Configurations
Check out B&H for more information on buying the kits in bundles
The following are kits that I have put together using Redrock Micro customizable parts and a variety of other accessories from different manufacturers – basically what I would recommend you use and the ones that I use (I obviously tend to gravitate to the higher end units.) The kits are organized in varying levels of complexity based on the shooting needs of different photographers and videographers. The beauty about HDDSLRs is that they apply to people from an incredible range of experience and production levels: from the person who is dipping their toes into video for the first time -all the way to big time commercials and Hollywood productions.
PLEASE NOTE: You can read a LOT more detail about rigs, lenses, tripods, steadicams, jibs, lights, batteries, cards, software – YOU NAME IT as well as WHY I use it the PROS and CONS of each and examples on the MY GEAR section of this site. CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE VIDEOS AND RIGS IN DETAIL:
HDDSLR Low Profile Kit - This is a simple kit that is meant for photographers who want to capture video and have a need to stabilize their camera. This one comes under the K.I.S.S. Acronym: Keep It Simple S…
HDDSLR Run N’ Gun Kit – This kit is slightly more complex, as it starts incorporating a support system for a variety of cinema rig accessories. It is meant for those who want to give their DSLR some cinema functionality, but want to maintain mobility. This is a good starting point for most.
HDDSRL Indie Filmmaker Kit – This kit is intended for the Indie Filmmaker – all the way up to the serious filmmaker. I’m including two configurations, both handheld rigs – one with a viewfinder, and the other with a Marshall monitor. You should note that you can take any piece of kit from Kit #4 and include it with this kit of course. One of the main advantages of doing that – is having the black magic box on there – this will allow you to share the video signal with your client/director/dp etc – which is critical on any serious job. You can get even fancier and include a Cube or Boxx wireless transmitter as well.
HDDSLR Ultimate Rig - This is the dream kit. With many of the top of the line pieces available today. It’s what I’m fortunate enough to be using. That being said – we all have budgets and therefore keep in mind that you can RENT most of this stuff! So go ahead and look through the way the kit is built – and remember that you can incorporate many of the parts you see on this kit with Kit #3 and possibly Kit #2.
Tripods – Each of these custom configurations are built for handheld use – but you’ll quickly find that you need get the camera off your shoulder and lock it down for a nice steady shot – or better yet, use a great fluid head to add a sense of motion even though you aren’t physically moving the camera itself. You will find a number of tripod sticks and heads that i recommend to supplement your kit.
Hey Vincent,
I Would First Like to Say Thank You For All The Effort You Put Into These Gear Videos…
Secondly Since I seem to be the first reply to this post…Can you get me a deal on the Contineo Powered Cage? I have my eye on the puppy, As is a must have for my gear!
So what do you say Viewfactor? Can you hook up this old timer DP with a nice cage?
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Thanks again Vincinet. Thanks for passing along the knowledge.
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[...] Tripods [...]
Very, very helpful. It’s good to see that some professionals take it upon themselves to share their knowledge with others. Keep up the good work Vince…
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Great post Vince! Thank you so much for this information. It really answered many of my questions about the gear I want to buy!
Keep up the good work
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[...] pozycję czołowego specjalisty od filmowania lustrzanką, na swoim blogu zamieścił omówienie czterech zestawów osprzętu dla filmujących lustrzanką. Najprostszy, najmniej rozbudowany (i nie dający się rozbudować) i jednocześnie najtańszy to [...]
Vincent, in configuration number 4 you are advocating the use of the very nice Marshall 5 inch monitor, however you mention elsewhere that because the 5D drops the output of the HDMI to 480p when recording you would never rely on a monitor for critical focus on the 5D. Do you still feel that way or has Canon fixed the lowered output standard during record? I really want to use an outboard monitor on the very rig you show but not so sure anymore.
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Sorry I meant configuration #3
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i gotta give it to ya man
respect for doing all this stuff for us starting film makers
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Vincent, thank you for posting this amazing, detailed and thorough breath of information for us filmmakers.
You did not have to and took it upon yourself to give back to our community. It’s wonderful to see how far you have come via film and for giving back.
Peace.
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[...] HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL December 25, 2010 berner Leave a comment Go to comments LINK [...]
Vincent,
Just want to drop you a note and thank you for all the recommendations. I went for Kit #3, got it three days ago, and couldn’t be more happy. Red Rock Micro gear is top notch and extensible. Even the 5″ Marshall is perfect. I added a Zoom H4n. All for a Nikon D7000 with some Zeiss ZF.2 primes. I am dumping my small Canon HF10 for the b-roll and doing my first shoot tomorrow. This whole process was so painless in a big part due to your recommendations. BTW, also got your DSLR Training Series from Creative Live which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks again,
Rodman
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[...] to edit/render. I owe a huge thanks to the folks who posted tips to YouTube, Vimeo and on their personal sites/blogs (also) for teaching me a lot of tricks. The video in this post (it’s embedded on [...]
Vincent, Thanks sharing with the industry it’s much appreciated.
-George
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Great Stuff. I could spend too much time on this site. I know I’ll be coming back here for the info I need when I need it…Planning my 1st 2min short…
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[...] We’ll see some of the new gear that’s come out since then of course – including a set of custom rigs that I’ve put together over the last year for all different types of filmmakers, budgets, and shooting scenarios. A [...]
[...] box, or an Anton Bauer battery w/ plate for example) you will likely end up having to start over with a different kit. This support system is self contained and wasn’t designed to become part of a larger [...]
Thanks for putting all this info in one place. It’s pretty difficult for a novice to get a handle on all the equipment configurations and how to put them together. The detailed listing and links are a HUGE help. My definition of “inexpensive” rigs will need some radical adjustment.
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Indeed… happy you appreciate it – a LOT of effort went into it and we continue to add things to this site as often as possible!
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[...] Camera Rig für Spiegelreflexcamera – HDDSLR Run N’ Gun Kit « Vincent Laforet's Blog [...]
you are an amazing , that what i’m looking for ,its all here in one place.
Mohammed Salman
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[...] amount of equipment to help you with this task. Vincent Laforet summarizes this very well on his site. Here is an example of one of his videos showing an HDDSLR Run N` Gun Kit set [...]