Keeping the camera level

Daniel Fessak · April 3rd, 2009, 07:50 PM

I looked at the spiderbrace, but my style is very heavy on constantly changing angles on the fly and holding the camera at different heights, so something like the spiderbrace doesn't look like it would work for me a lot of times.

Daniel Fessak · April 3rd, 2009, 07:56 PM

I also need my left one hand free because I do a lot of zooming in and out and fast camera moves.

Brian Lakusta · April 4th, 2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Fessak

I also need my left one hand free because I do a lot of zooming in and out and fast camera moves.

I just got in a Spiderbrace 2 and one of these

Libec | ZC-3DV Mountable Zoom Control | ZC-3DV | B&H Photo Video

One review
I plugged it into the back of my Canon XH-A1 and it worked like a charm Very convenient when your camera is up on sticks and you don't feel like reaching around for the zoom and on/off button.
I don't know how I lived without it now!

These two are suppose to work well together.....

Maybe next weekend I will try these out... no time this weekend.

Lorinda Norton · April 6th, 2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Fessak

I looked at the spiderbrace, but my style is very heavy on constantly changing angles on the fly and holding the camera at different heights, so something like the spiderbrace doesn't look like it would work for me a lot of times.

Daniel, have you looked at the Steady Stick? I have the same trouble keeping this camera level, plus I needed to be changing heights on the fly. My only complaint with it is that there is some play at the coupler, but I've got a machinist pal who's going to fix that for me. And for $99 I can't complain.

Daniel Fessak · April 7th, 2009, 06:46 PM

I never heard of the steady stick before. I looked at the video on the page and it seems kind of awkward. Is it comfortable? It also seems like it may help educe any shaking.

Lorinda Norton · April 7th, 2009, 07:13 PM

With a little practice I reached a point where I didn't feel like it was that awkward. Limited? Definitely, but not too bad for such an inexpensive piece of gear. As far as comfort, in the position I wanted it was digging into my hip so I cinched it up a bit and got used to using it in that position. Might be different for a guy--I don't know.

You're right; it helps a fair amount with keeping the shot steady while walking. You can move the handle around to make it act like a tiny crane, which is sort of cool for a particular [tiny] shot. (That might be in the video; if so, forgive me.)

If I get the play problem taken care of I'll be happier with it, but even now it's not bad.

Annie Haycock · April 9th, 2009, 01:59 AM

Some 25 years ago I adapted a monopod and belt to do the same job, it worked fairly well for stills. I resurrected it for doing video from a boat, and in cramped situations where there was no chance of using a tripod, or even a monopod fully extended.

Tripp Woelfel · April 9th, 2009, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

Why the Cartoni Focus Tripp, did you try any other sticks first?

Allan... I started with a Libec that I recall cost about US$400 and they just didn't cut it at all.

I didn't really have the opportunity to try or rent other tripods since I'm a couple of hours away from any real city. So I went on an extensive research project to find the best bang for the buck. I cannot be certain that I achieved that goal but I am more than pleased with my choice. Following the action on the track yields much smoother moves than before and I can get some lusciously slow moves for nature work. Overall, it works.

I did consider Miller and the Vinten Vision and probably would have gotten the Vinten if I'd had a bigger spend.

Hubert Duijzer · April 9th, 2009, 02:23 PM

I'm with Tripp on this one. Started with a real cheap tripod, through a few Manfrotto's and ended up with a Vinten vision 3 with a Bebop lanc controller. It does all i want, wich can't be said from the cheaper tripods. It's a lot of mney, but really well spent.
The lowest i would consider is a Libec LS38.

For trackdays/racing you need lots of zooms and quick pans wich suddenly stops. It's there where a good tripod isn't good enough.

April 7th, 2009, 07:13 PM	#21
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	With a little practice I reached a point where I didn't feel like it was that awkward. Limited? Definitely, but not too bad for such an inexpensive piece of gear. As far as comfort, in the position I wanted it was digging into my hip so I cinched it up a bit and got used to using it in that position. Might be different for a guy--I don't know. You're right; it helps a fair amount with keeping the shot steady while walking. You can move the handle around to make it act like a tiny crane, which is sort of cool for a particular [tiny] shot. (That might be in the video; if so, forgive me.) If I get the play problem taken care of I'll be happier with it, but even now it's not bad. __________________ Lorinda

April 9th, 2009, 01:59 AM	#22
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	Some 25 years ago I adapted a monopod and belt to do the same job, it worked fairly well for stills. I resurrected it for doing video from a boat, and in cramped situations where there was no chance of using a tripod, or even a monopod fully extended. __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon XF100; Nikon D800

April 3rd, 2009, 07:50 PM	#16
Daniel Fessak Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 123	I looked at the spiderbrace, but my style is very heavy on constantly changing angles on the fly and holding the camera at different heights, so something like the spiderbrace doesn't look like it would work for me a lot of times.

April 3rd, 2009, 07:56 PM	#17
Daniel Fessak Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 123	I also need my left one hand free because I do a lot of zooming in and out and fast camera moves.

April 7th, 2009, 06:46 PM	#20
Daniel Fessak Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 123	I never heard of the steady stick before. I looked at the video on the page and it seems kind of awkward. Is it comfortable? It also seems like it may help educe any shaking.

April 9th, 2009, 02:23 PM	#24
Hubert Duijzer Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 177	I'm with Tripp on this one. Started with a real cheap tripod, through a few Manfrotto's and ended up with a Vinten vision 3 with a Bebop lanc controller. It does all i want, wich can't be said from the cheaper tripods. It's a lot of mney, but really well spent. The lowest i would consider is a Libec LS38. For trackdays/racing you need lots of zooms and quick pans wich suddenly stops. It's there where a good tripod isn't good enough.