Here is my DIY figrig solution...it rocks
- Thread starter OregonDank
- Start date
MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
Obviously this is a great looking rig... I don't know if I told you that yet or not, but in case I didn't tell you privately I'll tell you publicly... it looks GREAT. I also wonder about the flexibility of it and how the footage comes out.
I experiment ALL the time on DIY stuff... I mean on everything... rigs, sound, lighting, etc. I can honestly say that 95% of the time what I end up liking is a fair bit away from my first effort... sometimes what I like the look of best, doesn't always work the best... so I am curious about the kind of footage you're getting. I always thought that kind of tubing would be too flexible for something like this... especially if it gets warm out in the sun.
I'm not bashing on your beautiful creativity... I mean c'mon... the thing looks great! I just want to know what's happening on tape.
I blabbed on about a wooden deal a while back... I'm still playing with those and I'm pretty happy with them... eventually I'll offer some up to the forum, but there's NOTHING holding people back from making their own! I've read a few comments about people who try to make money on the forum members and I hope nobody sees me that way just because I have to charge something for the crap I make... and like I said... you can just LOOK at it and see how to make it... now rather then post a pic of the rig I'm taking to Haiti (two of them... one for DVX and one for PD-150)... I'll start a new thread.
You're rig rocks! All anybody needs to know about these things is that they are for distibuting the center of gravity apart and down... so any comfortable frame that does that will work.
The FigRig is reported by two sources to weigh 2lbs... I will get an EXACT weight on it either tomorrow or after I get back. I want to know what it really weighs... when I played with one I thought it was heavier then 2lbs... but it had a couple clamps on it so that may have added to it. The dimensions are something between 3/4 and 7/8" diameter tube... and 19" overall diameter... that I know for sure.
For any DIY guys wanting to make a rig with a Manfrotto QR plate on it I have some advice... The 3273 is the least expensive way to add a SLIDING QR plate to anything. They're $42 and here it is:
The benefit of the 3273 is a full 3+ INCHES of sliding travel which will allow you to balance any rediculous load that you want... really that's too much travel and the plate is unnecessarily long (meaning HEAVY)... the plate for the 3273 is 4 oz and the whole assembly with the QR and plate is just about 10.6 oz... so that adds some unwanted weight to your rig, but it IS solid.
Next we have the Manfrotto 577 plate which is smaller overall with less travel... which is probably better because it's also less weight and why on earth do you ever need nearly 3.5" of travel? The 577 is oddly enough, $10 MORE... for no reason that I can see, but I bought the 3273s and I WISH I'd have bought the 577 plates... These are what I'll be using on all my rigs in the future... the 3273 is for people with the GIANT manfrotto heads... the 577 is for anybody with a 501-503... Then you can pop your cam off your rig and right onto your tripod... same plate:
The most intriguing option for me right now is 3299 which is only $28, but you get NO slide... the thing is... do you need it? I would like to have a little balance adjustment... but maybe it's not needed... the one nice thing is that this QR plate is SMALL overall... and the little plate fits the 701RC2 head (and perhaps a couple others) so you can pop your cam off the rig and back onto the pod... this is the 3299:
I have not been able to weigh one of these yet, but I WILL for sure order a few to try out on my woody rigs. The thing about ALL the Manfrotto gear that uses the TAB as you see on the left... any plates that lock in with that tab do not hold as securely as the plates that use the locking lever nut that you see on the other two QR plates... I canniballized my 3229 head, which looks like the 3299 on top... to test it out on a woody rig (this one will go to Haiti for the PD-150)... and it works okay, but if you rock the rig back and forth you can feel a slight bit of play in that plate... the QR is solid, the cam isn't going to drop, but it's got just a smidge of slop that isn't in the other rigs. Is that a big deal? I don't think so... you gotta' be smooth with the rig... if you don't try to shoot smooth anyway then a rig is pointless... but the other plates, while a little too heavy... are definitely more secure.
Everybody needs to know these weights though... if you're hell-bent on doing a super-light rig... and it already weighs well over a pound... by the time you put a 3273 set on it you won't have saved any weight. I'd pay the extra $10 to get the 577 and shave a couple ounces.
