DSLR Shoulder Mounts for Filmmakers

The new wave of digital SLR’s has created quite a buzz amongst filmmakers. Entirely new communities have developed and photographers who were once only concerned with static images have crossed over into the world of motion. Digital video camera’s such as the Nikon D90, Canon 7D and the Canon 5D have started the trend towards high quality video production using lightweight digital SLR’s.

However, the new consumers behind the cameras rushed into the new technology creating technically weak content. Often the images were strong from a  composition standpoint but most of the first videos created from these devices lacked control over image movement, a concept that is understood all too well in the world of filmmaking.

The result was a glut of new material that suffered from bad camera shake and jumpiness. This unwanted camera movement draws unnecessary attention to the camera which pulls the audience out of the story. Camera movement needs to be motivated by the story. Hand held footage, although commonly accepted in the realm of documentary filmmaking, is often regarded as a stylistic mistake in fiction filmmaking unless the movement compliments the story. However, the “hand-held” look in larger budget productions is often never actually “held by the hand” at all. Although the camera operator’s hands help support the stabalization device, their shoulders or chest act as the main support for the camera.

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Message by:  Lights Film School
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Filmmakers use stabilizing devices for most of their shots (both static and motion shots). They use dollies, tripods, jibs and cranes to name only a few devices. When a filmmaker wants to free their camera of these devices they often turn to devices commonly known as steadycams. These devices are designed to increase the points of contact between the camera and the operator. The result is a much smoother image.

It’s important to understand that audience’s know the difference between “hand-held” camera shake and “stabilized” camera shake.

Holding a camera by its side with your hands is arguably the worst way to stabilize the your images. The camera will pick up your heartbeat, small jittery movements from your morning coffee and any other small naturally occurring bodily function (hickups, footsteps etc). This results in footage that looks uncontrolled. Essentially, this type of footage has an amateur or home-video quality to it. The movement on the 4 edges of the frame is too jittery and is associated with the styling of a home video maker.

On the other hand if you’re using a shoulder mount or steadycam your footage will still have a little movement which will be noticeable on the 4 walls of the frame, but the movement will be much smoother and less distracting. Cinematographers often call this “breathing” on the image. It means they want to incorporate that naturalistic look without drawing unnecessary attention to the camera. Instead of jerky, uncontrolled movements the movement in the frame is soft, controlled and feather like.

Shoulder mounts can now be picked up for very reasonable prices. The entire DSLR industry and filmmaker community have helped miniaturize these once expensive and bulky hardware systems, into inexpensive and easy to handle equipment. Thank you DSLR filmmakers!

The brands and prices for DSLR compatible shoulder mounts can be found below.

Redrock Shoulder Mount System: $826 (Shoulder rig) – 2,412 (bundle)

Zacuto – $475 (Target Shooter) – $2615 (Crossfire)

Cavision – contact for pricing

Genus Shoulder Mount kit: $875

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