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Run And Gun Video Rig For $180

May 20, 2014 by Udi Tirosh 5 Comments

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I am doing a lot of self hosted videos, and while I love doing those videos, up until now there were two things about them I absolutely hated: Setting up and controlling the camera.

My setup check list was longer that I wanted it to be for a run and gun interview or a self hosted video, it included setting the camera on a tripod and starting to run back and forward between the camera and my mark to frame and focus the shot. I’d usually bring a nano light stand just for that – to assist me with framing myself in the shot and focusing the camera. The other thing I hated was starting and stopping the camera. As a Nikon shooter (D7000) I simply had no way around repeating this for every shot and take: walk to camera; start recording; walk to my mark; do my thing; walk back to the camera; stop recording. It was a nightmare.

I recently changed the way I work in two ways: video setup and audio.

firstly I bought a TPlink MR3040 router which I can use to frame, focus, start and stop the recording. The second thing that changed is that I started using a Rode Video mic pro for my audio. It records directly into the camera (which some will say is a wrongest thing to do to audio, but for what I do, it is more than enough).

Here is the breakdown of my setup:

The core of this system is an app called DSLR Dashboard – it is an android app that is like a super functional remove control for your DSLR. I am only using a fraction of the app’s abilities and still loving it. I am using its live view feature to set up – once I have the general framing I can using to move around the frame and to focus the camera on myself. (I am still occasionally using the light stand, but I find it less and less needed as I am getting better in setting up the shot).

I am also using the app to focus. I am going to have a full tutorial on how to setup and use the TP link and DSLR dashboard soon, but for now the only thing you need to change on your camera is the focus mode while in Live view – set it to single servo so it does not auto adjust every time you move out of the frame.

The second part is the actual TP link MR3040 router. It is a $30 piece of hardware that was originally a router that provides a hot spot by connecting to a cellular network, but it has an open architecture and the folks at DSLR dashboard made an openWRT (opens source router) software flavor for it that works with their app and almost any DSLR.

tplink-mr3040

I am also using a cheap battery off of deal extreme to keep the router powered, it runs on an internal battery that lasts about two hours, and the extra juice allows for almost a full day of work. I will probably switch to a nice Anker Astro soon.

dx-battery

The last bit is the audio, I moved from using a wired neck mic + zoom + cable to using a Rode Video Mic Pro and I never looked back. I am still using the lav mic and zoom when needed, but I am using the rode for all my run and gun work. Now I am using the Pro version which costs $230 but you can do the same setup with just about any good DSLR shotgun mic. (check out the Rode video mic that only costs $150 for a significant reduction of costs on this setup).

rode-videomicpro

For someone like me who is not a native English speaker, needed to walk to the camera between every shot really throws me off. Having the ability to focus on my talk and not be interrupted by having to walk to the camera is great and helps me keep focus. (I don’t have this issue with Hebrew, but it is still faster). Even if you don’t buy into the audio part, this hack alone is priceless.

I also notices that with the setup being a lot simpler my check up list became shorter and I am having less mistakes. Since I can now re-focus at any given time, I have more usable shots, and a bit more freedom to move around. I am also not having as many voice synching issues as there is only one switch to turn on.

The Router alone is $30 and depending on your mic selection you are looking at a total of $180-$260 for a rig that significantly simplifies your life. Stand by for complete how to setup the camera and wireless router for dummies tutorial, as well as a fuller review on the Rode video mic pro.

DSC_1765_small

Link Recap:

  • TP Link MR3040
  • DSLR Dashbord
  • Rode Videomic Shotgun
  • Rode Video Mic Pro
  • 15000mAh External Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery

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Filed Under: Tutorials Tagged With: Video, videography, vidoe rigs

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.net

About Udi Tirosh

Udi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

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Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

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