d1rockwild
Well-known member
Updating my old thread, if you're interested: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?279029-Rig-Modifications-for-Weddings-and-other-Live-Events
Made a new thread for a fresh start on everyone submitting their rigs and notes on them. Specifically, rigs designed for speed and flexibility.
Just a wide shot. I'll start from the back.
Here, an extra lens sits, plus 2 batteries rest on a tiny platform that can't be seen (sorry). I've wrapped foam padding around the rods to protect the lens and add grip. Use velcro to secure lens. Batteries happen to be so snug I can hold the rig upside down, and the batteries stay. This area acts partially as a counterweight as well, although, I admit the lens and batteries would need to hang further back for better counterweight benefits. For me, I don't like my rig getting any bigger.
A few things are going on here. The camera is sitting high up away from the rods so the battery door can open freely for battery changes without having to unscrew anything. The Camera is protruding far forward from the rectangular block so my hand has more room to change zoom and focus. At the same time, this added space creates a makeshift handle. See below. Also, the nut sitting atop is filed down so the lcd screen and clear it.
Now I don't "need" a handle. This is surprisingly comfortable so long as I'm not holding it here all day, and why would I be?
Battery door access.
Went down to one 18" rod as opposed to two, and one ~12" rod. Follow focuses are more trouble than they're worth for fast, photojournalistic shooting if you need to change lenses quickly.
Using a shorter rod allows much more comfort for my hand and wrist to zoom and focus, with much less contortion.
Perhaps a bit straining on one rod, here my 2nd camera attaches to the rig. I hate changing lenses for fear of dust getting on the sensors and time taken. I prefer to have a 2nd body ready to go. With this attachment from Opteka, I can quickly attach my GH1+14mm for stablized, wide establishing shots, while my camera 1 is still ready to go as well. Sometimes both cameras are rolling at the same time.
Looking into adding a bunch of small quick-release mechanisms so the video light, mic and 2nd camera can be setup even faster.
A modified Glidecam 2000, with no permanant damage the glide cam itself. I did saw the crap out of a maco slider though.
Top down view. Very small foot print.
Anyway, there wasn't much interest the first time I posted my earlier mods. Excuse the self-indulgent "look at my rig, look at my rig." Perhaps someone will find these tiny mods useful and I would love to know what other people are doing to maximize speed + functionality of their rigs. I like keeping size down to a minimum which is a tough balance. Open to questions and comments.
Made a new thread for a fresh start on everyone submitting their rigs and notes on them. Specifically, rigs designed for speed and flexibility.
Just a wide shot. I'll start from the back.
Here, an extra lens sits, plus 2 batteries rest on a tiny platform that can't be seen (sorry). I've wrapped foam padding around the rods to protect the lens and add grip. Use velcro to secure lens. Batteries happen to be so snug I can hold the rig upside down, and the batteries stay. This area acts partially as a counterweight as well, although, I admit the lens and batteries would need to hang further back for better counterweight benefits. For me, I don't like my rig getting any bigger.
A few things are going on here. The camera is sitting high up away from the rods so the battery door can open freely for battery changes without having to unscrew anything. The Camera is protruding far forward from the rectangular block so my hand has more room to change zoom and focus. At the same time, this added space creates a makeshift handle. See below. Also, the nut sitting atop is filed down so the lcd screen and clear it.
Now I don't "need" a handle. This is surprisingly comfortable so long as I'm not holding it here all day, and why would I be?
Battery door access.
Went down to one 18" rod as opposed to two, and one ~12" rod. Follow focuses are more trouble than they're worth for fast, photojournalistic shooting if you need to change lenses quickly.
Using a shorter rod allows much more comfort for my hand and wrist to zoom and focus, with much less contortion.
Perhaps a bit straining on one rod, here my 2nd camera attaches to the rig. I hate changing lenses for fear of dust getting on the sensors and time taken. I prefer to have a 2nd body ready to go. With this attachment from Opteka, I can quickly attach my GH1+14mm for stablized, wide establishing shots, while my camera 1 is still ready to go as well. Sometimes both cameras are rolling at the same time.
Looking into adding a bunch of small quick-release mechanisms so the video light, mic and 2nd camera can be setup even faster.
A modified Glidecam 2000, with no permanant damage the glide cam itself. I did saw the crap out of a maco slider though.
Top down view. Very small foot print.
Anyway, there wasn't much interest the first time I posted my earlier mods. Excuse the self-indulgent "look at my rig, look at my rig." Perhaps someone will find these tiny mods useful and I would love to know what other people are doing to maximize speed + functionality of their rigs. I like keeping size down to a minimum which is a tough balance. Open to questions and comments.
