Video 5

DIY DSLR Shoulder Mount

I decided to make a DIY Dual Shoulder Mount for my DSLR. This all started because: (a) I have no willpower when it comes to resisting the temptation of buying new tech toys, and (b) I have a tech-pusher for a boss and he will convince me I need these things to do my job well. So, in lieu of buying an expensive camera shoulder mount, I decided to build my own.

I initially got the idea and blueprint from @ryan_conolly and Film Riot’s YouTube video found here (I suggest you check out their other great videos on video techniques, tips, and other DIY accessories). This was an excellent starting point for me, but I wanted to take it a bit further.

DIY DSLR Shoulder Mount: Detail of the Hondo Garage FIfty Dollar Follow Focus

As I was searching the interwebs for follow focus adapters, I stumbled across Hondo Garage’s aptly-titled Fifty Dollar Follow Focus. For the price, compared to other retail offerings, you couldn’t beat it. So, I ended up ordering one, as well as their Big Rig kit which included aluminum rods and a Twirl-Be-Gone anti-rotation plate and a Barely base plate. I also got an adapter for my Canon 50mm f1.8 lens here. On a side note, my rig arrived missing a few pieces due to mishandling by the USPS.  After an email, Wiley at Hondo Garage responded right away and sent the missing parts out the next day. Kudos for the great customer service. Since this post is about the shoulder mount, I’ll do a review of the Fifty Dollar Follow Focus in a later post.

Other touches I put on this baby are a pair of foam bicycle grips on the handles for comfort and a small level, mounted with small magnets, attached to the mounting plate.

DIY DSLR Shoulder Mount: Detail of the camera mounting area

Here’s a list of the parts and materials used with prices:
**Note: Prices and links to products may not align as time goes on.

Base parts & materials:

• 3/4″ PVC: piping (x12′), couplers (x2), 90° elbows (x6), tee joints (x6), and caps (x4) — approximately $15.00 (Cheers to my father-in-law for spotting me some extra)
• Metal mounting plates (x3 – I put 3 of these together to compensate for the height of the 1/4″ quick release screw) — $1.80
• 3/4″ Foam pipe insulation (x6′) — $5.86
• Black Rust-Oleum Primer & Paint (for metal & plastic) (x2) — $11.82
• 2.5 lb. weight plates (x2) — $9.96 (I got these free from my brother-in-law, but this was the price I found on Amazon)
• Screws and nuts (x4 6-32×2) — $1.12
• 1/4″ Quick release screws (x1 pack of 2) — $6.99
• PVC purple primer and cement (x1 each) — $8.48 (Again, father-in-law to the rescue)

Additional flare:

• Foam handle grips (x2) — $1.73
• Small level (x1 pack of 2) — $2.98
• Magnets for level (x1 pack of 2) — $4.00
• Hondo Garage’s Big Rig — $145.00
• Hondo Garage’s Fifty Dollar Follow Focus — $50.00
• Hondo Garage’s Canon 50mm f1.8 Nifty Fifty Follow Focus Adapter — $18.11