The Ultimate Camera Rig for Cinematic Video
Need your movies to look extra like Hollywood movies? Me too! This information exhibits you the way I constructed a rig to provide me a extra cinematic handheld look.
UPDATE: I’ve not too long ago completed my customized shoulder rig which builds off of the setup talked about on this article. Yow will discover the new post and video here.
I’ve been capturing video for about 11 years now and eventually determined to provide you with the final word digital camera rig for small to medium digital camera methods.
Why? I imagine a steady sensor is likely one of the greatest components in getting the “movie look” all of us chase after with smaller prosumer cameras.
I feel there’s a purpose you don’t see dinky DSLR/Mirrorless digital camera methods in use on large units. Cinematographers don’t dig jittery video.
Over the previous few weeks I’ve slowly put collectively what I feel is the final word cinema rig for small to medium digital camera methods all whereas remaining on a funds of below $1000. We’re going to deal with half of my remaining setup on this publish. I name this primary rig setup the “core rig” and in a future article we are going to check out a shoulder rig that works fantastically with at the moment’s rig.
Earlier than we go any additional, I need to supply an affiliate disclaimer:
We’re a participant within the Amazon Companies 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. Most of the hyperlinks under are affiliated and might 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.
Objectives for the Rig
Earlier than we begin speaking about elements and constructing the rig, I need to go over my targets and goal for this method.
1. Stability
I needed one thing that might take a small digital camera with a big sensor and stabilize it. Not in a method a gimbal stabilizes, however in a method that solely nicely balanced weight can.
2. Customizability
Having a rig that might be modular was excessive on my listing. My objective was one thing that might strip right down to a digital camera solely setup for gimbals, but in addition might be configured into a completely functioning shoulder rig.
3. Quick
No one likes messing with elements, instruments and cables on set. This rig wanted to be shortly remodeled into regardless of the shooter needed.
4. Reasonably priced
I didn’t need to spend or advocate spending hundreds on this rig. The prices for video gear have come down a lot over the past 5 years and I needed to benefit from nicely made however inexpensive elements.
5. Digital camera Agnostic
This rig wanted to work with any small digital camera system. I didn’t need to construct one thing that might solely work with a GH5. I’m very pleased to say the ultimate end result will work with just about any DSLR or mirrorless system out at the moment.
The Core Rig
We might be attending to a shoulder rig setup in a future publish however for now, I need to deal with what I name the core rig. It is a handheld rig configuration that may be simply mounted to a tripod and customised closely with a number of modules. With out additional ado, lets get to our purchasing listing.
Elements Record
Here’s a listing of every thing I used to construct the core rig. As of this writing, the core rig price me about $370 to construct (excluding digital camera, monitor and batteries). In case you add each elective accent to the setup you’re spending about $530 (excluding digital camera, monitor and batteries). These numbers are after all depending on the cage you go together with and so on.
Digital camera cage
I’d advocate SmallRig cages on Amazon as they’re inexpensive and nicely designed. You possibly can often discover them for $40 to $100 relying in your digital camera. I purchase mine from Amazon however you may as well purchase them immediately from SmallRig you probably have the persistence for oversea transport instances. In case you resolve to vary cameras down the street all you want is a brand new cage and the remainder of the rig can stay unchanged.
NOTE: I’d positively advocate the customized fitted cages. There are some common cages on the market, however I’ve discovered them to be too cumbersome. Get one particularly designed in your digital camera mannequin. The match might be a lot better than these common choices.
Nato Rails (2x)
We are going to want two of those for shortly including and eradicating elements on set. You should purchase the nato rails I used here on Amazon.
NOTE! You solely want one in all these in case you’re digital camera cage has a Nato rail in-built. A lot of SmallRig’s latest cages have this design saving you a couple of bucks.
Nato High Deal with
There are tons of those on Amazon and you’ll go together with any mannequin you want. I’d advocate you get a high deal with that’s nato pleasant and has 1/4 20″ faucets on the entrance close to the highest for mounting our nato rail. There are two fashions I actually like. The primary, is that this compact version on Amazon and is by far my favourite. It was designed for RED cameras so it’ll price you a little bit extra.
The secondly possibility is that this rotating nato handle on Amazon. That is the funds possibility of the 2 handles. Not fairly as good however nonetheless nice.
Nato Monitor Mount
This little clamp will will let you mount a monitor in a number of totally different configurations VERY shortly. It will also be adjusted with one hand whereas filming with the rig. Yow will discover the SmallRig version here on Amazon.
Arca Swiss Plate for Cage
I exploit the Arca Swiss plate A LOT on this rig and also you’ll see why later. It’s a nice system that’s inexpensive and broadly used. The best choice is the Kessler Kwik Plate on Amazon, however you may as well decide up a extra affordable model here on Amazon. These plates are available in many alternative lengths however I’d shoot for one thing within the center vary.
