I've had one for 5 years and the only damage has been to the paint job. It's had a number of cameras on it, the most recently a Panasonic HVX200, weighed down with batteries, which is one of the most un-ergonomic cameras I've worked with. I was able to get great handheld shots while running around and it never showed any indication that it was going to break. Did your Spiderbrace break with the camera on it? It was broken during travel. JFK was where I once watched my luggage go up the conveyor ramp to the stow of the plane and fall to the tarmac right at the top. Lucky it wasn't my camera or equipment, just clothes.

The Spiderbrace is not limited to shoulder work. It's study enough and importantly very light. I shot close-ups for cooking videos by balancing the shoulder rod on my head and shooting down. That looked strange to the rest of the crew but I got the shots. In another situation I braced the shoulder rod against my side for a lower angle shot. You can smoothly transition from a shoulder mount shot to an overhead. Yes it's cheap PVC material but that is part of the reason that it doesn't add much to the weight of the camera which makes manipulating the position of the camera much easier. Are there more elegant means of camera support? Definitely yes, but not at that price.

The Steady Stick looks very interesting and I can see it's usefulness. Once (back when there were no palm sized camcorders) I had a similar camera brace by the Peter Lisand Company but I found the long-term weight on my midsection a distraction and it was tough to put the camera down safely. I donated it to a film class. I also use monopods but I find them limited.

HM100 Arrived just 24 hrs Before Departure - WHEW!!
 

Thanks to all of you who took the time to offer advice/opinions on accessories and set-up. My dealer here in Canada, Peter Bauce at Hamilton Video and Sound, went above and beyond to get me my camera just in time - the first HM100 into Canada - as JVC’s main shipment was stuck in customs for 5 days for some inexplicable reason.

And I must say, it simply looks stunning!! In addition to the spectacular images and versatility of set-up (full manual to full auto), I absolutely LOVE the small form factor. Having lugged a couple of HD100’s around for 3 years, loaded down with batteries, Firestore units, wireless mic kits, etc. this is an ergonomic dream! As always, a few things could be tweaked and improved. But I’m looking forward using the HM100 to capture the beauty of Africa with breathtaking, vivid clarity as I tell the story of community tranformation work being done among aids orphans in Malawi. I’m sure I’ll check in and post some comments and a question or two on the forum once I get on the ground and put the camera through its paces.

May Peace and Justice come to all the Children of the World.

Cheers!

P.S. Thanks Jack and Matthias for your good wishes.

May you have a fantastic trip!