Mini G-Rig Modification - April 13, 2008
As you folks know - I've been toying with building a camera stabilizer. I've build two that work quite well and they are called, affectionately, "The G-Rigs." I've built two, one larger and one mini. I also built some other films tool and if you want to see them - head on over back to the main page for links.
I've made some modifications to the mini G-Rig and posted some pictures that you can view by clicking on the link below.
Over the weekend while at Academy Sports (buying my son a new baseball glove) I wandered over to the gun section and picked up a nice 4-Gun plastic case for only $13 bucks!
It has lots of foam padding and the wonderful "pick and pluck" foam squares that let me customize the shape in the foam. This works nicely with my new mini G-Rig and new Microphone I purchased a couple of weeks back. Keeps them nice and safe.
I also bought some "camera equipment shoes" so I could attach the new Microphone and lights if needed. The bigger G-Rig works well but the mini G-Rig just seems to fit better in my hands and I used it to film most of my daughter's basketball games. Because the mini G-Rig was built slightly tilted forward (which allows my wrists to break comfortably while holding it) I noticed if I put the mini G-Rig down it was front heavy. I would have to lay it down so it wouldn't fall forward and break my lens. So using a tip from my buddy Jim, I just added a screw to the bottom base and now when I set it down - it sits back and won't fall forward.
The other challenge was how to switch from the mini to the larger G-Rig using the same camera quick release plate attached to the mini. See I built both Rigs out of different size PVC - the larger one with 3/4" the smaller one with 1/2". Plus buying another plate would set me back another $30 (the most expensive part of the rigs) and so more words of wisdom from Jim and I was off to Home Depot and found a PVC reducer bushing. Now I just have to glue it and paint and viola! Instant interchangeable camera mounts.
Thanks,
G-man
