Self-made shoulder Rig

ichiban · 05-19-2011, 08:47 PM

So i actually did this for one of my engineering classes, had to do a bunch of extra force, position, velocity calcs on it. But I just really wanted to make my own shoulder rig after watching tuts online. Maybe if i could get rodi or someone knowledgeable to put some input into this, now that the project is over, I'm gonna add in more stuff to make it better.

made out of acrylic, 3D rendering in Pro/E and cut with a 60W laser cutter. The metal insert is made with a lathe and some parts were milled. handle bar grips i got from a bike shop.

Haven't really tested it out yet, as it's still finals time. I will make some sample vids after finals.

ShopVac · 05-19-2011, 09:57 PM

So...just asking, I would understand the purpose of a shoulder rig more for a video camera than still picture taking.

Does this enable you to take pictures where normally you would need a tripod, or is this for taking movies with your SLR?

Would it be worth while to put a button in one of the grips?

ichiban · 05-19-2011, 10:10 PM

This is definitely for video. Wouldn't make sense for stills.

The1 · 05-19-2011, 10:17 PM

would be nice to find a way to put a start/stop trigger on the hand grip somewhere, not sure how it could be done though.

Weebl · 05-20-2011, 12:04 AM

Mill out the handle and put in the cable release. Cut a groove behind the release and hollow out the rest to run the cable to the camera. I think there is a Bogen grip head with a trigger on it.

ichiban · 05-20-2011, 12:33 AM

iono, you'd have to put it in live view first, and then press the button in the center of the wheel. I would think the trigger on the grip is for shutter release.

rodi · 05-21-2011, 02:02 AM

there is a remote, but it's infrared. you'd have to attach it so that it is line of sight with the IR receiver on the front of the cam. not too difficult. definitely needed for shoulder rigs.
i personally quit using shoulder rigs. if i was doing a handheld production, yes, i'd use one. but for all the live/event stuff i do these days, the monopod is the better option. it's just more stable. for planned out, scripted, production work, the shoulder rig works.

but that is fricking awesome. very nice, dude.

can you show a photo of it from the side? got a shoulder cushion? counter-weight on the back (gonna need one). rod placement for a follow-focus?

05-19-2011, 08:47 PM	#1
ichiban Colonel 95 Rep 2,012 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	Self-made shoulder Rig So i actually did this for one of my engineering classes, had to do a bunch of extra force, position, velocity calcs on it. But I just really wanted to make my own shoulder rig after watching tuts online. Maybe if i could get rodi or someone knowledgeable to put some input into this, now that the project is over, I'm gonna add in more stuff to make it better. made out of acrylic, 3D rendering in Pro/E and cut with a 60W laser cutter. The metal insert is made with a lathe and some parts were milled. handle bar grips i got from a bike shop. Haven't really tested it out yet, as it's still finals time. I will make some sample vids after finals. Last edited by ichiban; 05-19-2011 at 09:17 PM..
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05-19-2011, 09:57 PM	#2
ShopVac Not willing to take advice 4109 Rep 1,536 Posts Drives: F82 M4 - 6MT Join Date: May 2010 Location: PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M4 [9.87] 2023 Genesis GV70 [6.50] 2018 Abarth 124 Spider [10.00] 2014 Audi S4 [6.50]	So...just asking, I would understand the purpose of a shoulder rig more for a video camera than still picture taking. Does this enable you to take pictures where normally you would need a tripod, or is this for taking movies with your SLR? Would it be worth while to put a button in one of the grips? __________________ Proud owner of 4 Turbos and 1 Supercharger
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05-19-2011, 10:10 PM	#3
ichiban Colonel 95 Rep 2,012 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	This is definitely for video. Wouldn't make sense for stills.
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05-19-2011, 10:17 PM	#4
The1 Major General 76 Rep 5,114 Posts Drives: white 135 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: KW ontario/vancouver temporarily iTrader: (0)	would be nice to find a way to put a start/stop trigger on the hand grip somewhere, not sure how it could be done though.
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05-20-2011, 12:04 AM	#5
Weebl Weebl wobbles but eats Pie 95 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 d,2008 335i, 2000 740i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Mill out the handle and put in the cable release. Cut a groove behind the release and hollow out the rest to run the cable to the camera. I think there is a Bogen grip head with a trigger on it. __________________ Kevin Goto 2000 740i-Annalisa (sold 2018) 2008 335i-Weebl. Weebl may wobble but has DTC 2012 X5d in Sparkling Bronze ( The Ultimate Cat Carrying Machine)-RIP BMW buyback 2019:2017 A3, 2018 Audi SQ5
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05-20-2011, 12:33 AM	#6
ichiban Colonel 95 Rep 2,012 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	iono, you'd have to put it in live view first, and then press the button in the center of the wheel. I would think the trigger on the grip is for shutter release.
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05-21-2011, 02:02 AM	#7
rodi . . . 183 Rep 2,391 Posts Drives: your FACE! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta proper iTrader: (-1)	there is a remote, but it's infrared. you'd have to attach it so that it is line of sight with the IR receiver on the front of the cam. not too difficult. definitely needed for shoulder rigs. i personally quit using shoulder rigs. if i was doing a handheld production, yes, i'd use one. but for all the live/event stuff i do these days, the monopod is the better option. it's just more stable. for planned out, scripted, production work, the shoulder rig works. but that is fricking awesome. very nice, dude. can you show a photo of it from the side? got a shoulder cushion? counter-weight on the back (gonna need one). rod placement for a follow-focus? __________________ 2009 135i \| space grey \| sport \| navi \| hifi \| heated dinan stage 2 software \| bmw performance exhaust kw v2 \| hotchkis front sway \| vmr v710
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