Getting Started with Car Camera Rig
What’s this camera rig all about?
The car camera rig carbon fibre system is a professional tool that allows photographers to attach a camera to a vehicle and capture dynamic images that look like the car is traveling at high speed. In reality, the vehicle moves very slowly—often pushed or pulled just a couple of meters with the engine off.
How does the motion effect work?
By attaching the camera and rig to the vehicle, you create the illusion of motion through long exposure photography. While the vehicle and camera move together at the same pace, the car stays sharp and in focus, while the background blurs due to relative motion. This creative technique is called a Rigshot.
What do I need to create rigshots?
Choosing the right car camera rig kit depends on your camera, lens, and creative goals. Rig length determines how much of the vehicle and background you capture. For example:
DX format cameras multiply focal length by 1.5x or 1.6x.
FX format cameras (full-frame) use focal length almost identically to 35mm film.
This means that DX cameras often need wider lenses or longer rigs to achieve the same field of view as FX cameras. But be aware: wider lenses can introduce distortion, so balancing rig length and focal length is key.
Examples of Rig & Lens Combinations:
6m rig + 20mm lens (FX): balanced image with minimal distortion.
35mm lens: tighter crop, less distortion.
10mm lens: wider crop, more distortion.
4.5m rig: tighter crop, same distortion.
7.5m rig + 35mm lens: tighter crop, no distortion.
4.5m rig + 18mm lens (DX): tighter crop, more distortion.
Our philosophy:
At Car Camera Rig, we believe rigshots are not black and white, but shades of grey. Every adjustment affects another factor—changing rig length, focal length, or exposure requires creative balancing. That’s where the art of automotive photography comes alive.
General Rules for Rigshots:
More blur = longer exposure, move car further/faster.
Less blur = shorter exposure, move car shorter/slower.
Overexposure? Use an ND filter to control light.
The slower the vehicle + longer the exposure = sharper the car.
Ready to get started?
Now that you understand how rigs, cameras, and lenses interact, you can confidently choose your first car camera rig kit. Select your preferred rig from the menu below to start capturing powerful, professional motion blur images.
