Shoulder Rigs

What is a shoulder tripod?

A shoulder tripod was developed to be attached around the shoulder or chest and thus distribute the weight of the camera throughout the body. With the high load capacity and stability, the tripod is mainly intended for making film recordings, both for the specific video cameras and DSLR or system cameras.Tripods or monopods can be less practical if fast images with horizontal as vertical movements are necessary. The shoulders are therefore suitable for free filming of concerts, festivals and day trips.

Great freedom of movement

An important reason to choose a shoulder tripod is the tripod's freedom of movement. Because the structure is supported on the shoulder(s) and is height-adjustable, you can distribute the weight evenly over your body. So the construction feels comfortable and turning in smooth movements is easy. To realize a construction that's both light and that can be adjusted optimally, aluminium tube profiles and connectors are usually used for shoulder tripods. The soft upholstery around the material ensures you won't easily suffer from sore shoulders.

Stabilising the camera

Because the shoulder tripods can be adjusted to your posture, the recordings can be stabilised. For the grip, the handles of the tripod are equipped with rubber upholstery, so you do not lose control while changing position. Another addition is that the weight distribution of the tripod allows you to change positions smoothly, even with heavy video and DSLR cameras. If necessary, a counterweight can also be attached to the shoulder tripod.

Attaching the camera

To attach the camera to the shoulder tripod, the tripod is equipped with a threaded end. At the bottom of the video camera, there is a hole where this screw can be turned into. It is also possible to quickly attach the camera to the tripod with a spacer plate. Sevenoak and Vocas offer professional and sturdy mounting structures, so the camera is securely attached to the tripod.

Video rigs and other accessories

In addition to attaching the camera, some tripods contain more points to which parts can be attached. This includes microphones or film lampsights. In addition, kits are available that allow different video rigs to be attached to the tripod. By shifting the support point from the shoulders to another place, film positions and methods can be changed.