What features would you like to see on a DSLR rig?

[Postmaster]

O.K. here it goes:

Since the filmmaking business is a bit slow in the moment and since I always developed and fabricated some of my equipment, I´m thinking about getting a "second foothold" in the gear business.

I work together with a machine shop here in Germany. So everything will be made here (and not in China or Poland) under strict quality control with fine German craftsmanship on high precision CNC machines and hand finished.

First project is a DSLR/Camcorder rig.

My first specs are:

Modular (of course)
Aircraft grade aluminum
Military grade engineering
Tactical design
Everything is highly adjustable.
Camera offset for left and right shoulder work.
Can be stripped down from camcorder to DSLR use
Black anodized.
Fits every DSLR or camcorder on the market.
Build like a tank, thou lightweight and made to outlast every camera you ever buy in your life.
Comes with all the bells and whistles.
Affordable


Features (so far):

Universal Baseplate with 15 and 19 mm rod support
15 or 19 mm rods
Handle and 2 grips
Shoulder mount/gun stock combination
Swivel mount for matte boxes
Monitor mounts
Cheeseplate like holes and treads everywhere
Counterweights
V-mount or Bauer plate
brake-out box



What else would you like to see on a DSLR/camcorder rig?

Frank

 

[Postmaster]

80 views but no response hmmm......

Not much interest in an other DSLR rig huh?

Here are some first concept drawings - maybe that helps :happy:

Frank

 

[Amuse-WS]

looks pretty sleek to me. I've always liked the idea of the shoulder pad being a hybrid of a mounting point for your chest when having a shorter setup, maybe an idea?

 

[Hawk Teflon]

I wonder if people are not posting because they're looking for prices. There seems o be plenty of rigs to choose from right now, but a lot of them are a little pricey. Those pictures look good, but why is the plate so far back?

 

[Postmaster]

The plate slides in every position you want it. Back and forth along the rails, up, down and sideways.

Price is hard to determine in the moment, since I´m still in the engineering phase.
I´m still not happy with some points. And some stuff is still missing.

But I try to aim a price point of under $800. On the other hand, remember what happened to Peter`s remote Hocus Focus. He aimed at $300 and ended up with over $1000 and a totally different product.

But I try to keep it as affordable as possible - best bang for the buck.

looks pretty sleek to me. I've always liked the idea of the shoulder pad being a hybrid of a mounting point for your chest when having a shorter setup, maybe an idea?

Having a HVX or a RED on the shoulder is way different from a DSLR where you may have a loupe on the back and need to hold the camera in front of your eyes in a comfortable way.
That´s the reason why I want a hybrid solution that is flexible enough to do both. So you have to buy only one rig and use it for both cameras.

Frank

 

[Chris Santucci]

My input:

Cavision has a great handgrip design. They use a more ergonomic handgrip design.

The shoulder pads I keep seeing on these things are worthless since the weight of the rigs is so low. I could see a more minimal shoulder pad design, like just a flat surface I'd say is sufficient. Possibly have a counterweight AND the shoulder pad surface be the same component. My rig weighs 18 pounds total when ready to rock and I either rest the rods on my shoulder or the RRM counterweight.

I like the top handle setup, but one thing I haven't seen yet is more efficient use of the hot shoe which is a perfect place to mount a top handle, but NOT the way RRM is doing it.

I like the up and down adjustment for the camera mounting plate, but I think the plate has to be shorter fore and aft to allow for mounting of follow focus, etc.

.

 

[Postmaster]

The next evolution.

19mm and 15 mm rods in one rig.
Beefier cage.
Better handle

More to come - work in progress.

Need a beer now, :beer: Frank

 

[foosiemac]

This is sure looking more and more like an Easom design.

 

[Postmaster]

Yeah there are some similarities to Cory`s design and also to the early RED cages and the CPM Sidewinder andwhatnotelse - but they are actually all totally different beasts in the details.

1. two different rod sizes
2. the 15mm side rods can be placed in 3 differnt angles
3. separate base plate that slides in 3 dimensions
4. offset for DSRL use, dual use shoulder pat, and handles (not seen here yet)

Frank

 

[meauounji]

Dear Postmaster, the following is an unsolicited opinion by a potential customer which you may choose to ignore:


Good on you for deciding to come up with a product, first of all. I think you really have to define what "affordable" means. Redrock Micro and Cinevate is very affordable to some people, but out of reach for many others. Jag35's Field Runner rig is all of $279. THAT is affordable. Personally, I think you need to be around $500 before I think "affordable". In case you're wondering, I spent about $800-$900 for my rails/shoulder rig and yes, I did think that was expensive.

If a person buys a camera for $800-$1500 (that's the T2i and 7D or GH1 somewhere in between) plus lenses and accessories (like a Z-finder and/or outboard monitor) to make it worth while, you're probably looking at around a $2000-$4000 budget for the whole rig, which may or may not have a lot of room for rails. I, for example think that $800-$1000 on rails for a $4000 system is ridiculous. There's a lot of players in the $800 market, and I for one don't want aircraft grade aluminum, military grade engineering (whatever that means) and tactical design (whatever that means also) if I can have ground-vehicle aluminum and clever civilian engineering for $600.

Having said all that, I'm also not saying that you've got to be lower than $800. I paid more for mine, and if you provide a superior value to other people offering theirs for $800, I think you've got a shot. You could probably benefit a lot from some market research or a simple poll on the forum asking for the price most people are willing to pay for a good rails system.