Ed Kishel
Veteran
Like most people I want the videocamera form-factor- but for my dslr (in this case a T2i). I shopped around and found several good options but 2 things always came up- 1) it was wayyy to expensive, and 2) it didn't do all the things I wanted it to. So I decided to build my own based on the hand-grip design on most prosumer video cams (like my HMC150). It's basically my poor-man's version of the handy-slr: http://kkymn.com/handystore/images/handyslrproductimage.jpg
It cost me about $200 total in parts, including the Cavision rod support its built from. Basically its 1/4 inch by 1 inch aluminum flat stock that has been bent around the camera. I then drilled several 1/4 inch holes for accessories and added several flash mounts for quick attachment of mics, lights, H4n- and so on. The T2i goes on the rig via a Bogen quick release plate.
I took the measurements, bent the metal, drilled the holes, and added some foam hand grips. I sand blasted the rig to the bare metal then put on a few coats of an epoxy enamel (which is the closest thing a DIYer can get to powdercoating). I added the option of an additional hand grip for a fig-rig mode, which also supports the mount of an LCD monitor. It came out better than I expected IMHO, considering I am no machinist. Was a fun project to do.
Now I was lucky in that I had access to drill presses, metal benders, sanders blasters and more- but a more simplified version of this can be done with just the flat stock, vicegrip, and a hand-drill. Flatstock was bought at homedepot and the flash mounts from ebay. The foam grips I found on some cheap gardening tools at the dollar store. The matte box is a no-frill basic model from India.
The last picture has it mounted to a cheap shouler mount that I got on ebay, and modified to my needs. The project along with the accessories set me back about $350. It will work out well for my own small personal projects, I don't need the heavy duty machines that Zacuto or Redrock makes. It may not look as nice as those premium rigs, but I didn't have to mortage my house to pay for it.
It cost me about $200 total in parts, including the Cavision rod support its built from. Basically its 1/4 inch by 1 inch aluminum flat stock that has been bent around the camera. I then drilled several 1/4 inch holes for accessories and added several flash mounts for quick attachment of mics, lights, H4n- and so on. The T2i goes on the rig via a Bogen quick release plate.
I took the measurements, bent the metal, drilled the holes, and added some foam hand grips. I sand blasted the rig to the bare metal then put on a few coats of an epoxy enamel (which is the closest thing a DIYer can get to powdercoating). I added the option of an additional hand grip for a fig-rig mode, which also supports the mount of an LCD monitor. It came out better than I expected IMHO, considering I am no machinist. Was a fun project to do.
Now I was lucky in that I had access to drill presses, metal benders, sanders blasters and more- but a more simplified version of this can be done with just the flat stock, vicegrip, and a hand-drill. Flatstock was bought at homedepot and the flash mounts from ebay. The foam grips I found on some cheap gardening tools at the dollar store. The matte box is a no-frill basic model from India.
The last picture has it mounted to a cheap shouler mount that I got on ebay, and modified to my needs. The project along with the accessories set me back about $350. It will work out well for my own small personal projects, I don't need the heavy duty machines that Zacuto or Redrock makes. It may not look as nice as those premium rigs, but I didn't have to mortage my house to pay for it.
Last edited:
