Building a Minimalistic Camera Rig

[@chadwin]

✨The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/chadwinsmith01231
📷 What camera rig should I build next? Maybe the Maximus Prime of camera builds? 😂

[@Shookie]

You strike again with one useful video! This is one of the most informative camera rig vids I've come across. And the way you articulate yourself WHILE being including and mentioning other options left and right is just so relieving to see, as that is a rare trait, so keep doing so! I've stated this before, but unfortunately for me, I only discovered your channel today, a random day in march 2024, and I wish I would've done so sooner.
What is utterly delightful to also see is the fact that upon watching your rigs, setups and recommendations, I feel that I've struck so good with my own setup for my small M50ii, as I have a lot of the things you've mentioned, recommended and/or own. That was a very pleasant surprise for a noobie videographer like me to see (I've always had a big interest in videography and filming, but I've only recently picked it up on a serious level, which now feels amazing!)
Furthermore, I cannot even articulate myself well enough on how important it is that one, especially a beginner, invests in a PROPER monitor mount, and the Smallrig one is a wonderful as well as an affordable one to go for. The monitor is such an expensive piece, even on a budget setup, and you definitely want the monitor to be safe and good, and for that, adding more money into a proper monitor mount is absolutely worth it. 100% agreeing with you on that!
And I am happy to see that you're also a fan of top handles! As am I, as it's both practical, ready-to-go and looks fittingly nice. And here, I would like to add that I actually spent a good while going through a dozen of top handles, until I landed on Nitze Stinger QR (quick release). This is another place where I decided to add more money into. Why? For the simple reason that I use the top handle A LOT! It's just so practical and useful. And what's great about the Nitze Stinger QR, is that I can even use it with gloves. I live in the utmost coldest place in north of Norway, where we have -30C/-22F average winter temps., so having a top handle that is big and practical enough to deal with during those temps, helps a lot. Also, if you've got rather big fingers/hands, this top handle is also very suitable. My dad got the "lumberjack hands" (unlike my "pc hands"), and he was able to hold it comfortably well. And it's also a top handle that I've managed to hold for a long period of time without any discomfort. A highly recommended top handle that, for sure! Ohh, and yes, it's the Nitze Stinger WITH a nato system on the top of the handle that I am praising as much as I am! PS: I must also add that I am on a rather small budget when it comes to my M50ii setup, but the top handle was one of the areas where I decided to not be cheap, and I definitely don't regret on that choice!
Also, were you in a hurry so you decided to make this quick video? Hehe. You're dressed as if you're off to a mission, but you decided to make this useful video nonetheless. Class, man. :) Keep up the amazing work!

[@drsatishdas]

Nicely demonstrated

[@razorman92]

I always wonder how do these rig perform, a video showing how to use it, stabilize the video & shooting tips/tricks would be something im sure more people will be into than making a rig.

[@janananna]

Love your detailed description. Got the free one month to Skillshare too! Thx Chad!

[@chadwin]

That’s awesome! Thanks for watching! 🙌

[@bobzhang5875]

Nice, I'm looking for minimalistic Rig for FX3, Thank you !

[@chadwin]

That’s awesome, hopefully this video was helpful in pointing you in the right direction then!! Good luck on your rig 🤜

[@dathofilms]

sound bits is the best part of brolls for me at least.

[@mtmccornack]

I was using a magic arm for a couple of weeks while my cage components arrived and almost F'd up my multi media shoe from the stupid monitor mounts quarter 20 thread over tightening through the nato rail on top... I swore to never use a magic arm ever again!

[@chadwin]

oh geeze, yeah messing up your gear is not worth it! I've found that trying to mount anything heavy or large on the cold shoe never works out well. Magic arms are useful sometimes, but I usually try to avoid them also! haha

[@karlieharrison1061]

So cool! Thanks. Very useful info.

[@chadwin]

thanks for watching!!

[@locaalicia_jp]

Wearing black clothes and explaining black products is invisible.😅

[@liveacousticsound]

The adapter for the Atomos monitor isn’t the best, because it should allow you to tilt the monitor back a bit more, at to at least 90 degrees to the handle. The Smallrig adapter allows this.

[@wearetrackclub]

Nice video! Really cool to see how you put this together 👍

[@209lapko]

Thanks mate, Really great info!

[@LoveDarts]

Great video as always! Keep up the great work!

[@chadwin]

hey thanks for watching! 🤜

[@jorgefilmaker]

super fabulous your minimalist system , 👍

[@ggslav]

Looks cool! But it also looks a bit too light. What about the jitters when filming with a minimal rig like this one?