I experiment ALL the time on DIY stuff... I mean on everything... rigs, sound, lighting, etc. I can honestly say that 95% of the time what I end up liking is a fair bit away from my first effort... sometimes what I like the look of best, doesn't always work the best... so I am curious about the kind of footage you're getting. I always thought that kind of tubing would be too flexible for something like this... especially if it gets warm out in the sun.
I'm not bashing on your beautiful creativity... I mean c'mon... the thing looks great! I just want to know what's happening on tape.
I blabbed on about a wooden deal a while back... I'm still playing with those and I'm pretty happy with them... eventually I'll offer some up to the forum, but there's NOTHING holding people back from making their own! I've read a few comments about people who try to make money on the forum members and I hope nobody sees me that way just because I have to charge something for the crap I make... and like I said... you can just LOOK at it and see how to make it... now rather then post a pic of the rig I'm taking to Haiti (two of them... one for DVX and one for PD-150)... I'll start a new thread.
You're rig rocks! All anybody needs to know about these things is that they are for distibuting the center of gravity apart and down... so any comfortable frame that does that will work.
The FigRig is reported by two sources to weigh 2lbs... I will get an EXACT weight on it either tomorrow or after I get back. I want to know what it really weighs... when I played with one I thought it was heavier then 2lbs... but it had a couple clamps on it so that may have added to it. The dimensions are something between 3/4 and 7/8" diameter tube... and 19" overall diameter... that I know for sure.
For any DIY guys wanting to make a rig with a Manfrotto QR plate on it I have some advice... The 3273 is the least expensive way to add a SLIDING QR plate to anything. They're $42 and here it is:
The benefit of the 3273 is a full 3+ INCHES of sliding travel which will allow you to balance any rediculous load that you want... really that's too much travel and the plate is unnecessarily long (meaning HEAVY)... the plate for the 3273 is 4 oz and the whole assembly with the QR and plate is just about 10.6 oz... so that adds some unwanted weight to your rig, but it IS solid.
Next we have the Manfrotto 577 plate which is smaller overall with less travel... which is probably better because it's also less weight and why on earth do you ever need nearly 3.5" of travel? The 577 is oddly enough, $10 MORE... for no reason that I can see, but I bought the 3273s and I WISH I'd have bought the 577 plates... These are what I'll be using on all my rigs in the future... the 3273 is for people with the GIANT manfrotto heads... the 577 is for anybody with a 501-503... Then you can pop your cam off your rig and right onto your tripod... same plate:
The most intriguing option for me right now is 3299 which is only $28, but you get NO slide... the thing is... do you need it? I would like to have a little balance adjustment... but maybe it's not needed... the one nice thing is that this QR plate is SMALL overall... and the little plate fits the 701RC2 head (and perhaps a couple others) so you can pop your cam off the rig and back onto the pod... this is the 3299:
I have not been able to weigh one of these yet, but I WILL for sure order a few to try out on my woody rigs. The thing about ALL the Manfrotto gear that uses the TAB as you see on the left... any plates that lock in with that tab do not hold as securely as the plates that use the locking lever nut that you see on the other two QR plates... I canniballized my 3229 head, which looks like the 3299 on top... to test it out on a woody rig (this one will go to Haiti for the PD-150)... and it works okay, but if you rock the rig back and forth you can feel a slight bit of play in that plate... the QR is solid, the cam isn't going to drop, but it's got just a smidge of slop that isn't in the other rigs. Is that a big deal? I don't think so... you gotta' be smooth with the rig... if you don't try to shoot smooth anyway then a rig is pointless... but the other plates, while a little too heavy... are definitely more secure.
Everybody needs to know these weights though... if you're hell-bent on doing a super-light rig... and it already weighs well over a pound... by the time you put a 3273 set on it you won't have saved any weight. I'd pay the extra $10 to get the 577 and shave a couple ounces.
