Our Affordable Run-N-Gun HDSLR Rig

For the past several months, we have been using this HDSLR rig for run n' gun documentary work. It's a rather simple shoulder-mounted double-system setup, using the Panasonic GH1 for 24p 1920x1080 for video mounted on a slightly modified Cavision RS1580S-SPE Shoulder Pad with Rod System. We're using a Sennheiser ME66/K6 mic going to a Zoom H4N audio recorder for sound, and generally roll sound continuously to sync in post. At some point, we'll probably switch to the Juicelinked DT454 for audio straight to the camera for audio, but it can be nice to have all that audio. The lens pictured here is a 55mm f1.2 Canon FD lens we purchased from KEH, a great supplier of new and used cameras and lenses based here in Atlanta.

This shift to DSLR cinema is really quite exciting. Once you've overcome all the limitations of shooting video with a still camera (like rolling shutter artifacts and the lack of image stabilization), it's possible to produce images that rival much more expensive cinema cameras. These lower production costs make it possible for our clients to utilize digital cinema in ways that have never been possible. Stay tuned for more on that.