I’ve only recently started experimenting with the video capabilities of my Canon 5D II, and it quickly became clear that holding the camera the same way for video as for photos wasn’t working out.

There was simply no way I was dropping hundreds of dollars (and especially not thousands!!!) on a pro stabilizer, so I decided to make my own from a couple pieces of aluminum bar, some duct tape, and the pad from a broken camera strap.

I did have to order the quick release mount that connects to the camera from B&H.

All of the parts cost about $60 and to my untrained eye, it does a great job.

I’ll probably spray paint it all black, and replace the duct tape grip with something a little more comfortable. But it’ll do for now.

But it turns out that Timbuk2’s new “Commute 2.0″ bag is just the right size for adding a single insert to carry a DSLR. Two inserts that seem to be the right size are the Billingham 12-21 Superflex insert and the Domke FA-211 insert. I didn’t really feel like paying $30, so I constructed one myself from some foam and duct tape, then attached it to the inside of the bag with industrial strength velcro. I think it works pretty well. We’ll see how durable it turns out to be.

More pics