5D and 7D Precision Support Cage.

I've been experimenting with cage setups for Video and DOF adapter setups. Here is a setup with the 7D and battery grip. The rod spacers are aluminum and black hard anodized. I also made a few precision carbon fiber rods. The tension threads have stainless steel inserts for a life time of use or abuse. I will have some updated pics with a full setup soon. Mic, Monitor, etc. It's compact, very light but still leaves quite a bit of room for vertical play inside the rods, especially without the battery grip.

Are you selling these? Is this a prototype, or just for personal use?

Hey, nice cage. Who makes this gear? Or its diy kit?
Maybe post link & price would be cool.

Thanks.
Dave.

It looks kind of interesting, but I don't see what the purpose of it is. You couldn't really shoot hand held with this (but I guess you could hold the top handle for low angle shots) and it doesn't look like a follow focus would work unless it was mounted on the right side. In fact, it looks like you would have to do all of your focusing on the right side. At first I thought it was for protecting the camera, but the cage only covers the left half.

-Justin-

I designed and cut out my Original set using a water jet. (I make race car suspension components and Aerial mount pan and tilt units) I powder baked them and used them with a Sony DVX100 and my own design DOF adapter. Made a few sets for use with Other video cameras. A friend of mine wanted to know if a set could be revamped for Dslr use. He just got his 7D and I too am equally freaked out with this camera. So this is the first set for the 7D. All sets will be Anodized black. I will be making the Dslr rail mounts and rail - mic -monitor mounts as accessories for all dslr cameras as well. I'm all about selling these and soon. I plan on advertising here as this is the most active and coolest forum I've ever seen. I'm putting together the website and will contact the advertising dept immediatley to get these rolling. Thanks for the interest. I do have 2 extra sets already cut out and black if anyone is interested.

Not to bore anyone with obsolete photos but here's the DVX setup that started it all. And some closeups.

And for Justin. Valid points. I've shot motion footage handheld with a lightweight unit and unless you want the shots to resemble that 'Lizard in the City' look. The little bit of extra weight and size really smoothes out the shots. I definitely would not recommend trying to shoot handheld with a follow focus without a shoulder mount. I'm also working on a 4 axis Gyroscopic stabilizer unit to mount on 15mm rails for steadycam like filming. The good news is, with the rails, you can slide the spacers forward and backward to accomodate almost any attachments. You can even use just 1 spacer as they are quite sturdy but it ends up looking very flimsy. 1 of the reasons I made a cool looking cage is just for that reason. It looks really cool. I personally would not Show up with a Dslr camera in hand to shoot a production of any kind where an exchange of currency has been negotiated. I've learned it's all about presentation in this business. Hate to admit, but I even filmed a job with my DVX minus the DOF adapter and left the cage on cause girls really like the unit. Honestly. I like hearing all the Wows when I set it on the tripod. I did remove it from the tripod for a few handheld shots and the cage came in extremely handy for shake stabilization. An added bonus that day I suppose. The top rails allow for jib / crane shooting with the camera underslung also.

Hey, keep us posted when your site is up and running. I'd like to see more of your rigs.
I applaud the small start up like yourself. Been waiting and wanting more fabricators to provide more access to better priced good quality rigs.
I myself have been contemplating building my own Zacuto type gunstock or RR eyespy shoulder supports. I'd be interested in a better priced kit way below what those big wigs are asking for. I also like alternative to IDC uboat commander.
(hint,hint) any fabricators out there to take on the challenge?

Cheers,
Dave.

Do you think that you could make pieces that are the proper width and size for 15mm rods. Just some general standard pieces that would go into a baseplate ect..
so that some of us would have a starting point to start making DIY kits?

Very cool cage. Almost reminds me of those egg drop competitions we would do in science class

Impressive!

Are you also going to make other products..like shoulder mounts, etc? I'd really like to see your ideas for a shoulder mount kit (as the redrock one is quite pricey w a top handle)

Very nice idea! Let us know when the site is up.