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OregonDank
Well-known member
the footage i have from all my figrig work is relatively shakey still as it has all been done from my snowboard...with the crossbar in place i'm not at all worried about the rigidity of the DIYrig but the QR that is on there totally sucks...it DOES have some play in it that if not properly tightened down could adversely affect the shot...with a 577 (which i believe is the QR on the real figrig) on it it would be perfect - i love having this QR on the real figrig because i can leave the one plate on and use the camera in the figrig or in my 503 head (without switching the plates)
and thanks for the praise Matt - it is greatly appreciated
and thanks for the praise Matt - it is greatly appreciated
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OregonDank
Well-known member
oooh sprayfoam...cool idea - try it!
originally i was going to wrap it in fiberglass cloth and resin but the first time i tried it it was super messy and it wasn't awesome so i just went ahead without it...i really don't think rigidity is an issue with the DankRig as long as your connections are good...there is a little flex in the rig if you try to compress the sides (handles?) but i don't think it makes a difference in most applications...if you used 3/4" pvc tubing instead of 1/2" it should be rock solid fo sho
originally i was going to wrap it in fiberglass cloth and resin but the first time i tried it it was super messy and it wasn't awesome so i just went ahead without it...i really don't think rigidity is an issue with the DankRig as long as your connections are good...there is a little flex in the rig if you try to compress the sides (handles?) but i don't think it makes a difference in most applications...if you used 3/4" pvc tubing instead of 1/2" it should be rock solid fo sho
cheezweezl
Veteran
OregonDank said:
have you ever tried thin CA glue (superglue) on fiberglass cloth? it is way less messy than resin and turns that cloth into rock. beware though, you have no time to adjust. it cures instantly. also, do it outside. the fumes are rediculous.
i used to fly RC planes a lot and this little trick saved many of my fiberglass planes after crashing. you can find large bottles of thin CA at any hobby shop.
Michael Carter
Veteran
Canned foam and a bag of lead shot would let you fine-tune the weight as well.
Use the 'windows and doors' stuff though; the regular foam can bust through all kinds of stuff when it expands. (Window/door can doesn't expand as much; keeps you from warping your window frames).
Use the 'windows and doors' stuff though; the regular foam can bust through all kinds of stuff when it expands. (Window/door can doesn't expand as much; keeps you from warping your window frames).
OregonDank
Well-known member
it comes in like a 3-foot bar at Home Depot...i just cut mine with a Sawzall (sp?) i'm sure a hacksaw would work fine - just use a file to clean it up....post some pics of yours after its done...
Lake Films
Veteran
Are they going to be for sale?
OregonDank
Well-known member
not from me...i've got enough on my hands building poker tables already...only costs about 20-30 bucks to make (plus the price of a good QR plate)
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vincekeala
Member
VigRig
VigRig
After I got back from using the FigRig at NAB, I was building a saltwater filtration system with HD PVC (Home Depot, not HiDef
). Had a bunch of parts and the lightbulb switched on. Use 3/4 PVC. Black plastic spray paint, then black grip paint. Tennis grip to add the pro touch, no pun intended. The result after a couple hours:
http://static.flickr.com/46/144675653_e9eed50572.jpg?v=0
Used it at a wedding and at home chasing my dog. Love it. Mine even has a stand that the original FigRig does not. Thinking of different mounting options. Right now it's a 1/4 20 bolt through two caps. Anyone?
While were doing pics here's my Letus35e and Matteblox combo:
http://static.flickr.com/53/144675652_4c431b4637.jpg?v=0
VigRig
After I got back from using the FigRig at NAB, I was building a saltwater filtration system with HD PVC (Home Depot, not HiDef
). Had a bunch of parts and the lightbulb switched on. Use 3/4 PVC. Black plastic spray paint, then black grip paint. Tennis grip to add the pro touch, no pun intended. The result after a couple hours: http://static.flickr.com/46/144675653_e9eed50572.jpg?v=0
Used it at a wedding and at home chasing my dog. Love it. Mine even has a stand that the original FigRig does not. Thinking of different mounting options. Right now it's a 1/4 20 bolt through two caps. Anyone?
While were doing pics here's my Letus35e and Matteblox combo:
http://static.flickr.com/53/144675652_4c431b4637.jpg?v=0
SchneiderDV
New member
Thanks Oregon!
