Best Canon 7D Rig

[Ben Tolosa]

Hi there!!

I did research on these forums about DSLR rigs and I could not find a thread specifically about rigs for a Canon 7D. So I made one!!

Arguably Zacuto's are the best in the market right now. However, they are probably the most expensive ones.

Specifically what I am looking for is a rig that I can ALSO place on my tripod (Sachtler FSB-4) and hold my sound recorder (Tascam DR-100) and ideally a shotgun mic as well (Rode NTG-3 or Rode Videomic).

Any suggestions at all?

This is what I found so far. Perhaps will help somebody else as well:

I would love to find something similar to what this guy is using:

YouTube - Canon 7D Audio Rig

YouTube - Canon 7D Gear

This guy, but if you guys know of a better quality one (and In Stock):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/48520-REG/Sima_SLB_M.html
He also used this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/383489-REG/Tote_Vision_HS_1.html
And I found this one too:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/640332-REG/Bescor_SA_1_SA_1_Universal_Swivel_Shoe.html
I thought the Zacuto cage is a great option, but I want something I can place on my tripod and hopefully a bit cheaper:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/708736-REG/Zacuto_Z_DZC_DSLR_Z_Cage.html
Anybody tried any of these?:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734172-REG/Shape_wlb_CA1200PRO_CAMELEON_II_PRO.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/733962-REG/CPM_Film_Tools_SHOOT_DSLR_DSLR_SHOOTER_RIG.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/733965-REG/CPM_Film_Tools_AVI_DSLR_AVIATOR_RIG.html

Your input very much appreciated as always!!

Peace and have a great weekend you all ^_^

[Bill Pryor]

The simplest thing to do is get an L type bracket from someplace like IDCPhotography.com or marksfilmtools.com . This is basically a bottom plate with a handle on the left. On top of the handle is a cold shoe for mounting things. You can get more than one cold shoe. Fairly cheap and lightweight. When you get that whole cage you add a lot of weight and bulk you may not really need. You can add a quick release on top of the bottom bracket so you can pull the camera off and use it alone if you want, and put your tripod quick release on the bottom of the bracket.

I think the basic thing from marksphototools is called the Video Grip. And you can buy additional parts to add to it what you need. I have one with the cube on top and down on the side, with a cold shoe at top and bottom left, so I can mount my recorder on top or on the side. Or I could put a mic on top if I wanted, and the recorder on the side, etc. In my case I needed a follow focus system, so I have a Cavision rails and follow focus, but I still use the video grip, which stays pemranently mounted to the rails. It's very handy to have that handle when taking things off the tripod and for carrying the rig around. All this stuff gets heavy, which is why I'm saying stay as minimal as possible. All the cage really adds is the ability to have a handle on top, and with the one on the side, that's not really necessary for me. But if you like or need that type of thing, the one you linked to, the CPM at B&H looks fairly reasonably priced. You might check out Jag35 as well and Indifocus.

[Jon Braeley]

The "rigs" with all the attachments for audio are useless - the youtube links.

Just my opinion, but just because you can attach stuff with $15 widgets, does'nt mean you have a good hand-held rig. They are completely off-balance and in fact make shooting impossible. You need balance for any hand-held work and brackets create the opposite and are good only for tripod work.

The more I shoot with my rig the more I want less attached to it. I just shot on location in China for 12 days straight with a rig and a miller tripod. My arms felt like pieces of limp string by late afternoon. Attaching the H4N and lav and other stuff on the side of the cam is plain bad for hand-held work. Put them in an open bag around your waist if you must shoot by yourself. Once activated they rarely need attention until you stop shooting anyway.

A good rig must feel like it floats - using just the hands to guide it. Anything else feels like it weighs 100Ibs after 5 minutes of shooting and I have strong arms. Less is more - do not get into the stupid trap that you look like a pro just because you can attach lots of little accessories and bulk-up the 7D.

Unless I misread your post and you are only using the rigs for a tripod then thats fine.

[Dylan Couper]

I think I've used every one out there except the Cinevate.

Best built - Vocas The Bentley of rigs. You pay for it though. One of my clients has one, I am jealous.

