DSLR Shoulder Rig

After surfing the World Wide Web and coming up empty handed I figured I'd design one myself. "Design what?" you are probably asking yourself and the answer to that question is a DSLR Shoulder Rig. If you haven't noticed it costs upwards of $200 to buy a half decent shoulder stabilizer for a DSLR and personally i think thats Horse Poo. So what I did was find a basic rig and build one myself. Its obvious by the pictures how it was done. That is why i don't have a step by step explanation on how i made it. The entire thing is pretty self explanatory when you take a look at the pictures. Something i do want to add to it though is a quick release so i don't end up damaging the threads on the bottom of my camera from taking it on and off several times. In total this entire project cost be $25. The $25 dollars includes all the threaded rod, nuts, and washers. All the teak that i used was salvaged from a local business scrap pile. I also took a cold shoe off of my old video camera and put it on the bottom. That is how my microphone is mounted. Eventually i want to add other attachments such as lights and a place to put my Zoom H4.

Shopping List

3 - 5/16 18 24inch threaded rod
25 - 5/16 18 nuts
25 - 5/16 washers
1- 13inch by 1 1/2inch wide aluminum
1 - foam pipe insulation
1 - rubber washer
20 - 3/4 flat washers
1 - 1/4 20 thumb screw
1 - 1/4 20 wing nut
2 - 5/16 18 2inch bolts
1 - 5/16 18 5inch bolt
Teak

davante says: Apr 1, 2013. 12:08 PM

I love the look of your rig and I've been inspired to make one like this here soon. Do you foresee any problems I may encounter if I use bamboo opposed to the aluminum?

benfloom (author) in reply to davanteApr 2, 2013. 10:51 AM

Bamboo is not a consistant width all the way down and without threads you wouldnt be able to use nuts to secure the blocks in place.

wolffyawesome says: Feb 9, 2013. 6:59 PM

Anyway you can send the instructions by email? don't have the funds to do pro right now and build your sweet creation!

benfloom (author) in reply to wolffyawesomeFeb 9, 2013. 7:58 PM

My whole instructable is just pictures. Its just blocks of teak with evenly drilled holes spaced for each piece. Threaded rod nuts washers and wood. Pretty self explanatory.

omalachowski says: May 3, 2012. 11:37 AM

So does the camera part slide back/forward on this?

And you mentioned you're moving the mic to take advantage of the shock mount? What is the shock mount?

benfloom (author) in reply to omalachowskiMay 3, 2012. 12:30 PM

I use a Rode VideoMic Pro that uses a shock mount. when its mounted on the bottom like it is in the picture the shock mount is mounted upside-down and moves around to much. So by placing it on the top of the hand grip then it will work the way it was designed to work.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/744768-REG/Rode_VIDEOMIC_PRO_VideoMic_Pro_Compact_Shotgun.html

All the pieces can be adjusted because they are all mounted on the threaded rod. all u need to do is move the nuts, slide the wood, and tighten them back up.

omalachowski in reply to benfloomMay 4, 2012. 1:58 AM

Cool. Great reply, thanks.

Would wingnuts help with moving on the thread rod?

What about an H4n wriststrap? Or beltstrap?

-Olaf

benfloom (author) in reply to omalachowskiMay 4, 2012. 6:03 AM

yes wing nuts would help but I'm pretty sure u can't get wings nuts as tight. once u adjusted it to where u want it there really is no need for the ability to listen the nuts.
What about an H4n Wrist Strap?

omalachowski in reply to benfloomMay 4, 2012. 10:43 AM

I see. Thanks.

You were looking for a way to mount the H4n to this, but there's nowhere to put it? I've seen some people mount the audio recorder to their wrists, like a football QB's playbook. Just a thought.
-Olaf

benfloom (author) in reply to omalachowskiMay 4, 2012. 1:21 PM

thats a good idea and all but i want to be able to mount it to the rig itself if its on my rise more chance for it to pick up unwanted noise.

omalachowski in reply to benfloomMay 4, 2012. 4:49 PM

Yeah, perhaps you'll be able to rig it up where the mic was. Maybe suspended on rubber-bands for shock absorption?

benfloom (author) in reply to omalachowskiMay 5, 2012. 2:56 PM

remember my goal is to maintain the somewhat professional look. rubber bands might kill that

omalachowski in reply to benfloomMay 5, 2012. 10:24 AM

Right. You need to use Professional Rubber bands!!!

I did mean something like this, though:
http://www.amazon.com/Shock-Multi-Mount-Shotgun-Microphones-Recorders/dp/tech-data/B005M2270C

-Olaf

shallnot says: May 3, 2012. 7:42 AM

Does the $25 include the cost of your labour?

benfloom (author) in reply to shallnotMay 3, 2012. 7:46 AM

$25 dollars does not include price of labor but it only took me an hour to build so it wasn't worth noting

omalachowski in reply to benfloomMay 3, 2012. 11:32 AM

So $26 then?

8oD

Cakeb0t says: May 3, 2012. 5:33 AM

Awesome job! It looks so sleek and post-modern, too. Love it.

sensoryhouse says: May 3, 2012. 12:56 AM

You might want try adding some 5/16-18 quick release knobs to the handles and other areas. Like these. Or these.....

Screen shot 2012-05-02 at 5.54.20 PM.png

benfloom (author) in reply to sensoryhouseMay 2, 2012. 7:33 PM

i'll definitly look into it. Once you set the nuts its not to bad but i want my next design to be able to easily loosen and slide.
Personally i'm honored that you commented on my rig. I've looked at all your rigs and i'm a big fan.

justinlamoureux says: May 2, 2012. 6:32 PM

Very nice. Simple design! I started working on a design and was disappointed with the results. This makes me want to give it another try.

benfloom (author) says: May 2, 2012. 5:28 PM

Recently i moved the should rest forward and the washers to the bottom so it wasn't as top heavy. I'm also going to be moving the cold shoe to top of the left handle so that it can utilize the shock mount.