filmers: digital slr handle advice

[tkp]

 specifically 5d mark ii. i know about easy handle and the cam caddie, anything in between?

[brianwilson]

http://opteka.com/xgrip.aspx

[natenola forever]

Opteka makes a cage now, it's $120, worth every penny. That other handle thats a rip off of a cam caddie sucks its plastic and doesnt support the weight of the camera well, plus you have to turn it to the right to view the screen.

[the whompler]

not interested in the diy route? because if you have the time it's not hard to build your own. there is no magic in the things these company's are selling. most are just mass produced cheap metal or crap plastic. 1/4 20 on the bottom screw and cold shoe adapter for the top. i built one and now every beautiful woman i meet wants to have sex with me.

[Trickskatin]

not interested in the diy route? because if you have the time it's not hard to build your own. there is no magic in the things these company's are selling. most are just mass produced cheap metal or crap plastic. 1/4 20 on the bottom screw and cold shoe adapter for the top. i built one and now every beautiful woman i meet wants to have sex with me.

I second the DIY route. I built one for like $3 using one of these: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202305424/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=hook&storeId=10051, a 1/4" bolt, and some foam padding for the grip. A little hammering to flatten the base out and a little bending to make it more "ergonomic" and I had a solid, cheap-as-shit handle for my d7000.

Here's some throwaway (not that I am actually making a "video"). All the fisheye shots were filmed using that handle:

Video coming...

[poocrusher]

I've been using the 7D for 2 years with a diy handle.  I find that the plastic cam caddies and opteka x-grip are floppy laterally when you have to swing your camera.  I wouldn't suggest using any of the plastic options.  I built this for $17, it's rock solid, I can use the screen very easily, access all of the side compartments, it's perfectly balanced and I can fit a small mic underneath it. 

[Lance Meowntain]

meh. cam caddie with lockout kit is plenty sturdy for me. dont know what err body else is talking about.

[Beer Keg Peg Leg]

sell your slr, buy a vx

[able]

meh. cam caddie with lockout kit is plenty sturdy for me. dont know what err body else is talking about.

That's exactly what I just ordered yesterday

[tkp]

thanks for the tips everyone. the home depot diy looks rad, so does the cam caddie with the lockout kit.

sell your slr, buy a vx

i gotta vx 2000 sitting on my shelf. wanna buy it? it needs about $200 in repairs.

can't sync flashes and shoot photos with a vx, but i still gots love for em.

[TheDraught]

not interested in the diy route? because if you have the time it's not hard to build your own. there is no magic in the things these company's are selling. most are just mass produced cheap metal or crap plastic. 1/4 20 on the bottom screw and cold shoe adapter for the top. i built one and now every beautiful woman i meet wants to have sex with me.

I second the DIY route. I built one for like $3 using one of these: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202305424/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=hook&storeId=10051, a 1/4" bolt, and some foam padding for the grip. A little hammering to flatten the base out and a little bending to make it more "ergonomic" and I had a solid, cheap-as-shit handle for my d7000.

Here's some throwaway (not that I am actually making a "video"). All the fisheye shots were filmed using that handle: Video coming...

Do those guys KNOW you're not actually making a video?

[jim]

sell your slr, buy a vx

[goatsucker]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150542565133192&set=a.375378268191.155369.123875058191&type=1&theater


here is my old setup made a few of the handles for kids around the area no complaints and no fails yet

[the whompler]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150542565133192&set=a.375378268191.155369.123875058191&type=1&theater


here is my old setup made a few of the handles for kids around the area no complaints and no fails yet

+1

[Trickskatin]

not interested in the diy route? because if you have the time it's not hard to build your own. there is no magic in the things these company's are selling. most are just mass produced cheap metal or crap plastic. 1/4 20 on the bottom screw and cold shoe adapter for the top. i built one and now every beautiful woman i meet wants to have sex with me.

I second the DIY route. I built one for like $3 using one of these: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202305424/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=hook&storeId=10051, a 1/4" bolt, and some foam padding for the grip. A little hammering to flatten the base out and a little bending to make it more "ergonomic" and I had a solid, cheap-as-shit handle for my d7000.

Here's some throwaway (not that I am actually making a "video"). All the fisheye shots were filmed using that handle: Video coming...

Do those guys KNOW you're not actually making a video?

Those guys meaning me (white shirt towards the beginning) and my close friends; yes they know. We were/I was originally thinking of trying to put together a more serious edit but actual skateboarding is so much more fun than filming. It was hard to get motivated to bring along my camera equipment to a good session because all I wanted to do was skate. Also, I moved to Germany from California (where all that was filmed) so that definitely ended the possibility of putting together a "video."

[thunderwood]

I've done a boatload of research on handles and by far the best one I found/the one I ended up buying was the Alzo Transformer.  I highly recommend it and wouldn't settle for one of the cheaper handles.

http://www.amazon.com/ALZO-Transformer-DSLR-Full-Gear/dp/B005VRE8CI

Whats nice about this handle is that it is incredibly durable, has its own quick release, and can hold a tripod mount on the bottom while still having the quick release on the top.  So, you can go from using it as a handle with a fisheye to sliding it right onto a tripod without having to unscrew anything.  Also its really nice to have the hand grips on the side when you are trying to shoot hand held, because DSLR footage tends to look rather terrible and jello-y when not well stabilized and those hand grips make it super easy to get steady footage.

The line at the start of this video is a good example of how well the handle works -

Thunder 'Tage #45 - Woodward Skateboarding - Canon 550D T2i - Ben Hatchell - Thunderwood

[FatKid89]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FQ0Z1A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=A1P9QRDRYY6FXL

This should fit in the middle...good price too

[able]

this video seems relevant to this thread

How To: Camera Handles for Digital SLRs & Camcorders - Cinematographer Mike Manzoori - In Focus

[weedsk8er_21]

lol a dsl
try usin ur vx dumass

[GeorgeCostanza]

I had an opteka x-grip and it actually snapped in half while I was filming, I didn't have the time or resources to buy a metal one or make my own so I'm currently borrowing a cam caddie and it is actually great. Really stable and I like being able to adjust the position of the camera on the handle.

[marbrosmoke]

meh. cam caddie with lockout kit is plenty sturdy for me. dont know what err body else is talking about.

That's exactly what I just ordered yesterday

Works fine. Plus who has 400 bucks to buy an eazy handle from Jason Hernandez. Doesn't Nike pay that dude 6 figures to be there filmer?

[goatsucker]

http://youtu.be/OPmbCPurmiI


just made the age thing that he talks about 2nd in this video under 30$ and it works charms

[johnny howard]

a vx already has a handle.