Zacuto rig: Holds dSLR for film makers

By Leonard Goh on 15 January 2009, 11:06am

With more and more shutterbugs using the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Nikon D90 to make short films, it was inevitable that camera rigs would be redesigned to accommodate these snappers.

Previously, we've reported on Redrock's rail mounts and focusing rig for the Canon dSLR. But now another company, Zacuto, has a more universal solution that can fit almost any dSLR. The company has five kits consisting of different components, such as baseplates, grips and shoulder/tripod mounts, to meet the different needs of cinematographers.

The designers of these kits, Steve Weiss and Jens Bogehegn, placed emphasis on stability, since a shoulder-mounted dSLR would have most of the weight at the front. Their solution is an adjustable counterweight on the rear end, which is dependent on how much heft you place on the front.

According to Zacuto, what's unique about this system is that the rig is engineered to provide quick adjustments and thus smoother shots. The price isn't for the average photographer, however. At a US price of $5,196 (£3,600), it is more expensive than any of the dSLRs out there with video-recording function. UK pricing and availability have yet to be announced.