Wooden DSLR shoulder rig does follow focus with a twist
By Donald Melanson 
posted May 5th 2010 6:36PM
posted May 5th 2010 6:36PM
We have to admit we have an affinity for finely hand-crafted gadget accessories -- be they iPad cases or PC chassis -- and we're especially impressed when they add some unique functionality to match their looks, like this wooden DSLR shoulder mount built by Jonathan Clifford Berqvist and his father Erik. In addition to being built from a single tree branch, the rig packs a nifty follow focus mechanism that lets you adjust the focus with just a twist of the handle. While there's unfortunately no step-by-step plans for building your own, it certainly seems to be straightforward enough for anyone with some basic woodworking skills, and you can get a glimpse of the build process in the video after the break.
Thats business right there
@Stevenk
Lol
Thats money!*
What a beautiful video.
It's like the how-they-did-it chrome speed test video, but tamer.
The dude has got some wood.
@ROFL: with his dad.
All it needs is a weight on the back piece to better counter balance it.
@ssgadget That's what she said
Thats the Swedish at work ;)
@Snelpiller iKEA
Viewing the RSS feed in Netvibes shows this article as being posted 'in the future'. Wha?
Would be cooler if it was a GH1 - Cannon is so passé.
Of coarse you wouldn't need that follow focus due to the fact that the GH1 has auto focus in video mode, but I guess you could still use it for when you were setting up your shots.
That video is not approve by treehugger.
Clearly a true master craftsman! He still has all his fingers.
Downrank me if you like but...
That dad is awesome, the guy made the video sucks.
I like he said "i watch many DIY videos, shoulder cam videos etc etc and i made some my own" no mate your fathers many years of experience and craftsmanship made, you were just filming him. And that makes him a bit lame in my eyes.
Next time someone tell him to go help his dad, and learn from him few things!!
@Sor1
I ranked you up. I got the same impression.
I will say I think he had a hand in helping with the initial planning, but judging from what he said his dad came up with the focus method...which is the real groundbreaking part of this.
Came off as a bit of a tool, but I'm still glad he made the video.
@Sor1
He probably went and gathered the wood and try the initial fitting. That's how he "helped".
@Sor1
Do you have any experience in film/tv/video? The fact that he only made the video in your eyes makes him lame?
Did you find the video concise, intelligable and/or entertaining? That doesn't come out of thin air
The video was shot, edited and paced well. Not that it's a ground breaking by any means, but its of professional quality. Someone inexperienced could not shoot or edit a piece like this.
@Sor1
The video is of the production, nothing about the design process.
We give Microsoft credit for the Kin when actually Sharp make them.
I wish I have a father.
Like his.
@Waroxy ..said Luke before meeting Darth Vader.
Can we trade fathers?
Um... Not only is this awesome, but he's CUTE! Oh, and having a Dad that's great with woodwork is always a plus.
Cool stuff... and I'm not even into photography, but I do like DIY projects.
That's actually pretty cool.
I'm seasick, can they guy get his dad to make him a tripod next.
Cool hack - but, like, this is for shooting HD video on a DSLR? Because it seem useless for still shooting.
Gimmicky wooden focus puller for gimmicky DSLR video mode. Match made in heaven.
@manIK
-1 For terrible grammar
-5 For asking a dumb question you already know the answer to... why would you need to spend all the time making this for still shooting when you could just use a tripod? Of course it's for video.
-5 For being ignorant. It's not "gimmicky" to have HD video on DSLR's anymore, they just shot a whole HD episode of house on them and it looked awesome. Also handcrafted wood for a specific purpose is sort of the opposite of "gimmicky."
@Josh S
I just don't think it was worth all that effort for DSLR video since it's such a gimmicky feature.
@manIK "I just don't think it was worth all that effort for DSLR video since it's such a gimmicky feature."
Yeeap...that wins top moron comment of my day.
It's so "gimmicky" a low-end company called ZEISS is making this for shooting full length films using DLSRs....
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/18/carl-zeiss-shooting-for-budding-dslr-filmmaker-audience-with-new/
@tazmond
It's so "gimmicky" a low-end company called ZEISS is making this for shooting full length films using DLSRs....
...to get a piece of the gimmick-pie. Ya.
Maybe you all should read up on the definition of 'Gimmick'.
@manIK
Wikipedia- "In marketing language, a gimmick is a quirky feature that distinguishes a product or service without adding any obvious function or value. Thus, a gimmick sells solely on the basis of distinctiveness and may not appeal to the more savvy or shrewd customer"
Dictionary.com- "verb (used with object)
5.
to equip or embellish with unnecessary features, esp. in order to increase salability, acceptance, etc. "
Sooo....
@manIK
Is oblivion anything like purgatory?
so badass, you have inspired me to make my own as well
gosh, that is a beautiful little boy.
that doesnt look ergonomic...
Not sure how I feel about the kid.. but the dad is a real baller gansta!
Well done, Erik!
wow! thats a really clever design. I hope he patented this, otherwise hes a moron.
@chipped
Yea because it's real easy, quick and inexpensive to be granted a patent approval.
awesome design, many props TO HIS DAD, not so much him.
main complaint "bleh bleh bleh i did all this research and wanted to make something that was my version, but heres what my DAD made"
So props to pops, that guys gangsta, thats how i wish my future is when im older, just chillin in my home shop making shit, lol
Great design.. I love the concept for the follow focus, just makes sense. The dad's got skills to pay the bills..