Arca Swiss Clamp
We’ll use this to connect a battery base to the digital camera cage. You possibly can go together with any clamp fashion however to maintain prices down, I used this small clamp on Amazon.
15mm Rod Clamp
This wonderful little accent might be used so as to add some wanted top to our digital camera system. You can buy it here on Amazon.
Lengthy Arca Swiss Plate for Rig
Yep. One other Arca Swiss plate. We’ll be utilizing this for a tremendous setup right here in a bit. I’d extremely advocate this plate be 150mm lengthy or longer. Here is the model I used on Amazon.
Additionally be sure this longer plate allows you to use a number of 1/4 20″ screws. That is crucial for our construct.
Tripod Screws (elective)
It will be a good suggestion to pickup 3 or extra of those. Here is a pack on Amazon.
Battery Adapter
This NP-F battery adapter is not going to solely give us extra energy, however it can additionally give us extra weight (which we would like) and the flexibility to energy a second gadget. I exploit the Ansso adapters however you may as well discover these below the names Fotga, DRRI, Runshuangyu and different names. A easy seek for NP-F Battery Adapter on Amazon will deliver up a number of choices. Here’s a listing of choices I’ve discovered for various cameras:
I ought to point out that you would use the brand new “Energy Junkie” by Blind spot, however this gadget solely has a single DC output. You could possibly get a DC splitter to fight this, however that gained’t be as elegant because the beforehand talked about choices. The Power Junkie is offered on Amazon.
Battery Coupler (Optionally available)
In case you can’t discover an NP-F battery plate in your digital camera, simply get the common adapter I point out above. Subsequent, seize a battery coupler type the listing under. Simply be sure your battery coupler has the right plug on the tip. A feminine or male 5.5mm x 2.5mm plug. Simply seek for “your-camera-model battery coupler. Or “your-camera-model dummy battery” on Amazon. If the coupler or dummy battery you discovered doesn’t have the appropriate male or feminine cable ends, you will get a dc cable adapter (male to male or feminine to feminine).
Cable Clamps
These little suckers will save our lives from a nightmare of cables right here in a bit. They’re so useful for different makes use of too! We’ll solely be utilizing one, however they arrive in packs of 100 here on Amazon. We’ll be screwing one in all these to our cage.
NOTE: 1/4″ will work, however for thicker cables I’d go together with the three/8″ model (what I’m utilizing). I’d additionally use a 1/4 20″ bolt to mount this. The sort with the tall head works finest (available on Amazon picture under).
Additional Screws
You’ll most likely want a few of these! There’s a handy pack from SmallRig on Amazon.
HDMI Cable
You’ll want an HDMI cable in your monitor. I’d advocate one that’s 2 ft lengthy. For Micro HDMI to full HDMI, I’d get the SmallHD Focus cable here on B&H. For full HDMI to full HDMI, you need to use absolutely anything.
HDMI Cable Lock (elective)
I’d extremely advocate a cable lock in your digital camera cage. You are able to do a little analysis to determine which one you want in your SmallRig cage. These can typically be buy along with your digital camera cage.
NP-F Coupler (elective)
In case you’re utilizing a monitor that doesn’t have a DC 7.2v or 8.4v enter, you’ll most likely want one in all these couplers. This may permit us to make use of our battery adapter to energy BOTH the digital camera and a monitor. Right here is an adapter option on Amazon.
DC Cable for Monitor
We have to get a DC cable that may run from our battery adapter to our monitor. Something that has a 5.5mm x 2.5mm male plug (each ends) ought to work. I’d advocate getting a number of totally different lengths and angles to be sure to’re coated. My favourite size is about 3 ft. Here are a few options on Amazon. And you will discover the cable I used here on Amazon.
Different Equipment
At this level you will have every thing you could begin constructing the core rig. That stated, listed below are a number of extras that may take your core rig to the subsequent degree. If you’re going to be constructing the shoulder rig I’ll be speaking about in a future publish, the primary three equipment listed below are a should.
Friction Monitor Arm
This child will permit us to place our monitor arm in any orientation. I’d take into account this a should if you can be utilizing this rig on a tripod. I used the SmallRig 11″ arm from Amazon.
Nato Clamp for Fiction Arm
This may allow us to shortly take away the arm if wanted. There are a number of fashions out there, however I went with this unit on Amazon.
Nato Rail for Friction Arm
This little rail will give us the flexibility to mount our monitor nato clamp to our friction arm. You possibly can decide up the rail I used here on Amazon.
