I'm starting pre-production on a short film that will include a lot of very long, smooth camera shots that can only be captured using a steadycam or dolly. So...I'm in the market for a steadycam that's not ridiculously expensive (preferably $300 USD or under) but that will suffice in keeping the camera very steady.

Any suggestions?

There are a lot of people who make cheap (and pretty effective) hand-held stablisers, using a few dollars worth of parts from the local Home Depot. Simple physics at its finest.

You can find plans on how to make them on the 'net easily enough. :)

There are a lot of people who make cheap (and pretty effective) hand-held stablisers, using a few dollars worth of parts from the local Home Depot. Simple physics at its finest.

You can find plans on how to make them on the 'net easily enough. :)

Zen--I've seen this on the web also. One of the guys who wrote out the instructions to build your own (for $14 in parts) also offers to sell one pre-made for $49 plus shipping. I'll see if I can find that link...

Zen already got suckered by one of those, don't get him started. :rofl:

I got it eventually... only several months late :lol:

A few people to watch out for, if buying a pre-assembled one, but they are easy enough to make oneself if you have a bit of spare time.

Alright, I did a little searching. I assume that this is what you guys are talking about:

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/

Damn, thanks alot for the suggestions, you guys just saved me heaps of cash that I can now use on making my movie better. :)

Alright, I did a little searching. I assume that this is what you guys are talking about:

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/

Damn, thanks alot for the suggestions, you guys just saved me heaps of cash that I can now use on making my movie better. :)


Yep. That's the GUY!!!!!!

I made one of those.. it works quite well.. just umm.. if you fall whilst running with one, watch your head, that little counter weight can hurt quite a lot. :(

Oh! This is VERY helpful. I was actually about to post a topic about this. Thanks guys!

I'm starting pre-production on a short film that will include a lot of very long, smooth camera shots that can only be captured using a steadycam or dolly. So...I'm in the market for a steadycam that's not ridiculously expensive (preferably $300 USD or under) but that will suffice in keeping the camera very steady.

Any suggestions?

I highly recommend the SteadyTracker. I have both models... The small one AND the large one. They both work really well and create outstanding, smooth shots although you do need to buff your arm up a bit for the larger one. I think they are slightly overpriced for what you get but I must admit, they work really well and balancing them is fast and easy... They come with a video and takes less then 5 minutes to balance. A little practice and you're ready to shoot.

Here's their web site:

http://www.steadytracker.com

Here's the SteadyTracker UltraLite on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3325&item=7517855750&rd=1

Should you decide you might want something larger, I also recommend the Magiqcam... I bought one of these last year and within a couple of months (about 10 hours), I was able to create some outstanding footage with the DVX100A with it.

Magiqcam's web site:

http://www.magiqcam.com

For sale on eBay by Magiqcam (that's where I purchased mine):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=21165&item=7518451961&rd=1

Good luck!

filmy

Hello,

I manufacture full rig stablizer and I look forward to your comments regarding to the steadyness of my demo video. :)

Here is a video moving forward shot by me using my stablizer. This is a single shot.
Click here (http://www.salenz.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19&)

Here is a video shot backward using my stablizer.
Click here (http://www.salenz.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20)

Regards
Leigh

I made one of the $14 models myself, but the galvanized pipe is pretty heavy (and I have bad shoulders.)

I think I'll try making one out of PVC. Hmmm...

'sup fellow Kiwi. :cool:

My SteadyGrip has been a long time in the making but I am just about to release it hopefuly by the end of summer.

It is NOT a gimbled or gyro'd device meant to compete with the SteadyCam of Glidecam etc. It does eliminate camera shake, soften camera movements by 75-85%+, and allows you virtually unlimited manueverability with the camera, from toe shots to over the tops of crowds to whip pans all in one shot it can be done. It is very lightweight and quickly folds into a small 10"X10"x1" case. It will sell for under $60US.

Leigh, those look superb. I went to your main site though and did not see any pictures or prices for your rig.

Thanks Zensteve

I think that I need to test how is handheld shot compare to stablizer's shot, so I make following video yesterday. First part mainly handheld shot, second part is my stablizer's shot. I can feel my hand shaking in handheld shot, and I wish that I have a crane. Shot by JVC GY-DV5000 with Fujinon s20x6.4BRM-SD lense.

WMV format
File Size around 52m bytes

Click here (http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_6_6.wmv)

Small file
WMV format
File Size around 28m bytes

Click here (http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_6_6_small.wmv)

Leigh, those look superb. I went to your main site though and did not see any pictures or prices for your rig.

My rig is in development stage. :-)

Regards
Leigh

What about Glidecam?

I understand Indietalk is an official dealer... but more immediately, for this weekend we've got someone with a Glidecam joining our team, and anyone with any Glidecam experiences who want to shout some pros and cons I can keep in mind would be mucho appreciato!

