How Jesse Todd Turned the Tilta Float into a Handheld Camera Rig

Handheld shooting gives you the freedom to follow a scene, find a new angle, and react as the action unfolds. Carrying a fully built cinema camera through a long shoot can make that freedom harder to enjoy.

Cinematographer Jesse Todd found a way to share the load with equipment he already owned. He adapted his Tilta Float by mounting a fluid tripod head directly to its spring arm, creating a handheld support rig for his Sony FX6.

The result earned a “Doc Ock” nickname for its resemblance to the mechanical arms from Spider-Man. Behind the unusual look is a practical idea: support the camera’s weight while keeping the operator in direct control of the shot.

Why support a handheld camera from below?

Todd works across documentary, commercial, and episodic productions. His setup reflects a common challenge on those shoots: staying ready to capture a moment without setting up a tripod for every angle.

In his own account of using the rig, Todd describes the vest as a way to take weight off his arms and give him a supported platform while he explores compositions. The spring arm carries the camera from underneath, and he guides its movement by hand.

For filmmakers researching an Easyrig alternative, that support position is a useful distinction. An Easyrig suspends the camera from above; Todd’s modified Float supports it from below. He describes the two approaches as different tools, with the choice depending on the operator’s shooting style and workflow.

Todd already owned a Float, so adapting it let him explore another use for his existing equipment.

The key modification: a fluid head on the Float arm

The Tilta Float Handheld Gimbal Support System combines a wearable vest, spring-loaded arm, and counterweighted post for use with a compatible gimbal. Todd’s custom handheld configuration places a Manfrotto MVH500AH fluid head directly on the arm instead.

That changes how he operates the camera. He controls pans and tilts through the fluid head while the Float arm supports the load. The MVH500AH’s flat base and quick-release plate provide the connection between the arm and the camera.

The video lists the head, two 1/4″-20 × 3/4″ screws, and one 3/8″-to-1/4″ thread reducer for the head-mounting modification. The mounting demonstration starts at 16:04.

What goes into Jesse’s custom build?

Todd’s full setup includes changes to the vest as well as the camera mount. His published parts list includes:

His tool list includes a 1/2-inch socket and driver, a 1/2-inch wrench, a 4mm hex wrench, a multitool, and blue threadlocker. See the video description and build sequence for the full list and assembly details.

Adapting the vest to the operator

A camera support system also needs to work with the person wearing it. Todd’s breakdown covers a backrest extension, shoulder straps, and buckles alongside the fluid-head modification.

These details deserve attention because the vest is part of the operating setup. Camera height, vest fit, and the way the arm moves around the body all affect how practical a rig feels during a shoot.

The Tilta Float Shoulder Support adds another way to distribute the load by transferring some weight from the waist to the shoulders. Todd incorporates it into his customized vest.

Switching between the FX6 and an FX3 gimbal

One of the most useful parts of Todd’s workflow is the ability to move between camera configurations.

He uses the modified support with his Sony FX6 while keeping his Sony FX3 mounted on a gimbal. That gives him a handheld option and a gimbal option without rebuilding the FX3 each time he wants to change his approach.

For an owner-operator, that is a practical reason to consider a modular support system. A scene may call for a supported handheld frame, then a moving shot with a different feel. Todd’s setup lets him choose the camera configuration that fits the shot.

What to expect from the footage

The modified rig still transmits body movement to the camera when the operator walks. Todd points this out in his own account of using the setup.

Supporting the camera’s weight does not provide the same isolation as a complete gimbal configuration. Readers should expect a supported handheld approach, with the final movement shaped by their operating technique, lens choice, and camera build.

That distinction is especially useful when deciding whether to adapt an existing Float. Consider the shots you make most often, how much walking they involve, and whether you want handheld movement or greater isolation from the operator.

See the build in action

Todd’s video brings together the hardware, fit adjustments, and operating approach behind his custom rig. Use these chapters to find the sections most relevant to your setup:

• 0:00 — Sample footage and behind the scenes
• 10:43 — Tools
• 11:20 — Parts
• 16:04 — Mounting the tripod head
• 17:17 — Extending the backrest
• 22:56 — How Jesse operates

Want to explore a support setup for your own workflow? Browse the Tilta Float system and accessories to compare the available configurations. Photos courtesy of Jesse Todd.