Left Facet Deal with
On my core rig, I’ve added a aspect deal with to the left of the lens giving me a really inflexible twin hand grip setup. That is nice while you want a rock strong grip in your digital camera and are both utilizing auto focus or simply filming a set focus present with aspect to aspect motion. Your proper hand stays on the digital camera grip whereas your left hand comfortably holds this left sided deal with. I’ve positioned the left deal with in a method that doesn’t intrude with the lenses focus ring, so you’ll be able to nonetheless shift your hand to vary focus. This further deal with setup may be slid onto the rig by way of the 15mm rode clamp we’ve already setup.
Listed here are the elements you want for this extra module:
Though we’re utilizing a single deal with, I’ve opted for a 15mm rosette clamp that has two rosette mounting factors. This makes the setup extremely inflexible. We don’t need our deal with to slide on the 15mm rod. I’ve additionally gone with the above rosette clamp as a result of it strikes the rosette deal with additional away from the lens to provide us extra room to work with focus.
Eyebrow Flag
One other accent you may take into account is that this Dinkum Systems Compact Lens Shade (Amazon hyperlink but in addition out there on B&H). It is a useful gizmo in case you are not going to be utilizing a matte field. I’ve mounted mine on the in-built chilly shoe on my cage. In case you don’t have a chilly shoe out there, you’ll be able to add one simply utilizing one in all these cold shoe adapters on Amazon. If the arm for the shade is simply too lengthy, you’ll be able to take away the come out sections to shorten the setup like I’ve carried out right here.
Microphone Mount
What about audio? In case you want a microphone or wi-fi receiver mounted to the digital camera, your finest wager is to make use of this Cold Shoe Extension on Amazon. I’d mount it on the highest proper or left aspect of the cage. This could provide you with sufficient room to mount a microphone with a cumbersome base.
THATS IT!
Constructing the Core Rig
With every thing in hand, we will now begin placing collectively our core rig! Lets begin constructing!
Step 1: Cage
Mount your cage to your digital camera. Subsequent, add the shorter Arca Swiss plate to the underside of the digital camera. When you’ve got an HDMI clamp in your digital camera/cage, you’ll be able to add that now.
In case you’re digital camera has a nato rail constructed into the highest of the cage transfer on to step 2. In case you’re cage doesn’t have a nato rail in-built, add one in all them to the highest, heart portion of the cage close to the entrance.
Subsequent, take your shorter Arca Swiss plate and mount it to the underside of your digital camera cage.
At this level you will have a pleasant tiny setup to be used on a gimbal or tripod.
Step 2: High Deal with
Take your high deal with and add a nato rail to the entrance aspect. This may permit us to shortly mount different equipment to the highest deal with.
Step 3: Monitor
Take your monitor nato clamp and mount it to the underside of your monitor.
At this level now we have 4 configurations prepared for use due to these nato rails:
- Digital camera solely
- Digital camera and high deal with
- Digital camera and monitor
- Digital camera, high deal with and monitor
Fairly candy!
Step 4: Monitor Arm (elective)
Earlier I discussed a number of further equipment you would buy so as to add a monitor arm to this method. In case you picked these up, you’ll be able to add much more flexibility to your core equipment.
Take your friction monitor arm and add the nato clamp to 1 finish. Many of those nato clamps will let you add a 1/4 20 screw to lock within the clamp. This may hold the friction arm from loosening on you.
On the opposite finish of the friction arm, mount the nato rail I discussed (this one from Amazon).
With all that carried out, now you can use this friction arm module with the remainder of your core equipment. We’ve simply upgraded our earlier 4 configurations to six whole setups!
- Digital camera solely
- Digital camera and high deal with
- Digital camera and monitor
- Digital camera, high deal with and monitor
- Digital camera, friction arm and monitor
- Digital camera, high deal with, friction arm and monitor
Step 5: Energy Setup
Now we’re going to construct a module that mounts to the underside of every thing we’ve constructed to this point.
To begin, take the lengthy arca swiss plate we purchased, and add the NP-F battery adapter to 1 finish. You need this to be roughly flush with the tip of the arca swiss plate.
Subsequent, seize the 15mm rod clamp, and add the arca swiss clamp to the highest. I mounted the knob on the appropriate, however both can work relying in your setup.
Now we will mount the rod clamp/arca clamp setup to the opposite finish of our lengthy arca-swiss plate. I’d advocate leaving about 1/4″ or extra in-between the battery plate and the rod clamp. This may insure there may be room for the battery cable. I’d additionally advocate utilizing two 1/4 20″ screws to mount this man so that you don’t have any twists.
