I have shot many hours of footage with the Canon XL1s and never suffered with camera shake. Now with the A1 the shots are all over the place (well not quite, but as good as). I have seen a some sample clips on this forum and it seems like I am not the only one with this problem. I do not want to start using a heavy tripod for my shots, I like some spontaneity in my work. Anyone using a decent shoulder brace etc.

I will be shooting in Spain on Wednesday, hope to get to know the camera better and will try to post some sample footage.

I think 1 in 2 A1 owners are in the same boat (the other half probably haven't seen their stuff on a "big" screen yet! - I jest).

Can't help you with a brace, I'm married to a tripod instead!

Cheers,


Chris

I have shot many hours of footage with the Canon XL1s and never suffered with camera shake. Now with the A1 the shots are all over the place (well not quite, but as good as). I have seen a some sample clips on this forum and it seems like I am not the only one with this problem. I do not want to start using a heavy tripod for my shots, I like some spontaneity in my work. Anyone using a decent shoulder brace etc.

I will be shooting in Spain on Wednesday, hope to get to know the camera better and will try to post some sample footage.

I have both of these, they work great.
http://dvcreators.net/steady-stick
http://www.adorama.com/LHGP100.html
The Gopod is more stable, I can do a full zoom and still looks very stable, but it will need a ball quick release head like a Bogen or something like that so you can position it to your liking.

Becoming steady handheld takes practice no matter what camera is used. I learned long ago to make it as if it's an appendage to your body... and the most important I believe... don't think about it so much. The minute I think about trying to stay steady is when it's the most difficult. I've done handheld "semi-tests" with the A1 in near to full zoom with OIS on & it's quite remarkable how well the OIS works.

Bill

Just use a good monopod, and your problems are gone

I'm an ex XL1 user and had the same probs as you. What I'm finding works is holding it tight to my stomach when shooting at waist height and when at head height, having the screen out and, on my free hand, putting my thumb on the tripod mount on the base and my middle finger on the left corner edge of the screen.

I've got a shoulder mount that gives me the XL1 steadyness but, I'm finding it's lying in the car most of the time. What I am likeing is how much more freedom the XH-A1 gives me to do more "run and gun" type stuff.

It is interesting that A1 owners coming from bigger camera's say
they like the run and gun possibilities, while folks moving up from
smaller camera's want to know how to get it steady.
Hand-held camera work involves an additonal dose of attention while shooting.
I find if I can keep the horizontal and vertical lines accurate in the shot
it helps hide the (inevitable), camera movement.

David

... don't think about it so much. The minute I think about trying to stay steady is when it's the most difficult.
Bill

I second this. When I was young, to be more like my dad I started drinking coffee. And back in the day we used to get coffee in a stirofome cup. Well, dad was really good about walking and not spilling. Well, at 8 years old, you can imagine how my walking went. He said, don't look at the cup, don't think about it, just walk, and it does make a difference. And yes, I am a coffee addict even today.

I generally hold my breathe or really slow down my breathing when I do pans or critical shots. I like to hold my breathe for the steady ones and really just focus on keeping my upper body stiff and relaxing my lower half to move around. It sounds funny but as everyone else says, it just takes practice.

I have one word for you (well actually 3 in teh name)...

DVMulti Rig
www.dvmultirig.com
http://www.alangordon.com/MultiRig_detail.html

Do a lookup on these forums for info and feedback as it has been discussed by myself and many here.
It truly is a remarkable versitile support device.

While rigs work a lot of the time, there are instances where you need to literrally run and gun. I was filming a reception and with the ammount of dancing going on the whole floor was bouncing. Well, I snatched the camera off the tripod and went into the dance itself. In this instance, I didn't have time to put it on a rig.

There are many rigs out there, but eventually you'll need to do some critical hand held work. Just keep practicing.

While rigs work a lot of the time, there are instances where you need to literrally run and gun. I was filming a reception and with the ammount of dancing going on the whole floor was bouncing. Well, I snatched the camera off the tripod and went into the dance itself. In this instance, I didn't have time to put it on a rig.

There are many rigs out there, but eventually you'll need to do some critical hand held work. Just keep practicing.

