The first benefit of a DSLR rig is obvious. It will improve the ergonomics of your camera. Digital single-lens reflex cameras are still primarily designed with the stills photographer in mind. For someone who shoots video, handles and larger contact points are essential to providing a comfortable shooting position and increased stabilization, especially when shooting for long periods of time. Adding a DSLR rig to your camera will provide you with multiple handles and grips that will allow you to hold the camera in different positions comfortably. Some DSLR rigs come with a shoulder mount that will further increase stabilization.
The second benefit of a platform is that it will provide a level of protection for your camera. As a videographer, your camera is your main source of income. It is the most important piece of your kit. Protecting it should be a priority. High-quality gear will provide a decent level of protection, should your camera accidentally tip over. This is because most DSLR rigs are made of aluminum or high-density plastics that extend far beyond the dimensions of the camera. Just as a roll cage in a race car protects the driver in the event of a collision, so does a crew when the camera takes an unexpected hit.
The third benefit of using a DSLR rig is that it gives you a platform to add industry standard accessories. As in all industries, there are always standards that help simplify trading. In the film industry, the standard has always been a simple device consisting of two 15mm diameter rods, spaced 60mm apart. This gives you a base to which you can add accessories, transforming your camera from a consumer luxury into a movie-making workhorse.
Fourth, a DSLR rig will allow you to get shots never before possible. When the DSLR film production boom began, most equipment was limited to rod mounts, camera cages, and perhaps a few handles. These days, the number of new accessories hitting the market each month is endless, and they’re not just limited to ergonomic accessories. In recent years, the market has been flooded with equipment focused more on dynamic imaging than just stabilization and comfort. Camera sliders, arms, remote pan/tilt heads, and handheld camera stabilizers are just some of the equipment designed to provide unique and aesthetically pleasing camera movement to your shots. Never before have amateur and small business videographers been able to achieve such stunning footage on such a small budget as today.
Finally, a DSLR rig will give your business or studio a more professional image. Unfortunately, the videography industry is an industry of perceptions. Your customers will arrive with certain perceptions of what you and your team should look like. If you or your team don’t meet those perceptions, they could doubt your ability and experience, or in the worst case, choose a different service provider. A DSLR rig will give your camera a more professional look. In the competitive industry that videography has become, first impressions carry more weight than ever. Seeing the part has become almost as important as fulfilling the part. Good high-quality equipment will definitely increase your appeal among your customers.
