Simple DIY Overhead Camera Rig / Mount Setup

[@chargeeverywhere]

I know the music is pretty rough in this video - I'm sorry. This was my first DIY project video. If you want to see more DIY projects (sans the church music) be sure to check out my more recent stuff.

[@intheactevents4916]

Hi friend, it's a great video. Do not worry so much about music. The content is good and that's what's important. I'm going to give you a like. Greetings from the Canary Islands.

[@johnedwinspencer4438]

I like the music.

[@kavehteimori9575]

Interstellar?

[@RCKate]

Will this be stable enough for a dslr?

[@lookoverhere2155]

Felt like I had to go to confession or something... lol. Great first video. Hope mine comes out that well.

[@csldc]

Necessity is the mother of invention. Brilliant work.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks Crystal!

[@tonycasey3183]

I have just ploughed through a ton of BS DIY Overhead Camera Rigs and finally reached THIS video. Brilliant, simple, ingenious and practical. Thank you!

[@decodingwallstreet]

The background music is unbearable

[@chargeeverywhere]

Haha. You are in good company :-)

[@goldenboycards2321]

I didn't even notice it. But I guess it is a little loud. Drop it -10db and nobody would have said anything I bet.

[@joshuarosenblum8155]

Actually I liked the background music. What was it?

[@redsquirrelftw]

It sounds like a traffic jam, except it's all trains.

[@LJWalter78]

Right… Rename the video, “how to do camera stuff here in Transylvania before I suck their bluuuuuooood…. Ha ha ha ha!…”

[@shourjyadasgupta]

Love the simplicity of this rig. It's also amazing that we can pull and push the camera towards the subject, if counter weighed properly. I think i am going to try this one out.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I still use it for nearly every shoot!

[@luminor0077]

Great job... As I'm really impatient .. I found a really simple solution that didn't cost anything and only took 3 minutes (well I had a cheap fold up table I purchased from ebay beforehand for about £10 that I can still use as a normal table afterwards. 1: Connect your camera to your stand / ballhead as you would normally (if it isn't already) 2: Open the 'fold up adjustable height table' to the aprox height you need. 3: With the legs of your tripod closed, lay on top of the table with the camera overhanging off the end as far out as you need. 4. Secure the legs of the Tripod just by tying up around under the table and over the top with some strong string. (You shouldn't need any counter balance but if you do just add a few books to the end of the table). 5: Disassemble when finished and fold away table.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Haha. Nice solution! I did some similar things before making this.

[@antipodesman]

Nice build. My solution was a crab jaw clamp from ebay that mounts on the tripod and holds a selfie stick yuentang 188. Cost for both is about $20 Canadian. No fabrication required. I use a suspended bag of rocks under the tripod for more stability. The bag is about $5 and the rocks are free.

[@chargeeverywhere]

That is much simpler! I do like the bag of rocks idea! It's something I've considered adding to mine, but so far I haven't been needing much more stability.

[@BrunoConfortin]

I really like how americans say it's super easy and DIY, then they pull out super advanced equipment and gear. There are even some with power saws and everything. Anyways, nice video :p

[@chargeeverywhere]

Point taken. It's really all relative. For me "easy" is something that I can throw together in a few hours - although I do still use some power tools. Hey, power tools are "easy" :-D

[@BrunoConfortin]

For me, easy DIY would be something like: grab a broom stick, take it apart, use some tape on the tripod. Or some better method than tape :D

[@chargeeverywhere]

Haha. Yea, I get that. Tape and epoxy maybe, but then you kinda loose the removability. Maybe a tiny bottle suspended by a rope with some rocks in it for the counterweight. :-)

[@XanderEwald]

Kind of comes with living in the more advanced parts of the world, doesn't it? Most of us have more equipment at hand than broom sticks and tape.

[@arresha_eng]

hhhhhh, I agree with you. but in this video he only used a drill and a Saw 😂

[@MrOrthoclase]

Just wanted to say that I built this a little over two years ago and it's been super handy. Thank you.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks man! I’m glad you found it helpful. I still use mine in every video.