Best bang for the buck - the Gini rig from Korea... Shoulder piece isn't great without weights but the rest is extremely well built. Friend of mine has one, if I told you it was Zacuto, you'd believe it.

[Nigel Barker]

You should take a look at the rigs from DVTEC - Home Both the original MultiRigPro & the newer DSLR extreme are great for DSLRs. The secret is in the belt & telescopic spring-loaded support rod. The prices are also far more affordable than those of other manufacturers. FWIW they got very well reviewed by Cinema in a DSLR support shootout

[Onar Stangeland]

Take a look at KINOMATIK. Very high quality rigs!

http://www.kinomatik.com/

[Ben Tolosa]

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

The simplest thing to do is get an L type bracket from someplace like IDCPhotography.com or marksfilmtools.com . This is basically a bottom plate with a handle on the left. On top of the handle is a cold shoe for mounting things. You can get more than one cold shoe. Fairly cheap and lightweight. When you get that whole cage you add a lot of weight and bulk you may not really need. You can add a quick release on top of the bottom bracket so you can pull the camera off and use it alone if you want, and put your tripod quick release on the bottom of the bracket.

I think the basic thing from marksphototools is called the Video Grip. And you can buy additional parts to add to it what you need. I have one with the cube on top and down on the side, with a cold shoe at top and bottom left, so I can mount my recorder on top or on the side. Or I could put a mic on top if I wanted, and the recorder on the side, etc. In my case I needed a follow focus system, so I have a Cavision rails and follow focus, but I still use the video grip, which stays pemranently mounted to the rails. It's very handy to have that handle when taking things off the tripod and for carrying the rig around. All this stuff gets heavy, which is why I'm saying stay as minimal as possible. All the cage really adds is the ability to have a handle on top, and with the one on the side, that's not really necessary for me. But if you like or need that type of thing, the one you linked to, the CPM at B&H looks fairly reasonably priced. You might check out Jag35 as well and Indifocus.

Hi Bill,

Thanks for taking the time to answer. Are these the L brakets you are talking about? :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/650474-REG/Acratech_1138.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/682402-REG/Bracket1_VISLBRSLR_Bracket_1_SLR.html
Do you know if I can place that CPM on my tripod (FSB-4)?

Very good to know... thanks for sharing!!

Originally Posted by Jon Braeley

The "rigs" with all the attachments for audio are useless - the youtube links.

Just my opinion, but just because you can attach stuff with $15 widgets, does'nt mean you have a good hand-held rig. They are completely off-balance and in fact make shooting impossible. You need balance for any hand-held work and brackets create the opposite and are good only for tripod work.

The more I shoot with my rig the more I want less attached to it. I just shot on location in China for 12 days straight with a rig and a miller tripod. My arms felt like pieces of limp string by late afternoon. Attaching the H4N and lav and other stuff on the side of the cam is plain bad for hand-held work. Put them in an open bag around your waist if you must shoot by yourself. Once activated they rarely need attention until you stop shooting anyway.

A good rig must feel like it floats - using just the hands to guide it. Anything else feels like it weighs 100Ibs after 5 minutes of shooting and I have strong arms. Less is more - do not get into the stupid trap that you look like a pro just because you can attach lots of little accessories and bulk-up the 7D.

Unless I misread your post and you are only using the rigs for a tripod then thats fine.

Hi Jon, thanks for you answer really.

What rig did you / do you use?

Well, yes. It is mainly for my tripod. But, I was wondering if there is any kind of 'hybrid' you can use on your tripod and also hand held for occasional hand held use. But I will use it mainly on my tripod...

It is just a HUGE pain for me being a one man band: acting, directing, camera operator, etc.

A nice rig to perform both tasks will be nice.

But very nice to know about your rig experience.

Kind Regards!!

Originally Posted by Dylan Couper

I think I've used every one out there except the Cinevate.

Best built - Vocas The Bentley of rigs. You pay for it though. One of my clients has one, I am jealous.

Best bang for the buck - the Gini rig from Korea... Shoulder piece isn't great without weights but the rest is extremely well built. Friend of mine has one, if I told you it was Zacuto, you'd believe it.

