{"id":1173,"date":"2014-03-12T03:13:03","date_gmt":"2014-03-12T03:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/learnlikeme.com\/?p=1173"},"modified":"2014-03-12T09:11:20","modified_gmt":"2014-03-12T09:11:20","slug":"minimalist-dslr-rig-setup-no-shoulder-rig-cage-baseplate-follow-focus-needed-simple-and-cheap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/learnlikeme.com\/index.php\/minimalist-dslr-rig-setup-no-shoulder-rig-cage-baseplate-follow-focus-needed-simple-and-cheap\/","title":{"rendered":"Minimalist DSLR Rig Setup – NO Shoulder Rig, Cage, Baseplate, Follow Focus needed – Simple and cheap!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Disclaimer\nThe writer of this article cannot be held responsible for for any form of damages that may result from the use of the information in this article. By reading this article, the user is effectively in agreement that the writer is completely exempt from any liability. If you do not agree, then do not read this article!<\/pre><\/p>\n
:: Go to Parts list<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Assembly<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Pros, Cons and Summary<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
Introduction<\/h2>\n
\"Minimalist<\/p>\n
This is a short article on my minimalist approach to setting up my DSLR rig for shooting video.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
:: Go to Parts list<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Assembly<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Pros, Cons and Summary<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
:: Go to Introduction<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Assembly<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Pros, Cons and Summary<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
Parts list<\/h2>\n
The following accessories enabled me to construct my DSLR rig comprising of a Canon 5D Mark III, various lenses, Tascam Dr-60d portable audio recorder, 7 inch external monitor, shotgun microphone and plosive or wind shield, and microphone suspension holder which I use for shooting video on a tripod.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
* All prices are listed at the current date and time of posting this article and subject to change. It is only an example and some links may not be valid anymore. If so, an online search for comparable products is advisable.<\/em><\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
Flash bracket – $6.99 AUD includes free international shipping<\/h3>\n
Sample<\/a><\/p>\n
\"Flash<\/p>\n
This is the basis of the framework of my DSLR rig which allows me to attach my main body of equipment such as the Canon 5D mark III camera and Tascam Dr-60d portable audio recorder.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
11 inch Magic or Friction arm – $14.96 AUD includes free international shipping<\/h3>\n
Sample<\/a><\/p>\n
\"11<\/p>\n
The magic arm is used to attach the 7 inch external monitor to the top of the Tascam Dr-60d portable audio recorder or to the tripod external accessories mount of the tripod head. If you prefer the 7 inch external monitor lower, then I would recommend using the 7 inch magic arm instead. There is a clamp available for the magic arm which is useful for attaching it to a part of the tripod rather than attaching it to the top of the Tascam Dr-60d portable audio recorder.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
I prefer to attach the magic arm with a 7 inch external monitor with battery to the tripod itself using a clamp or if available to the tripod’s external accessories mount because I do not feel confident that the Tascam Dr-60d portable audio recorder’s top mount is durable enough to handle the weight of the external monitor and battery in the long run or handle the force if the external monitor was accidentally heavily bumped.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
* Please note that the magic arm can be susceptible to unscrewing when you attach it to the tripod external accessories mount and tilt the head steeply forward. I had to position the magic arm so that when the tripod head is tilted fully forward, the external monitor is never in front of the tripod accessories mount position. This prevents the weight of the external monitor with battery from unscrewing the magic arm from the tripod external accessories mount and inevitably swinging the magic arm down towards the floor or your tripod legs. The weight of the 7 inch monitor with an external battery is enough to cause this.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
Microphone mounting accessories<\/h3>\n
\"Microphone<\/p>\n
Mini hotshoe ball mount<\/strong> or 7 inch Magic\/Friction Arm – $7.10 AUD includes free international shipping<\/h4>\n
Sample<\/a><\/p>\n
I currently use a hotshoe ball mount to mount the microphone suspension holder on top of my Canon 5D mark III camera but I found that the ball mount system on these little devices to be unreliable especially if the load is heavy. It is easily moved out of position even when tightened as much I could without breaking my fingers or the plastic handle. In the future I plan to replace this with a 7 inch magic\/friction arm. I found the 11 inch version of the magic arm to be more secure and reliable as compared to these mini hotshoe ball mounts which is why I would like to go that route in the future.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
1\/4 to 3\/8 screw adaptor<\/strong> – $1 AUD\u00a0including free international shipping<\/h4>\n
Sample<\/a><\/p>\n
This screw adaptor allows me to attach a 3\/8 to 5\/8 screw adaptor to the mini hotshoe ball mount.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
3\/8 to 5\/8 screw adaptor<\/strong> – $4.69 AUD including free international shipping<\/h4>\n
Sample<\/a><\/p>\n
This screw adaptor allows me to attach the microphone suspension holder to the mini hotshoe ball mount. 5\/8 is a typical microphone thread which the microphone suspension holder has. There is a bit of play on this microphone mounting setup and it would sometimes turn and cause the microphone to change position. The problem is that the bottom of the microphone suspension holder is not locking onto the gripping plate of the mini hotshoe mount. The 3\/8 to 5\/8 screw adaptor is too tall to allow the microphone suspension holder to go fully right down to the bottom of it. I may need to find a shorter 3\/8 to 5\/8 screw adaptor or shorten it or use gaffe tape to prevent the microphone suspension holder from turning.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
Focus Handle – $19.90 AUD or Best Offer which includes free international shipping<\/h3>\n
Sample<\/a>\u00a0(pack of 2)<\/p>\n
\"Focus<\/p>\n
This accessory allows me to focus my lens using a handle rather than the lens focus ring which I found gave me better control and accuracy with my focusing. There are various versions of this device and in the future if I was to purchase another focus handle again, I will probably try this model\u00a0here <\/a>which also is a gear belt which could be useful if I decide in the future to buy a follow focus system with my DSLR rig setup.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
:: Go to Introduction<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Assembly<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Pros, Cons and Summary<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
:: Go to Introduction<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Parts list<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Pros, Cons and Summary<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
Assembly<\/h2>\n
The DSLR rig with the accessories attached should resemble this setup. The tripod quick release plate is attached to the flash bracket in this picture.<\/p>\n
\"Accessories<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
With the 7 inch external monitor and shotgun microphone attached.<\/p>\n
\"DSLR<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
With the cabling attached and the minimalist DSLR rig set up on a tripod. The 11 inch magic arm on this setup is attached to the tripod external accessories mount which uses a 5\/8 thread screw hole.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\"Minimalist<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
The battery compartment of the Canon 5D mark III camera is still accessible when battery change is required.<\/p>\n
\"Battery<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
:: Go to Introduction<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Parts list<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Pros, Cons and Summary<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
:: Go to Introduction<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Parts list<\/a><\/p>\n
:: Go to Assembly<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
Pros, Cons and Summary<\/h2>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n