We ordered the Glidecam for our new show at Universal Studios Hollywood. The standard rig (Glidecam Pro) is pretty useless. You can build a similar rig for hundreds less - as several people have pointed out.

Add the "Body-Pod" and it's a complete waste of money. The cheap plastic clips are too easily broken and the waist vest doesn't work at all - very unstable.

I just ordered the "Smooth-Shooter". It's way too expensive for the indie movie maker ($1,500) but for a 35min live show it looks like it will work at way less than a StediCam.

I'll let you all know how it works as soon as we get it.

Hello everyone,

I just want to see if I can manage to shoot low mode. It is hard and I think that I need more practise.

Shot by JVC GY-DV5000 with Fujinon s20x6.4BRM-SD lense.

WMV format
File Size around 64m bytes

Click here (http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_6_11.wmv)

Regards
Leigh

Exact camera I shoot with. I love that camera. JVC has a ProHD (http://pro.jvc.com/prof/Attributes/features.jsp?tree=&model_id=MDL101539&itempath=&feature_id=01) camera coming out next month.

Looks cool.

Exact camera I shoot with. I love that camera. JVC has a ProHD (http://pro.jvc.com/prof/Attributes/features.jsp?tree=&model_id=MDL101539&itempath=&feature_id=01) camera coming out next month.

Looks cool.

Nice to know someone has the same camera I am using. :-)

What do you think the frame construction? Is that ok? Or should I let the camera go more lower? I found that put the camera not exact in center, but just side and more close, the picture seems more powerful.

By the way I am always visiting this site. Click here (http://fastforwardclub.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php)

Do you know any other forum got lots of jvc gy-dv5000 users?

Regards
Leigh

Leigh,

Firstly, there are no other forums. Indietalk is it.

Second, your 64mb video of a guy bike riding although is very stable vertically, looks terribly unstable horizontally.

Leigh,

Firstly, there are no other forums. Indietalk is it.

Second, your 64mb video of a guy bike riding although is very stable vertically, looks terribly unstable horizontally.

Thanks for the comment.

I am learning the skill part time. I wish it is a magic to become a master, but in reality my skill just advance slowly.

By the way, can you give me some link of Indietalk post related to gy-dv5000 usage hints?

TIA

Regards
Leigh

There is not much mention of that specific camera here at Indietalk yet, but I'm sure if you GOOGLE IT (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=gy-dv5000&btnG=Google+Search) you'll find what you're looking for.

I made another video this afternoon. Still needs more practising.

Here is a picture of my house for an overview of my shooting environment.
Click here (http://www.salenz.com/picture/house.jpg)

Small size around 3mbytes encoded with wmv format
Click here (http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_6_18_1_small.wmv)

Full screen size around 69mbytes encoded with wmv format
Click here (http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_6_18_1.wmv)

Regards
Leigh

I made a video yesterday afternoon. It was so hard to get exact focus distance with the subject I set to my lense. I think that I need a focus poller.

Small size around 10mbytes encoded with wmv format
Click here (http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_6_25_small.wmv)

Full screen size around 133mbytes encoded with wmv format
Click here (http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_6_25.wmv)

Regards
Leigh

Alright I'm not sure who the genius is who said the "glidecam is totally useless", but he's full of crap..I've been using it for about 4 months now and I couldn't be happier with the shots it creates..you can't build one that works quite like it..for one, it's made of lightweight aluminum and other materials that you can't just buy at the hardware store..and they last forever...my friend has had his glidecam 1000 for years and it still works like a charm..

im studio mangr. for my university's tv station and we have a glidecam pro 4000 collecting dust. i've spent countless hours playing with it but can never get it to balance properly, im sure from tinkering with it that it would be an amazing tool if i ever do get it to work properly. but it'll deff take some work. though i have to agree though that the body pod is a rip off.

Well,

I have the DV tiffen steadicam. don't have the exact model number on me. But really unless you are doing a huge production you don't need to go out and buy or rent one. Wheel chairs can help stabilize and act as dollies, you can build your own as said above, you can even tape your camera to a big piece of wood so that any movement is less abrupt. But you probably know this already, good luck on your project.

www.saltzmanproductions.com

What I use is the Glidecam 2000 Pro (maybe its 4000, i can't remember) and it's defintiely not useless...but, it does take adjusting to. You need a couple hours with it. Also, balancing it properly is key.

I was the one Spatula was refering to. We used it on the Orange Crush shoot and I doubt the team had any complaints with it.

www.scope-films.com/elise/

in the trailer, the first shot is done with the glidecam and a gl2...and its not even weighted properly, i didnt bring enough weights with me, but the end result is still very, very good.