View Full Version : cheap support for dslr to hold like a normal camcorder?


Dave Morgan
November 20th, 2010, 05:57 PM
has anyone found, used, or know of a support I can attach to a DSLR so I can hold it like a normal camcorder?


like the photo attached

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1351/5529160/22871958/393515623.jpg

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Bruce Foreman
November 20th, 2010, 10:13 PM
SpiderBrace 2 Combo is what I use. You will need some kind of viewfinder loupe to attach to your LCD screen and I recommend the Hoodman Cinema Pro Kit as a complete solution.

I sometime dispense with the SpiderBrace and hold the camera by the grip with my right hand, pull it back so the eyepiece of the loupe is against my eyeglasses (non eyeglass users can place the eyecup against the face) and use my left hand to support the camera from underneath and to focus with as necessary.

Links:

Spiderbrace
home (http://www.spiderbrace.com)


Hoodman "Cinema Kit Pro"
CINEMA KIT PRO-Hoodman Corporation (http://www.hoodmanusa.com/prodinfo.asp?number=HCKP)

Greg Fiske
November 22nd, 2010, 10:42 AM
I use the the cullman travelpod, or use a gorillapod. Key is to keep the weight light on the dslr, use t2i and lightweight primes.

Kin Lau
November 23rd, 2010, 12:34 PM
I use the cheap shoulder mount that you can find on ebay. It seems to work well enough, I can go handsfree as needed.

It's not fantastic, but it gets the job done cheaply.

Chris Sgaraglino
November 23rd, 2010, 11:54 PM
What you need is the CowboyStudio DLSR Rig which can be had for about $20 bucks.

Cheap $20 Shoulder Rig Works Perfectly for HDSLR Work ? DSLR Video Shooter (http://dslrvideoshooter.com/cheap-20-dollar-rig-works-well-for-hdslr-work/)

DSLR Episode #10: $20 Dollar Shoulder Rig For HDSLR Use. on Vimeo

Norman Lang
January 10th, 2011, 05:00 PM
I get lots of great information, like many of you here on the forums, but this tip was the best yet. We all know that these rigs can get ridiculously expensive and that if you pay cheap, you get cheap stuff. But this CowboyStudio rig gets the job done very nicely. Hard to believe it is so cheap, but believe it or not, I bought it and it is good. I also put a Manfrotto quick release on it for 40 bucks. That makes it easy to slide back and forth, but it wasn't necessary. Now I am thinking about a follow focus, a plate and rods. I already have a Hoodman Finder that works great with my Canon 60D. For the moment I can live without the follow focus. Don't get me wrong, I love beautifully designed and well made products. There is a price point that would move me to that excellent Zacuto quality, but they are not even close to it yet.

Sander Vreuls
January 10th, 2011, 05:27 PM
My solution:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/FW200/DSC02060.jpg

Like you I prefered to have it more like a normal camera. The viewfinder is used is too low quality so I want to replace it with a EVF once a nice one in my price range comes out.

This was my first prototype, still got to improve on some things :)

Giroud Francois
January 10th, 2011, 06:16 PM
i use 2 cheap accessories.
one is the grip with some additional accessory shoes
Flash Bracket for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus dSLR - eBay (item 150539419262 end time Jan-25-11 09:39:40 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Bracket-Canon-Nikon-Pentax-Olympus-dSLR-/150539419262?pt=Digital_Camera_Accessories&hash=item230cd93e7e)

you can find it as low as $15 and goes on the left side of my DSLR
on the right side i use
Black Heavy Duty Camera DSLR SLR Hand Grip Strap - eBay (item 390272051695 end time Jan-13-11 19:39:54 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Heavy-Duty-Camera-DSLR-SLR-Hand-Grip-Strap-/390272051695?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ade06e9ef)

you can find it as low as $2 on ebay

the nice thing is the 2nd piece has 2 threaded hole on the bottom part, so you can fix the first one easily.
weight is negligible

Ger Griffin
January 10th, 2011, 08:50 PM
I like that Sander,
Very cool indeed.
Im waiting on one of those cowboyshooter things at the moment but just a word of warning from personal experience.
I had one of those things (cowboy) about 20 years ago (different make, same design) and if you have heavyish weight on that for an extended period of time it will really kill your back. You'll find yourself leaning diagonally away from the weight and this is what causes it. So keep it light and it should be fine. No harm to bring a monopod along with you at the start too in case it happens quite quickly.