Stablization Device of Choice?

[Darrell Aubert]

What's your stablization device of choice?

[AndrewMSV]

I like the use of my tripods for long duration stuff (speeches, ceremony, etc.) and I hand-hold everything else.

The shoulder-mount XL1S is very conducive to steady hand-held shots (unlike my FX1 and GL2).

I don't want to look like I'm carrying a Baby Bjorn or have MOBs tell me how huge my equipment is. :-)

[Mossy]

I use a FlowPod. After first buying it, I considered throwing it away but after several months of tormentation I finally got the hang of it. Now I won't shoot without it.

[JC/DV]

Well, don't laugh. You guys know how I like to build stuff 8) so I built a stabilizer modeled after the Steadicam JR. Works pretty darn good IMO.

http://www.jcdv.com/images/HBS/01.jpg

I'll show a clip with this thing flying... its not as smooth as your's Darrell, but works for me.

[Billy]

I like the use of my tripods for long duration stuff (speeches, ceremony, etc.) and I hand-hold everything else.

The shoulder-mount XL1S is very conducive to steady hand-held shots (unlike my FX1 and GL2).
We shot with a XL1S a week or so ago. How can you use that camera shoulder-mounted unless you have arms like a T-Rex? :shock: You have to get your arms all squunched up to your body to use it.

[TURNAH]

I have been slowly working towards building this for the last three years
http://www.codydeegan.com/
Slowly collecting and cutting materials.
I am haveing trouble geting the springs here in australian thought,
The springs to buy here are about $200 over in the US they are like $12 each.

It wouldn't be used in weddings though.

[TURNAH]

I like the use of my tripods for long duration stuff (speeches, ceremony, etc.) and I hand-hold everything else.

The shoulder-mount XL1S is very conducive to steady hand-held shots (unlike my FX1 and GL2).


High five to that.

The shoulder mount is great for stability

[TURNAH]

We shot with a XL1S a week or so ago. How can you use that camera shoulder-mounted unless you have arms like a T-Rex? :shock: You have to get your arms all squunched up to your body to use it.

With the audio adapter and duel battery charger holder the shape and weight distribution is very different to the stock shoulder mount. It actually becomes a camera that sits on you shoulder rather than butting up to the front of your shoulder

[steelej]

I use a glidecam V25, beautiful bit of kit, totally love it.

[RatVega]

I have a SteadiCam JR that I use frequently, and the wife had me get her a FlowPod that hasn't seen enough service to suit me... I like the way it handles (especially in the wind) but she thinks it's heavy.

[ppatton]

use a tripod Have thought about getting a glidecam but not yet

paul

[freddymedal]

I have a SteadiCam JR that I use frequently, and the wife had me get her a FlowPod that hasn't seen enough service to suit me... I like the way it handles (especially in the wind) but she thinks it's heavy.

My Dad did some editing for PacBell when it was still around, and he has a Steady Cam Jr. for me to check out. It's over 10 years old. Did the design change much?

[RatVega]

My Dad did some editing for PacBell when it was still around, and he has a Steady Cam Jr. for me to check out. It's over 10 years old. Did the design change much?

I doubt it, the JR is a fairly basic design in SteadiCam terms. The big question will be whether it's right for your camera weight. If he was using a camera in the same weight class you should be OK.

If you need set-up instructions (which are a bit long and not all that intuitive) give me a shout, I have a video on it.

[freddymedal]

Thanks RatVega,

Well I have 3 Canon GL2's so I remember you use the same so I should be OK.

[vegas06]

Currently I use, and have been a huge fan of the DVRig Pro. I load teh rig up with shotgun mic, wireless, PAG C6 light (and battery pack mounted on back of rig), and LANC control on the handle.
I can shoot with everything mounted all day long (fatigue free), and get stable, crative shots (dutch, overhead, low proofile etc.), fairly smooth walking shots, as well as mount the enire rig on my tripod for lock down shooting, at a moments notice (5 seconds to mount).

But, and I posted this in another reply for a Varizoom support (which BTW is developed by teh same company DVTec. As Varizoom is the US distributer for their products, under teh Varizoom name).

DVTec has a NEW product coming out in July called the MultiRig.
It's gonna be the swiss army knife of camera support.
Part DVRig Pro
Part FigRig
Part Tripod and monopod
Shoot steady handheld for high, shoulder moount, low, dutch, flowing walking shots (not as good as a glidecam, but good enough), and then mount directly on a tripod for lock down shooting.

Take a look here.

http://dannynatovich.bizland.com/nonamerig/
or
http://www.dvmultirig.com/

Pricing hasn't been announced yet, as it will be in a week or two. but I am told that the base rig will be cheaper than the FigRig (which is $399), and the full setup quite a bit less than the DVRig Pro (which is $549).

