Cheapo SLR Cage

vladwolodarsky

vladwolodarsky

Active member
I'm looking for a cheap SLR cage to attach accessories and also serve as a bare bones handheld rig. And I don't want to spend much more than 100 bucks.

Have you come across the Hague Digital SLR Camframe?

I'm thinking about attaching another handle on the same axis as the lens. Anybody out there used the Hague Digital SLR Camframe? I would love to hear your opinion!
 
That's basically a Fig Rig concept - I've used the fig with my DSLR and it has its uses.

There's a guy who posts here often that sells a "Halo Rig" and he'll likely pop in here and suggest it as well.

For under $100, you could probably get some Aluminum tube and square stock and just bolt something together. (hey, I made one of those steel water-pipe stabilizers from aluminum tube and it came out looking like a "real product" - client said "woooo, steadicam thing, like james cameron, right??" I said, "yeah, but I use the more expensive version...").
 
If you go just $30 over your $100 limit, you can get the indiSQUARE by indiSYSTEM and be able to expand off of it because it has 15mm carbon fiber rods. I just got this last week to mount my D|Focus on and I'm blown away by its sturdiness, looks, quality, and shipping time, especially after reading mixed reviews on their products and response time over the last year. It's a real bargain!
 
Sweet! The indisquare looks like exactly what I need. The rods are a big plus for adding a follow focus & MB on some jobs. I can barely see them, but are there screw holes in the top of the rig? I need to be able to attach a shotgun mic and an led light to the top of the rig.
 
vladwolodarsky said:
Sweet! The indisquare looks like exactly what I need. The rods are a big plus for adding a follow focus & MB on some jobs. I can barely see them, but are there screw holes in the top of the rig? I need to be able to attach a shotgun mic and an led light to the top of the rig.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there are threaded holes on top. Their pics don't do it justice. I was reserving myself to a bit of an ugly cage to get the job done, but I was happily surprised when I put it together. Looks very pro!

Very adjustable and comes with a quick release plate to boot.
 
@Vcassel, have you been able to operate handlend on the indiSquare and pull focus on canon lenses without a proper follow focus?
 
vladwolodarsky said:
@Vcassel, have you been able to operate handlend on the indiSquare and pull focus on canon lenses without a proper follow focus?
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Well, I use it with a D|Focus v3, and I mount the indiSQUARE on top of either a video monopod that I use as sort of a steadicam or a tripod. I'm able to hold one handle of the SQUARE in the joint of my thumb and index finger while the tips of my fingers operate the whip/crank of the follow focus. I've never attempted to pull focus by turning the focus ring of the lens directly, but it seems like it would be a pain without another point of contact like a shoulder mount or loupe.
 
vladwolodarsky said:
I'm looking for a cheap SLR cage to attach accessories and also serve as a bare bones handheld rig. And I don't want to spend much more than 100 bucks.

Have you come across the Hague Digital SLR Camframe?

I'm thinking about attaching another handle on the same axis as the lens. Anybody out there used the Hague Digital SLR Camframe? I would love to hear your opinion!
Click to expand...
The Indisquare looks horribly homemade. Look into DIY options before giving someone $130 or more. I think Cheesycam's site had a nice looking DIY cage.
 
mikecazzx said:
The Indisquare looks horribly homemade. Look into DIY options before giving someone $130 or more. I think Cheesycam's site had a nice looking DIY cage.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought before I got it and put it together. It's a beaut! I'm a proponent of DIY, but for the price of the indieSQUARE you get rods and a lot of easy customization on base plate height, quick release, etc. It's sturdy as hell, too. Yup, I've become a big fan.
 
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