DIY shoulder brace at DVinfo.net

Wayne Reimer · January 25th, 2011, 04:29 PM

I've been wanting to experiment with some of my longer still lenses hand held on the VG-10, so I started looking at shoulder braces. I didn't care much for the pricing, so I built my own.

I've only played around with it for a day, but I think it has promise. the part I like the best is the cost; $22.00.
I may make another, and incorporate some other ideas

Steve Mullen · January 25th, 2011, 08:54 PM

Very nice. It really is needed because once you beyond the 1855 the lens weighs so much more than the camera. And, the two handles provide lateral stability which is really needed.

Can I use your pix in my book?

Wayne Reimer · January 26th, 2011, 07:34 AM

it does seem to work well. I've just finished shooting a little video indoors with it , using my $3.99 zoom pull, and together they work quite well.
You most certainy can use the photo, by the way

Glen Vandermolen · January 26th, 2011, 08:41 AM

Very nice, Wayne! Perhaps you can make a few more for forum members.

Wayne Reimer · January 26th, 2011, 06:31 PM

thanks! I'm actually quite pleased with the way it performs with long lenses. Seems to make a good deal of difference to my untrained eye.
Nothing special about the construction; 3/4 in. thick wall PVC pipe, a PVC electrical box and a half dozen elbows. I have enough bits and pieces remaining to built another that will position the EVF at just the right spot for my eye. I'm also going to add a quick release sling from the T in front to the bottom of the "over shoulder" hook for a bit of security. It'll actually hang from your shoulder without havig to hang on with both hands, so a sling will make it a bit more convenient to carry when im not actively shooting

Robert Young · February 2nd, 2011, 12:29 AM

Very clever Wayne.
There used to be a commercial product available that was very similar in appearance and materials, and very inexpensive (less than $100).
It's been a few years & I can't remember the name now.

Les Wilson · February 2nd, 2011, 08:20 AM

@Robert....Spiderbrace: home
They are still around and have a variety of products. I loved mine with my XL1s and modified it for the XH-A1 handycam form factor. Inserting threaded joints in key places made it easy to breakdown for travel.

Jonathan W. Hickman · February 2nd, 2011, 04:39 PM

Right, I have a Spiderbrace. It works very well. We put the 7D on one once. The screw mount on them is kinda tricky.

I've used the scissor type you can get on ebay work pretty well. I got one for $30 that has a belt that wraps around you and an arm that swings out and adjusts to you eye. Here's a link to one that looks better than the one I have because it has a quick release. It is only $35 or so:

Shoulder Mount Support for Video DV Camcorder HD DSLR - eBay (item 130430211149 end time Feb-06-11 23:46:36 PST)

January 25th, 2011, 04:29 PM	#1
Wayne Reimer Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 255	DIY shoulder brace I've been wanting to experiment with some of my longer still lenses hand held on the VG-10, so I started looking at shoulder braces. I didn't care much for the pricing, so I built my own. I've only played around with it for a day, but I think it has promise. the part I like the best is the cost; $22.00. I may make another, and incorporate some other ideas Attached Thumbnails

January 25th, 2011, 08:54 PM	#2
Steve Mullen HDV Cinema Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,007	Very nice. It really is needed because once you beyond the 1855 the lens weighs so much more than the camera. And, the two handles provide lateral stability which is really needed. Can I use your pix in my book? __________________ Switcher's Quick Guide to the Avid Media Composer >>> http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c

February 2nd, 2011, 12:29 AM	#6
Robert Young Trustee Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Coronado Island Posts: 1,472	Very clever Wayne. There used to be a commercial product available that was very similar in appearance and materials, and very inexpensive (less than $100). It's been a few years & I can't remember the name now. __________________ Bob

January 26th, 2011, 07:34 AM	#3
Wayne Reimer Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 255	it does seem to work well. I've just finished shooting a little video indoors with it , using my $3.99 zoom pull, and together they work quite well. You most certainy can use the photo, by the way

January 26th, 2011, 08:41 AM	#4
Glen Vandermolen Space Hipster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,596	Very nice, Wayne! Perhaps you can make a few more for forum members.

January 26th, 2011, 06:31 PM	#5
Wayne Reimer Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 255	thanks! I'm actually quite pleased with the way it performs with long lenses. Seems to make a good deal of difference to my untrained eye. Nothing special about the construction; 3/4 in. thick wall PVC pipe, a PVC electrical box and a half dozen elbows. I have enough bits and pieces remaining to built another that will position the EVF at just the right spot for my eye. I'm also going to add a quick release sling from the T in front to the bottom of the "over shoulder" hook for a bit of security. It'll actually hang from your shoulder without havig to hang on with both hands, so a sling will make it a bit more convenient to carry when im not actively shooting

February 2nd, 2011, 08:20 AM	#7
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	@Robert....Spiderbrace: home They are still around and have a variety of products. I loved mine with my XL1s and modified it for the XH-A1 handycam form factor. Inserting threaded joints in key places made it easy to breakdown for travel.

February 2nd, 2011, 04:39 PM	#8
Jonathan W. Hickman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: United States Posts: 81	Right, I have a Spiderbrace. It works very well. We put the 7D on one once. The screw mount on them is kinda tricky. I've used the scissor type you can get on ebay work pretty well. I got one for $30 that has a belt that wraps around you and an arm that swings out and adjusts to you eye. Here's a link to one that looks better than the one I have because it has a quick release. It is only $35 or so: Shoulder Mount Support for Video DV Camcorder HD DSLR - eBay (item 130430211149 end time Feb-06-11 23:46:36 PST)