[@chadwin]

It is a tighter, more compact rig for sure! micro-jitters are something I try to avoid while filming and usually can if I'm steady and have IBIS on. Having filmed a lot of stuff with this exact setup, they really haven't been a problem for me. But of course adding a heavy v-mount battery is another great way to help stabilize this setup.

[@gf8154]

Why the need for the cage at all if you’re only using the top handle for mounting purposes?

[@toms2014]

Chadwin... great video.... I am in the hunt for a mini rig for run and gun filming.... I will use it for my promo videos only ...this is a great start.... would you be concerned or HOW MUCH concern using in wet type environment (on small boats) because thats what I do- make small boats-

[@ANRO_ANRO]

Also the ninja V+ cage used on it has no link

[@jklphoto]

Looks like the SmallHD Action5 is "Sold Out". Bummer. They had me at 2000 nits. But the Ninja Atomos V is currently discounted to $399.

[@ANRO_ANRO]

The tilta handles are not listed with a link here

[@user-sb4ev1jf8g]

super fabulous your minimalist system , . Hello ! What SD card do you usually use for filming ?.

[@trevorwild195]

How long does it last for that battery for your Atomos Ninja V? Perhaps you will need quite a few to last you for a day shoot?

[@trevorwild195]

For the 7.4V 8700mAh type Sony NP-F980 battery, it lasts about 2 hours (similar to the Sony Z battery in ZV-E1). I'm quite comfortable to do a whole day shoot with 4 of those batteries.

[@Emmanuel23486]

Nice 😊

[@Finsterwald_]

Instead of using the matt box, I suggest to use the NISI Swift System. It can hold a combination of 9 stop ND filters along with a mist filter. Its better than the clunky matt box.

[@ListenHereOldMan]

i got the tilta mirage for my FX3 during BF sale and I just keep thinking how much nicer the Basecamp seems, i really shoulda just saved the $$ for that...
anyway that's v similar to the minimal rig i'm running atm, although i find it's actually not much bulkier for me to go w rails for my v-mount, even w a rig that small, just bc the Ninja V+ batteries are so heavy...

[@jackpatmoreinc]

Would you recommend using NP-F970 or NP-F750 batteries to power the monitor?

[@chadwin]

For this setup I’d go with the 750’s, cause the 950’s are so big it makes it difficult to tilt the screen back very far without hitting .

[@jackpatmoreinc]

@@chadwin Would you recommend the A7SIII or the FX3?

[@chadwin]

@@jackpatmoreinc if you do a lot of photography, I'd get the a7siii just so you have the viewfinder. otherwise I'd get the FX3 if you are more video focused so you get the top handle.

[@jmd1743]

I would have included a torque screw driver if I were small rig.

[@clapntrack4556]

Hello ! What SD card do you usually use for filming ?

[@thomaswindfeld728]

Hi there Chadwick. Can you tell me if the menu info is being shown on the external monitor when you shoot in 4k? The Cameras in a7 series do not and its driving me Crazy and Wang to upgrade to the fx. Greetings from Denmark ☺️

[@EvanAube]

Hey Chadwin! Thinking about a monitor, my first and being paired with the Sony A7iii, and I was wondering if you thought starting with just a monitor like the Action5 or Portkeys5 would be better than jumping right to the Ninja V?

[@blendragon28]

Do you like the FX3 better than the FX6?

[@chadwin]

That’s a hard choice…honestly, I use the FX3 more, mostly because it’s so much easier to take around travel with. It’s also a lot better for gimbal work. The image between the 2 is nearly identical also. But the FX6 is great for studio work and the internal ND filters.

[@pukachip]

I love how you build a minimalistic camera rig!
just a few questions, I am trying to use a Ronin rs2 gimbal with fx3, 24-70gm ii, and PolarPro Matt Box (including stage 2&3 and hood).
With all that, do I need a lens support bracket for the front side of the lens? Would the camera body mount still be safe even though not using the lens support?
I'm pretty sure using either 16-35gm or 24-70gm ii without matt box is no problem, but not sure with it. 🤔

[@OldHabitsProductions]

Hey! I’m about to run the same set up. Have you tried it out with the matte box, and have you come to a conclusion?

[@mrsalamander9246]

what lav mic are you using?

[@kookkevin]

I love my shotgun mic

[@adonian]

I can appreciate these rigs, but I’m broke as f. I can’t do $4k for a camera body…😢

[@avgoustinos]

its not too front heavy????? This camera is 100% front heavy and for sure totally unbalanced :/

[@sonnov0]

I hate that you overuse the word absolutely.

[@chadwin]

Absolutely! 💀