Daily Archives: June 24, 2019

Stability matters in creating the crystal-clear videos and cinematography we want to share professionally and personally. A tripod is always a first tool of choice, but often you need to move and adjust your angle or framing quickly, and for that, you need a shoulder rig. If you’re interested in upping your photo game with greater precision and control, you want to find the best DSLR shoulder rig to help your image capture process. The advantages of shoulder rigs include hands-free capability keeping the viewfinder or screen to your eye with balanced stability, leaving your fingers free for focusing, framing and following the action. Shoulder rigs rely on a framework to hold your camera in place in front of your face with stabilizing wraps over your shoulder and bracing points of stability in your hands. Other design features hold matte boxes, microphones, and other necessary attachments. As with any gear investment, you want high-quality design and durable materials and construction. Flexibility in upgrades may be on your list too if you’re just finding your focus in videography. Here are our recommendations based on common uses for DSLR shoulder rigs. 6 Best DSLR Shoulder Rigs Best Overall: Ikan Flyweight Shoulder Rig ELE-EV3-FLWDSLR Best for Portability: Filmcity DSLR Camera Shoulder Support Rig Kit Best for High Action: Neewer Film Movie Video Making System Kit Best Motorized: Movo MFF400 DSLR Rig Best for Pros: Tilta DSLR Shoulder Rig Pro Best Budget: Movo Photo SG300 Deluxe Video Shoulder Support Rig Best Overall: Ikan Flyweight Shoulder Rig ELE-EV3-FLWDSLR Stability Points: Shoulder, two hands Versatility: A Ease of Use: A Load Capacity: Not listed Weight: 7.35 lbs. This rig offers you flexibility in set-up, with an adjustable camera height setting to locate the camera viewfinder or LCD screen at operator eye level. Its high-end construction includes a comfortable shoulder pad and easy-to-grip handles. While the total load capacity is not listed, its durable construction gives users confidence that it can handle as much as they want to throw on it. A selection of mount holes encourages you to add gear. Most adjustments can be made quickly with thumb screw turns. It comes with various brand add-on options to cover a range of shooting needs. Some users note the need to add a quick release plate for the camera to make it easier to move. This rig can be bulky for some gear bags or camera backpacks. Overall, it is a great investment if videography with DSLR or mirrorless cameras and camcorders is your goal. Click to See Price Best for Portability: Filmcity DSLR Camera Shoulder Support Rig Kit Stability Points: Shoulder, two hands, handheld Versatility: A Ease of Use: A Load Capacity: Not listed Weight: 9.92 lbs. If portability and light weight for long shooting schedules are your concerns, this Filmcity rig is made of plastic while maintaining durability. The adjustable camera cage protects your equipment and the many screw slots in the rail system add flexibility. It goes from shoulder rig to handheld to travel tripod with ease. The Z-bracket allows you to adjust the placement of the camera for maximum comfort and efficiency. Some users note that big lenses may need additional stabilization on this rig. The overall configuration breaks down into a relatively small package to store. This rig is made for standard sized people, as the shoulder arm is not adjustable. However, enough of the rest of the equipment adjusts to keep the viewfinder or LCD screen in front of the operator. With additional bennies in the box like the matte box and counterweight, this can up your video shooting game in a hurry. Click to See Price Best for High Action: Neewer Film Movie Video Making System Kit Stability Points: Shoulder, two hands, handheld Versatility: A Ease of Use: A Load Capacity: Not listed Weight: 11.11 lbs. While the load capacity for this highly durable rig is not listed, it comes with significant additional gear and instructions on how to add heavier camera and lenses. Counterweight balancing will be required. This rig can be used with the traditional shoulder and two hands configuration, as a handheld with the overhead C-grip, and set on a tripod. This rig has a reputation for distributing weight evenly, making it easier to handle for longer shoots. It is bulky, in large part because of the extensive rail system and additional gear like matte box, follow focus, and adjustable rods. You can add on even more, including a monitor on a separate arm. Users have found creative ways to expand its capabilities even more with additions both homemade and store-bought. Some call it a beginner’s rig with pro-level functionality. It’s heavy on both features and weight, built to last, and flexible for all your videography needs. Click to See Price Best Motorized: Movo MFF400 DSLR Rig Stability Points: Shoulder, two hands Versatility: A- Ease of Use: A- Load Capacity: Not listed Weight: 8.40 lbs. The motorized part of this rig is the zoom and following focus control, smoothing out the changes in your settings while keeping silent. Presets allow you to make changes without needing to calculate the distance. Controls are placed on the handle grips for easy access. Some users note they would like a little more flexibility in zoom and focusing speed than the system offers. Motorized systems are not the norm for shoulder rigs overall, so