[@Traveler19901]

Thank you!! I have been searching and searching for exactly this. Wonderful work. Great to see a young guy using his natural born skills.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I’m glad you appreciated it.

[@BillDubeVariety]

My brain was saying just one more as I've been looking for all sorts of solutions to this overhead camera shooting idea. THANKS. After watching twenty or so. I was just about ready to go with wood, but your box aluminum idea rocks. Thanks.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks Bill! I still use it nearly 4 years later. One thing I don’t mention in the video is that is forms a simple static crane, which makes it useful in more situations than a top-down shot. Enjoy 😊

[@anastasiatumanova]

Thank you for sharing this tutorial! I ended up building it exactly as you designed here, and wanted to note some learnings from the experience for others considering make this: - You'll need to buy a ball head and 5/16" and 1/2" bits if you don't already own them, which adds another $24 to the cost of this rig. - I did not dremel my 5/16" hole to fit the carriage bolt and it works just fine, not a necessary step. - The coupling nut design is problematic because once you unscrew the rig from the tripod, the coupling nut falls into the tube and you have to unscrew the washers to get it out. I would extend the coupling nut somehow (or buy a longer coupling nut that can't fall inside the tube). You can use an allen wrench to tighten and loosen the coupling nut. - I needed more counter weight, so I put a bag of sand in a cute cloth bag and hung it off the end. Not the most elegant solution, so I'll think about how to do it classier for the longer rig! - This rig isn't ideal for a large camera, but great for an iPhone setup.

[@chargeeverywhere]

I agree with most of your analysis. The coupling nut can be a bit problematic as you mention. However, I general leave this on my tripod so I don't have a huge issue. One thing I disagree with you slightly on is the camera size. I've been using my Panasonic GH3 mirrorless camera on this setup for the past year with good results. Actually, around 90% of my shots in all my videos are shot using this setup. Thanks for the comment and feedback though! I may incorporate them into an update in the future.

[@miroka1]

Thank you! This is a bit of work, but definitely on the budget and the end result looks sleek and professional (as in, I wouldn't be embarrassed to take it out in public).

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thank you! I agree with it looking decently professional. You could even paint it if you wanted a different color.

[@miroka1]

Ha! That's the best part! I wouldn't even need to paint it, as my tripod is the same colour as the pipe :)

[@mohdwahidi]

Thanks for the brilliant setup and simple solution.

[@FernandoRuedaBucaramanga]

Hi Nikola, I want to say you Thanks! I made it in an easy way, and I use it almost every day! Thanks for sharing

[@kjartz8649]

That's a pretty solid mount. I may end up doing this myself. I can never rig my camera good enough to get a steady focus of my speed drawings

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I’m glad you found it useful. I use this thing all the time - even when I’m not doing overhead shots.

[@joshuahigginbottom]

OMG! Why did no-one think of that before. That is amazing. Nice work on that one.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! There are a few others out there with similar rigs.

[@maxvcollenburg]

This is great! Love the idea of the counterweights.

[@stellahaus]

Thank you thank you thank you. Such a simple elegant solution. I didn't want to drag more equipment with me on my next shoot and this is such an amazing simple solution. I'm going to extent the length of the arm a bit because i have a bigger sturdier tripod. I'll send you a pic.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I would love to see what you come up with!

[@homesickandwestbound4321]

Very creative idea. I dig it! sturdier than some others I've seen.

[@theinsaneartist6365]

Nice and witty setup I think I am gonna start this setup soon

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks and have fun!

[@ugparmar1568]

well done. Sweet & simple

[@ravebrave8866]

fantastic.. and very simple... thank you..

[@danieljval]

This is great, well done. I think this is the best DIY video for making your own tripod arm extension. Thanks for sharing! I'm gonna make this!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it. I use mine in all my videos as it's just too useful.