I've already been talking to Danny Natovitch (The owner of DVTec) and some of the test shooters, and gonna pick one up as soon as they become available.
I will be comparing it to the FigRig (whcih I have accesss to one through a collegue), monopod, and my DVRig Pro (Which I shoot with all day long, and loaded to the hilt).

This thing should rock!

[videochicke]

I have a Glidecam 2000, but wish I had the 4000.

[Bonsai]

Well, don't laugh. You guys know how I like to build stuff 8) so I built a stabilizer modeled after the Steadicam JR. Works pretty darn good IMO.


I'm not laughing, this is exactly what my husband wants to do, build his own because he can't find one he really likes. Can't see your 2 photos, though. Did you remove them from the post?

[ssvp]

Yeah I have the SJR.. But thinking about the Glidecam 4000 Pro for my PD-170 with Std. Sony Wide Angle Lens..

[WindyHillsVideo]

I'd love to get a "Glidecam" or a knock-off/look-alike. Think the "FIG-RIG" looks like it'd work nicely too.

I purchased a "DV_Caddie" this past May after seeing it Videomaker or DV magazine. I used it on a few gigs and was disappointed with it's performance. In particular, there's now easy way to go on and off of it. Not any better than hand-held.

I use a Bogen Monopod for 90% of what I shoot now. I've managed to get some acceptable "flying" and "flowing" shots with it. This configuration allows me to shift quickly to a reasonably solid tripod shot using it's built-in "legs" It's a poor man's flow-pod I guess. On the rare occasions I do any hand-held shots, the quick-release plate allows me to dismount and go back on the monopod without rolling a bunch of throw-away footage.

I'd like to have one of the real "gimble-based" balanced rigs, but can't justify the expense of such a "toy" right now. I've seen a lot of DIY plans on the web at sites but must admit they all look a little to "home-spun" for my personal taste.

Michael Wright
Windy Hills VIdeo

[Darrell Aubert]

[quote=WindyHillsVideo;18199]
I'd like to have one of the real "gimble-based" balanced rigs, but can't justify the expense of such a "toy" right now./quote]
My glidecam isn't a toy. It's a necessity on all of my shoots. Before I buy anything video related, I make sure I can apply it enough to justify the expense. The 400 dollars I spent getting the GC 4000 was probably one of the best equipment investements I've ever made.

[shayes]

I couldn't see shwoing up to an event with a FigRig. What a joke. Currently using a Bogen Monopod with 501 head, but would like to get a smooth shooter, someday.

[WindyHillsVideo]

I couldn't see shwoing up to an event with a FigRig. What a joke. Currently using a Bogen Monopod with 501 head, but would like to get a smooth shooter, someday.

Well, none of these 'stabilzer' rigs look unobtrusive really. For me, I need to be able to get on and off of it easily. I personally don't think it's practical to expect to shoot more then short bursts with them. The whole floating or flying stuff can be over-played. (YMMV) And being tied to any support fixture too long limits the ability to get good footage.

You sure about that model number? You're using a monopod with a '501" head on it ??? Isn't that thing TOP HEAVY?? What sort of camera you got on the end of that thing?:uhoh:

Michael Wright
Windy Hills Video

[ringkingstudio]

Well, don't laugh. You guys know how I like to build stuff 8) so I built a stabilizer modeled after the Steadicam JR. Works pretty darn good IMO.



We do the same thing. When we first started out, on our first shoot we decided we needed a stedicam, but money was tight. So we went on line found plans to make one, spent 20 dollars total and have never looked back.

[JC/DV]

We do the same thing. When we first started out, on our first shoot we decided we needed a stedicam, but money was tight. So we went on line found plans to make one, spent 20 dollars total and have never looked back.
I have retired the homebuilt, as I have purchased a glidecam 2000.

[ringkingstudio]

I have retired the homebuilt, as I have purchased a glidecam 2000.

We still use it for a lot of projects. We also have built a track dolly, which also gets a lot of use. No reason to fix (or replace) what isn't broken.

[JC/DV]

My next project might be a crane...

[ringkingstudio]

My next project might be a crane...

I am already drooling!

[shayes]

well, I had a 3130 head, but it was too weak to support my Z1. the 501 is a bit more weighty, but it is also more stable. My monopod is a 682B (I think) with the feet.

