d1rockwild
Well-known member
Hey, everyone. Thought it might be cool to start a thread of tips and tricks to increase lightness and efficiency of your rigs for situations when time is against you and you're wanting to capture spur of the moment, un-repeatable shots. So I'm sure this could be used for documentary work as well. Anyway, just thought I'd start by showing some of the mods I've made (as you're the only people who might give a crap), and I'm definitely open to critiques and tips as well. So please, share your thoughts.
Here's a pic of my 2nd Shooter Camera. I keep it connected to the indirails block at all times so I can change batteries without having to remove it from the tripod or tripod plate. As you can see, the battery door opens easily.
I attached the silver hook to the back of the block to attach to a neck strap (which has a quick release hook) for added security. In retrospect, for tripod use it's not that necessary, but if I was working with just monopods (as some videographers do), I think securing the camera to your body in this way could be very helpful for changing lenses, batteries and memory cards. However I like to use tripods as they can be make-shift monopods by just extending one leg. It doesn't look as a cool as a real monopod, but having a tripod/make-shift monopod increases functionality. Which I'm all for.
This is Camera 1. the handle in front is the cheapest, most comfortable grip I've had. It's sweat-resistant foam, all aluminum, except for the hard plastic white plate. I got it off Ebay for $15 from a photographer who said her husband makes signs, and so she had him make custom handles for her 7 lb. DSLR rig. The handle was a bit long, so I trimmed it the length of my fist. One handle, centrally located is ideal imo, as you'd be focusing with your other hand, so no need for two handles.
The camera is scooted all the way to the front of indirails block so there's more room for my hand to focus. I also have a follow focus that I've decommissioned for all event work. IMO, follow focuses are too time consuming to set up when switching between lenses, so I dropped it all together.
Unlike Camera 2, this rig has rails which was problematic for accessing the battery door easily. The rods kept getting in the way of the door no matter how high I raised the camera on the block. Here's how I modified for it:
Firstly, I shaved off a piece of the circular bolt in the upper left hand corner. Actually, I had my dad do it, as you can see it, he didn't quite understand what I wanted him to do and accidentally shaved off another side of the bolt. Luckily, it still holds. Anyway, modifiying the bolt like this, got me 1/8"-1/4" more height. After that, by a hair it STILL wasn't enough for the door to swing by. So I had to buy a mounting plate that you can see underneath the block. Finally, this solved the problem and am now able to access the battery door. I suppose I could've just bought another block (ala the good ol' letus 35mm adapter days), but I didn't want to pay for it just for that. Plus, the added bulk I'm not a fan of.
Another thing I've been working on, is getting more gear on the rails, and less gear on me. While I know this adds weight, I consider myself still lucky to be working in the m43 system which is so much smaller and lighter than almost anything else.
So here I've wrapped foam padding around the rails with this awesome velcro that has no adhesive on it. Instead, one side of the velcro is soft, the other is hard. Very effective and re-usable stuff. The foam I got from the kiddie's section at Michael's. Its 99 cents per 8.5"x11" sheet.
I put the foam on to protect the lens and also add grip so the lens doesn't slip out.
Now I'm able to switch very quickly between my two most common lenses for Camera 1: Canon FD 50mm and Voigtlander 25mm. Yes I do realize I'm exposing my voigtlander to the elements.
Riding even further back are two extra batteries sitting on a small aluminum platform. Again, more velcro. So awesome. Quick battery changes.
Here you can see the little platform the batteries are sitting on. Also, I created a cushion for shoulder mount shots out of the foam as well. It's super comfortable and ridiculously cheap. While I haven't worked with real should pads, if you're still on a tight budget, this foam works fantastically.
Oldie but goodie, this is a macro adjuster on top of an older model glidecam. If you have a new glidecam this is irrelevent. This makes balancing so much quicker and easier. Another tip, attach a hot shoe bubble level to your camera while balancing. If the bubble level is level, you're good to go.
It's great to keep all your quick release plates uniform as possible for increased speed in setup. If anyone has any tips for getting a quick release onto a glidecam, while also still having an adjuster for balance (other than what glidecam has provided), I'm all ears.
Here's where I need help! I want to tap in tripod holes into these black plates. That way, I could go from floor slider shots to tripod slider shots much more quickly than having to remove these black plates from the indislider. the only problem is the bolt securing it is not flush. Any ideas? The cheaper, the better, the easier the better. I'm not super handy, but if I'm told exactly what to do, I'm totally game.
