Building the Ultimate Shoulder Rig
Immediately we construct the final word customized shoulder rig for beneath $500! Test the components listing and construct information under for extra data.
Immediately I proceed my hunt for the proper rig for cinematic digicam motion. In a recent article I confirmed you ways I constructed a modular handheld rig for run and gun work. On this submit, we’re going to put collectively an identical shoulder rig to present us additional flexibility.
My objectives for this shoulder rig had been fairly easy:
- Keep beneath $500
- Seamlessly combine with the Core Rig
- Be comfy sufficient for lengthy shoots
- Have focusing completed on the handles
The ultimate shoulder rig ended up costing me $473 to make. The “Core Rig” absolutely constructed with all of the bells and whistles totaled as much as $529 excluding a digicam and monitor. So for simply over $1,000 you can construct a shoulder rig that may rapidly be damaged all the way down to a small handheld setup.
With all that out of the best way, lets get to our components listing and begin placing this shoulder rig collectively!
Elements Checklist
Beneath one can find all of the components wanted to construct this shoulder rig. Earlier than we transfer ahead I need to get the next disclaimer in:
We’re a participant within the Amazon Providers LLC Associates Program, an affiliate promoting program designed to offer a way for us to earn charges by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites. Lots of the hyperlinks under are affiliated and shall be denoted as “on Amazon” subsequent to the hyperlink.
Lastly, no gear was equipped to me for this video/article and nobody has paid to have this content material made. All gear was buy on my own to construct this rig.
Lets get to the components!
Shoulder Pad
This whole shoulder rig shall be construct off of this killer little shoulder pad. You’ll be able to choose one up for beneath $40 here on Amazon. It comes with a twin 15mm rod clamp which we shall be utilizing later.
NiceyRig Cheese Plate
This cheese plate on Amazon shall be part of the ultimate shoulder pad configuration.
Arca Swiss Fast Launch Clamp
This long quick release clamp on Amazon will enable us to mount the digicam to your entire shoulder rig. You need to use any fast launch system you’d like, however I’m going with Arca Swiss to match my different tripods and rigs. This specific plate permits for a number of bolts giving us a really sturdy connection.
Tripod Bolts
We’ll want a number of of those tripod bolts on Amazon to connect our fast launch setup to the shoulder pad.
16 Inch 15mm Rods
We’re going to want a complete of three 15mm rods which might be 16 inches lengthy. I purchased two of these packs here on Amazon. These additionally include 15mm finish cease screws which is a pleasant contact. These rods will make up the space between our shoulder pad and the handles. I wish to maintain my arms as little as attainable to maintain issues comfy, however you possibly can select no matter rod size works finest in your setup. Simply consider these handles shall be angled at 45 levels because of the manner the shoulder pad is designed.
15mm Rod Clamp
We’ll want one in every of these rod clamps on Amazon to mount our monitor down the street.
Nato Rail
We shall be utilizing this Nato Rail from Amazon to rapidly mount a monitor to this whole setup. You will get it in any measurement, however I’d suggest the 7cm model.
15mm Rod 90 Diploma Offset
This 90 degree adapter on Amazon shall be used to mount our handles in a extra comfy manner.
15mm Handles
Subsequent we want a set of handles. I’m utilizing two of those 15mm leather handles on Amazon however there are tons of different choices on the market. For instance, you could want rubber handles to leather-based or a cheese type deal with.
15mm Clamp
This small 15mm to 1/4 clamp on Amazon shall be wanted to mount our wi-fi comply with focus.
7 Inch Monitor Arm
This friction arm on Amazon shall be used with our comply with focus to present us extra flexibility when positioning our handles.
Tilta Nucleus-Nano Wi-fi Observe Focus
The Nucleus Nano is a wildly good little comply with focus system. You could find it on B&H Photo Video for round $230 and it’ll actually full this rig.
Additional Screws
Lastly, we’ll want a number of additional screws to mount every thing collectively. I’d suggest this handy pack from SmallRig on Amazon.
