow just caught this video from IndyMogul a few minutes ago, and believe it or not, I feel like i've just been nominated for an Academy award. In this video they touch on a few ideas for budget stabilizers (one or two from this website) with all of the web links in the description of their YouTube video found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9d93j4jf5M.
Seriously though, i'm a huge fan of IndyMogul. If you love anything about movies - making movies, watching movies, DIY gear, and low budget ways to get special effects into your filmmaking, check out all of the videos they've produced over the years. With over 80 million upload views on YouTube alone, they're hard to miss. If you're not on the ball, you can subscribe to all the content they produce over at their YouTube channel, or set up a subscription to their FREE podcasts via iTunes. This way you can carry all the episodes in your fancy iPods, iPhones, and iPads.
Aside from pure voyeurism, you can always send in your comments and ideas to IndyMogul as they're pretty active in the filmmaking community. [Thanks for the kind words guys, Keep on Keepin' On]
Evolution of a Budget Shoulder Rig
Vimeo Member Leo Silve went through the trouble of shooting this video to share what he's been doing to get a personalized comfortable budget shoulder rig put together. It's a lengthy video, but it's shot to explain from start to finish why all the parts were selected in his build. In the video you'll see a few different pieces used including the inexpensive shoulder support and Macro rail used for an offset. There's also a follow focus and some Ikan pieces thrown in to complete his lightweight setup. [Thanks Leo]
Interesting DSLR Rig w/ Follow Focus Hard Stops
Moving focus from point A to point B perfectly is a trick. A follow focus system with marking disc will help you pinpoint that, but then the dollars start adding up. The old Hose Clamp with a Bolt trick is the dirt cheap way to move a lens, but never seemed like a perfect solution.
How about adding that idea to a rig with hard stops? Here's an interesting rig someone is selling online with a DIY take on getting perfect focus points dialed in for that shot. Not a bad price online either, but a pretty cool idea which i'm sure someone else out there will be able to work with. This throws in some new ideas for that DIY follow focus you've been working on, doesn't it?
Found here:
DSLR Rig with Follow Focus Hard Stops
60D on Cinevate Base Rails Follow Focus Cyclops
The GH2 was on this Cinevate rig earlier, now the 60D is shown wearing the goods...
Express35 Offset Adapter and RigX
As some of you might have noticed, this blog went a few days without an update. I was busy attending CES - Las Vegas. Since there were several days of event coverage and many hours of walking, we needed to travel light - super light. The area was sooo crowded with what felt like hundreds of thousands of people, it was too cumbersome to even bring out a simple Tripod. We knew that we had to rely mostly on hand held shooting. Not to mention all the Taxi and Shuttle rides that made it difficult to travel with excessive gear and navigate through crowds. Our weapons of choice were two $24.00 dollar shoulder supports with a basic set of rails and handles. At times, the shoulder support was put in the backpack and the cameras were stabilized through the basic rail system which includes handles.
(Above) Camera on Basic Rails from Express35
Manfrotto Shoulder Support Adapter
Quick tip: If you want to make a straight shooter out of a basic set of Rails and Handles, you can also carry around the Manfrotto 361 Shoulder Brace for Monopods. This adjustable shoulder support will connect directly to the Tripod plate of the rail system giving you that extra point of contact.
One of the benefits to using a modular rail system is that when it's taken apart, it has the smallest footprint possible and extremely light weight. It's also the core foundation of building up to Follow Focus systems, Matte Boxes, and other accessories that are designed around the industry standard mounting solution. Another benefit is that it can be reconfigured into different ways by shifting the parts around. (I bet you guys never though about doing this). By just rotating the camera sideways on a set of rails and repositioning the Handles to each side, I was able to make a Fig Rig type stabilizer. I didn't want to pack the Flycam, so instead I used this type of setup for all my walking shots. Switching to my Tokina 11-16mm wide lens helped smooth out any walking motion too. When I was done, things packed up very neatly into a small backpack. When I get a third handle, i'll show you guys how i'm planning on adding a 'Top Handle' to the basic rail set. This would have all the same functionality as my DIY DSLR Fig Rig with two handles to each side and one on top. Of course it would be more lightweight and can be broken down for easy traveling.
