For both hobbyists and professionals, filmmaking can be very expensive. While there are some inexpensive options out there, cameras usually range from several hundred dollars to several thousand. High-quality lenses are also often expensive — not to mention everyday gear like tripods, mounts, audio recorders, batteries, micro cards, and more.
However, for crafty videographers and spendthrift creators, there are workarounds that save potentially hundreds of dollars on brand-name gear by creating equivalent devices from inexpensive materials.
So, before you break the bank, let’s check out some affordable, do-it-yourself camera gear.
DIY Camera Rig
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwNJFB8un4I
Camera rigs and stabilizers have become the norm as run-and-gun filmmaking has become more common — for everything from Youtube vloggers to aspiring short form filmmakers. As cameras have become smaller and lighter, cheaper materials like PVC pipe is all filmmakers need to build a custom rig. In this tutorial by Youtuber Devon Gray, you can build a reliable stabilizing camera rig for under $15. All you need is the following:
- 4x 1/2″ PVC pipe 4″ in length
- 2x 1/2″ PVC pipe 6″ in length
- 1x 1/2″ PVC pipe 7 1/4″ in length
- 1x 1/2″ PVC pipe 3 3/4″ in length
- 1x 1/2″ PVC pipe 3″ in length
- 1x 1/2″ PVC pipe 2 1/4″ in length
- 1x 1/2″ PVC pipe 1 1/2″ in length
- 3x 1/2″ PVC T-joints
- 5x 1/2″ PVC 90 degree elbow joints
- 2x 1/2″ PVC 45 degree joints
- 1x 1/2″ PVC plug
- 1x 1/4″-20 machine screw 2 1/2″ in length
- 2x 1/4″ nuts
- 1x 1″ spring
Total Price: $15
DIY Dolly Track
If run-and-gun handheld cinematography isn’t your thing, don’t worry. With similar materials, you can also build a smooth dolly track. A DIY dolly, especially those that use skateboard wheels, can create amazingly cinematic movements on cameras of all sizes. As long as you’re not loading too much gear (or sitting on the dolly yourself), all it takes is one or two people to set-up and operate. Here’s a DIY option by The How To Team with everything you’ll need:
- 8 metres of 25mm PVC pipe
- 4 x 90 degree elbows
- plastic glue
- 1 x tripod dolly
- 3 x 40mm angle 60mm long
- 3 x angle brackets to bend
- 6 x skateboard wheels
- 1 x bicycle bearing
- various bolts
Total Price: $65
DIY Steadicam
Many filmmakers look for ways to stabilize their camera movements. Unlike a sturdy camera rig, a good DIY stabilizer will actively counterbalance your camera movements to reduce any jerky movements. Combining a good stabilizer during production with something like warp stabilizer in post production can create virtual stability on the go. Here’s a great option by Advancing Your Photography.
- (2) 3/4″ 90-degree elbow metal tubing
- (3) 3/4″ metal tubing couplers
- (1) 1/4″ hex screw
- (1) 1/4″ nut
- (1) 5/16″ x 1″ fully threaded hex screw
- (1) 5/16″ nut
- (2) 1/4″ x 3″ hex screw
- (2) 1/4″ nut
- (~50) 1/4″ center x 1 1/4″ diameter fender washer
- (2) 1/4″ butterfly nuts
- (1-3) standard bearings (for how much it turns)
- (1) 1/2″ PVC pipe 5-8 inches long
- (1) 1/2″ PVC pipe male and female adapter (2 parts)
- (1) Traxxas 1651 set (3 pieces per set)
- (1) macro slider
- (1) quick release plate
Total Price: $15
DIY Video Light
There are plenty of DIY options for lighting setups that won’t break the bank. One great example is from Indy Mogul on how to build your own video light from basic hardware store parts. Lighting is a little bit trickier in some regards, since you’re really looking to control luminosity and color temperature, but if you understand your bulb selections, you can make cheap DIY options work just as great as more expensive brand name setups.
Total Price: $86
DIY Multi-Channel Audio Recorder
While technically an upgrade (you’ll need to already own or purchase a Zoom H1 audio recorder), this DIY trick will still save you money as it effectively “hacks” your single channel Zoom H1 to record multiple XLR channels at once. You can read more about DSLR Video Shooter‘s process here, but all you’ll need are the following items:
- Dual XLR to 3.5mm jack
- Small 3.5mm splitter
- Small zip ties
- Cold shoe adapter
Total Price: $15
Top image by Dmitriy Kozhanov