Time to Construct
Now we will get all the way down to enterprise and construct this factor!
Step 1: The Shoulder Pad
Take your shoulder pad and bolt the included 15mm rod clamp to the entrance center row of threads utilizing the included bolts. For additional safety, you can use a 3rd bolt from the underside of the shoulder pad.
Subsequent we have to mount the fast launch clamp to our cheese plate. For my setup, I used the included tripod bolt and added a second bolt to 1 finish. This provides us two bolt factors for a safe setup.
We are able to now bolt the fast launch/cheese plate to our shoulder pad. Begin by eradicating the velcro pad and add two tripod screws as proven under.
Subsequent, connect the fast launch/cheese plate setup we accomplished earlier. We are able to now re-attach the velcro pad to the shoulder pad. The ultimate setup ought to look one thing like this:
You’ll discover the fast launch is off heart with the tightening knob going through away from the operator. This may maintain the digicam from hitting the operators face.
Step 2: The Handles
With the shoulder pad accomplished, we will now deal with the handles of the rig. Take two 16 inch 15mm rods and join them to 90 diploma rod offset.
Subsequent, add the third rod within the opposing course and add your 15mm handles. You can even thread within the 15mm caps to maintain the rods from sliding out.
Now we will take our nato rail, bolt it onto our spare 15mm rod clamp and mount it to the 2 parallel 15mm rods.
Subsequent, add the 15mm handles to the deal with rod.
Lastly, mount your entire deal with setup to the shoulder pad.
Step 3: The Observe Focus
Now we will setup our Nucleus-Nano controller and motor. First we have to take our friction arm and thread it into the one 15mm rod clamp.
I like so as to add a 1/4 20″ bolt to the one facet in order that it bites onto the thread and retains issues from loosening.
On the opposite finish of the friction arm, add the massive feminine 1/4 20 inch nut and bolt on the Nucleus fast launch plate.
Now we will mount your entire setup to our horizontal deal with bar and setup the main focus controller in a snug place.
Now lets flip our consideration to the main focus motor. When you adopted my handheld rig tutorial you have already got 15mm rods in your digicam. If not, you should use the 15mm plate that comes with the Nucleus equipment to mount the motor.
Sadly this little sucker doesn’t have a in-built battery, so we have to provide 5 volts by way of a USB battery. The only technique I’ve discovered is to make use of a bongo tie to safe a small USB battery to the 15mm rods and run a USB cable to the motor.
You could find the USB battery I used here on Amazon and these extremely helpful bongo ties on Amazon as properly.
With that completed now you can use add some focus gears to your lens and also you’re able to shoot!
Step 4: Including a Monitor (Non-obligatory)
When you adopted my previous handheld rig guide, you should have seen the monitor arm setup I constructed. That whole arm will be moved from the digicam over to the nato rail we added to this could rig. Listed here are the components wanted for those who skipped my different submit:
To place every thing collectively, simply comply with Step 4 from this article.
Conclusion and Ultimate Ideas
So there you might have it. A fairly simple shoulder rig that’s comfy, provides wi-fi focus and doesn’t break the financial institution! There are some things I need to point out earlier than we wrap up.
First, what for those who don’t need to use the cage setup I discussed within the video and our previous post? Easy, simply use a 15mm base plate like this one on Amazon and mount it between the shoulder rig and the fast launch. Now you possibly can drop any digicam onto the shoulder rig with out the bigger cage setup.
One other query I’m positive some will ask is dismantle the rig for journey. I’d suggest detaching the deal with setup from the 2 lengthy rods. Subsequent take away the 2 rods from the shoulder pad. You now have 3 smaller sections that may be simply packed right into a case or bag.
I hope this submit has been useful to you ultimately. If something, I hope you now suppose somewhat in another way about handheld footage! Let me know what you consider all this or what you’d do in another way!
Godspeed and glad filming!