(Above) Shown using rails sideways in a Fig Rig Stabilizer Configuration
(Above) Traveling with Basic Rails
For those who were hunting down a way to mount a set of rails to the Cheap $24.00 shoulder support, here's the answer you've been waiting for. This is a custom offset adapter that I requested from Express35.com. Unlike the mock-up version that I first received, this is a set of parts that allow multiple axis adjustments to get the camera where you want it. If you're looking for such an adapter to mount your Redrock, Zacuto, Gini Rig, or other rails you can contact Express35.com here and let them know you want that Cheesycam Offset for the cheap Shoulder Support.
(Above) Custom Offset Adapter to Cheap Shoulder Support
Cheap Shoulder Support for Video Camera
Supposedly a few other people have been requesting this same setup of rails to 'cheap shoulder support', but didn't even know where to start. For those of you who haven't invested in a basic rail system yet and looking to adapt to the cheap shoulder support, a new bundle of parts labeled as 'RigX' became available on the Express35.com website. The RigX Project is the custom offset adapter (above)+ basic set of rails + DSLR base + Tripod mounting Plate + HD Handles - all ready to be used seamlessly with the Cheap Shoulder Support. The bundled parts are designed specifically to be used in what many are calling the most comfortable entry level DSLR shoulder rig (you'll need the cheap $24.00 shoulder support) combination. If you want more information and prices on the complete RigX project from Express35, you can check it out here: https://express35.com/rig-x/1857/
Big Thangs – Small Budget
Here's a couple of inspiring videos that do a great job showcasing low budget gear with great results. First up is another tutorial from Vimeo Member TLA Productions (showed us the use of the DIY Ring light for use in Video), but this time he's showing us the RedHead lighting kit. Yeah this is the same stuff i've been talking about for a while now, but I really haven't been able to show you guys how well they work. TLA Productions does a better job at this, and it's great to see other people using it.
RedHead Lights and Kits can be found here:
RedHead Lighting Kits for Continuos Video Lighting
Next is a great little documentary short from Vimeo member Hello Stranger. Shot using the cheap $24.00 dollar shoulder support, a 50mm F/1.4 and a Sigma 20mm F/1.8. For Audio, it was just a Zoom H1. Just goes to show you that it's not all about expensive gear behind the picture. Pretty cool video, and if you want to show support with a vote, it was shot for the Nikon Contest at https://www.festivalnikon.fr/videos/view/id/251
Hands on with Opteka CXS-1 Shoulder Support
The Opteka CXS-1
As you can see though, with a counterweight added, the contour of the shoulder pad will eventually allow you to balance a Camera like the GH2 (as seen in the video). I'm using my DIY counterweight from my other rig just mounted to an already existing slot in the rear of the shoulder pad. The slot allows me to slide the weight left and right to level out the balance too.
Offset a bit more by using just two bolts
The build quality is pretty nice, especially for the price using all metal components with an anodized finish. If you're a first time DSLR shooter with light accessories or have a lightweight camcorder, this type of stabilizer should suit you fine. It's also one of the better looking 'cheap' shoulder supports out there. There is only so much horizontal offset and vertical height adjustments, so depending on your frame, you may not be able to get the camera to the 'exact' position you need. Quick release adapters, battery grips, or DSLR's with variable LCD's should help correct some of that lack of positioning. You can choose to use just two of the hex bolts instead of three if you want to get a bit more 'inset' or 'offset'.
No padding on stage
The handle can be removed and inserted directly into a camera if you're looking to shoot without the shoulder support. The stage is also not 'padded' so if you're experiencing some slippage, you'll need to DIY some type of cushion to the stage. Cork or a rubber pad should suffice. Being that the shoulder pad is an all metal build, it would be very easy to drill some new accessory mounts for your portable audio recorders or wireless receivers. There are a few large clamp knobs that should allow you to break it down into a few smaller pieces if you need to pack it up for traveling. Overall the Opteka is a great lightweight stabilizer for the price, and you'll be hard pressed to find something that looks as polished in it's price range.
Opteka CXS-1 Video Shoulder Stabilizer Support System for DSLR Cameras & Camcorders