Ian-T
Veteran
Nope.... that is reserved for the late Ella Grasso.
A different approach to dslr rigging
- Thread starter bluesgeek
- Start date
What about your light? Do you use one and if so where does it go?
and just to make sure I'm seeing it right. The camera is attached directly to a quick-release plate, which is attached to the rig..and the rig is also attached to a quick release plate, so it can go on a tripod or monopod?
I saw that you did cheesey cam's bodypod...I just recently put one together too. Did you use the cheap targus monopod he suggested?
Also are you using a ballhead on the monopod? if so which one?
and just to make sure I'm seeing it right. The camera is attached directly to a quick-release plate, which is attached to the rig..and the rig is also attached to a quick release plate, so it can go on a tripod or monopod?
I saw that you did cheesey cam's bodypod...I just recently put one together too. Did you use the cheap targus monopod he suggested?
Also are you using a ballhead on the monopod? if so which one?
I haven't had occasion to mount a light on this rig yet. But if you look at the maxiMOUNT there are threaded 1/4" and 3/8" holes on all sides (well, except for the lowest angled area before the bottom...and I'm going to tap some there too). So you could mount a light anywhere on it that you want. Heck, you could use some of the new Z96s mounted on arms to create a mobile 3-point lighting setup. (Perhaps I'm getting carried away.)
You are correct about the mounting of the camera onto the telephoto support, which then mounts onto this receiver. The quick release plates are identical.
Regarding the bodypod, yes I used the Radio Shack monopod. One step I added in making it was to cut the narrowest rod (the bottom) 1/2" longer than the rod it fits inside of, and that rod 1/2" inch longer than the rod it fits into. That way I could crimp the top of each rod with a hammer. (I cut a couple of notches that wrap partially around the area to be crimped so that it would distort easier when I tapped it with the hammer.) That crimping made it so that the rods wouldn't slip out if I pulled them too far.
For a ballhead, I'm using the Slik SBH-100 DQ but I need one to support more weight. Unless I have it real tight, it tends to move when the rig is really hanging off it. And it is so tight that it is hard to loosen. So I need one rated for more weight. I like using one because it allows me to lock in an angle of tilt for shooting without having to bend my torso, or to tilt to the side for lower angle shots without taking off the pod.
You are correct about the mounting of the camera onto the telephoto support, which then mounts onto this receiver. The quick release plates are identical.
Regarding the bodypod, yes I used the Radio Shack monopod. One step I added in making it was to cut the narrowest rod (the bottom) 1/2" longer than the rod it fits inside of, and that rod 1/2" inch longer than the rod it fits into. That way I could crimp the top of each rod with a hammer. (I cut a couple of notches that wrap partially around the area to be crimped so that it would distort easier when I tapped it with the hammer.) That crimping made it so that the rods wouldn't slip out if I pulled them too far.
For a ballhead, I'm using the Slik SBH-100 DQ but I need one to support more weight. Unless I have it real tight, it tends to move when the rig is really hanging off it. And it is so tight that it is hard to loosen. So I need one rated for more weight. I like using one because it allows me to lock in an angle of tilt for shooting without having to bend my torso, or to tilt to the side for lower angle shots without taking off the pod.
I myself built a bodypod based on cheeseycam's idea. I did the screw ring at the bottom and decided I didn't want to cut it. I'm 6'3" and it was already a good size and also could fully extend to the ground if I need like a normal monopod. I notice you have what it seems like clip on straps so you didnt need to do an eye-screw at the bottom or have to take out the bottom part..Nice I should have done that. Did you just tie someone around those points for the hooks of the straps? what did you use?
I just got that Sema quick release plate. I should have practiced with it more because during the shoot I realized panning up was so hard and awkward unless I had time to adjust my straps and how the rig was setup..I couldn't pan up at all..My own fault. I took back the quick release plate. I definitely need and should have gotten a ballhead first, at least so I could pan up with out leaning backwards or bending my torso..
Wow, I just looked at that ballhead you linked!!! I wish I saw that ballhead before! Its cheap and has a built in quick release...MAN that would have been perfect for my last gig..maaan
Did you modify the top of the monopod at all? Or did you screw the ballhead on top directly just fine? One thing I messed up on, I snapped the thread off the top of the radioshack monopod because I cranked on it too hard when screwing the quickrelease plate on once. There was always a slight give on the thread..like it wasn't quite big enough so it would rotate a little with weight..so I tried to epoxy a better/bigger size thread head. Didnt work so well. I think Im going to drill a new thread into it from bottom through the plastic. Hope it works. Or just buy a new monopod and start over
when the ballhead is screwed into the monopod all the way, does it rotate at all? or does it fit snugly? Like I said my quick release plastic would rotate a little on it..
