I am shooting video with a Canon 550D and using the Zoom H4n for audio. The quality is great, but when working alone, this can be a painful set-up. I carry a backpack with my camera gear and another small case that holds my audio gear (Zoom, lav mic, XLR cable, tabletop tripod...). The problem is that when I want to be mobile and "run n gun" I cannot carry my tripod, camera, Zoom, mics, cords... I have found several blog posts that offer great solutions, but all are more than I can afford right now. My favorite set-up and the one I plan to use is the one Juan Pons posted. Today I went on a mission to find a budget-friendly solution that will help me move faster this weekend while I shoot the Symphony in the Flint Hills. I bought the PlatinumPlus flexPod gripper by Sunpak at Best Buy for about $20. I had an idea that I could find a way to wrap it on my tripod nice and tight and mount my Zoom on it.
I went home and tried it and it was easy to wrap it and stabilize it so my Zoom wouldn't jerk around and pick up noise. I am posting two photos (although I erased my messy home from the background) to show you how I set it up. I tested it out, placing my 550D on the tripod and the Zoom mount on the tripod's leg. It was easy to pick up and carry my tripod to a new location. The only thing I had to break down was the mic and cords that run to the Zoom. This cuts my set-up and breakdown time in half and makes me real happy... and all for $20.
Good one!
ReplyDeleteI am in the same situation as you. After finding this post I realised I had the answer right in front of me.
You mentioned you have found several blog posts that offer great solutions. I would appreciate any links you have found useful in run and gun DSLR video.
Dane
Thanks Dane.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link to my favorite solution to date:
http://dpexperience.com/2010/03/18/recording-audio-with-your-video-dslr-part-ii/
It may be hard to see, but the word "posted" in the sentence "My favorite set-up and the one I plan to use is the one Juan Pons posted," is a hyperlink to this blog post. I do not have any of the others bookmarked, because I liked Juan's the best. Sorry.
One problem I did have with my cheap set-up is that the grip can shift while walking or moving, but if you set it up just right, you can get it to where it doesn't. Mostly, I just needed it to be easier to carry from location to location and then I secured the grip before recording. Also, if you bump the tripod, it may appear on the audio (but I never had that problem).
Hope it helps as a temporary solution. Good luck and I look forward to reading more on your blog.