Steven, the thing with the MultiRig is that it isn't a rig, as rigs are perceived.

Yes you can wear the rig with the support pod for added soothness and to releive arm and back strain. But, and this is the important thing, you can mount the entire rig (camera and all) on your tripod in a manner of seconds. The same goes for removing it and going handheld. And for a few seconds longer, you can screw in the 2 section support pod into the bottom of the rig and your off and running.

I shoot with the Multi ALL DAY LONG, with no fatigue and get very steady and creative handheld shots. I shoot a lot of weddings and I shoot all pre-ceremony shots with the Multi as well as the processional (down front on the grooms side down low shooting up the isle). Then when the bride is handed off I place my entire setup on a preset tripod for the remainder of the service. Until the resessional when I go handheld again.

As for shooting a reception, where it is all run and gun, I shoot with the MultiRig on exclusively (camera 2 on staionary tripod), except for while I'm at rest like during dinner.

And as for bouncing on the dancefloor.
When you shoot in Stabilizer Plus Mode (pod supported), your body's vibrations are absorbed enabling you to get steadier shots.

This came in handy recently, while I was in a limo with a bride (bridal prep) and the bridemaids going to the USNA in Annapolis, on cobblestone roads. The footage actually came out fairly steady. There was no way I could have gotten this kind of footage handheld.

I don't work for DVTec and get no compinsation for sales. But just wanted to let you know that there are alernatives out there to the traditional camera support devices.

Hey guys I made this the other day and even shot of the back of a motorcycle with it. It cost about 30.00 to build and weighs about 4 lbs but makes all the differance in the world. I'll post a couple of short segs shot with it. I just couldn't see paying 300. plus dollars for something so simple.

Wynn Bradford

DVmulti rig and Kenyon Gyro.

wynn...i like the idea of building it yourself. any steps, material lists you can offer? bill

bothell, wa

There is a site - I read about it in DV Rebel's guide book

Johnny Chung Lee's cheapman's steadycam

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

There is also a step by step guide in the rebel book I have on how to build a cheap hand held device - basically a 2 by 4 that the camera sits on, with handles either side that you grip and basically carry it around

He also talks about using a skateboard with a heavy weighted bag (very similar to that bean bag concept mentioned in this thread) for small dollylike moves


Trish

Hey guys I made this the other day and even shot of the back of a motorcycle with it. It cost about 30.00 to build and weighs about 4 lbs but makes all the differance in the world. I'll post a couple of short segs shot with it. I just couldn't see paying 300. plus dollars for something so simple.

Wynn Bradford


NICE! I like it when people build DIY projects. Very clean and neat. I'm curious to how you mount your camcorder. Maybe a picture with you camcorder mounted? Thanks!

Ok all I am building another one I should have it finished tomorrow. I will display a couple of pics and parts list (all from Home Depot) I will also publish a chart with the measurements so it is a lot easer to build. It takes about 2 hrs with paint an all. You will need to be able to cut aluminum and drill some holes and thats it.

Wynn Bradford

Also came across this other homegrown site for DIY - all kinds of steadying devices

http://www.homebuiltstabilizers.com/

and another steadicam for under $20

http://www.wrigleyvideo.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5971&hl=steadycam

Trish

Here's a link to a very well documented DIY stabilizer: http://www.regnstrom.com/flystand/ (link found at http://www.homebuiltstabilizers.com/ )
I'm thinking of making myself one like this, big plus is that this still looks professional, as I don't want to shoot professional with a cheap looking stabilizer.

Is it me... or do those "stabilized" video clips leave a lot to be desired? Maybe it's the operator & not the device, but I wasn't too impressed. But that's just me :)

Bill

Bill,

The 'steadied' shots were better than the jumpy sample shots they were
compared to, but they weren't near the quality of what a (real) steady-cam
shot would be like with an experienced operator...however for the differences in money and the equipment load, I didn't think they were that terrible - at least in small doses.
Comes down to using the right kind of shot in the right situation I guess.

There sure is a market out there for a really small, light-weight element that would steady down shooting - wish I were an engineer.

David

Thank you all for your messages.

I am using a Manfrotto Monopod and this does the trick. I also purchased a lighter tripod the Libec LS22DV, I may just take this tripod back as it doesn't seem to be any lighter or quicker to set up than my Manfrotto tripod.

Thank you all for your messages.

I am using a Manfrotto Monopod and this does the trick. I did also purchased a lighter tripod the Libec LS22DV, I may just take this tripod back as it doesn't seem to be lighter or quicker to set up than my Manfrotto tripod.

Which model monopod do you have? Thanks!

I purchased the Manfrotto 558B. This comes complete with the same quick release plate as on my Manfrotto tripod, this means I don't have to remove the mounting plate from the camera when I switch from tripod to monopod. The 558B has two section legs, these release and lock very quickly, in the field you can adjust the height instanly. It worked a treat on the wedding I did last Saturday. The monopod folds away to 18 inches, I did look at a Gitzo, but this is a four or five section unit and each section has to be rotated to lock into place, but it does collapse down to 9 inches (approx)

btw. I was not allowed to use a tripod in the church, unless it was set it up at the back, this is not ideal for shooting the wedding vows, but I was allowed to use the monopod for this - which meant I got the shots, and they were steady.

Just an extra post.

A photographer friend brought his Cavision Dual Grip Shoulder Support around for me to try out. In less than two minutes I found a major flaw. The camera sits on the centre track and as the viewfinder is on the same axis as the lens, you have to twist your neck in order to see through the viewfinder, or use the flip out LCD screen. The LCD is not that good on sunny days and unless you have good eyesight, it can be difficult to read the settings shown on screen. Shooting with a twisted neck and spine could lead to long term health problems.

My wife also commented that the whole unit looks like an orthopaedic appliance, So I will give this a miss and stick with the Monopod. – Incidentally, my friend was so impressed with the monopod that he ordered one today.

I don't know how you hold the camera.

I have found the side grab useless. The problem is that you don't get your hand under the center of mass which strains the muscles to keep the cam upright. Second in that position you hold the camera in eye height and quickly get tired. That introduces shakes as you try to comfort yourself.

The handle is almost good - almost because this is not exactly over the center of mass: It's on the center of the lens barrel axis, but the tape compartment on the side shifts center of mass slightly. If it was you could have the cam hang in just one finger reducing any shocks from walking. But as it is, the camera is not perfectly balanced on the image horizontal axis.

I have found a combination of the left hand flat under the camera body, lets thumb and index finger handle zoom ring and manual focus/iris. Right hand on the handle to start stop recording. What I really miss is push-focus on the top handle.

When using zoom I think the image stabilizer looses it's effect and may even make things worse, but I haven't tried to make comparable footage w/out stabilizer. Anyone?

I side with the guy that posted earlier.
A good mono pod works great with this size
camera and is much more versatile than
some of the specialty stabilizing rigs.

Has anyone tried the Steadicam Merlin?
It looks well-made and usable even though it's priced
high.

An interesting thread, lots of good
points to ponder.

David

i like the monopod too. put a quick release adapter on the head and you can set it so the cam's center of gravity is right above the grip. i find that carrying this rig around, without the monopod being planted down, is actually easier to hold than using the side grip for extended periods of time. handheld, the added weight seems to help stabilize the camera as well. and you have the wonderful option of planting the cam down with the flick of a clamp.

no experience with the merlin, but i have used a glidecam 4000 with the xha1. i think the xha1 is at the upper weight limit of the merlin. all i know is holding a rig of 14+ lbs (camera and stabilizer) for even short periods of time is not much fun. i think tiffen has a merlin vest/arm out, or coming out soon?

I own a Merlin and it is a nice piece of equipment. It works really well.
However, the perfect balance of the rig is absolutley vital and it is not that easy.
Also in order to make the most of it, you will really need to practice with it before going on a shoot, because it takes some time to get used to the rig. Lastly start doing some push-ups because unless you are using a really small camera, it is a major work out on your arm. I might be a whimp but after 10 minutes or so with a Z1U on it, I'm worn out.

Matthew,

I don't doubt that it is a handfull to hold for any length of time.
I have worked in feature films for many years and the steadicam operators have a very hard time if the shots go for alot of takes.
A very underrated job.

thanks,

David