shoulder rig?

[WhiteOpus]

Howdy again guys! So I just completed building this DIY shoulder rig. It seems to work pretty well, but it does sorta look clunky and amateurish. Would there be any reason to move up to a professional rig, other than to look more professional? Also, is a mattebox only compatible with a rails system or would it be possible to attach one to my DIY rig?

 

[Zensteve]

it does sorta look clunky and amateurish. Would there be any reason to move up to a professional rig, other than to look more professional?

If/when you want to get paid for your work, clients expect to see gear which reflects what they're spending. So there's actually a very good reason to own/rent quality gear, other than to "look more professional". You can charge more.

Also, is a mattebox only compatible with a rails system or would it be possible to attach one to my DIY rig?

You have a DIY rig. I would expect there's a DIY solution for attaching a mattebox.

In other instances, it's common to support matte boxes on rails, sure. You can also get very lightweight lens light guards which screw onto the lens via the filter threads... but they are mainly for shielding from light flares; not as versatile as a full matte box.

 

[WhiteOpus]

Thanks for the answer Steve, I do want to get paid more!

ou can also get very lightweight lens light guards which screw onto the lens via the filter threads... but they are mainly for shielding from light flares; not as versatile as a full matte box.

I think my purpose for getting a mattebox would be in the same vein as getting a professional rig...to look more professional and charge more. Are there any suggestions you might have for a rails/shoulder pad/follow focus/mattebox "package" (under $400) or is it a better idea to purchase pieces separately, as needed? (though I do realize that buying something simple like a shoulder pad and nothing else would be absolutely pointless, haha)

 

[Will Vincent]

I bought my rails and other bits and bobs from CineCity. I assembled a custom package (via their live chat). That way I was still able to get a package price, but get the parts I specifically wanted.

Heads up, you'll pay through the nose for shipping, since it ships from India, but it ships FAST from India. Their newer "camtree hunt" stuff is pretty good.

All of these items serve actual practical purposes too, besides just "looking more professional"