DSLR shoulder support

B

boulder

Well-known member
I have come to the conclusion that the DSLR form factor cannot be effectively shot handheld without some form of lens stabilization or a shoulder support like this. I am a very good camera man and am very stable but the lightweight and design of the DSLR's make it troublesome for handheld shots.

The basic design has been covered in another thread:
http://www.quantumpetshop.com/tutorials/cambrace.asp

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=191696

but I made some modifications to it after trying many different configurations and rather than reviving the old thread and digging through it I thought I'd post a new one.

The angled grips make all the difference in the world as in-line grips don't help with the roll problem which the DSLR's form factor exasperates. The pitch and yaw movement isn't nearly as troublesome but this also stabilizes these well. I also added more padding covered by a black stocking which allows me to rest my chin on for further stabilization. This is the cheapest low profile design that gave me great results.

IMG_2437.jpg

Edit:
Added two 2.5 lb counter weights. Easier to handle for long periods. Simply added a 90 degree 1/2" to 3/4" joint with a small section of 3/4" PVC. Got two 2.5 lb weights from Sears for about $4 and placed them on the secion of PVC and then put on an end cap.
 
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Can't buy them, you make them by reading the threads I linked to. I am modifying this further and adding counter weights though so I will post how to do that when complete.
 
You know what? This may sound like a noob thing to do, but at the moment I'm investing in other things besides a shoulder support and my sollution to that problem is this:

I fold up the tripod, turn the camera around 180 degrees and attatch it to the tripod, then I just use the folded up tripod on my shoulder as an easy shoulder support while I look at the dslr lcd display.

Works like a charm for hand held until I need to invest in something else. Also, this way if I want to just go outside for a quick spontainious shoot without wanting to bring too much equipment I've got both a shoulder support or a tripod but no extra weight.

Try it.
 
There are many ways to do DIY shoulder supports, I was just listing one of the ones I built and like that costs around $13. The counter weight is a must have for longer shoots.
 
50 mm @ f1.8 w/ISO whipped up because of little available light. Noise reduction in render took aout some gain artifacts.
 
To the OP, were you mad at her when you told her to look at you while speaking? It's been my experiance that people from Minnesota sound the same mad as they do when cheerfull or even benign.

Also how many points of contact are you getting when you use it?
 
happnin' mojo said:
To the OP, were you mad at her when you told her to look at you while speaking? It's been my experiance that people from Minnesota sound the same mad as they do when cheerfull or even benign.

Also how many points of contact are you getting when you use it?
Click to expand...

No we were goofing...that's why she's smiling after.
 
People sometimes smile when they are afraid-like in scared straight.

But seriously how many points of contact with your full set up? At least two that I can see, shoulder and right hand but does your left hand hold the rig or does it touch the actual camera? Also are you looking through a view finder (which would be another point) or staring at the screen? These are questions because I'm drawing up plans for my own, heavily influenced by this board esp. Teddy, and since I don't know anyone in Houston that has a rig I would like some feedback from people about their exp shooting with one.

PS: Colonel Panic's comment combined with the pic in his av is creates a pretty funny frame...
 
happnin' mojo said:
People sometimes smile when they are afraid-like in scared straight.

But seriously how many points of contact with your full set up? At least two that I can see, shoulder and right hand but does your left hand hold the rig or does it touch the actual camera? Also are you looking through a view finder (which would be another point) or staring at the screen? These are questions because I'm drawing up plans for my own, heavily influenced by this board esp. Teddy, and since I don't know anyone in Houston that has a rig I would like some feedback from people about their exp shooting with one.

PS: Colonel Panic's comment combined with the pic in his av is creates a pretty funny frame...
Click to expand...

well up to four points...two handles, shoulder and viewfinder/eye. Can take the hand off one of the handles for focus, zoom etc.

Yeah he was worried i took offense but she's a model so I get that all the time, take it as a compliment
 
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