I’ve seen a lot of DSLR rigs, but this one jumps to the top of the list. Matthew Bennett has created a compact rig by piecing together Redrock, Zacuto, and DIY accessories. Besides it’s size, the thing that makes his rig most unique is the inclusion of a electronic viewfinder or EVF. This allows for the camera to not be directly in front of his eye and allows him to create a much more balanced rig on a smaller scale.

Here is Matthew’s description:

I created this rig because I wanted a few things I couldn’t find with most mattebox/balanced shoulder rig setups.

1. They were too long in the back. I often shoot in cramped spaces and want to be able to back up all the way to a wall if need be. I hate the thought of a weighted extension swinging around behind me that I can’t see. Also, I just generally like the look of a stubby rig.

2. I wanted the camera to sit back a bit and use an EVF for a finder. That way I can adjust to almost any position for low mode shots, etc. Also I can gain stability this way.

3. I wanted to try out a sturdy, bashable mattebox with big grips on the side. I often operate with my hands on the sides of the mattebox, I find it gives me a nice feeling of stability and just.. well, feels right. It feels like you’re holding the shot in your hands. So I thought why not try to make a mattebox with actual gripping surfaces. I created a one-off prototype to try out the concept, and this was the result. Verdict.. fun and a very tactile experience when operating!
Now yes I know it’s not really a mattebox because you can’t drop in filters… so I just call it a ‘gripbox’.

Here’s a list of the gear I used:

DIY items:
Gripbox, EVF construction, Shoulder pad

Gear:
15mm rods
Zacuto + Redrock rod clamps
Zacuto follow focus
Zacuto Riser plate
Manfrotto accessory plate
IKAN 2.5 inch lcd
IKAN panasonic battery adapter
Hoodman houdloupe
Canon 7D
Tamron 17-50 VC
Redrock focus gears
Zacuto grips
2.5 lb weight

Special thanks to Zacuto USA! The best of the best!!