Tilta Lightweight Shoulder Rig - Black

The Tilta Lightweight Shoulder Rig is a shoulder rig for compact cinema cameras and DSLRs. It weighs 1.7 kg, is made of aviation grade aluminium alloy and its baseplate takes both Manfrotto and ARCA quick release plates. The handles ride on extendable arms on ARRI rosettes; at the back sit a 15 mm LWS rod mount for a battery plate and a NATO rail for counterweights. The rosette bridge rotates 360°, so the rig folds into the supplied case.

A shoulder rig is the cheapest way to turn a handheld camera into a steady one. The weight rests on the shoulder, the hands only steer it — and the shot settles immediately.

A baseplate for Manfrotto and ARCA alike

The bottom of the rig is a dual baseplate that takes both Manfrotto and ARCA quick release plates — the supplied plate does both at once. The baseplate can be removed and another baseplate or a dovetail bolted onto the rig’s main plate through its 1/4"-20 threads, so moving between tripod and shoulder takes moments.

Adjustable arms and rosettes

The handles ride on extendable arms mounted to ARRI rosettes, so both length and angle can be tuned — for a high or a low grip. Each arm carries a 1/4"-20 thread for an articulating arm with a monitor, which lets the monitor sit further from the camera body than it could if mounted directly on it.

Shoulder pad and rear support

At the front is a hook-and-loop shoulder pad that slides independently of the rest of the rig, which is how the camera is balanced on the shoulder. At the back a support pad mounts to the NATO rail, rotates through 20° and rests against the shoulder or chest. The weight is shared and the hands hold less.

Rods at the back and counterweights

The back carries a mount for a pair of 15 mm LWS rods to hang a battery plate or other accessories on. A battery at the back is not only a power source — it shifts the centre of gravity closer to the body and the rig becomes noticeably easier to carry. 500 g counterweights attach to the NATO rail through a small plate to fine-tune the balance.

Folds down and goes in the case

The rosette bridge rotates a full 360°, so the arms and handles fold in against the body of the rig. Folded, the rig fits the supplied soft case with its shaped padding, where every part has its place. The construction is aviation grade aluminium alloy and the whole rig weighs 1.7 kg.

What to watch out for

The dual Manfrotto/ARCA baseplate is designed for the supplied Tilta plate. Other Manfrotto or ARCA plates may hold in it, but the manufacturer does not guarantee it — and with a heavy camera this is not the place to economise. For adjusting the tension of the lever on the baseplate Tilta refers users to its support.