it is difficult to compare how this might rank with others. That overall seems to the greatest concern with this system. Note that three focus rings are included with the system to accommodate differing lens sizes. The camera base plate is height-adjustable. If auto-zoom and focusing will add style to your videos, this rig is worthy of your investment. Click to See Price Best for Pros: Tilta DSLR Shoulder Rig Pro Stability Points: Shoulder, two hands Versatility: A Ease of Use: A- Load Capacity: Not listed Weight: 37.70 lbs. If you are a pro or want to shoot with all the tools like one, prepare to make a great investment with this Tilta rig. Unique among our offerings, the arms create a protective cage surrounding your DSLR, plus it offers an adjustable lens support to fit those longer focal lengths. It comes with a monitor arm, matte box and follow focus, all easy to install on its rail system. Best of all for those of us who travel with our photog gear, it comes with a safety case that can be safely checked as baggage. The variety of configurations might confuse those who aren’t familiar with shoulder rigs, so sound basic knowledge about how to best make a rig work for your shooting requirements is a must. Its flexibility across conditions make it a solid pick for many pros. This rig is heavy, even more so when it’s loaded with gear. Balancing will be important, and consideration should be given to using a tripod for longer term angles. With this rig, you get what you pay for and so much more. Click to See Price Best Budget: Movo Photo SG300 Deluxe Video Shoulder Support Rig Stability Points: Shoulder, one hand, handheld Versatility: C Ease of Use: A Load Capacity: 5.5 lbs. Weight: 2.25 lbs. If you’re looking for a starter kit you can add on to later, this Movo rig is your answer. It's designed to be used on either shoulder (unique on our list) with a single handle grip. That grip can be removed to use as a standalone handheld tool. This rig is made for smaller and lighter camera and lens combos (though, maybe not as small as an instant camera). Its portability is a plus if you’re on the move, and it produces professional-looking DSLR videos while not breaking the bank. You can add on a rail system and other features to expand your shooting options. Some users note that the rig is almost too light in weight, meaning they still experience camera shake. Its shoulder pad might be deemed too small since it is only a half arch. It’s a great place to start exploring video production on a budget though, with room left to grow. Click to See Price Back to Top The Complete DSLR Shoulder Rigs Buyer's Guide What You Need to Know about DSLR Shoulder Rigs FAQs about DSLR Shoulder Rigs Criteria for Selecting DSLR Shoulder Rigs What You Need to Know about DSLR Shoulder Rigs Definition Gear Selection Balancing Shooting Style DSLR cameras capture everything they see, and by everything, we mean the fast beat of your heart when the perfect shot comes into view and the latent effects of too much coffee in the morning. Shooting handheld with a result of clear pans or smooth zooms and subject tracking requires stability, the kind best achieved with an assistive mechanism like a shoulder rig, a.k.a. shoulder mount. When you enter the world of mounts, however, don’t be surprised by the depth of options available to you. From two holders over your shoulders that the big budget films use to a prosumer level single handled pan- and height-friendly model and everything in between, you have options, perhaps more than you’d like to consider. That’s why we’re here to help you decide on the right kind of shoulder rig for your shooting needs. Your first consideration should be the kinds of shooting you plan to do with the mounting system. After this, think about what else you need it to carry (the overall gear factor) and how often you need to travel with it (the portability factor). Weight of the rig itself comes into play with everything else you need to add to it, and if you’re still going to be stabilizing it with hands alone, you might be right back where you began. Definition A shoulder rig or mount is a system that allows the camera to move with the camera operator. It gives you flexibility to follow the action of your subjects or change focus from one subject to another in a depth of field. If your videography includes low light situations, a shoulder rig allows you to avoid even more camera shake as your lens is wide open. Features on rigs vary based on what you intend the stability to achieve. In general, the rig has multiple points of contact with your body to aid in establishing and maintaining stability. It also comes with the ability to add more equipment to gear rail systems on the frame. Let’s assume you have a DSLR with 4K video capability, and you plan to shoot documentaries as a one-person production company. Those needs differ from someone who has a team, a long list of gear to add on, and indie movie level aspirations. Your first choice should therefore be what you plan to hold on the rig and how you intend to shoot with it. DSLR Shoulder Rigs Best For: Stability Points Ikan Flyweight Shoulder Rig ELE-EV3-FLWDSLR Best Overall Shoulder, two hands Filmcity DSLR Camera Shoulder Support Rig Kit Best for Portability Shoulder, two hands, handheld Neewer Film Movie Video Making System Kit Best for High Action Shoulder, two hands, handheld Movo MFF400 DSLR Rig Best