What the Heck is the Alzo Transformer Rig and Why Would I Want It?

You’ve got the camera, now what accessories do you need? Director of Photography, Tom Myrdahl, tells us about his favorite DSLR rig, the Alzo Transformer Rig. He’s been a DP who has shot with about every camera out there, and has worked with the Canon DSLR 5D Mark II for 3 years. Tom is also one of the expert  instructors for our Canon camera classes.

When was the first time you used the Alzo Transformer Rig?

Tom Myrdahl: The first time I used the rig, which I like to call a “cage”, was as a demo at the Prague Canon Boot Camp. It was wonderful. The students got crazy about it. The last I heard, they were going to order some.

Tom Myrdahl in Prague with the Alzo Transformer.

What do you like about the rig? 

It’s very sturdy, lightweight, and affordable. There are so many heavy cages that are overkill on weight, and certainly overkill on expense. With the Alzo Transformer, I can mount my Canon DSLR 5D, put a Marshall 7” monitor on top, and it holds it very sturdy so I can hand hold it. It has a perfect balance. It helps eliminate jiggle when I do hand held shots; I’m more open to shooting hand-held now because I can do it a lot longer and a lot sturdier.

What was the last shoot where you used the rig?

Last week, I shot a PR video of a jazz band at a school sponsored by the Milken Foundation. I was below the stage but needed an establishing shot, so I used the Alzo monopod and pushed my camera up about 8 feet. It was like having a ladder shot from the floor. It was wonderful! I also shortened it to about 3 feet so I could pan and get in their faces. It was wonderful. It’s like having a hand-held jib. I get really happy when I see what I can do with the really simple pieces of technology.

Any last words?

Anybody who is going to buy a cage for documentaries or music videos, this is the thing to own.

For more information on Alzo and the Transformer Rig, click here.

 

Leave a Reply