I just wanted to show off a camera mount I built for a movie I shot this spring. It is based on a design I saw online for alot more than I wanted to spend. It is made out of PVC pipe and joints which, including the glue to hold it together was about $15. It has a simple threaded bolt that goes through a hole in the middle X joint and a thin piece of wood with bicycle intertube to better grip the camera base.
I heated the longer section of pipe in the oven until I was able to bend it in to a curve. This allows you to press forward with your hands to stabilize the rig against your neck, like you could with a camera strap. I don’t have the footage on this computer, but I’ll post some shots soon that I did using the mount.
It has been very helpful in shooting actions scenes, allowing me to get a very steady shot while still having much greater flexibility than a tripod. I also shot an interview in an art gallery with it.
I’ve used it both with the compact Canon HV20 and the larger Sony HVR-Z1U. Let me know what you think and if you have any questions – I’ll be glad to give you more details!
Excellent piece of DIY! It looks spiffy — like a camera scorpion…That’s what I dub it: the Scorpion Mount!
Good work!
Mat N.
http://www.filmsensei.com
[...] Cool Camera Mount Idea June 28, 2008 — teachj Here’s a fairly quick and easy way to make a “steady” cam rig for a small DV camera from PVC pipe and a few other items for only $15. Posted in [...]
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