DIY Fig Rig and Steadicam-under $30 [Archive] - High Definition Digital Video Forum

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koolpenguin89

2007 December 12th, 23:48

Hi all, this is first post. I dont yet have an HV20, but im saving for one (hopefully by the end of january.) Ive been viewing this forum for a while and its really helped me with all aspects of my filmmaking. Anyways, i decided to build my own steadicam (roughly based on the $14 PMS) and fig rig ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/shygantic/129121710 ) I think they turned out pretty good, and they definantly help eliminate shake when using my cheap jvc cam, so let me know what you think. Together, the rigs cost less than $30. Also, sorry about the pic quality, i had to use my cell phone.

fig rig was pretty simple, but alot of sawing (my arm still hurts)
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd22/pwr2thepenguins/11-26-07_2142.jpg

Steadicam was even easier, but needs to be glued so that the weight (which i have yet to locate) doesnt rip the whole thing apart
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd22/pwr2thepenguins/11-26-07_2139.jpg

Close-up of camera mount. You simply screw the washer tp the base of the camera using the wing nut
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd22/pwr2thepenguins/11-26-07_2140.jpg

Another camera mount close-up, this time on the fig rig
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd22/pwr2thepenguins/11-26-07_2144.jpg

im planning on buying quick release plates to make mounting easier
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sima-Quick-Release-Mechanism-SVR_W0QQitemZ290180153459QQihZ019QQcategoryZ15215Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Hope you like it, and thank you to everyone on this forum who has educated me in the art of filmmaking.

dylan

cgsrfr

2008 January 5th, 15:18

I just made the pvc fig rig and it works great.

When I was looking around for a good head for the rig I came accross this on ebay. It appears it is a knock off of a fig rig and doesn't look half bad.
http://cgi.ebay.com/U3X-Video-Camera-Stabilizer-Support-Wheel-Fig-Rig_W0QQitemZ300187542421QQihZ020QQcategoryZ3319QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

NeoMovieMan

2009 August 5th, 15:25

I have to make one of these rigs. I'd rather spend under $30 on this Fig Rig. Instead of paying $299.95 for the Manfrotto Bogen Imaging 595B Fig Rig Camera Stabilizer. Thanks for the cool DIY Fig Rig.

drapeama

2009 August 12th, 20:39

Here's my version (http://www.hv20.com/album.php?albumid=41). If it can help you!!
Here's the original post (http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=26234) with all the information you might need.

Biggles_downunder

2009 August 17th, 04:19

I'm a real newb here - have ordered an HV40 but not yet delivered (my other camcorder is a Panasonic DVC-30).

I may be pointing you to something you already know about - the $14 Steady-cam (http://steadycam.org/)

Cheers
~Wayne

drapeama

2009 August 17th, 07:27

NeoMovieMan

2009 August 18th, 05:09

Here's my version (http://www.hv20.com/album.php?albumid=41). If it can help you!!
Here's the original post (http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=26234) with all the information you might need.

Cool rig, drapeama. I like the rear branch addition on your setup.:hv20-smilie24:

Kevhead

2009 August 20th, 15:31

Here's mine (http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=23463)

:hv20-smilie70:

suprPHREAK

2009 August 20th, 20:28

I would like to build myself one of these, but where can I get hot shoe brackets for mounting accessories, such as lights/VideoMic?

as in, just the shoe itself, that i can screw on wherever.

koolpenguin89

2009 August 20th, 20:52

Heh, i must've linked to these things a thousand times on this forum. They are damn useful. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/250400-REG/Smith_Victor_701955_Adapter_1_4_20_to_Standard.htm l
Note: these aren't "hot" shoe brackets, they don't have any wires in them for power or anything. These are cold shoes.

Dylan

suprPHREAK

2009 August 20th, 22:05

awesome! thank you very much! There will be no need for the "hot" portion, I just didnt know what they were called otherwise :-)