making your own dslr cinema rig

MattMyster

MattMyster

Active member
Just looking for some experience or suggestions. I want a redrock micro DSLR cinema rig/shoulder mount rig (making an all in one) but I can't justify the over $2,000 cost for it. So I have been looking at alternative methods, and am seriously considering building my own from different parts. I currently own an opteka C300 dslr shoulder rig, so now I'm looking at getting a mattebox, and dslr cheeseplate or baseplate so that the shoulder rig can be mounted directly to the tripod as a cinema rig if needed.

So what's the deal with DIY dslr cinema rigs, worth it? I'm looking to spend around $800 or less on parts. Any good budget items you could recommend (mattebox/filters, baseplates, grip handles, etc.)? And is there anything I should be worried about using the cheaper alumnium 15mm rods as oppose to the more expensive carbon fiber ones?

Thanks for any info.
 
ive yet to see many (if any) DIY "rigs" that:
worked well
didnt look ridiculous
were enough of a cost-saving to make up for lacking in the first two criteria and/or justify the possibility of sub standard performance.

i mean the materials and the milling tools alone cost a good bit. then factor in the time and knowledge involved.
it just doesnt justify it for reasons other than simply the pleasure of doing it. not when you can get perfectly functional chinese manufactured gear for a little more than youd spend on raw material

if your'e reasonably knowledgeable in working with aluminum, know how to weld and have precision tools, it would be a lot of fun though. but thats a trifecta not many can achieve ; )

as far as your redrock choice goes. redrock is good. but unless there is something specific they have that you want, you can do nearly as well with several other brands. jag35, genus, gini, ikan, tilta...
check on ebay for tilta stuff. its pricier than most of the other chinese stuff. but not by much and they make the BEST follow focus ive used shy of arri, zacuto or shoot35.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1&_nkw=tilta&_sacat=0&_from=R40

where i woud NOT scrimp is in articulating arms and how they mount to your rods. id stay clear of any that attach in any way using 1/4" screws. not that the arm is bad. but with a screw-in mount. if there is ANY counter-clockwise tension, they WILL eventually get loose and fall in that direction. my favorite articulating arms are BY FAR zacuto. yes they are expensive-ish. but very, VERY much worth it. here is a page of their arms and various mounts to attach them to a 15mm rod rig:
http://store.zacuto.com/articulating-arms/

you can go with a cheaper baseplate, grips, rods, etc. and be fine. but buy WELL with arms - its money well spent.

the primary reason to go with carbon fiber is to shave weight off the rig (or to impress chicks)
decent aluminum rods are fine
 
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Thanks for the replies, all good points to take into consideration. Anyone who actually built their own rig though care to share?
 
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