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Every Ryobi 12V hand tool comes with one of these. I disassembled the lanyard to remove the strap and clip, then wrapped it around the tripod.
Yes, that allows you to screw the release plate from the ballhead into the bottom of the manfrotto receiver.
One problem is that all the cork on the ballhead plate got torn off. Seems to hold fine (even better) now that there is no cork.
Just screwed it on.
Yikes. I better be careful with mine. I should probably step up to a more expensive short-folding monopod with built-in ballhead.
I have a snug fit with no problem at that junction.
Here's a rig that is really similar to what is being discussed www.steadyvision.info
Keen to hear what members think of it.
Keen to hear what members think of it.
Thats cool but, $300? I rather spend that on a zacuto rig or viewfinder. The whole point of the bodypod was to be cheap..
@bluesgeek
what do you think about this ballhead?
Is the one you linked aluminum or plastic? If not, I think I may pay $8 more dollars for the aluminum one..
Yea Emm over at Cheeseycam posted that right around the same time he posted his bodypod build..
I dunno if I like it..I think it'd be better for a real video camcorder with a rotating LCD screen..
I'm going to stick to my Bodypod..I think..haha Gotta do more tests.
Its not that much different than the bodypod + a ballhead...
I dunno if I like it..I think it'd be better for a real video camcorder with a rotating LCD screen..
I'm going to stick to my Bodypod..I think..haha Gotta do more tests.
Its not that much different than the bodypod + a ballhead...
I was at Canon Expo yesterday and Bruce Dorn of IDC Photo Video gave a great seminar. Afterward he showed us a new rig that I believe he calls System One, which he said is based on the concept of the Manfrotto long lens support. It is very cool, comes in different lengths to accommodate a variety of lenses, and is engineered for fine balance. I think you'll be impressed, especially when contrasting it with my DIY setup.
As I pointed out in the beginning of this thread, one of the important things, I think, is breaking from the rails approach.
The new product isn't up on their site yet, but I've been told to check back over the weekend.
As I pointed out in the beginning of this thread, one of the important things, I think, is breaking from the rails approach.
The new product isn't up on their site yet, but I've been told to check back over the weekend.
morgan_moore
Major Contributor
whats wrong with rails
dslrs have many variation in lens lenght so sliding componenets required
tubing or rod is rigid in every direction
drilling holes in a copmonent to attach to a rail is simpler than machining other shapes
tubes are good to clamp to
the shape of a circle is widely understood meanin Xcomatability between brands
the list goes on and on
dslrs have many variation in lens lenght so sliding componenets required
tubing or rod is rigid in every direction
drilling holes in a copmonent to attach to a rail is simpler than machining other shapes
tubes are good to clamp to
the shape of a circle is widely understood meanin Xcomatability between brands
the list goes on and on
I'm not railing against rails. :2vrolijk_08:
In my case, I wanted:
* small footprint
* inexpensive
I don't use a matte box because I need to spin my Vari ND from the front. I don't use a shoulder mount, because I don't like them. I don't use a follow focus (although there are ways to mount them without using rails (JAG35 and IDC are companies who offer plate mounts.). To me, and for my needs, rails seemed like a lot extra structural complexity. I built my setup for under $200 for all the parts.
Look at IDC's sweet kit for $450 or so. If they added a bracket mount for accessories, it would be even more flexible. No rails needed... for those who prefer to live without them.
In my case, I wanted:
* small footprint
* inexpensive
I don't use a matte box because I need to spin my Vari ND from the front. I don't use a shoulder mount, because I don't like them. I don't use a follow focus (although there are ways to mount them without using rails (JAG35 and IDC are companies who offer plate mounts.). To me, and for my needs, rails seemed like a lot extra structural complexity. I built my setup for under $200 for all the parts.
Look at IDC's sweet kit for $450 or so. If they added a bracket mount for accessories, it would be even more flexible. No rails needed... for those who prefer to live without them.
Here's the new link to the IDC System One.