HDDSLR Low Profile Kit
Check out the kit bundle on B&H, which includes all the pieces listed below!
This is a relatively simple kit – it is intended for those who want to shoot video on the fly (a documentarian, photojournalist, or war photographer, for example), and are in need of some stabilization for their shots without all the extra added weight of a DSLR Rig. The majority of the rig is based on Redrock Micro’s nano "Running Man" kit (pieces listed below). This particular setup allows you to have an extra point of contact with your shoulder while holding the camera from grip mounted beneath it. Add a Zacuto Z-Finder (2.5x) to this for ease of monitoring and you get an addition point of contact with the loupe against your eye. Unfortunately this kit does not allow you to build out. It will supply you with a few pieces that you could ultimately use in building a more cinematically inclined rig, such as the handgrip and Z-Finder, but on the whole you won’t be able to do much with it. This is why I recommend this rig for those who are either just starting out, or shooting video on the fly – probably in conjunction with stills. It is not a rig for filmmaking per se – but will give you a leg up on the quality of video you shoot with your DSLR.
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.
TRIPOD: As you have heard me mention before – not all films are shot on a hand-held rig – and so some sort of rigid support is necessary. In keeping with the purpose of this kit (to keep things light and simple) I recommend the 701HDV with the 546B legs from Manfrotto. Head over to the Tripod Page to check them out.
ITEMS IN THIS RIG:
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nano DSLR Baseplate | B&H | Mfr. Site |
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| The mounting point for your HDDSLR (such as the Canon 5D or 7D) with set screws for both Canon and Nikon DSLRs. | ||||
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microHandGrip | B&H | Mfr. Site |
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| A versatile hand grip that mounts to any 15mm rod. In the nano Running Man, this hand grip is used as one point of stabilization for the system, as well as a solid grip point for the operator. | ||||
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microBrace Body Pad | B&H | Mfr. Site |
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| This microBrace serves the same purpose as most gun stocks–a solid point of stabilization against the shoulder. | ||||
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Grip Rod – 4" | B&H | Mfr. Site |
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| The 4" Grip Rod forms the base of the camera support–connecting both the nano DSLR Baseplate and microHandGrip to the main 8" Grip Rod. | ||||
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Grip Rod – 8" | B&H | Mfr. Site |
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| This 8" Grip Rod serves as the main structural support connecting the microBrace to the camera support structure. | ||||
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microMount | B&H | Mfr. Site |
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| The microMount serves as a "hinge" to the whole configuration, connecting the main structural support to the base camera support structure. This piece also allows the user to adjust both the length and pitch of the configuration for maximum comfort and usability. | ||||
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Z-Finder 2.5x | B&H | Mfr. Site |
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| The Z-Finder attaches directly to the DSLR’s LCD screen to not only serve as a viewfinder–both magnifying the image and allowing for easier focus control–but it also acts as yet another point of stabilization against the body. | ||||
Out of curiosity, why not a Steadicam Merlin? I have a hard time believing this rid connected to your body is more stable than a Steadicam…
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 10th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
@ken, These are handheld rigs only – check out the support section.
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I use the RunningMan all the time. I shoot mostly documentary and concerts and this gives me a quick way to hop off sticks and shoot on the move. I shot an outdoor event last weekend with it and while the soundman stayed back I was able to hop right into the action.
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Just curious on how you attach the zacuto zfinder to the camera while using the nano baseplate. I have a zfinder but have been hesitant to expand my rig with redrock because of this. Is the mount glued to the camera? Thanks.
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@Isaac, I tested out the NANO baseplate fits the camera fine with a Zfinder on it…I tested this out at the Government Video Expo in Washington DC earlier this month. Also, I have a 7D with the Zfinder and use a manfrotto quick-release plate to anything else to the camera without any problems.
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Wonderful.. This truly is a one stop shop. I buy lenses based on pro’s reccomendation. If it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for me, so this is definetly something I’ll be referencing. Brilliant. Thanks for sharing…
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Hi – more q’s about nano @ Zfinder — I wrote Redrock and a sales person replied that the Nano and Zfinder were incompatible.
She said the Z finder Gorilla plate causes lots of problems with Redrock supports.
I want to buy a Redrock support — Nano or Eye Spy –but don’t want to drop the great Zfinder…(whicj I just bought). And Zacuto supports look WAY overpriced!
Vincent – looks like you had no problem – or did you have to modify something? Any experience with the Zfinder and Eye Spy?
Thanks!!
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@Joe Wiecha, you can use the z-finder frames from Zacuto instead of the gorrilla plate so there is nothing under your camera – they only cost about $6.
These have been around as long as the z-finder – shame redrock didn’t mention that huh! Did they try and sell you the hoodman instead? ;o)
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Vincent – I just ordered your low-profile kit from B&H, but there are no instructions for the assembly. Do you have anything prepared for this? I could probably clumsily work my way through it, but a diagram or instructions would be extremely helpful, and would make assembly a snap. Thank you!
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
June 30th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
hmmm – not at this time. That could take a massive amount of time to do… something I’ll look into w/ RedRock though…
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Hi, I will be going over to a trouble spot in Africa next year to do some reporting. I have acquired a similar rig to the one suggested. However, i’m having a few problems with sound. Could you give any advice on what audio set up you think would be best? I won’t have a soundman just me and the broadcaster, also cost is now a factor, as most of my budget has gone on camera, rig and lenses.
It would be great if you could help.
Regards
Gary
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Vincent Laforet Reply:
November 28th, 2012 at 12:27 am
The senheiser or Rhode hotshoe Mics are very commonly used by Photojournalists shooting video. Nowhere near what you’ll get with a good mic and external recorder … but better than nothing.
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