[@LabibIttihadul]

Really cool idea. This is exactly what I was looking for some Overhead shot. Thank you so much.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@SamIAmJam]

thank you I was looking for something simple and cheap and this is it.

[@fifthdimension5278]

Dude this is incredible

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks!

[@AaronWilhelm]

I'll throw this out there, I actually liked the music....lol. I may tweak things a bit but I plan to make this, thanks for making the video man, will help my channel grow.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Haha. Thanks. There are a few of you who do and I'm glad I could be of assistance!

[@You_Tech]

thanks a lot man. watched couple of videos on overhead Camera Rig but this method is the best.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks for the kind words! I’m glad you like my method.

[@giodrakes]

Thank you! I've been looking for a way to do this inexpensively for so long! I thought I had an idea after watching some other videos, but then I got to the camera store and the guy looked at me like I was insane and wouldn't help me. I was only asking him for one connector at the time, too lol But this is perfect. Desktop set up, portable, easy to put away! I can' do this without having the camera store guy ask "why" or "what for" when I ask for a clamp :P Oh yes, and I own a hacksaw, a Dremel, and a drill :P And I know how to use them!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! :-) I'm glad you found it helpful. Interestingly, this has ended up being useful for much more than overhead shots. I use it all the time.

[@gowristudio]

Superb Idea. Simple and easy to do Work. good it looks very stable. Thanks for your post

[@arresha_ar]

I think this is the best solution considering the cost.

[@ibrahimrammal6434]

Great work, buddy!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks Ibrahim!

[@ChristaSterken]

Thank you for clear instructions and prices!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@bryancoombesart]

Nice build, I'm going to use this as the staring point for my rig, thanks bro

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I'm always glad to hear that.

[@iLoveLeatherNYC]

This is a great idea! Very smart.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks!

[@jeremymorano7817]

Dude that's awesome!

[@Moveimageable]

Great idea. Thanks for share!

[@MakenzieRae]

This is actually something I could make! The only thing I need is a dremel. Last video the dude busted out a welding torch and I was like nahhhh

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks Makenzie. You could actually get away without using the Dremel. Just use some standard bolts instead of the carriage bolts I used. Good luck!

[@L0stW0n]

Awesome work good sir!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks Marlous!

[@samsun01]

levelling the camera is the tricky part. if your camera is really high up, how do you control it? with a stick? your DIY is indeed very simple.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I have never put the camera too high up. However, if I am doing a stop motion video I’ll trip the shutter with a remote.

[@EatMoveRest]

Nice Video! May have to make one of these!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I’m glad you found it helpful.

[@GiZMOSOLiD]

august 17, awesome thanks for doing this. only recently did I even consider such.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks. The funny thing is I only considered this use for it, but have found so many more.

[@vdphotosnfun]

It's very good video and very practical too...

[@ShubhiArtsCraftsByNeha]

This is really helpful.. but I would try to have the thread (storng Thread - Rope way ) but I will definitely switch to this one. TFS.. Stay awesome.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks!

[@Afterburner]

Perhaps you might try a sliding weight to counterbalance and lock it off with some kind of clamp to hold it in position - Your idea is absolutely brilliant and I like it as a portable overhead rig ;>)

[@chargeeverywhere]

That's a really good idea! However, I've found that if the weight isn't perfectly balanced everything is still works ok. One thing I do wish I had was a movable pivot point as I could lengthen and shorten the arm. This would effectively do what you're proposing as well.

[@Afterburner]

makjosher - Perhaps if you used a monopod? That would work pretty well - A simply rubber round clamp with the hardware to hook it to the tripod would make that work ;>)

[@chargeeverywhere]

Yea, that would be a good idea! Maybe I'll try that someday as I have one laying around that I never use.

[@suga9470]

Solid idea 👍

[@StreaminFreedom]

freakin genius, great creativity man!

[@markrmilne]

Brilliant man! Thank you!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thank you and you're welcome!

