Building a camera rig... suggestions? Your rigs?

keylight

keylight

Veteran
I've been using a Panny 370 for most of my work over the past couple of years and I think it's time for me to make the move into a dslr setup. I've owned a GH2 and am looking at the GH3 or one of the new Canon or Nikon cameras as the core of my setup.

So I'm wondering about building a full rig that includes:
  • follow focus and zoom (manual is fine, but remote would be nice)
  • matte box
  • external monitor (maybe with a flip-up loupe or perhaps a flip-up loupe that attaches to the camera's screen)
  • dual xlr audio in
  • a place to mount 2 wireless receivers (lectrosonic) - velcro is fine, but a box is better
  • battery system that will power everything
  • cable management
...and anything else people might suggest.

I'm also wondering about keeping it as light as possible.

So.... can you share your ideas? photos of your rigs and your specs (size, weight)? I've looked at the Show us your rigs thread and that has been helpful, but I'd love to hear your specific suggestions.

Thanks!
 
I really like the smaller more custom fit cages. I have larger one I bought from gini a few yrs back,(avatar) and to be honest it's to big and bulky. The smaller cages can still acomidate the accesories, are lighter and offer better protection, I really like the locking hdmi feature many have today. Although I have not yet seen any specificaly for the gh3, but it's only a matter of time before they start popping up on ebay.

As far as follow focuses go, I would look into getting one with a/b hard stops, really is a great feature to have for repetative focus pulls, and for the mattebox, the swing away is a great option, saves some valuable time when switching glass.

There's a few audio devices that work well with dslr's, I suggest getting something that can produce phantom power for the times you don't want to use an external recorder with a mic that needs it. (although thats if you have any condensors that require it.

For monitoring, there's been a few threads popping up here and there about a 200.00 evf thats somewhat of a zacuto knockoff. But it's suppose to be pretty good.

Thats about all the advice I think up to offer, you may already know all this. But just incase here's a few tips I picked up along the way:)
 
I have built a custom rig thats 3 times cheaper than whats popular on the market. Check out this blog post: http://www.cineserge.com/2012/08/putting-together-right-dslr-shoulder-rig.html



keylight said:
I've been using a Panny 370 for most of my work over the past couple of years and I think it's time for me to make the move into a dslr setup. I've owned a GH2 and am looking at the GH3 or one of the new Canon or Nikon cameras as the core of my setup.

So I'm wondering about building a full rig that includes:
  • follow focus and zoom (manual is fine, but remote would be nice)
  • matte box
  • external monitor (maybe with a flip-up loupe or perhaps a flip-up loupe that attaches to the camera's screen)
  • dual xlr audio in
  • a place to mount 2 wireless receivers (lectrosonic) - velcro is fine, but a box is better
  • battery system that will power everything
  • cable management
...and anything else people might suggest.

I'm also wondering about keeping it as light as possible.

So.... can you share your ideas? photos of your rigs and your specs (size, weight)? I've looked at the Show us your rigs thread and that has been helpful, but I'd love to hear your specific suggestions.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
maranfilms said:
I really like the smaller more custom fit cages. I have larger one I bought from gini a few yrs back,(avatar) and to be honest it's to big and bulky.The smaller cages can still acomidate the accesories, are lighter and offer better protection, I really like the locking hdmi feature many have today. Although I have not yet seen any specificaly for the gh3, but it's only a matter of time before they start popping up on ebay.
Click to expand...


I've read that from others too. So I might try to start with a base plate and rails, and go for the cage later.


maranfilms said:
As far as follow focuses go, I would look into getting one with a/b hard stops, really is a great feature to have for repetative focus pulls, and for the mattebox, the swing away is a great option, saves some valuable time when switching glass.
Click to expand...


Glass is something that I'll be limited on for a bit. I'm starting with the Lumix 7-14, 14-140, and 20mm. And then I've got a couple of Nikkors including my all-time favorite, and old 50mm 1.4 with manual aperture ring. I was thinking about the Voit, but honestly, I think I'd rather save for a really nice prime.


maranfilms said:
There's a few audio devices that work well with dslr's, I suggest getting something that can produce phantom power for the times you don't want to use an external recorder with a mic that needs it. (although thats if you have any condensors that require it.
Click to expand...


I've got a DR-40 which actually worked really well with the GH2 (with a pad cable). Don't suppose you know if that pad is still needed with the GH3? I saw on another thread that Juiced and... forgot the other one now, aren't that great. I was thinking perhaps of a Beachtek. But I'll wait until after NAB for this one.

EDIT: Actually, found the thread.... http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?295813-Beachtek-vs-jucielink


maranfilms said:
For monitoring, there's been a few threads popping up here and there about a 200.00 evf thats somewhat of a zacuto knockoff. But it's suppose to be pretty good.


Thats about all the advice I think up to offer, you may already know all this. But just incase here's a few tips I picked up along the way
Click to expand...


Thanks for all the input. Quite helpful!
 
Last edited:
^ I saw that in the other thread. Very nice. Who made the rail system? Is it comfortable on your shoulder or would you suggest more padding?
 
The main rail system is built onto the cage. It is the tank cage made by kamarar.

The shoulder pad doesn't bother me. It was more the weight in my hands that was cumbersome.
It is much better now with the v lock battery at the rear.
 
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