I've been checking out the "fig rig": http://services.manfrotto.com/figrig/

What do you guys think? I've also seen several do-it-yourself projects. Any advice on which of these is the most effective? Thanks!

Hah, I had horrible flashbacks when I saw the pictures of that. :blush:

I used it on one project. Never again.

Looks realllly awkward.

What kind of camera? How heavy?

If you're looking for something for a lighter camera -- say 2 pounds or less... I can vouch for this little gizmo:

U-FlyCam (http://cgi.ebay.com/U-Flycam-Steadycam-Stabilizer-for-canon-D90-5d-mark-II_W0QQitemZ400028719516QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defa ultDomain_0?hash=item400028719516&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50)

Anything heavier but not over say... 7 pounds, and I can vouch for the SteadyTracker (http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=steadytracker&_sacat=0&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=steady+tracker&_osacat=0)... You can also search for as Steady Tracker (http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=steady+tracker&_sacat=0&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=steadytracker&_osacat=0).

Only problem is that unless you really beef up your arm or perform only short bursts, your arm will definitely be feeling it.

filmy

I shoot with the uber-tiny Canon HV20, and an equally small Panasonic before that.. and I've had really good results with the "$14 steadycam (http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/)"

Not very effective for larger/heavier cameras, but for the small guys, it works a treat.