My Camera Rig for Filming Chickens

How I Film My Chickens

This camera rig looks a little fancy, but it is pretty simple; I’ve added various attachments and gone through countless top handles to get to where I am today. I focus on Vertical video for short-form content, while most camera rigs are designed to shoot Horizontal video. As you can see in the picture, I have everything optimized for vertical video. Heads up: some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you; it's a free way to support the site, and I genuinely appreciate it.

The whole rig weighs about 7 pounds, and the heavier it is, the easier it is to hold steady

Camera Rig

• Camera: Canon R5 Mark II - https://amzn.to/42vixKf

  • This is a higher-end camera, but the auto focus and quality are worth it; this camera will last you a very long time

• Lens: Canon RF 35mm F 1.4 VCM Lens - https://amzn.to/4d7ho1C

  • This lens is amazing, perfect focal length for chickens, super smooth and quiet focus

• Camera Cage: Smallrig Aluminum Cage - https://amzn.to/3QUImRD

  • This is important because it lets you attach all the accessories

• Folding Feet: SmallRig Quick Release Plate - https://amzn.to/4dBSKq6

  • This is optional, but I really like it. I’m constantly setting my camera down between shoots. This lets me set it on the ground without having to worry

  • I use this little thing to attach the feet to the side of the cage: https://amzn.to/4u5HDLT

  • This is the rail you put on for the little thing to attach to: https://amzn.to/4u1Hk4N

• Top Handle: Neewer 2 in 1 Top/Side Handle - https://amzn.to/3R0NiEw

  • This is currently out of stock. I emailed them to see if they're making more; it is a great handle to stick everything on

• Display Monitor: Osee Lilmon 5 - https://amzn.to/4nyMB1h

  • This is optional, but it makes it much easier to frame your low angle shots

• HDMI Cable: https://amzn.to/4nofYmV

  • Note this only works on the canon r5 mark ii, other cameras use Mini or Micro HDMI cables

• Monitor Mount: https://amzn.to/4eC67rk

  • This lets you mount the monitor vertically

• Neewer Mini V Mount Battery - https://amzn.to/4dF4Pe0

  • This powers your camera and monitor

• Battery Mount - https://amzn.to/42wV0st

  • This lets you attach the battery to the camera rig

• Cable to Power Monitor - https://amzn.to/4u7FWNW

• Canon BR-E1 Wireless Remote - https://amzn.to/4d3LbbA

  • I zip-tie this onto the top handle so I can start recording while holding the camera

Summary

Here are all the things broken down by priority

Starting:

• Camera: Canon R5 Mark II - https://amzn.to/42vixKf

• Lens: Canon RF 35mm F 1.4 VCM Lens - https://amzn.to/4d7ho1C

• Camera Cage: Smallrig Aluminum Cage - https://amzn.to/3QUImRD

Advanced:

• Folding Feet: SmallRig Quick Release Plate - https://amzn.to/4dBSKq6

  • Feet to rail clamp - https://amzn.to/4u5HDLT

  • Rail to attach clamp to for feet - https://amzn.to/4u1Hk4N

• Top Handle: Neewer 2 in 1 Top/Side Handle - https://amzn.to/3R0NiEw

• Display Monitor: Osee Lilmon 5 - https://amzn.to/4nyMB1h

• HDMI Cable: https://amzn.to/4nofYmV

• Monitor Mount: https://amzn.to/4eC67rk

• Neewer Mini V Mount Battery - https://amzn.to/4dF4Pe0

• Battery Mount - https://amzn.to/42wV0st

• Cable to Power Monitor - https://amzn.to/4u7FWNW

• Canon BR-E1 Wireless Remote - https://amzn.to/4d3LbbA

Things You Might Need

These are things I use that you might not have lying around

• Short USB-C cable to power camera from battery: https://amzn.to/4tsPwtG

• UV Resistant Zip Ties: https://amzn.to/48V3xcn (For attaching the remote to the top handle)