My Weird 'Trombone' Camera Rig!

PARTS USED:

OTHER PARTS USED IN VIDEO

VIDEO CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
2:45 Rigging Parts
4:50 Alternative Parts

MY FAVORITE GEAR:

DISCLAIMERS & AFFILIATIONS
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This video was not paid for by outside persons or manufacturers.
No gear was supplied to me for this video.
The content of this video and my opinions were not reviewed or paid for by any outside persons.

[markwiemels]

Oh, the new background looks super cool. Love the old Mac, and the vintage tables and lamps.

[arthurkallinen]

This stance is quite often used with bigger cine rigs in combat/fight scenes, especially in those hollywood studio shoot where the camera is on a floating rig from the ceilfing, or outdoors with easyrig.
It is called (at least here in Finland) as "Moottorisaha ote" which is translated to "Chain Saw config/stance/mode".

[oospagheti]

I waited 10years for this video! THANK YOU!

[kieranwhitford]

I'd rock that setup with a top handle and a shoulder mount and a strap on the camera grip for a few different contact points. This is an awesome build!

[canweshoot]

Excellent videos, sir. Always terrific content, substance, and delivery that's not at the speed of light.

Your special handle in its forward position was a technique I used throughout my career as an A-list "Hollywood" operator any time I was on the O'Connor 2575 (instead of wheels). I would put a second handle on the left rosette, positioned forward. Most guys just grab the left side of the matte box or somewhere on the camera. Using the handle does two important things when on a head like this (dolly or tripod): First, as you describe, it gives you opposing force around the head so that you can really put some muscle into fast pans with action, or just balance for finessing shots and/or having to climb around the dolly as you finesse that shot. Secondly, it takes both hands off the camera itself. Disclaimer: another operator showed me this technique way back when.

I'm well into retirement now, and just looking for some visual fun putting together a rig. Your videos are the most helpful and easily my favorites. Cheers.

[Malick]

I’ve been using a less extreme version of this (left side extended grip) for a few years now and it’s way more comfortable and stable for handheld IMO. Someone also already recommended but Tilta has an awesome rosette arm with a quick tilt grip (matched with the nucleus nano FF). It’s awesome.

[uptonfilms]

Caleb your videos always look incredible but gah lee the skin tones in this video is too good! Also you look like you take really good care of your skin

[janwimmer_]

Yeah, but how are you pulling focus then, without a wireless follow focus?

[RavikantRai]

That still does not solve the focusing problem. No matter what you do with that arm, you still need to let go of one grip point and touch the focus ring anyway. So this solution is bad if you want to manual focus. The only way to make this work is to buy a tilta side focus handle and use that instead of that wooden handle.

[brandonpetrykowski]

Love the EVF stance! I’d probably use that with a shoulder rig set up.

[dualtrx]

This works only with auto focus setups. The problem with this is you need a focus puller. lol. This being a shoot and run camera setup... Having to take your hands every time off the lens is not convenient at all. Yeah, looks cool, but in real world scenario is not useful. I know that cuz i used it, or at least tried.

[jbb]

i would go with this rig over shoulder rig for EVF position.

[showshow]

Caleb is like the random AK47 gun nut but in Camera form.

[bertcano]

2:13 I felt that a little too hard. LOL Nice!

[vincentfollezou]

It really make me feel like kind of the same "Action Cam" rig from Shane Hurlbut. Very good idea of rig.

[pawełbaran]

Doesn't look very stable for me, and especially very prone to skewing horizon

[AbstractFilms]

Oh! I was planning on doing something similar with my personal S5iix when that arrives with a Tilta Full Cage and Niceyrig Wooden handle! I found I really liked this slim hand held design while rigging our C70 at work.

[shehryarshaukat]

if I'm using a 70-200, would the arm not get in the way of operating the zoom ring?

[bottledwaterprod]

So it's basically half of an over-shoulder rig. Nice little bit of extra stability without adding too much bulk.

[marcusperry]

I would really like to see a video abouut how you organise storage for all those small knobbins and dodats ... meaning accesories... both at home and on location.