Why We Built It
In their college years, Anthony and Michael developed a passion for photography and filmmaking. They spent an abundance of time studying short films and improving their craft. However, the two had unknowingly began to share a single frustration. They wanted to see what camera gear other creators used to accomplish their work, but could rarely find their full setups listed.
Independently, Anthony and Michael had the same idea: a website where people build and post their full camera setups. They mentioned the idea to each other one day and were astonished to discover they had both thought of it. They were also dumbfounded that it didn't already exist. The two quickly brought Cameron in on the idea as the developer, and Rig Designer was born!
Where to Start
Open the rig builder, pick a camera, and start adding parts! The total price and compatibility checks update as you go.
Not sure what to add? Browse published rigs built around your camera and copy one, or start from a build guide put together by us. Every product lists its specs, prices, available reviews, and rigs they're used in.
Stuck on a part or want a second opinion? Post your rig in Build Help and other creators will weigh in, or ask about shooting, lighting, and editing in Photo/Video Help.
Common Questions
What is Rig Designer?
Rig Designer is a free web app for building a camera rig part by part. Pick a camera, then add lenses, cages, monitors, audio, power, support, and accessories from a catalog of more than 211,000 products. The builder totals the price and checks that the parts fit together. Finished rigs are included in a public directory, available for anyone to browse and learn from.
Is Rig Designer free?
Yes! The rig builder works without an account, and accounts are free too. So is publishing rigs, posting in the community, reviewing products, and more. Commissions may be earned when someone buys through a retailer link, and that's how we make money. But that never changes the price you pay.
How does compatibility checking work?
Every product in the catalog has specs like lens mount, thread size, battery type, media format, and which cameras a cage or plate is made for. As you add parts, the builder compares those specs across the whole rig and flags anything that does not match, like a lens that does not fit the mount, a cage made for a different camera, or a card the camera cannot use.
Where do the prices come from?
Prices come from retailers including Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Moment, SmallRig, and Wex Photo Video. Each product page lists every retailer with a current price, and rigs built with those products total the cheapest combination of prices.
What are build guides?
Build guides are rigs put together by the Rig Designer team. Each one is a verified parts list for a specific camera and budget, with notes on what each part is for. Every guide passes all the compatibility checks, so it is a safe starting point to copy and adjust.
Is it only for photography, or for video too?
Both! The catalog covers cinema and mirrorless cameras, lenses, cages, monitors, audio, lighting, flashes, tripods, stabilizers, storage, bags, and cases. A stills kit, a hybrid kit, or a full cinema rig can all be built and shared.
Which countries and currencies are supported?
There are storefronts for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. Each shows prices in the local currency from retailers that ship there. The US storefront at www.rigdesigner.com is the main one.