Suggestions for piecing together camera rig...

N

NBside

Active member
Hey everyone...so, here is my plan.

I want to piece together as custom camera rig/rail system that has all of the features that I personally desire.
I've searched the web pretty thoroughly, and haven't been able to find a rig that offers everything that I want, within a price range that is reasonable.
This rig is for my "B" camera, a 7D, so Id really rather not drop a fortune on it. From the little bit of searching I have done, it appears that it might be cheaper to piece out, and individually purchase the items that I want for this rig and build it up myself. I would like to stay in a budget of $500 or less (which I know isnt much at all). So, does anyone have any suggestions on ways to save money, get the biggest bang for my buck, or does anyone have suggestions on where I can purchase the pieces I need at a great price?

Here is what I would like my rig to entail...

-15mm rods (probably 12-18" in length)
-Base plate and quick release
-Shoulder support (with the ability to mount a counter weight or a battery pack behind the shoulder)
-Matte box (preferably with the ability to house filters, if not, Ill live without for now)
-2 comfortable grips in the front
-A top handle that I can attach for low profile shooting
-A follow focus system with either whip or crank
-Monitor arms to connect up to two 7.5" HDMI monitors
-HDMI splitter
-Accessories needed to give me the ability to mount HDMI splitter, wireless audio receivers, and any other future attachments.

I know thats asking a lot for a modest budget, but from the research I've done thus far, it seems possible. Im ok with going over budget a little if it's worth it, but I know that the great minds on this site could probably find a way to keep it in range!

So far, Amazon.com has had the cheapest pieces. Ive considered buying one of their cheap basic kits, and just adding to it from there, but I think in the long run, that may end up being more costly.

Does any one have any tips, thoughts, or suggestions?
I really appreciate it!
 
I think you are asking for a bit much on that budget.

If you don't mind me asking... What are you shooting with this B camera, What is your A camera?
 
You're never going to get all of that on a $500 budget. But I'd say just buy used...you can get a cheap follow focus (d-focus probably) for $125, rails and baseplate for a couple hundred...matte box for $250-300, grips $150 (get the Chrosziel grips from BH photo, amazing for the price). The top handle is going to cost you a pretty penny though. But you can get all of the above for sub $1000 if you get some decent used deals.
 
Thanks for the replies.

A Camera is a 5D MKII, which is on a Cinevate DSLR rig.
The B Camera is primarily just for additional coverage. Im doing a modestly budgeted feature comedy this summer, and in order to save time on takes, I want to run a B camera to shoot closeups and reactions while shooting my masters. I figure this will save me time in post as well.

To be honest, I pieced together most of the rig on Amazon with parts from various manufacturers, and without the top handle, I had it come in at $550.
Like I said in my original post, I'm okay with going over, even if that leads me closer to $1,000, however, the $500 range is my goal, just to see if it can be done.

My biggest question, I suppose, was if anyone had any suggestions on areas I can save money.
Trust me, I am the biggest advocate when it comes to "getting what you pay for". I always avoid cutting corners on gear when I can, however, this rig is something that I wanted to put together primarily for this project only. I assumed, in the grand scheme of things, that the money I will save in time by running a second camera during production, might pay for the rig...or at least thats my hope lol
 
You know, to be honest...I'm not either. I prefer working single camera, as Ive always done. This will only be the second time Ive shot in this manner, and the first time I've done it on a feature. My time with talent on this shoot is more limited than usual, and the budget isn't the greatest (>$100k), so I made the decision to try out this approach, and hope for the best. But I agree with you, not my favorite method.
 
You can cut corners on the gear, but for the $500 you will save there will no doubt be countless times where you will spend extra time fiddling with the rig to get it to work properly when you could be shooting.
 
I'd just go stripped down. I mean why should B cam be pulling focus all that much. For me, on the rare occasions I have run a B cam it's throw it on sticks and use it for the wide shot.
 
Thank you... both are good points, indeed!

I'm just now getting into shot listing this production, but Ive tinkered with the idea of running a "Second Unit" for a week or so, as part of the production requires B-Roll and Establishing shots in other cities. So I had just assumed I would put together a full package for that camera. This is only my second feature, so I'm still working a lot of these things out. It's a process..lol
 
I would question the need for a matte box and follow focus on your B camera. Seems to me like they'll do nothing but slow you down and needlessly bulk up the camera. Too many people make the mistake of rigging the camera up too much when there's no real reason for it. If the operator will be pulling focus, forget the follow focus. If you won't be switching lenses frequently and using filters, skip the matte box. A Gini shoulder rig from ebay will get you a serviceable handheld setup and likely be all that's needed.
 
No, i agree with that completely. I guess my secondary reasoning for doing so was so i can have 2 fully equipped camera packages at all times. I own a small production house, and aside from my passion projects in film, we do a ton of commercials (2-4 per week) and a good amount of music videos. Since i was planning on running a B camera and/or "second unit" for this film, i figured this would be a good time to outfit a second package in the event that its ever needed, or so i can double book commercial projects if need be. I probably should have said that in my OP.
 
stefancolson said:
I would question the need for a matte box and follow focus on your B camera. Seems to me like they'll do nothing but slow you down and needlessly bulk up the camera. Too many people make the mistake of rigging the camera up too much when there's no real reason for it. If the operator will be pulling focus, forget the follow focus. If you won't be switching lenses frequently and using filters, skip the matte box. A Gini shoulder rig from ebay will get you a serviceable handheld setup and likely be all that's needed.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but how often do you shoot a scene outside, considering everytime you do there will be an ND, POL, or grad in front of the lens? Not to mention the need to shield for lens flares. Follow focus is fine to skip, but a MB seems like a necessity.
 
no offense but If you do a ton of commercials and music vids wouldn't it just be wise to get a proper rig. It would be paid off in 2 commercials and you get to have a proper 2unit rig after that.



However in an attempt to help you out...if you priced your pieced together rig at $550 without a top handle then I'd suggest http://shop.easom.com/product_info.php/products_id/36 and you can get one arm of this cage
http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/product.php?productid=378&cat=299&page=1 by contacting them directly. I think mine cost 35+20 shipping. But i had rods already to attach it. I suggest the easom handle because its MUCH better in my opinion, but you could just go with the full proaim outfit and be done with it.
 
stefancolson said:
A Gini shoulder rig from ebay will get you a serviceable handheld setup and likely be all that's needed.
Click to expand...

I second stefancolson. I just bought a Gini rig for $400 (+$75 shipping) and it comes with everything you mentioned except for a matte box (which I'm sure you can find an affordable one elsewhere if you don't necessarily need it to hold filters). The rig is built very well and the FF imo is on par with many of the more expensive brands.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Puing-/251096476562?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a76842b92

I got the extreme 17 + FF which is a slightly different version than the Puing-A.

Even though it's from Korea, it only took a week to get to me in LA.

http://cheesycam.com/latest-gini-follow-focus-ifocus-review/
 
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