Nice Dylan, I just found this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/731963-REG/Vocas_0255_3300_PRO_DSLR_KIT_f_CANON.html
Very nice. Very pricey ;)

I couldn't find the Gini rig at B&H. Any model specifically for 7D?

Thanks much for the tip though...

Originally Posted by Nigel Barker

You should take a look at the rigs from DVTEC - Home Both the original MultiRigPro & the newer DSLR extreme are great for DSLRs. The secret is in the belt & telescopic spring-loaded support rod. The prices are also far more affordable than those of other manufacturers. FWIW they got very well reviewed by Cinema in a DSLR support shootout

Thanks very much for the tip. The DVTEC rigs look very nice as well.

Have a nice week!!

Originally Posted by Onar Stangeland

Take a look at KINOMATIK. Very high quality rigs!

KINOMATIK - technology for motion pictures

Very, very nice rigs. Specially the one called 'MOVIEtube PR HD'. I want one, but none at B&H and can't find their prices.

No resellers in the USA?

Very nice tip, thanks Onar!!

[Richard D. George]

There are two types of "L" brackets, so be careful. One type is to provide the ability to mount a DSLR vertically to a Arca-Swiss type quick release. These are for stills work. The other type is to have a "handle" off to the side of a camcorder or a DSLR, typically with a cold shoe on the top, which provides another shoe attachment point (but not the stability of a shoulder stock).

[Richard D. George]

I have a Zacuto rig arriving this coming week, along with a Zacuto Pro 2.5X finder. Their reviews have been very positive, though the prices are nose-bleed high. They appear to be very adaptable / upgradable and light. I will be able to put a Sachtler QR plate under the Zacuto plate, and therefore go quickly from tripod mounted shooting to hand-held shooting. I will also be able to quickly mount a monitor arm ( for use on a tripod) and then quickly remove it (for handheld use, where viewing would be through the Zacuto finder). Customer service has been very good.

[Ben Tolosa]

Originally Posted by Richard D. George

There are two types of "L" brackets, so be careful. One type is to provide the ability to mount a DSLR vertically to a Arca-Swiss type quick release. These are for stills work. The other type is to have a "handle" off to the side of a camcorder or a DSLR, typically with a cold shoe on the top, which provides another shoe attachment point (but not the stability of a shoulder stock).

Well, that is great to know. I did not know, so thank you for teaching me.

Originally Posted by Richard D. George

I have a Zacuto rig arriving this coming week, along with a Zacuto Pro 2.5X finder. Their reviews have been very positive, though the prices are nose-bleed high. They appear to be very adaptable / upgradable and light. I will be able to put a Sachtler QR plate under the Zacuto plate, and therefore go quickly from tripod mounted shooting to hand-held shooting. I will also be able to quickly mount a monitor arm ( for use on a tripod) and then quickly remove it (for handheld use, where viewing would be through the Zacuto finder). Customer service has been very good.

That is great. Good for you. May I ask which one?

I went to Burlington (VT) today to shoot a short movie as an Actor and the crew had a Zacuto Double Barrel

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/682690-REG/Zacuto_Z_DDB.html

Which looked super nice. Very versatile and easy to use and assemble. Even though I didn't use it, I loved it since I was paying close attention when they were putting it up all together. However, it is almost 4 thousand dollars!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG, way out of my budget league :(

Then I was looking for the Fast Draw

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/682693-REG/Zacuto_Z_DFD.html

Or the Striker

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/682696-REG/Zacuto_Z_DSR.html

Any idea if these last two will work using a Sachtler QR plate under the Zacuto plate as you are planing to do with yours?

I am asking because getting a Striker and using it on top of my FSB-4 might work for me (perhaps).

However, adding/attaching a sound recorder (Tascam DR-100) to the Striker will be overkill for the poor thing or maybe even (judging by the pictures) not possible.

Any thoughts?

[Richard D. George]

I purchased the Striker. This appears to be a great rig. My son is right-handed, and has a T2i. I am left handed and have two 7D's. With the T2i the battery plate is covered, which causes some inconvenience. The original idea was that we would share the Zacuto stuff, but I strongly suspect that we will have our own units, and will not share much other than lenses and tripods. This will result in additional spending, which will stimulate the economy.