[Darrell Aubert]

Well, none of these 'stabilzer' rigs look unobtrusive really. For me, I need to be able to get on and off of it easily. I personally don't think it's practical to expect to shoot more then short bursts with them. The whole floating or flying stuff can be over-played. (YMMV) And being tied to any support fixture too long limits the ability to get good footage.
The GC 4000 alone is no larger than a monopod and is easily as unobtrusive. Getting on and off a glidecam is a breeze as long as you add a quick release. Define short bursts? Getting those 10 smooth shots during each wedding can easily improve your overal production value. Certainly the "flying" stuff can be over-played but that's really up to you during editing. No one is going to over use it but you. As long as you have a quick release on your glidecam, you're no more tied to it as you are tied to a tripod or monopod.
I really recommend you get your hands on a glidecam and use it for a shoot before writing it off. I think you'll be pleasently surprised at what you can do with it.

[WindyHillsVideo]

The GC 4000 alone is no larger than a monopod and is easily as unobtrusive. Getting on and off a glidecam is a breeze as long as you add a quick release. Define short bursts? Getting those 10 smooth shots during each wedding can easily improve your overal production value. Certainly the "flying" stuff can be over-played but that's really up to you during editing. No one is going to over use it but you. As long as you have a quick release on your glidecam, you're no more tied to it as you are tied to a tripod or monopod.
I really recommend you get your hands on a glidecam and use it for a shoot before writing it off. I think you'll be pleasently surprised at what you can do with it.

Darrell,

Don't get me wrong. I think I said I'd love to get my hands on a Glidecam or one of it's genuine "gimble-based" cousins. I've never owned one, or actuallly held one.

I have been in the same room with one though. I've seen them demoed at WEVA show. But I've seen other demonstrations where folks used a folded-up tripod or a monopod to get similar shots. I think it was at one of those sessions I started hearing the horror stories about glide-cam rigs.

FYI: For me "short bursts" generally means I might need to USE a stabilzer to shoot anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes of footage at a gig. I'd find it most usefull to get some nice first dance footage, a couple of minuites of cool footage durring the photo shoot, processional or recessional clips, or maybe some cool cut-awy stuff of the venue.

I see from the survey results so far, that the GC 2000/4000 are by far the most popular. Since you have one, and speak so highly of it, perhaps you can dispell the mis-information I've been given on the following 3 points:

1) Without a vest or some sort of arm/brace these devices will kill your arm and your back in short order.

2) Even with a quick-release, you have to balance the rig each time you use it. This can "mastered" to some degree with practice, but it's not as easy as it looks.

3) If you've got a light or other accessory on your camera (like a radio for your wiireless) getting and keeping your rig balanced can be tricky at best, difficult at worst. (depending on what you've got hanging on your camera).


I guess as long as I'm asking, how many of you Glide Cammers are mounting up your camera and using your rig for the whole shoot or major portions of it? Is this practical? Is my assumption that a stabilzer is really a specialized tool used to get specific shots really ill-informed or what?:icon_eek:

Michael Wright
Windy Hills Video

[Darrell Aubert]

1) Without a vest or some sort of arm/brace these devices will kill your arm and your back in short order.
This depends on a lot of factors. If you have a very heavy rig, this statement will be true. If you're using a camera like the vx2100 or GL2 you should have no problem using it for a while. It also depends on how strong you are. Women tend to have a much harder time with the glidecam (no offense to any ladies out there).
But if you don't plan on shooting for long periods of time with the GC and only in short bursts like you mentioned, you should have no problem.


2) Even with a quick-release, you have to balance the rig each time you use it. This can "mastered" to some degree with practice, but it's not as easy as it looks.
Balancing is really quite easy. People have problems with it because they either don't understand simple physics or try to hard to perfect the balance. With a quick release, once you balance you rig it will basically stay balanced. The only changes you might have to make would be very minor.


3) If you've got a light or other accessory on your camera (like a radio for your wiireless) getting and keeping your rig balanced can be tricky at best, difficult at worst. (depending on what you've got hanging on your camera).

It depends. If you balace your rig to start off with those accessories then you really shouldn't have too much trouble. Balancing does take practice, but like I said above, it's fairly simple.


I guess as long as I'm asking, how many of you Glide Cammers are mounting up your camera and using your rig for the whole shoot or major portions of it? Is this practical? Is my assumption that a stabilzer is really a specialized tool used to get specific shots really ill-informed or what?:icon_eek:

I don't use my rig for the entire wedding, by no means. Durng the photo shoot or recpetion however I do tend to use it for long periods of time. The stabilizer isn't made for just specific shots unless you want to use it for only that. Getting and using a good rig is about shooting in a specific way. My best advice to you is to find someone who owns one or come to a convention and get your hands on one. Try it out for a few days. Maybe shoot a wedding with it. You'll see how awesome and easy it can be right away.

[sonydude]

My stabilization device of choice involves a shoulder mount camera on a shoulder. But with the move to HDV that option just got a lot more expensive.