Cheap shoulder mount setup

[M. Gilden]

I can't seem to find the thread now, but a while back I had read about someone who built a very usable setup out of that cheap hands-free shoulder mount:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

Personally, I'd rather have my hands to help stabilize the thing than just leave it hands-free. So, I saw some folks had built a plate for the camera to rest on with handles to hold, that then mounted to the shoulder support.

One guy had said he uses something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Cowboystudio-Photography-bracket-Standard-Mounts/dp/B0044TNPJQ/ref=pd_cp_p_1

that way you have one handle, and I guess hold the camera by the support grip with your other hand. I am about ready to purchase both of these, but it occurred to me that I don't understand how these would attach to each other.

If the L bracket grip is attached to the bottom of the camera, what does the shoulder support attach to? How do you keep them all together?

And is there a better option at a comparable price point?

 

[NickJossendal]

http://dvrebellion.com/2011/02/diy-dslr-adjustable-shoulder-rig/

My buddy made this setup using the pieces you mentioned.

 

[M. Gilden]

That's awesome! But a lot more complicated and elaborate than I was picturing. I just wanted to know how to attach the grip to the camera while still attaching the combined unit to something else.

 

[M. Gilden]

Ok. How about I rephrase:
I'm buying that cowboy shoulder mount. What else should I buy in order to be able to steady it with my hands as well?

 

[treynolds]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

I use this. If you take the screw all the way to the far side you can unscrew it and invert it. That way you can have the handle pointing down below the camera. It works ok if your standing still or walking very slowly but i never could get my cowboy rig to work well while walking

 

[Samuel H]

you should try to avoid the flat side-displacement piece that comes with the cowboy shoulder mount, or at least reinforce it somehow, as it seems to be the one that breaks most easily
http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=12475&p=161648

some people use macro rails as a replacement

 

[M. Gilden]

Thanks for the heads up on that. I'll probably reinforce it with my own plate so I can attach handles somehow. I like that it can go handsfree, but I don't expect the camera to remain all that stable like that. I think I'd prefer to have a handle or two.

Wanted to go with a rail system, but will wait until the budget follows. For now, this seems like a great place to start.

 

[Samuel H]

by "macro rails" I meant this:
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=macro+rail

mine was $20 or so, and is solid metal
I saw a video of someone using it for side-displacement on a cowboy shoulder support