Do cheap rigs exist?

J

jghenderson

Well-known member
So I have been asked to make a behind the scenes documentary about the making of a TV show. I'm really excited for this opportunity but I realized quickly that I am not ready, which is unfortunate because i'm supposed to start in about 2 weeks.

So this is the equipment that I already have:

Canon T2i w/ 2 lenses
Zoom H4N
AT897 Shotgun Mic

Problem is, I don't have a rig to put these on. I do have a tripod I can use for sit down interviews, but I have nothing for the run and gun behind the scenes portion of the documentary.

What I need is a shoulder rig that will hold my T2i, AT897, and Zoom H4N. Problem is everything I have seen that can do that is in the thousands of dollars, which unfortunately I do not have. I am possibly going to ask the people that hired me to give me funding for a rig, but I doubt they would give me very much if anything.

So, are there rigs out there that can fit my need on a tight budget? I really don't know what i'm supposed to do if I can't get a rig in time...
 
Chris Santucci said:
This might be helpful:

http://www.cameratown.com/articles/DSLR_Cinematography3.cfm#axzz0ouK2cWEG

http://www.indisystem.com/

http://www.cpmfilmtools.com/

http://www.bushhawk.com/CatalogueRetrieve.aspx?CatalogueID=42133

.
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How good are indiSYSTEM products? This one http://www.indisystem.com/products/ultra_compact seems like it could really fit what I am looking for, and for only $300! But if it's a crap product I don't want to spend the money. Anyone know about that product?
 
I spent some hands-on time with the IndiSystem rigs at NAB, and for the money, I think they're extremely well-designed and built. I just ordered a slider from Tim (at IndiSystems) and it was shipped quickly and works perfectly. I'd have no problems ordering another rig from Tim.

--SM
 
It sounds like that ultra compact rig might be what i'm looking for.

I have another quick question though. What will I need to attach my Zoom H4N and shotgun mic to that rig? I know the C bracket is what I would attach it to but will I need any extra parts?
 
i got my indiralspro xvsm for like $190 shipped or so on ebay

4416437363_40d680cff0_o.jpg


I actually cut the 24" rails to 10" and 14" sections, and offset them so the camera sits directly in front of your face. I also mount the h4n at the back now by the shoulder mount, and run my rode videomic on the hotshoe. I put a quick release adapter for my tripod (tiffen/davis sanford pro vista with fm18 fluid head), on the bottom of the rails, so i can quickly take the entire thing on and off sticks very quickly. Using same quick release system on all my equipment makes changing from shoulder to tripod, to slider to glidecam so much faster.
 
I have an indisystem rig but I use maybe half of the parts it came with.

You could always build something yourself!

img0025di.jpg


This has maybe $10 worth of parts in it.
 
i'm researching the cheap-side, too.

i haven't personally tried this setup... but it is the cheapest i found (might or might not work):

shoulder mount:
http://www.adorama.com/FACSS.html
$45

accessory bracket to attach the mic and h4n:
http://www.adorama.com/FABC.html
$12
----------------------------------------------------------------
Total ~$57
----------------------------------------------------------------
accessories:

follow focus:
http://www.dfocussystem.com/dfocus.html
~$160 (w/ gears)

http://www.dfocussystem.com/dslr.html
$50 (you won't need rails)

viewfinder:
http://www.adorama.com/LCDVF.html
$190
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total: $400
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Grand Total: $457
 
jghenderson said:
It sounds like that ultra compact rig might be what i'm looking for.

I have another quick question though. What will I need to attach my Zoom H4N and shotgun mic to that rig? I know the C bracket is what I would attach it to but will I need any extra parts?
Click to expand...


Careful with ordering from Tim at indisystems... If you want it fast, it may not happen. I ordered the FollowFocus Mini with snap gears back on the 2nd. Got the instant automated email. Kept trying to email and call with no answer. Got him on the phone on Friday... He said "You should have gotten it by now... I'll check out your order.. Can I call you back at this number?"
No call back.. it's now Tuesday.. I tried again.. directly to voicemail. He seems like a nice guy... Just maybe too busy to fill orders quickly?
 
I've heard others mention that Tim is much more available by phone than by email. So I'd say an internet order with fairly immediate phone follow-up to Tim should be a good way to go if you order from IndiSystems.
 
I put this together out of spare parts from older rigs i have, Cavison with Cinevate and Manafrotto plate , very in expensive under $250.00 lots of room to grow, Cheers
 

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Stephen Mick said:
I've heard others mention that Tim is much more available by phone than by email. So I'd say an internet order with fairly immediate phone follow-up to Tim should be a good way to go if you order from IndiSystems.
Click to expand...

Had a long convo on the phone with Tim this morning. Here's what happened.. He buys the gearboxes from a supplier in the UK and then modifies them in his shop. Well, the UK has been slow getting him new units because they won't work overtime. He said they won't work overtime because the govt taxes them at a much higher rate and they can't afford to pay overtime because of this. They also can't afford the required benefits package to higher new employees. Basically, thay can't meet demand due to the govt restrictions.
He is going to try and get mine out the door this week. He's pretty irritated at the situation so he is trying to make the gearboxes in house.

Hopefully he can get p and running on the new gearboxes.

He's a great guy, and I can tell he's sincere.
 
Thanks for the update, ATL. Like I said, I spent some time with Tim at NAB and could tell he's a really good guy trying to make some great products for the budget-conscious shooter. I hope he gets these issues ironed out.

--SM
 
bwwd said:
Only thing that you really need besides lenses is stabilizer,nothing more.
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For you maybe, but countless others have different shooting styles/abilities/etc. where all of this gear helps. They wouldn't sell it if there wasn't a market for it.

I've found that I only really need a z-finder for support during handheld shots. But that's not to say others couldn't use more support or even none at all.
 
jghenderson said:
So I have been asked to make a behind the scenes documentary about the making of a TV show. I'm really excited for this opportunity but I realized quickly that I am not ready, which is unfortunate because i'm supposed to start in about 2 weeks.

So this is the equipment that I already have:

Canon T2i w/ 2 lenses
Zoom H4N
AT897 Shotgun Mic

Problem is, I don't have a rig to put these on. I do have a tripod I can use for sit down interviews, but I have nothing for the run and gun behind the scenes portion of the documentary.

What I need is a shoulder rig that will hold my T2i, AT897, and Zoom H4N. Problem is everything I have seen that can do that is in the thousands of dollars, which unfortunately I do not have. I am possibly going to ask the people that hired me to give me funding for a rig, but I doubt they would give me very much if anything.

So, are there rigs out there that can fit my need on a tight budget? I really don't know what i'm supposed to do if I can't get a rig in time...
Click to expand...

We are currently working on an offset bracket system for conventional shoulder systems. Our current shoulder kit starts at 469.00 and will cover all the attachment points you need. The QR plate molds just finished, the next mold is the counter weight and the adapter (based on feedback from the proto type testing).
 

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Stabilizer is needed because all jitters are visible when you go handheld with DSLR.
I wouldnt compare zfinder to stabilization.You just cant go handheld with DSLR ,it still looks bad and is visible ,maybe less with 28mm and wider lenses.
 
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