TUTORIAL: DIY wooden shoulder rig

I love using shoulder rigs while filming - they're ergonomic, practical, and can provide ample space for mounting additional gear. One of the biggest benefits to using smaller DSLR or mirrorless cameras is their compact size and form factor, but these things can also be a hinderance from time-to-time. I wanted to make something that not only looked good, but also provided the same level of functionality and comfort that a traditional shoulder rig does, and had some sort of power option as well.

Background: This concept is not just something I created out of thin air though - like most DIY projects it’s a combination of things I’ve seen, I’ve wanted or needed while shooting, and there are some of my own original ideas incorporated. Several years ago I saw some beautiful shoulder rigs from a company called ErgoCine, I thought they were super sexy, and looked very ergonomic, but they were way out of my price range - I recommend you checking them out because the stuff they make at the very least is just so pretty to look at. Then Caleb Pike from DSLR Video Shooter had a tutorial for creating your own DIY cine rig so there are a few elements from that you might recognize as we’re doing this. And my dad is an incredible craftsman, he essentially built our family home, he’s a carpenter at heart, and most of what I know I’ve learned from him. With all that being said, let's jump right in!

Materials you're going to need:
2x Plywood sheets (2'x2'x1/2"): https://goo.gl/Y2vEaB
Pack of DC power cables: http://amzn.to/2wnkAOU
SmallRig 15mm rod clamp with rosettes: http://amzn.to/2eTy3YM
SmallRig 15mm rod clamp: http://amzn.to/2eSQmx7
SmallRig replacement shoulder pad: http://amzn.to/2wUw6po
NPF battery charger: http://amzn.to/2y2kkXC
*SmallRig ratchet wing nut: http://amzn.to/2wnDdCn
*Lanparte unthreaded rosette: http://amzn.to/2y2zo7P
15mm rods: http://amzn.to/2y2sLm3
Sony A7sii dummy battery: http://amzn.to/2xvEext
2x Power cables: http://amzn.to/2xv8V5I
(Parts list spreadsheet): https://goo.gl/kQgy1Y

Total cost when I purchased everything was actually less than $150, but current prices put the total just under $175. **Note that you'll need TWO ratchet wing nuts and TWO unthreaded rosette adapters if you're making multiple handgrips. Additionally you'll want to get a dummy battery for your specific camera. You can save some money by buying cheaper brand 15mm rail blocks and such, but I can't recommend the SmallRig products enough.

If you need a baseplate for your camera I strongly recommend the SmallRig ones:
SmallRig 15mm baseplate: http://amzn.to/2w5ylXe
SmallRig 15mm baseplate (Arca Swiss mount): http://amzn.to/2w5lGDO

If you need a viewfinder/monitor I recommend the Ikan VL35: http://amzn.to/2jlgJRs

Here are the batteries I use to power this rig:
Kaster NPF970 (big batteries): https://amzn.to/2sDnUWS
Wasabi Power NPF750 (med. batteries): https://amzn.to/2W62uiL

Shoulder Rig Cut List: https://goo.gl/hgBuEY


Here's the inspirational portion of the description:
ErgoCine: http://www.ergocine.com/
DIY Cinema Rig (from DSLR Video Shooter):    • Simple DIY Cinema Camera Rig for $240!  




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Gear we use….
Main camera: http://amzn.to/2AzKJ42
Secondary cam: http://amzn.to/2ABRx13
Camera cage: http://amzn.to/2ABscEK
Wide angle lens: http://amzn.to/2AUEqVU
Lens that never leaves my camera: http://amzn.to/2ADOZiU
Awesome portrait lens: http://amzn.to/2AT9sgU
Great telephoto lens: http://amzn.to/2AllNta
Sweet macro lens: http://amzn.to/2AAE4GV
Audio adapter and microphone: http://amzn.to/2z9epme
Lens adapter: http://amzn.to/2AT5EvO
GoPro Hero 4 Black: http://amzn.to/2AkXprt
Full list of gear we use and recommend: https://kit.co/DroiMedia


Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links, and purchasing items from these links allows me to continue creating content like this - and the best part is that there is no additional cost to you! Thank you!