Step 6: Placing all of it collectively
Now we will take our setup from step 3/4 and mount it to our new energy base. Join your dummy battery to the digital camera and the ability DC cable to your monitor. At this level, now we have 3 to 4 modules that we will mix to create as much as 13 totally different configurations! These modules embrace:
- Digital camera (digital camera and cage)
- High deal with
- Monitor
- Friction Arm (elective)
- Energy base
In case you’ve picked up the left aspect deal with elements, lens shade and microphone chilly shoe mount, now you can add these equipment as nicely.
Step 7: Cable Administration
Bear in mind these cable clamps we purchased? Take a kind of and a small 1/4 20″ bolts (from the extras screws we bought) and mount it to the left aspect of the digital camera cage close to the highest. Make sure to solely use the rear gap of the plastic clamp. We don’t need to totally tie down our cables. This creates a little bit clip that makes cable administration quick and simple. Fast notice right here, the 1/4 20″ bolt will should be screwed into the plastic clip so don’t fear if it doesn’t simply slide via. If wanted, you may make the entire bigger with a drill or knife.
you may as well add a second clip to the cage in case your cables aren’t all becoming collectively. My 3/8″ cable clamp appears to be giant sufficient for all my cables although.
We will now take any of the additional cable slack and connect it to the cable clamp. When you’ve got the monitor proper on high of the digital camera, you’ll have a number of further HDMI and energy cable slack. Simply clip it to the cage! When you could lengthen the monitor arm of transfer the core rig to a shoulder rig, you’ll be able to launch your cables for further size. Fairly dank huh?
You now have a completed core rig!
Compatibility
With this “core rig” as I’ve been calling it, you will have a lot flexibility as a filmmaker. Your photographs might be jitter free even on cameras with out IBIS (in physique stabilization) AND you’ll be able to add or take away modules in a short time to fit your wants.
As I write this, the core rig is suitable with just about each single small to medium digital camera system together with the next and extra:
- Canon DSLR and RF cameras
- Sony A7 sequence cameras
- Panasonic GH and G cameras
- Nikon Z cameras
- Fujifilm X cameras
- Blackmagic Pocket cameras
There are solely 4 variables that you just may want to regulate when switching cameras.
First, you’ll want a distinct cage. As I’ve talked about, you’ll be able to decide up a customized SmallRig cage for round $30 to $100 for any digital camera. So in case you improve, you’ll want a distinct cage.
The second variable is the battery plate. When you’ve got the common Ansso NP-F plate, all you could do is swap out digital camera cables and also you’re carried out. When you’ve got a digital camera particular Ansso battery plate, you’ll have to pickup a brand new one.
Subsequent is the dimensions of your batteries. We’re utilizing Sony NP-F batteries for this method. The battery plate is mounted behind the digital camera which can intrude with some digital camera screens. Because of this we used that 15mm rod base which raises the digital camera a little bit to provide us room for the battery. One other choice to customise the peak of the battery setup is the battery mannequin. Sony NP-F batteries are available in 3 principal sizes together with NP-F550, NP-F770 and NP-F970. The biggest 970 dimension works with most cameras which have a flip up display screen (NOT Flip out). When you’ve got a flip out display screen just like the GH cameras from Panasonic, you need to use the 2 smaller sizes.
And at last, the final variable is your HDMI cable. Sadly totally different cameras use totally different HDMI jacks so you’ll have to swap to a distinct cable when altering cameras.
Advisable Screens
Clearly the monitor performs a big roll on this rig so I needed to provide you a number of choices in case you don’t but personal a monitor. Listed here are a number of choices I’d take into account relying in your funds:
Atomos Shinobi
That is the monitor I’ve personally used on this rig. Has nice battery life, even higher options and really light-weight. You possibly can decide the Shinobi monitor up on Amazon or B&H Photo Video.
Andycine A6
This has been my high funds decide for some time now. Stable 1080p monitor that accepts 4K indicators and nicely below $200. You possibly can decide the A6 monitor up on Amazon.
Advisable Batteries
One other enormous bonus to this rig is the battery kind we’re utilizing. Sony F batteries (or NP-F) are wildly standard and out there from third social gathering manufactures. Additionally they have roughly 3 totally different sizes and capacities. I’ve been utilizing DSTE branded batteries for some time and love them. Here’s a listing of the totally different battery varieties out there on Amazon:
Conclusion
I hope this information has been useful and would love to listen to your ideas on the rig or any modifications you’ll make. Questions are welcome and I’ll do my finest to maintain this information up to date as I proceed to refine my private rig.
Comfortable handheld capturing!!!
DISCLAIMERS:
A few of these hyperlinks have an affiliate code, if you buy gear with these hyperlinks I’ll obtain a small fee at no extra price to you. Thanks!
This video was not paid for by exterior individuals or producers.
No gear was equipped to me for this video.
The content material of this video and my opinions weren’t reviewed or paid for by any exterior individuals.
