Awesome Rigs

Phoneq’s aluminum Mulitpod provides versatile options for run-and-gun and hands-free video. It works as a tripod, an around-the-neck mount, a selfie stick, and a low-angle holder. It uses magnets to snap securely onto the back of MagSafe-compatible iPhones or other phones using an included magnetic ring. It folds up small to fit in your bag or pocket.

Ever wondered how they shoot those super smooth videos that circle around a fast-moving car? This clip from the crew at motionstate shows how technology and talent come together to work cinematic magic. Director Corey Koniniec is running the show from behind the controls of a Nodofilm remote camera rig in their Porsche Cayenne Turbo arm car.

We’ve yet to see the fourth installment in the Bad Boys franchise, but the early buzz is that it’s another great action flick. This brief behind-the-scenes clip shows how Will Smith wielded a special camera rig to capture a visual that flips between a reverse perspective and a first-person view during a gunfight. We wonder if Will gets a camera operator credit.

Edelkrone’s StandPLUS is like a portable monitor arm but for cameras, smartphones, and anything you can mount with a standard tripod mounting screw. It’s easier to adjust than a tripod and makes more angles and positions possible. It also folds flat and has a built-in handle. The standard model holds up to 3 lb., while the Pro holds up to 6 lb.

Edelkrone’s smart tripod is as technologically advanced as it gets. It packs high-torque motors, a gyroscope and accelerometer, and can self-level on uneven surfaces. Connect your camera to its trigger port, and the tripod can change heights over time while shooting time-lapses. It adjusts from 13.4″ to 58.3″ high, lifts up to 44 lb, and offers app remote control.

Photographer Luke Edwin shows off a bunch of neat tricks for capturing amazing video shots on a shoestring budget. From using a cheap camera gimbal as a motion-control rig to pulling an action camera through scenes using an ultra-long selfie stick and string, each creative technique produces dramatic and professional-looking results.

This pocket-size rigging tool is a must-have for smartphone photography. Edelkrone developed the PhoneCLIP to mount a phone to a standard tripod screwthread. It’s made from CNC-machined aluminum and clips around the edge of your phone with padded grippers. It works with any phone in any case up to 13mm thick.

This silent, motorized camera rig helps you capture smooth dolly shots on any flat surface. It drives along circular or linear paths or a pre-set route you draw with the Trexo mobile app. An optional turntable kit lets it turn 360º either on a tripod or as a base for objects. It can also be programmed without a smartphone.

Learn Online Video shows off a neat rig that lets you shoot footage while circling a subject. Rather than using a dolly track, the Raubay Photography Spinner uses a counterweighted arm that smoothly rotates around a platform in its center. It can be used for shooting small items or even a person with its extension arm kit.

This motorized, all-terrain dolly helps you capture smooth cinematic video thanks to its electrically-stabilized tripod wheels. It can carry camera equipment up to 15 kg (~33 lb), spins 360º with zero turning radius, and can be operated hands-on, remotely, follow a target, or drive along a pre-programmed path.

The Slypod Pro is an incredibly versatile piece of videography gear. This lightweight carbon fiber works as a monopod, an electric slider, and an extendable jib arm for reaching heights up to 54 inches. Its tripod base has a pivot mechanism allowing for smooth one-handed movements when used as a monopod.