DIY In Progress: Redrock Eyespy at DVinfo.net

Larry Chen · January 2nd, 2010, 10:04 PM

So I just purchased my 7D this month and I've been working over the course of a couple weeks on a shoulder stabilization for it to mimic:

Here's what I have so far

I think it's going so well that I wanted to share it with you guys. Obviously not comparable to the actual product, but supplies have only run me in about $15. So far the materials I have used are: PVC pipe (1/2 and 3/4"), PVC cement, a saw, spraypaint, drill, and a bunch of PVC connectors.

Each individual section is adjustable and will be able to be tightened by screws, and I still need to add the center piece where the camera will actually rest (waiting for my Z-finder to arrive before I continue) as well as some weights for the shoulder part. If anyone has any suggestions for those (weight or middle camera holder) or sees any holes or downfalls in my project I'd love to hear your feedback. I don't have much experience with DSLRs or shoulder stabilization, but I thought it'd be a fun project to take forth, and I just don't have the funds to purchase a $500+ system for recreation.

Ideally, I'd make a DIY follow focus too, but it's probably going to be way too hard. Probably going with the $1 DIY follow focus (found here: vimeo.com/4270555"]Cheap follow focus DIY on Vimeo[/url]), but looking at follow focus systems they seem very straightforward, but it could be above my head.

Anyway, would love to hear your feedback!

Brian Luce · January 2nd, 2010, 10:39 PM

What's your plan for the piece that actually mounts the 7d to the unit?

Check Ted Ramasola's posts, he made a DIY FF.

Larry Chen · January 2nd, 2010, 11:57 PM

I am not too sure yet. I'm going to decide once I get the viewfinder.. I've seen people with quick-release plates for their DIY stuff, so I'm thinking about implementing that onto some of the pipe, but I'm not completely sure yet.

Mike Altino · January 3rd, 2010, 09:42 AM

Nice work, I'm all for DIY projects. Keep it up.

You may be able to fill the shoulder "tubes" with something for extra weight and cap the ends so it stays in place.

Larry Chen · January 3rd, 2010, 09:18 PM

Aye, I'm thinking about just taping a dead 12V battery or something to the end of it.. I saw it on another DIY rig and it seemed to look pretty good.

My biggest question right now is how I am going to end up attaching the camera to the rig, though. Been brainstorming a while and I can't come up with any easy solution.

Alvin Ang Teng Cheong · January 6th, 2010, 09:38 AM

looks exciting! My redrock kit uses a sort of clamp system to mount the camera. It's known as the DSLR baseplate : DSLR Baseplate.

January 2nd, 2010, 10:04 PM	#1
Larry Chen New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 15	DIY In Progress: Redrock Eyespy So I just purchased my 7D this month and I've been working over the course of a couple weeks on a shoulder stabilization for it to mimic: Here's what I have so far I think it's going so well that I wanted to share it with you guys. Obviously not comparable to the actual product, but supplies have only run me in about $15. So far the materials I have used are: PVC pipe (1/2 and 3/4"), PVC cement, a saw, spraypaint, drill, and a bunch of PVC connectors. Each individual section is adjustable and will be able to be tightened by screws, and I still need to add the center piece where the camera will actually rest (waiting for my Z-finder to arrive before I continue) as well as some weights for the shoulder part. If anyone has any suggestions for those (weight or middle camera holder) or sees any holes or downfalls in my project I'd love to hear your feedback. I don't have much experience with DSLRs or shoulder stabilization, but I thought it'd be a fun project to take forth, and I just don't have the funds to purchase a $500+ system for recreation. Ideally, I'd make a DIY follow focus too, but it's probably going to be way too hard. Probably going with the $1 DIY follow focus (found here: vimeo.com/4270555"]Cheap follow focus DIY on Vimeo[/url]), but looking at follow focus systems they seem very straightforward, but it could be above my head. Anyway, would love to hear your feedback!

January 2nd, 2010, 10:39 PM	#2
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	What's your plan for the piece that actually mounts the 7d to the unit? Check Ted Ramasola's posts, he made a DIY FF.

January 2nd, 2010, 11:57 PM	#3
Larry Chen New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 15	I am not too sure yet. I'm going to decide once I get the viewfinder.. I've seen people with quick-release plates for their DIY stuff, so I'm thinking about implementing that onto some of the pipe, but I'm not completely sure yet.

January 3rd, 2010, 09:42 AM	#4
Mike Altino New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Bank, New Jersey Posts: 20	Nice work, I'm all for DIY projects. Keep it up. You may be able to fill the shoulder "tubes" with something for extra weight and cap the ends so it stays in place.

January 3rd, 2010, 09:18 PM	#5
Larry Chen New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 15	Aye, I'm thinking about just taping a dead 12V battery or something to the end of it.. I saw it on another DIY rig and it seemed to look pretty good. My biggest question right now is how I am going to end up attaching the camera to the rig, though. Been brainstorming a while and I can't come up with any easy solution.

January 6th, 2010, 09:38 AM	#6
Alvin Ang Teng Cheong Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 39	looks exciting! My redrock kit uses a sort of clamp system to mount the camera. It's known as the DSLR baseplate : DSLR Baseplate.