Motorized Shoulder, two hands Tilta DSLR Shoulder Rig Pro Best for Pros Shoulder, two hands Movo Photo SG300 Deluxe Video Shoulder Support Rig Best Budget Shoulder, one hand, handheld Gear Selection List the pieces you’ll be balancing on your shoulder rig in addition to the DSLR. A microphone is a common item as many DSLR mics are not adequate to capture the sound quality you’ll want in your final 4K product. Similarly, many DSLRs and budget mirrorless cameras chew through battery power in videography, which means you might have a supplemental battery pack too. After this, the list could be extensive, depending on your shooting style and intended results. A matte box helps you avoid glare, while a monitor and follow focus allow you to frame and follow your scene with more than your eye pressed to the viewfinder or squinting at a smaller LCD screen. Each item has weight, and depending on the rail system for attachments, their distribution on your shoulder rig becomes an exercise in the laws of physics. If you’re shooting a long lens, you’ll want your configuration setup to brace that in addition to the camera. This can be accomplished with a Y-shaped mount that sits in front of the camera plate. Look for this as a feature you can add on if you shoot with longer focal length gear. Balancing Shoulder rigs come in various styles, each designed to use your body to provide stability in different ways. The rig might rest on one shoulder, which means you compensate for both forward and back balance as well as one side. Something that loops over both shoulders avoids the side issues but still has forward and back to consider – but they are usually in the realm of the super-pro toolbox. Imagine that your shoulders are the point of a teeter-totter. Too much weight in the front means that end of your system, the one you’re shooting from, tends to pull to the ground. You need your arms to drive it into place for framing, and with heavy arm usage comes camera shake. The capability to add counterweights to the back of the rig offsets that thump to one end. In fact, a well-balanced shoulder rig should be able to rest evenly on your shoulders without any use of your arms to shrug it into place. This is a large part of why calculating your total gear weight and distribution become so critical to your final stability. DSLR Shoulder Rigs Versatility Ease of Use Weight Ikan Flyweight Shoulder Rig ELE-EV3-FLWDSLR A A 7.35 lbs. Filmcity DSLR Camera Shoulder Support Rig Kit A A 9.92 lbs. Neewer Film Movie Video Making System Kit A A 11.11 lbs. Movo MFF400 DSLR Rig A- A- 8.40 lbs. Tilta DSLR Shoulder Rig Pro A A- 37.70 lbs. Movo Photo SG300 Deluxe Video Shoulder Support Rig C A 2.25 lbs. Shooting Style As opposed to Steadicams® or cameras on a fixed boom or rail system, shoulder rigs are intended to produce the kind of movement that makes a viewer believe they are in the scene along with the subjects. This closeness is designed to hold the viewer’s attention without breaking down the ‘fourth wall’, the separation between the subjects of the video and the audience feeling they are in the scene. The amount and type of movement conveys emotions, with more frantic movement screaming frenzy while smoothness equates to calm. Shoulder rigs can accommodate both ends of the spectrum and everything in between to establish that illusion for the audience of participating in the film’s reality. Shooting handheld alone with a lightweight DSLR translates into too much shake, and that shocks the viewer into realizing they’re watching a movie, ergo, breaking the fourth wall. Imagine a normal human movement as they walk alongside a person or draw closer to them on foot or by vehicle, and you’ll know the level of motion that maintains the right kind of illusion. Note that all rigs on our list are worn single shoulder. In some cases, this can be either shoulder, but the default is on the right side. Some include an adjustable offset to place the camera in front of the operator no matter what body size. Back to Top FAQs about DSLR Shoulder Rigs How is a shoulder rig different from a gimbal or a Steadicam®? What is the center of gravity for a shoulder rig, and how do I find it? How large a rail system is necessary? Should you match your rig to your body size? How do you move when you’re wearing a shoulder rig? Undoubtedly the points above bring up even more aspects for you to consider when selecting a shoulder rig for your DSLR. While you can as easily use your rig for still imaging, we’re focused on helping your videography & vlogging capabilities most when you use this configuration. Here are the answers to some of the questions we usually hear about using a shoulder rig and how they impact your purchase decision. DSLR Shoulder Rigs Best For: Stability Points Versatility Ease of Use Load Capacity Weight Ikan Flyweight Shoulder Rig ELE-EV3-FLWDSLR Best Overall Shoulder, two hands A A Not listed 7.35 lbs. Filmcity DSLR Camera Shoulder Support Rig Kit Best for Portability Shoulder, two hands, handheld A A Not listed 9.92 lbs. Neewer Film Movie Video Making System Kit Best for High Action Shoulder, two hands, handheld A A Not listed 11.11 lbs. Movo MFF400 DSLR Rig Best Motorized Shoulder, two hands A- A- Not listed 8.40 lbs. Tilta DSLR Shoulder Rig Pro Best for Pros Shoulder, two hands A A- Not listed 37.70 lbs. Movo Photo SG300 Deluxe Video Shoulder Support Rig Best Budget Shoulder, one