[@FernandoRuedaBucaramanga]

Gracias!!! Funciona perfecto, una buena solución, me ha ayudado en mi fotografía!

[@ShruthiBharadwajShruthi]

simply awesome!!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks!

[@EasyScience_NTU_041]

good work josh appreciate 👏

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! BTW. I still use this thing around 8 years later.

[@maryannemakes]

Great rig set up, thank you!

[@chargeeverywhere]

You're welcome!

[@virakseng2486]

Super clever!

[@balumahindra1507]

That's awesome bro

[@eddiemattison7792]

Right off the top, your lighting and color are good! Your music choice, though...intrigues me. Suspenseful? almost "thriller"? Interesting choice. I'll keep watching I see your comment, above, now :-) Sorry, where did you get the ball head. I don't see the link for it. Thanks so much

[@miguelserranoruiz9801]

This is sick, dude. Thanks a lot!

[@iboldvids]

You just saved a life bro. THANKS.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks man!

[@jpmorales4970]

this is genius. Well done!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks :-)

[@drawinfo99]

great Idea bro thanks for sharing

[@hobbylikeapro7754]

One friendly feedback. The music jarring!! I'm desperate to find a good overhead tripod, so will try watching it :)

[@chargeeverywhere]

Haha thanks. Seems to be the general consensus. Sorry to put you through that.

[@JhoDrawing]

its an amezing idea

[@oswros]

Clean explination. Greatm results! I think I can make that one. Thank you.

[@xyzrealestate5217]

great video! thank you for sharing

[@ameture-fotografer]

I'm thinking about putting one together (hence why I'm here) but using pvc pipes. It will have two legs on each side of the overhead bar that you can put it on the table. I'll drill two holes to mount the camera and another to mount the light.

[@chargeeverywhere]

That sounds like a great idea! I actually started with a two support design in my head, but then realized I could make do with one. Two would be a bit sturdier though. After making this I realized I could use it for more than overhead shots. It works super well as a simple crane-like support, which allows you to position the camera in different ways.

[@CookingLessonsforDad]

Great idea!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks!

[@nisreena.1236]

Good job man

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thank you :-)

[@sadnanadib3637]

it can also be used as a jib thanks man u saved my day

[@chargeeverywhere]

You're welcome! I'm glad you like it.

[@TheGuavaArtist]

That first thing you said is actually a pretty smart idea xD

[@TheJuleBoxStudios]

I can't believe all the whining about the music!! Holy cow! It was fine.....I was concentrating on your DIY and I feel you did a very nice job. I think I could make this myself with no problem. Thanks for sharing your idea!! I do have a question, The way the camera is positioned at the end of your video, isn't the photo being taken upside down? What about doing a video in that same position? Is there a way to take video without it being upside down? Maybe I'm missing something....lol...Thanks!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks for the comments! You are the first to ask that question and you are correct that the image is upside down. What I do is rotate the video 180 degrees in my editing software.

[@TheJuleBoxStudios]

makjosher oh! I didn't even think of that! Ok, thanks!!

[@TheJuleBoxStudios]

😫🤪

[@nguyenmiket]

wow. than you! this was exactly what I needed!

[@chargeeverywhere]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@Misstefi]

That's super cool and nice tutorial, maybe not so easy but cmon, this is so useful, solid, well made, just love it, thanks for share 👍🏼 keep that music away for the next tut! ;)

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! It is useful. I've used it in pretty much every video since I made it. Oh, and I've done my best to not repeat this music problem.

[@tjja7321]

ignore the background music, great production quality!

[@toolzshed]

nice and simple!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! That’s what I was going for. I still use this thing every time I film and it’s over two years old now.

[@cookingwithalittlespice]

Great job

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks!

[@vikramkanuganti]

You are a legend!!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Haha. Thanks Vikram!

[@luisfernandodossantos5431]

Very good!

