This Simple Diy Rig Is A Cheap Alternative To A Probe Lens

A probe lens like the Laowa 24mm f/14 open up a whole new world of creative possibilities. But this world costs around $1,600 and you may not be in the position to afford it right now. If this is the case, Jay P. Morgan has a video for you. He will show you how to made a rig that gives your videos a very similar look to a probe lens, but at a much lower cost.

First, let’s see what you need. Here’s the gear Jay P. uses:

Manfrotto 577 Rapid Connect Adapter with Sliding Mounting PlateAcratech Large Leveling BaseEdelkrone SliderPLUS v5 PROPlatypod Ultra Plate Camera SupportTamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXDA thin wooden board

It’s worth noting that Jay P. already owns all of these items, so he only needed to buy the wooden board. If you don’t own any of this, it can get quite expensive, with the slider definitely being the priciest. However, you can DIY that too if you don’t already own one. Or you can just improvise for $0 by using a towel. The remaining parts cost around $300 in total, so it’s still way under the price of a probe lens. Jay P. shoots with a Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 for Sony E in this video and it allows him to get very close to the subject while keeping them in focus. The setup is pretty straightforward: the leveling base goes onto the slider, and the wooden board is attached to it. On the other side of the wooden board, you have the Platypod Ultra with the camera attached to it. Now, this setup certainly has some limitations. First, the regular lens bumps into things you’re filming, unlike the probe lens that goes between them. But you can move the items away from the lens as it passes them, so it’s not that big of a deal. Another disadvantage is that the board can get a little wobbly on the front. You can resolve this by adding counterweight. On the plus side – it’s cheap and simple to make. Also, you can use it to shoot a flyover, with the camera pointing straight down, so you have more options. I’d say that, for $0.49, it sure does a great job! :) [DIY Probe Lens – Inexpensive Alternative! | The Slanted Lens]