hand, handheld C A 5.5 lbs. 2.25 lbs. How is a shoulder rig different from a gimbal or a Steadicam®? A gimbal or a Steadicam® are designed to roll with jarring movement through a counterweight built into the structure. They produce smooth shooting results with no slight jiggle or step and as such, are a step further away from putting the viewer in the scene that a shoulder rig. A shoulder rig accommodates movement, but it doesn’t eliminate it completely – nor does it intend to. As a videographer, you want the viewer to feel like they’re alongside the subject, actively participating versus being a passive observer. If you want a smoother approach, check out our comparison of gimbals and Steadicams® here. What is the center of gravity for a shoulder rig, and how do I find it? The center of gravity is designed to be on your shoulder, ergo the name shoulder rig. That means you’ll be adding weight on the back to compensate for the weight on the front. You’ll know you’ve added the right amount when the rig can rest on your shoulder evenly without tipping to the side or forward or back. Note that counterweight placement is more than equalizing the weight behind you to what’s in front. The balancing part means where on the rig the gear is located plays a role too. You’ll find it in part by trial and error – and with practice. How large a rail system is necessary? This depends on how much you plan to add along with the DSLR. You might want flexibility for a video camera plate, or lots of added gear as mentioned before. If you aren’t yet sure, either purchase a basic system to get started and decide how much more you need or buy one where you can add on more plates and rails as you develop the need. Should you match your rig to your body size? Here’s a place where your size matters. A person with significant upper body strength will handle the same rig in a different way than a smaller operator. Bigger might be too brawny for the delicate movements, while a smaller body might need more counterweight balancing. Your best option is to consider how well you can control weight balanced on your shoulder. Experiment with how long you can manage to hold on to the heavier end of a broom on your shoulder, for example, or use a stick with sacks of weight on either end. If you can handle this with ease, you probably aren’t as concerned about maintaining stability as someone who needs to lower their arms frequently while working. How do you move when you’re wearing a shoulder rig? This will sound like a joke but – very carefully. Your awareness of your surroundings will help you avoid tripping over uneven pavement or exposed tree roots. You will need to pick your foot up higher than normal if the terrain is uneven. When you walk, you’ll be rolling on the balls of your feet to move. Small steps are a must. Keep your knees soft and image gliding rather than a rolling gait – all while maintaining the framing and focus and everything else you consider as you shoot. Back to Top Criteria for Selecting DSLR Shoulder Rigs Stability Points Versatility Ease of Use Load Capacity Weight Not all shoulder rigs meet the needs of every DSLR videographer. Nuances are important, like the partnership of versatility and load capacity, or the category of rig and its number of stability points. Here are the criteria we assessed to find you the best shoulder rigs for your DSLR videography needs. Stability Points While you want as much stability as possible, there will be a limit to how many points the rig can touch your body. The first points are your shoulders (one or two), plus your hands (but not weighing on your arms to cause a struggle), plus perhaps a chest plate or back brace. Noting the points helps you decide how much flexibility in video movement you can achieve. Versatility Some rigs come with a fixed plate and rail structure, meaning you cannot add on when you add more gear. Others are flexible with the ability to add rails and counterweights as needed. We rate these as fixed, flexible, and multi-gear flexible (with lots of possible combos of set-up). Ease of Use Some shoulder rigs have a great reputation as easy to set up, with a quick release for moving the camera and no significant issues adding or subtracting gear during the video process. We rate those as a letter grade A. Those with issues, like screws that are difficult to tighten or rails that require complicated attachments, receive lower letter grades. Load Capacity Shoulder rigs are designed and manufactured to carry specific load capacities. This is usually represented as the total weight it can carry, though that can be misleading. Pay attention to versatility along with capacity, since low capacity will negate multi-gear flexibility. Note that many of the manufacturers don’t list load capacity as a regular specification since there are many variables (like balancing) that also influence it. If you put more gear on your system and it isn’t balanced left to right, the shoulder will slip. You’ll also be balancing load front to back with counterweights. Weight The weight of the rig contributes to the overall weight of your gear. While the amount it adds is important, if it balances well based on its number of stability points, you probably won’t notice it. Select something that accommodates your DSLR and all your videography gear with an effective rail system and then add the weight to your overall gear total. Back to Top