Support & Stabilization: Handheld

Comments: Zacuto Recoil Shoulder Rig for Canon EOS C100, C100 Mark II, & C300 cameras is the most ergonomic solution on the market for run and gun shooting style. This rig comes complete with all accessories needed to make your shoot a success. Just add a camera, a lens and you are good to go.

Description: Zacuto Recoil Shoulder Rig for Canon EOS C100, C100 Mark II, & C300 cameras is the most ergonomic solution on the market for run and gun shooting style. This rig comes complete with all accessories needed to make your shoot a success. Just add a camera, a lens and you are good to go.

Comments:  Simple little rig to get you stared.  The idea is the more points of contact you have w/ your body – the steadier your video will be. 

Description (from Redrock Micro): Designed for extra stability while maintaining the freedom of handheld shooting, theEvent is designed with wedding/event and photojournalists in mind. theEvent sports two rugged handgrips and the microFinder loupe accessory, and adds our new microBrace body pad for and additional point of contact. Lightweight 6" carbon fiber rods keep the rig light and compact, and still allow enough room to add a microFollowFocus if desired.

Comments:  Simple little rig to get you stared.  The idea is the more points of contact you have w/ your body – the steadier your video will be, and now you can build on the model above w/ weight in the back, a shoulder mount, and a raised camera to bring it to eye level.

Description (from Redrock Micro): Sometimes the shoot requires a little more direct connection with the eyeball and camera. For a more traditional shouldermount shooting style we offer the EyeSpy rigs. EyeSpy starts with the shoulderpad, 18" 15mm carbon fiber rods, and single rubberized handgrip from the popular microShoulderMount. We’ve added an additional rod extension to center the camera for viewfinder use, and topped it off with the DSLR baseplate, and microFinder loupe accessory. You can also select versions that include the microFollowFocus v2 and the microBalance counterbalance weights for added stability and ease of use.

Comments:  Consider this the skeleton of any rig you built – it will work with any camera system out there and you can grow with it and adapt the parts as you work with other cameras along the way.

Description (from B&H): The Redrock Micro microShoulderMount Deluxe Bundle turns nearly any camera into a portable, shoulder-mounted production rig. Whether you’re shooting with a tiny consumer camcorder, a video DSLR, or an ENG-style camera and 35mm lens adapter, this kit not only increases the stability of handheld shooting, it provides new levels of flexibility to how you shoot. The shoulder pad and two rubberized handgrips can be adjusted in nearly any configuration along the included handlebar rods and 18" carbon fiber support rods. And with the addition of a Redrock microMount (not included), the rods can be used to support a host of accessories, from articulating arms to external monitors, batteries and portable hard drives. Generally this system requires at least one additional component: a rod clamp or a microMount with spud for external monitoring.

Comments:  I’ve been a big fan of this hanhdeld rig – I love that you can go from handheld, to the Mantis, to the dovetail within seconds.   Likely the best handheld rig I’ve ever used.

Description (from Element Technica):  The industry’s most configurable and innovative shoulder mounting solution for film and digital motion picture cameras. Fully compatible with the RED One of today, as well as the Scarlett and Epic of tomorrow.  Element Technica’s new hand-held system combines innovative design with exceptional workmanship and materials.

Comments: The Easyrig 2.5 Portable Camera Support System can support any rig between 17-22 lbs. The system puts the full weight of your system onto your hips instead of your arms. Use the Easyrig to support a Movi M10 or M15. Please note, this is NOT a Steadicam, it won’t really stabilize your shots. It’s designed simply to redistribute the weight of a heavy camera so you can shoot all day without your arms getting exhausted.

Description: The Easyrig 2.5 Portable Camera Support System can support any rig between 17-22 lbs. The system puts the full weight of your system onto your hips instead of your arms. Use the Easyrig to support a Movi M10 or M15. Please note, this is NOT a Steadicam, it won’t really stabilize your shots. It’s designed simply to redistribute the weight of a heavy camera so you can shoot all day without your arms getting exhausted.

Comments:  These can be life savers (and back breakers if you push yourself too hard) but this is a wonderful way to shoot handheld for long periods of time. 

Description (from Easyrig):  The Easyrig Cinema 3 500N Stabilizing Camera Support is a cost effective system that can be used with both film and large video cameras. With its ergonomic design, the Cinema 3 redistributes the camera’s weight from the neck and shoulder muscles to parts of the body–such as the hips and legs–that can more easily support it. The Cinema 3’s patented Easyrig system lets you achieve steady shots from various camera levels while maintaining the speed and mobility of a handheld camera. The included 500N shock absorber uses powerful suspension lines to support cameras up to 30.0 lbs. The Cinema 3 provides the stability and support necessary for news broadcasts, sporting events, documentaries, and numerous other professional applications.