Filming is fun: you get to transfer into visuals what’s in your mind and share your creativity with others. However, it’s less fun when carrying your camera gear over long periods of shooting causes strain on your neck and shoulders.

A shoulder rig helps you carry your camera around while ensuring higher image stabilization performance. Assembling a camera shoulder rig firsthand sounds pretty simple. You only need to get a few pieces and slap them together, right? Not exactly.

If you feel blocked at this stage, keep reading to find the accessories and steps you need to assemble your next shoulder rig. But first, let's brush up on why you should get a shoulder rig.

What Makes Shoulder Rigs So Special?

DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are designed to be increasingly portable and lightweight. However, shooting tasks require a lot of external accessories, and holding the camera for a long time can be tiring. That's when a shoulder rig comes in help.

A shoulder rig is a versatile mounting system designed to rest on your shoulder for higher comfort and more professional shot quality. Using a shoulder rig results in higher stability, which is crucial if you plan to shoot anything that requires mobility.

What Do You Need?

The parts needed to build a shoulder rig usually vary from model to model. This also depends on your camera type, intended use, and level of mobility needed.

The most common elements of a shoulder rig include:

• A camera cage
• Support rods
• A handgrip
• A battery attachment
• A monitor or recorder

In terms of what exactly you should add to your shoulder rig checklist, there are even more elements to consider. From shoulder pads to cheese plates, from rods and monitor arms, the list is almost endless.

You can decide to build your shoulder rig step by step, one piece at a time. In this case, you’d better stick to the same manufacturer to avoid any incompatibility issues. For example, on SmallRig, you can find a wide selection of over 900 camera accessories for all purposes and budget levels.

Imagine also that you want to get started small and then build up your shoulder rig as your skills improve. That’s perfectly fine, too. In that case, you’ll need to start with a camera cage designed for your camera model and brand, different types of handles, a shoulder pad, and a baseplate to clamp your camera to the ball head of a tripod.

If you already feel you're on the brink of a headache, get started with picking a camera baseplate and shoulder pad. These are the most important components for a stable, comfortable, and balanced shoulder rig. Next are the handles, which connect to the baseplate rods. They're used to direct the shot and set the camera direction. The handles also make up the main body of the rig itself. On top of that, you can add many more optional components to the rig body, including follow focus, extra battery space, and other elements listed above.

If you prefer to speed up this process, you can always opt for a pre-made shoulder rig. We at SmallRig have a wide selection of shoulder rigs for all camera brands and models.

The Steps to Building Your Camera Shoulder Rig

The SmallRig accessories are designed to satisfy the needs of both beginners and professionals alike. Besides being affordable, they’re all extremely easy to set up and assemble.

1st step:

Start by setting up the baseplate and rail system of your shoulder rig. Use the wrenches to put the screws in the appropriate holes to adjust the shoulder rig to your preferred position.

2nd step:

Once your rail system is assembled, place it right on the rods. Then slide on the shoulder pad and the handles. And that's pretty much it!

That's literally how simple it is to set up a SmallRig shoulder rig for your DSLR or mirrorless camera. Now you can focus on your gig or creative project without much worry in terms of pain or discomfort.

What to Consider For Building Your DIY Shoulder Rig

For shoulder rigs, there's no one-size-fits-all concept. Neither are all shoulder rigs created equal. Different models have their unique strengths and weaknesses. While some are designed with an emphasis on durability, others are more versatile.

Based on your unique needs, there may be special considerations to make. Typically, these are the main decision-making criteria when shopping for a shoulder rig:

● Budget

If you need a shoulder rig for an upcoming shoot, affordability will be your top priority, and the price point could represent a barrier to entry for you. Fortunately, you can find a shoulder rig that fits any budget, especially on SmallRig;

● Quality

Higher quality rigs lead to better shoots and also tend to last longer. Better rigs also increase the likelihood of working on higher-paying gigs and with repeat clients. Do your research, and don’t compromise too much. With a quality shoulder rig, you’ll end up saving money in the long run. On SmallRig, you can find and build your DIY shoulder rig that will last for a long without breaking the bank;

● Compatibility

The type of camera you’re using plays a big part in choosing the right shoulder rig. You need a rig that is compatible with your specific camera. Even better if you can spot a shoulder rig that allows for higher compatibility with other camera accessories;

● Film Style

Last but not least, the shoulder rig you need hinges on the shots you plan to be taking. The shooting conditions and shot length also matter when picking a shoulder rig. The type of film style you’re looking to reproduce also determines whether you should focus on the comfortability or mobility of your shoulder rig.

How SmallRig Can Help

SmallRig is your go-to solution for all your camera accessories needs and wants. Creators from all over the world have praised our shoulder rigs. We take pride in making some of the most affordable yet reliable camera accessories to boost your creative juices when filming.

Become part of the SmallRig community by following us on Facebook. You can also request to join our Facebook group called “SmallRig Product Community” to be informed of exclusive deals, share suggestions about our products, and mingle with like-minded creatives.

Conclusion

When you're focused on dealing with pain, you'll have less energy to get inspired for your shootings. Not to mention that the last thing you want is to transform your passion into your next visit to the doctor or a reason for your physical pain. Shoulder rigs also go a long way toward guaranteeing steady shots.

Check our wide selection of shoulder rig components and start building your DIY rig today!