Holding the XH A1 steady at DVinfo.net

Vincent Oliver · June 9th, 2007, 03:20 AM

I have only just acquired a Canon XH a1. After shooting with the Xl 1s for two or three years I liked the shoulder mount, although not Ideal I know. Now I find I have to use the XH a1 in front of me, I am suffering with camera wobble. Has anyone found a good shoulder brace for this camera, or will I just used to holding the camera out in front of me?

Bill Pryor · June 9th, 2007, 09:15 AM

With the OIS on, shooting at a wide angle, it's easy for me to hand hold steady. Zooming in, as with any camera, makes it wobbly. The best looking shoulder mount I've seen one on the Birns & Sawyer site (they're a sponsor here). I like the $295 one with the single handle. I don't have one yet but checked out all the sites, and from just looking and not actually holding, this one seems the best for me:

http://www.birnsandsawyer.com/cgibin...der%20Supports

I thought I'd need one, but so far I really haven't wanted one badly enough to spend the money. I have done a lot of shooting for a friend's documentary hand held--he likes hand held interviews. I get a little tired on some of the long takes but it's not bad. Reminds me of the old days shooting with an Arri S or Bolex.

If I were going to get a shoulder mount, I'd also get a second Canon quick release plate. I have one on the tripod, and I'd also want one on the shoulder brace. I like to be able to move around quickly without having to unscrew things.

Jerome Cloninger · June 9th, 2007, 09:30 AM

Coming from shooting with the much smaller Sony HC1 cameras, the A1 was like holding a cinder block in front of me--initially. I shoot with OIS on if hand held, and find that if I zoom in any, I'll use a 3 point contact by using both hands and my eye (I bought the large sony eyecup to use and this works better for the viewfinder.) Right hand in the normal place, left hand on lens barrell, and my eye. I keep the LCD flipped out and I can open left eye to view it if needed.

Another thing I like to do sometimes is to put the viewfinder resting against my temple area and look at the LCD with right eye--again, with both hands.

I'm now really comfortable with the A1 and I shot some with the HC1 the other day and it felt like a toy and was harder to hold than the A1. Time to buy another A1!

Gareth Watkins · June 9th, 2007, 10:02 AM

Hi there

Although I use a Z1 it is pretty similar size wise to the Canon...
I've found with a matte box, mic, long life battery and video lamp it all get pretty heavy and has me longing for a shoulder mount format...

My solution so far has been the Cavision shoulder support... not unlike the one Bill indicates... around the same price.. I paid £150 in the UK I believe.

Ok the whole thing is still front heavy but I can hand hold far steadier than I can get with out a support.

I use a Manfrotto Universal adaptor on both tripod and the mount for quick swapping over...

It seems to me that none of these cameras are great handheld... I'm looking forward to seeing what the new proposed Sony HDV shoulder cam in like... may be what I'm looking for.

cheers
Gareth

June 9th, 2007, 03:20 AM	#1
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	Holding the XH A1 steady I have only just acquired a Canon XH a1. After shooting with the Xl 1s for two or three years I liked the shoulder mount, although not Ideal I know. Now I find I have to use the XH a1 in front of me, I am suffering with camera wobble. Has anyone found a good shoulder brace for this camera, or will I just used to holding the camera out in front of me?

June 9th, 2007, 09:30 AM	#3
Jerome Cloninger Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: East TN Posts: 415	Coming from shooting with the much smaller Sony HC1 cameras, the A1 was like holding a cinder block in front of me--initially. I shoot with OIS on if hand held, and find that if I zoom in any, I'll use a 3 point contact by using both hands and my eye (I bought the large sony eyecup to use and this works better for the viewfinder.) Right hand in the normal place, left hand on lens barrell, and my eye. I keep the LCD flipped out and I can open left eye to view it if needed. Another thing I like to do sometimes is to put the viewfinder resting against my temple area and look at the LCD with right eye--again, with both hands. I'm now really comfortable with the A1 and I shot some with the HC1 the other day and it felt like a toy and was harder to hold than the A1. Time to buy another A1! __________________ Jerome www.jeromecloninger.com

June 9th, 2007, 09:15 AM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	With the OIS on, shooting at a wide angle, it's easy for me to hand hold steady. Zooming in, as with any camera, makes it wobbly. The best looking shoulder mount I've seen one on the Birns & Sawyer site (they're a sponsor here). I like the $295 one with the single handle. I don't have one yet but checked out all the sites, and from just looking and not actually holding, this one seems the best for me: http://www.birnsandsawyer.com/cgibin...der%20Supports I thought I'd need one, but so far I really haven't wanted one badly enough to spend the money. I have done a lot of shooting for a friend's documentary hand held--he likes hand held interviews. I get a little tired on some of the long takes but it's not bad. Reminds me of the old days shooting with an Arri S or Bolex. If I were going to get a shoulder mount, I'd also get a second Canon quick release plate. I have one on the tripod, and I'd also want one on the shoulder brace. I like to be able to move around quickly without having to unscrew things.

June 9th, 2007, 10:02 AM	#4
Gareth Watkins Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: France Posts: 578	Hi there Although I use a Z1 it is pretty similar size wise to the Canon... I've found with a matte box, mic, long life battery and video lamp it all get pretty heavy and has me longing for a shoulder mount format... My solution so far has been the Cavision shoulder support... not unlike the one Bill indicates... around the same price.. I paid £150 in the UK I believe. Ok the whole thing is still front heavy but I can hand hold far steadier than I can get with out a support. I use a Manfrotto Universal adaptor on both tripod and the mount for quick swapping over... It seems to me that none of these cameras are great handheld... I'm looking forward to seeing what the new proposed Sony HDV shoulder cam in like... may be what I'm looking for. cheers Gareth