[Twizted_bunny]

i have been wanting to build a rig for a while and have no idea where to start as these things seem to be a secretive build process for every photographer...

anyone have some tips and photos to share?

[myacreative]

grab a snack, a drink, and sit back and read this thing. or just skim through it. everything ive learned about rig stuff has come from this thread or trial and error. i found all my pieces through here as well.

Official Automotive Rigs - DIY Thread - Canon Digital Photography Forums


my rig consists of 3 super clamps (found on bandhphoto.com)
2 of these suction cups (Visual Departures | Suction Cup Mount - 6" | SM6 | B&H)

a manfrotto magic arm and 12 feet of aluminum pole.

one super clamp attaches to each of the suction cups, and the third is attached to the magic arm, which attaches to the end of your rig to hold your camera.

mine isnt the most stable, i need some thicker piping, but it gets the job done. hoping to revise it over the winter.

here's a couple pics ive done with it.











you can see a lot more here on my flickr.... Rig shots - a set on Flickr

the rig generally isnt that bowed. we didnt tighten it all the way, i fixed it right after this pic.



hopefully that helps a little bit. that thread on POTN is awesome. so much good knowledge in there and some AMAZING rig set ups.

[Twizted_bunny]

Damn! Thanks! I'll read it later... But great info in there!

[UdubBadger]

I hate cloning... I'd much rather follow in a chase car for good shots. the best is the back of a 4runner cuz you can sit in the trunk and the back glass rolls down like a window.

[Twizted_bunny]

I've done that but always wanted to try a rig

[myacreative]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

I hate cloning... I'd much rather follow in a chase car for good shots. the best is the back of a 4runner cuz you can sit in the trunk and the back glass rolls down like a window.

that works to a certain extent but there is NO way you can get some shots that you could get with a rig, in a chase car. trust me, ive hung out of plenty of cars inches above the 70+ mph ground lol. but rig shots are a totally different animal. definitely not for everyone tho.

[kcsays]

90% of people use suction cup setups, some use magnets for super low or high level...

i'm actually thinking about building new one... but knowing me i prolly get lazy and wont make one haha

[Travis C]

This is my rig, homemade.





Check out the set for details! Rig Shots - a set on Flickr

[TrUcKeR]

shouldn't this be in the rig section? :D

[BandyDesign]

While you may be ok, I'd like to throw out a warning:

DO NOT TRY AND GO CHEAP ON A RIG!

particularly the suction cups and their connection to the tubing. I know of multiple people who have dropped their cameras.

That being said... automotiverigs [dot] com from back in the day was wayyy overpriced.


Do your research and build the setup that is best for you.

Remember that if you shoot during the day you will need a neutral density filter or some way to stop down the exposure(sometimes just a CP is fine)

Also, if you try and make a rig longer than 10' or so it gets real tricky to keep it steady.

Do realize you need a wide angle to get those types of shots.


Now, when it comes to taking the shots:
-Exposures are generally long (at least 1 full second)
-Speeds are very slow(<5mph)
-Often you may choose to roll the car without the engine on to reduce vibration
-Watch your surface that the car is rolling on, don't expect a shot with a 20' pole to be steady on a gravel road!!

If you are curious how these shots are done on an epic scale... check out this vid:

[kcsays]

here is my 2 cents and my setup

things you need to make a rig
- suction cup x2
- clamp x3
- arm x1
- pole x1 - you dont want it too long or too short.

things you need to take a shot
DAY TIME
- ND filter
- CP filter
- wide angle lens ( 10-20 or 12-24 )
- use manual setting ( lower shutter speed w/ higher F number )
- wireless remote

NIGHT TIME
- wide angle lens ( 10-20 or 12-24 )
- use manual setting ( lower shutter speed w/ higher F number )
- wireless remote

you can roll the car or drive the car its upto you, just know when to press the button to take the picture.

[Travis C]

-I don't have an ND filter so i shoot at dusk or at night, which isn't a big deal.
-I shoot with a remote and am actually driving the car when i take my pics, really slow like around 3mph.
-My shutter speed is usually 20-30 sec and the aperture usually maxed out.
-I shoot with my 10.5mm

[BandyDesign]

If you have the patience, you can avoid dropping the cash on the remote and use the timer function. That seems to work for me for now...

[myacreative]

yea i use the 2 second timer on the 40d. wish i had a remote so i could do rig shots by my self and actually drive the car or something. and for certain angles it'd be a lot easier to have a remote instead of bending all crazy.

[Vudoo4u2]

as trucker posted in the chat:

most nuts rig ever: