HV20: need handle on top... ideas? at DVinfo.net

Chris Ames · July 18th, 2007, 09:35 AM

I will be capturing toddlers on my HV20 for a few more years and the best footage seems to be down on their level. Does anyone know of a mounting / adapter / bracket of some sort to get me a handle that runs the length of the top of the unit? I purchased a few flash brackets to try and put it together myself, but then it occurred to me today that maybe something like this already exists?

Chris

Nathan Shane · July 18th, 2007, 10:28 AM

Chris...you could do what I have done with great success - and that's to use a monopod attached to the HV20, then you just turn the whole unit upside-down and use the monopod as a handle and the camera is completely at floor level. Seriously, you can capture some of the most coolest footage - then you simply rotate the video 180 in your video editing software (since it will be captured upside-down).

One of my more interesting video experiments was when I did a walk-about across the lawn/sidewalks holding the camera down at foot level and capturing my shoes as I walked...I would even stand in place and move the camera 360 around my feet/body by switching hands to create that whole Matrix effect. Some of that footage really grabbed your attention because of the viewpoint that was being captured. In addition, I also would navigate the camera in, around, up, over, and through plants/cactus/trees/bushes/etc...with some really great results. Another interesting experiment I tried was holding the camera directly over a stream of water as I walked alongside and also holding it in front of a small waterfall to capture the water as it flowed across the rocks. You'd be very suprised at the whole new visual perspective that you can capture trying this. Just be mindful of not dragging the camera into the ground or dropping it in the water and you're good to go. Of course, you could also get a waterproof case or make some other protective cover for the camera as well.

I'm uploading an .mp4 video of this and will post a link in just a little bit.

Chris Ames · July 18th, 2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Shane

Chris...you could do what I have done with great success - and that's to use a monopod attached to the HV20, then you just turn the whole unit upside-down and use the monopod as a handle and the camera is completely at floor level. Seriously, you can capture some of the most coolest footage - then you simply rotate the video in your video editing software (since it will be captured upside-down).

One of my more interesting video experiments was when I did a walk-about across the lawn/sidewalks holding the camera down at foot level and capturing my shoes as I walked...I would even stand in place and move the camera 360 around my feet/body by switching hands to create that whole Matrix effect. Some of that footage really grabbed your attention because of the viewpoint that was being captured.

Awesome idea! Thanks Nathan!

Ian Lim · July 18th, 2007, 10:57 AM

Cool tips! Thanks Nathan

Nathan Shane · July 18th, 2007, 11:10 AM

Okay...here's my experimental walk-about video using the monopod. I reduced the image size and made it an .mp4 file - so hopefully you'll be able to play it...it's about 14MB

http://vettaville.com/videos/hv20_walkabout.mp4

Chris Ames · July 18th, 2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Shane

Okay...here's my experimental walk-about video using the monopod. I reduced the image size and made it an .mp4 file - so hopefully you'll be able to play it...it's about 14MB

http://vettaville.com/videos/hv20_walkabout.mp4

That looks terrific!

Expect this perspective in my next video :-).

Chris

Ray Bell · July 18th, 2007, 07:36 PM

Nathon, Thanks for showing the idea of using the mono pod for that type of perspective.... when I got home tonight I pulled out the mono pod that I normally use for my still cam's... and shot a liitle around the house....

The mono pod I'm using is the manfrotto 3245 , its a very cool monopod as it colapses by you squeezing a hand trigger... so you can extend it or shorten it... what I noticed is that when its not extended it gives the camera much more balance and the footage is less shaky do to the HV20 light weight... and when you extend the mono pod you get to reach into some cool spots for footage and like you have seen, when you turn the whole package upside down it works its magic perspective too....

I can't wait to shoot some footage in this fashion soon....

Chris Ames · July 18th, 2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Bell

...

what I noticed is that when its not extended it gives the camera much more balance and the footage is less shaky do to the HV20 light weight...

...

This guy recommends holding your monopod/tripod at a certain place in order to simulate the effect of a Merlin Steadicam. Kind of a neat trick, but I have not tried it myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1aPbwcqquk

Chris

Bill Johnson · July 19th, 2007, 03:41 AM

I read an article on the web ages ago about making your own steadymount and this method was given as the simplest. I tried it at the time and it works very well. The hardest part is getting the camera to point in the right elevation i.e. straight ahead and not up or down.
Also, in the Youtube vid he seems to be clutching the tripod but it works best if you support it with two fingers just beneath a convenient joint, so that it can swing freely (I'll stop now before any more double entendres pop up)

Allan Black · July 19th, 2007, 04:27 AM

Another idea for low level shots is one of those small table tripods with bendable legs. You can quicky set it up on any uneven surface and even use it as a holder for the cam.

Duane Steiner · July 19th, 2007, 08:54 AM

I also wonder if there is any type of handle for the HV20. I did try Nathan's tip http://www.everythinginhd.com/videos/path.wmv (right click-save as). Great idea and I will be using it more.

July 18th, 2007, 09:35 AM	#1
Chris Ames Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 48	HV20: need handle on top... ideas? I will be capturing toddlers on my HV20 for a few more years and the best footage seems to be down on their level. Does anyone know of a mounting / adapter / bracket of some sort to get me a handle that runs the length of the top of the unit? I purchased a few flash brackets to try and put it together myself, but then it occurred to me today that maybe something like this already exists? Chris

July 18th, 2007, 10:28 AM	#2
Nathan Shane Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Addison, Texas Posts: 178	Chris...you could do what I have done with great success - and that's to use a monopod attached to the HV20, then you just turn the whole unit upside-down and use the monopod as a handle and the camera is completely at floor level. Seriously, you can capture some of the most coolest footage - then you simply rotate the video 180 in your video editing software (since it will be captured upside-down). One of my more interesting video experiments was when I did a walk-about across the lawn/sidewalks holding the camera down at foot level and capturing my shoes as I walked...I would even stand in place and move the camera 360 around my feet/body by switching hands to create that whole Matrix effect. Some of that footage really grabbed your attention because of the viewpoint that was being captured. In addition, I also would navigate the camera in, around, up, over, and through plants/cactus/trees/bushes/etc...with some really great results. Another interesting experiment I tried was holding the camera directly over a stream of water as I walked alongside and also holding it in front of a small waterfall to capture the water as it flowed across the rocks. You'd be very suprised at the whole new visual perspective that you can capture trying this. Just be mindful of not dragging the camera into the ground or dropping it in the water and you're good to go. Of course, you could also get a waterproof case or make some other protective cover for the camera as well. I'm uploading an .mp4 video of this and will post a link in just a little bit.

July 18th, 2007, 10:57 AM	#4
Ian Lim Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 178	Cool tips! Thanks Nathan

July 18th, 2007, 11:10 AM	#5
Nathan Shane Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Addison, Texas Posts: 178	Okay...here's my experimental walk-about video using the monopod. I reduced the image size and made it an .mp4 file - so hopefully you'll be able to play it...it's about 14MB http://vettaville.com/videos/hv20_walkabout.mp4

July 18th, 2007, 07:36 PM	#7
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	Nathon, Thanks for showing the idea of using the mono pod for that type of perspective.... when I got home tonight I pulled out the mono pod that I normally use for my still cam's... and shot a liitle around the house.... The mono pod I'm using is the manfrotto 3245 , its a very cool monopod as it colapses by you squeezing a hand trigger... so you can extend it or shorten it... what I noticed is that when its not extended it gives the camera much more balance and the footage is less shaky do to the HV20 light weight... and when you extend the mono pod you get to reach into some cool spots for footage and like you have seen, when you turn the whole package upside down it works its magic perspective too.... I can't wait to shoot some footage in this fashion soon....

July 19th, 2007, 03:41 AM	#9
Bill Johnson New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Warrington England Posts: 7	I read an article on the web ages ago about making your own steadymount and this method was given as the simplest. I tried it at the time and it works very well. The hardest part is getting the camera to point in the right elevation i.e. straight ahead and not up or down. Also, in the Youtube vid he seems to be clutching the tripod but it works best if you support it with two fingers just beneath a convenient joint, so that it can swing freely (I'll stop now before any more double entendres pop up)

July 19th, 2007, 04:27 AM	#10
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,930	Another idea for low level shots is one of those small table tripods with bendable legs. You can quicky set it up on any uneven surface and even use it as a holder for the cam.

July 19th, 2007, 08:54 AM	#11
Duane Steiner Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CA Posts: 195	I also wonder if there is any type of handle for the HV20. I did try Nathan's tip http://www.everythinginhd.com/videos/path.wmv (right click-save as). Great idea and I will be using it more.