Well that's it. I kinda disregarded adding my mics to the rigs as I don't do anything special with them. I have my own thoughts on camera bags too but I'll wait to see if anyone is interested in what I've written so far, before I continue. I really hope other people care about this subject, haha. Again, any more tips/critiques are GREATLY appreciated, and also if you've found anything helpful, let me know. Thanks guys!
Here's a pic of my 2nd Shooter Camera. I keep it connected to the indirails block at all times so I can change batteries without having to remove it from the tripod or tripod plate. As you can see, the battery door opens easily.
I attached the silver hook to the back of the block to attach to a neck strap (which has a quick release hook) for added security. In retrospect, for tripod use it's not that necessary, but if I was working with just monopods (as some videographers do), I think securing the camera to your body in this way could be very helpful for changing lenses, batteries and memory cards. However I like to use tripods as they can be make-shift monopods by just extending one leg. It doesn't look as a cool as a real monopod, but having a tripod/make-shift monopod increases functionality. Which I'm all for.
This is Camera 1. the handle in front is the cheapest, most comfortable grip I've had. It's sweat-resistant foam, all aluminum, except for the hard plastic white plate. I got it off Ebay for $15 from a photographer who said her husband makes signs, and so she had him make custom handles for her 7 lb. DSLR rig. The handle was a bit long, so I trimmed it the length of my fist. One handle, centrally located is ideal imo, as you'd be focusing with your other hand, so no need for two handles.
The camera is scooted all the way to the front of indirails block so there's more room for my hand to focus. I also have a follow focus that I've decommissioned for all event work. IMO, follow focuses are too time consuming to set up when switching between lenses, so I dropped it all together.
Unlike Camera 2, this rig has rails which was problematic for accessing the battery door easily. The rods kept getting in the way of the door no matter how high I raised the camera on the block. Here's how I modified for it:
Firstly, I shaved off a piece of the circular bolt in the upper left hand corner. Actually, I had my dad do it, as you can see it, he didn't quite understand what I wanted him to do and accidentally shaved off another side of the bolt. Luckily, it still holds. Anyway, modifiying the bolt like this, got me 1/8"-1/4" more height. After that, by a hair it STILL wasn't enough for the door to swing by. So I had to buy a mounting plate that you can see underneath the block. Finally, this solved the problem and am now able to access the battery door. I suppose I could've just bought another block (ala the good ol' letus 35mm adapter days), but I didn't want to pay for it just for that. Plus, the added bulk I'm not a fan of.
Another thing I've been working on, is getting more gear on the rails, and less gear on me. While I know this adds weight, I consider myself still lucky to be working in the m43 system which is so much smaller and lighter than almost anything else.
So here I've wrapped foam padding around the rails with this awesome velcro that has no adhesive on it. Instead, one side of the velcro is soft, the other is hard. Very effective and re-usable stuff. The foam I got from the kiddie's section at Michael's. Its 99 cents per 8.5"x11" sheet.
I put the foam on to protect the lens and also add grip so the lens doesn't slip out.
Now I'm able to switch very quickly between my two most common lenses for Camera 1: Canon FD 50mm and Voigtlander 25mm. Yes I do realize I'm exposing my voigtlander to the elements.
Riding even further back are two extra batteries sitting on a small aluminum platform. Again, more velcro. So awesome. Quick battery changes.
Here you can see the little platform the batteries are sitting on. Also, I created a cushion for shoulder mount shots out of the foam as well. It's super comfortable and ridiculously cheap. While I haven't worked with real should pads, if you're still on a tight budget, this foam works fantastically.
Oldie but goodie, this is a macro adjuster on top of an older model glidecam. If you have a new glidecam this is irrelevent. This makes balancing so much quicker and easier. Another tip, attach a hot shoe bubble level to your camera while balancing. If the bubble level is level, you're good to go.
It's great to keep all your quick release plates uniform as possible for increased speed in setup. If anyone has any tips for getting a quick release onto a glidecam, while also still having an adjuster for balance (other than what glidecam has provided), I'm all ears.
Here's where I need help! I want to tap in tripod holes into these black plates. That way, I could go from floor slider shots to tripod slider shots much more quickly than having to remove these black plates from the indislider. the only problem is the bolt securing it is not flush. Any ideas? The cheaper, the better, the easier the better. I'm not super handy, but if I'm told exactly what to do, I'm totally game.
Well that's it. I kinda disregarded adding my mics to the rigs as I don't do anything special with them. I have my own thoughts on camera bags too but I'll wait to see if anyone is interested in what I've written so far, before I continue. I really hope other people care about this subject, haha. Again, any more tips/critiques are GREATLY appreciated, and also if you've found anything helpful, let me know. Thanks guys!