Hey guys, I was able to pick up the curved pipe from Home Depot as well. It wasn't next to the pvc though. What you're looking for is Oil Creek Aqua-Jet Pipe. It come in 1/2" and 3/4" coils, it's black, and super lightweight. for $20.00 you can make a few of these 19" rigs out of the amount of length in the coil. Adding something to fill the tube sounds like a good idea to make it more rigid. I'll post again with pics when I get mine finished. Thanks again to all of you guys for a great solution at a fraction of the price, with the cash I've saved, I can add a cup holder
Hey guys, I was able to pick up the curved pipe from Home Depot as well. It wasn't next to the pvc though. What you're looking for is Oil Creek Aqua-Jet Pipe. It come in 1/2" and 3/4" coils, it's black, and super lightweight. for $20.00 you can make a few of these 19" rigs out of the amount of length in the coil. Adding something to fill the tube sounds like a good idea to make it more rigid. I'll post again with pics when I get mine finished. Thanks again to all of you guys for a great solution at a fraction of the price, with the cash I've saved, I can add a cup holder
OregonDank
Well-known member
yuli said:
i doubt it man...DVmultirig is cool - i guess - it doesn't offer the stability of a fig (because you can only grab the handles where they are mounted as opposed to the entire circumfrance (sp?) of the ring..) or the option of mounting accessories (light, shotgun mic, monitor)... seems like a glorified spiderbrace for about 5 times the $....not to mention that it looks like its coming without even the little hook dealie for a shoulder mount...for the runandgun that i do with the figrig the DVmutlirig would never be able to replace it (also because the figrig offers some prtection for the camera)....not to mention that the proposed price of the DVmutlirig is really no better than that of the figrig - anyone got a DIY DVmultirig yet?? ...just my .02
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danny
DVXuser Sponsor
Indeed the FigRig is a very interesting and innovating concept.
The MultiRig is lot more then a FigRig imitation and you can't really compare between them.
a "glorified spiderbrace" ? You must be joking.
If you do want to compare them as "Two hands stabilizers" they are same when in use, only the MultiRig is more compact and versatile.
Few more points:
Balance - by adjusting the arms you can balance any camera with any front heavy lense even with no sliding QR.
In a standard configuration you get four acc. mounting points. one on each end of each grip. You do not pay for them and they do not add weight.
By adding the front grip and the shoulder brace you get lot of holding positions and hands combinations. note that you can move each grip for top or lower positions and even change positioned during a shoot !!
No extra acc. are needed for rest position. it is self standing in any configuration.
And of course the fast switching to any of the other configurations, shoulder brace, With or without support pod, Low mode tripod, Mini Dolly, Etc Etc...
It is in fact a DvRigPro, DvRigJunior, Spiderbrace, FigRig, and few other camera supports in one product.
Sorry for the "Overflowing" (Hope this is a good term) I am really proud of my new DVMultiRig.
Danny.
The MultiRig is lot more then a FigRig imitation and you can't really compare between them.
a "glorified spiderbrace" ? You must be joking.
If you do want to compare them as "Two hands stabilizers" they are same when in use, only the MultiRig is more compact and versatile.
Few more points:
Balance - by adjusting the arms you can balance any camera with any front heavy lense even with no sliding QR.
In a standard configuration you get four acc. mounting points. one on each end of each grip. You do not pay for them and they do not add weight.
By adding the front grip and the shoulder brace you get lot of holding positions and hands combinations. note that you can move each grip for top or lower positions and even change positioned during a shoot !!
No extra acc. are needed for rest position. it is self standing in any configuration.
And of course the fast switching to any of the other configurations, shoulder brace, With or without support pod, Low mode tripod, Mini Dolly, Etc Etc...
It is in fact a DvRigPro, DvRigJunior, Spiderbrace, FigRig, and few other camera supports in one product.
Sorry for the "Overflowing" (Hope this is a good term) I am really proud of my new DVMultiRig.
Danny.
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TeamJoeDawn
Well-known member
danny said:
I think it looks cool, Danny.. like you said, different tool than the fig, meant for different things. In compactness, it beats the hell out of one. You pretty much covered the other points, but I dont think they are comparable.. apples and oranges.
Heck.. it looks so cool, I think I'll try to build one myself..
just joking, Danny 
Aaron Koolen
Well-known member
Does the fig rig help with anything other than just providing a place to mount gear? Are moves smoother with it for instance?
Also, where's the best place to place the bar? 3/4 way down?
Aaron
Also, where's the best place to place the bar? 3/4 way down?
Aaron
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OregonDank
Well-known member
so there is over 2600 views to this thread...i would like to see some pics of other people's constructions of this design...
anyone wanna throw some up?
anyone wanna throw some up?