[@Chuck_Burke]

Thank you for taking the time tomproduce the video....good idea....well done...yes please...different music for the next one 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@janmajnik6889]

Great video! What to do if I have a heavier camera (canon c100 and canon 24-105mm) and don't have a ball head tripod. I do have a normal more expensive/sturdy tripod. I would like to avoid investing big because I only need it for 10 quick shootings. Should I just invest in a slider and put the slider on a tripod? Thanks

[@chargeeverywhere]

Good question Jan. That is a quite significant camera! Still, My general approach should work, but you might want to use a larger tube - and obviously the counterweight needs to be larger. Perhaps using small weights from a lifting set would work well. You still would need a head of some sort to allow for adjustment of the camera. I’m really not sure what size ball head would be appropriate for your camera though. You may also be right that a slider would be a better route to go. It really all depends on what you need to do. Good luck!

[@Fredb]

Brilliant ! thumbed up !

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks!

[@kdjleon]

Good job

[@edgyguy5553]

Cost of project $24... if you already have the tripod and ball head and, oh, all the necessary tools too. Overall, a great video on building your set up. I'd suggest if you're going to include "costs" and what you need, then add in all the bits and bobs. Thanks!

[@chargeeverywhere]

I agree! I probably should have at least included the ball head. My assumption is that most people will probably have a tripod already, but I suppose that could also be a bit generous. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@balajib7666]

awesome idea, 2 doubts though... 1. Why we need to use Alan head screws...??? 2. And why it's need to be square..????

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! Good thoughts! I used Allen head screws as I like how they look better than a standard bolt. No real functional difference. I suppose a round tube would work as well, but it might be a tad more difficult to drill.

[@balajib7666]

makjosher Thanks man.

[@DJTronuk]

Wow, this is a great idea. Thanks for the video! 👌

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks man!

[@hbarua78]

You are awesome man, Super Man

[@chargeeverywhere]

Haha. Not quite Super Man, but thanks!

[@bigbiemacaw]

This looks exactly what I need but I'd never be able to build this when it comes to the sawing bit I started to worry ...

[@slasherage]

Great idea 👌🏼

[@eddiemattison7792]

Thanks for the video! Good job. You said you already had the ball head. Where did you get it? Thanks!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Yea, the ball head came with a gorillapod. There's a link in the description under "Small Tripod". Thanks for the comment!

[@eddiemattison7792]

@@chargeeverywhere Ahhh....Thank you!

[@gamezoonplus]

nice ..................simply fantastic

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks!

[@JorgeAVideoTech]

Nice idea, are you still using this rig or changed to something better?

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! I am still using this in virtually the same form as presented at the end of the video. I've literally used it in pretty much every video since I made it.

[@JorgeAVideoTech]

nice

[@letsdrawwithnate-4678]

this is awesome! im building this for recording my drawing videos

[@chargeeverywhere]

I'm glad to hear that. I've been using it in pretty much every video since I made it.

[@jenn7210]

So cool!

[@chargeeverywhere]

I'm glad you like it :-)

[@bismillahfoodsecrets2671]

Very creative I will make one for me

[@LeonardoQuartieri]

Hey, nice project. I was thinking of building one instead of buying a more expensive rig. Will give it a try. BTW the music broke my nerves, really, could not concentrate at all so I had to lower the volume enough so I could still hear you.

[@chargeeverywhere]

I'm sorry about that. It has gotten a lot of hate - trying to make it up in future videos.

[@LeonardoQuartieri]

+makjosher no problem! great DIY anyway!

[@thomas_shelby106]

Thank you so much!

[@chargeeverywhere]

You're welcome Kirby!

[@namanupadhyay5631]

super cool ..🤘

[@joanneamantea2033]

Thank you

[@bawaarry7924]

love the way. thanks

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks!

[@shahinurrashid4095]

nice video man :D

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks Shahinur!

[@cabinfevercraftingbyclaudi8108]

genius!! Thanks

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks Claudia!