Handheld Stabilizer Users... How do you reduce forearm and back fatigue?

Peter Chung · May 12th, 2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Thompson

I have finally uploaded a clip from the last wedding. Boy what a week!

It can be found here:
www.indicam.com/media/steadiweddingSlow.wmv

Some of the best shots are lock-offs which I can also do with my rig.

Be kind as I am a manufacturer and not a professional steadicam operator.

Thanks for sharing, Terry. I would have liked to see more shots but the two you showed were good.

When you say some of your best shots are lock-offs, are they lock-offs done with your rig, or tripod shots?

Also, do you get people giving you weird looks when you're in your rig? :)

I'd like to see the shot of your son muttering about his tiredness, if you have that, too ;) How long was he holding it for? Was he using the rig or just the sled?

Thanks again for sharing, Terry!

Prech Marton · February 6th, 2007, 03:44 PM

Hi.
I also have a nice Glidecam 2000 clip in wedding situation.
This is a mix with several weddings at photo time.
Hope you enjoy it :)

http://www.relaxvideo.hu/esk-videok.html

After 20-30 minute of using, my wrist is very fatigue, so i think to buy
a forearm brace. I'm only 28. But its quite expensive in Hungary.

Marton

Dan Selakovich · February 7th, 2007, 01:42 AM

Hi Prech,

This might look a little weird, but a sling (like you'd use for a broken arm) has become my new favorite way to battle fatigue when holding a stabilizer.

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Terry Thompson · February 7th, 2007, 03:21 PM

Dan,

That will indeed help while resting or doing static shots but you want to have your arm free to do some steadying during a moving shot. Otherwise you could just use the Glidecam Forearm Brace which does the same thing. It doesn't allow up and down stabilization but the sled will help smooth out the side-to-side jitter.

You probably already know that but just for the record...

Terry
Indicam

Dan Selakovich · February 8th, 2007, 10:03 AM

I think you'd be surprise how much "UP" movement you can do. but you're right: Down, not so much. For a "Walk and Talk" tightening the sling up and using a "burrito" (a sound blanket rolled up) stuck between your arm and body gets suprisingly smooth shots from a hand held. (I've also used a wrist splint which helps as well).

dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Terry Thompson · February 8th, 2007, 11:02 AM

Dan,

Great idea for an inexpensive arm support. It's not like a real stabilizer arm but it sounds like it would work somewhat. I suppose your wrist does much of the up-down stabilization.

Hey, Maybe you could have a "donations box" nearby because it might look like you have a broken arm.

Terry
Indicam

Dan Selakovich · February 9th, 2007, 09:12 AM

The local drug store thinks I'm really accident prone!

dan

February 6th, 2007, 03:44 PM	#32
Prech Marton Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: hungary Posts: 462	Hi. I also have a nice Glidecam 2000 clip in wedding situation. This is a mix with several weddings at photo time. Hope you enjoy it :) http://www.relaxvideo.hu/esk-videok.html After 20-30 minute of using, my wrist is very fatigue, so i think to buy a forearm brace. I'm only 28. But its quite expensive in Hungary. Marton __________________ Relaxing clips with waterfalls and music, 3D photos, 3D videos: www.3d-video.hu

February 7th, 2007, 03:21 PM	#34
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	Dan, That will indeed help while resting or doing static shots but you want to have your arm free to do some steadying during a moving shot. Otherwise you could just use the Glidecam Forearm Brace which does the same thing. It doesn't allow up and down stabilization but the sled will help smooth out the side-to-side jitter. You probably already know that but just for the record... Terry Indicam __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com

February 8th, 2007, 11:02 AM	#36
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	Dan, Great idea for an inexpensive arm support. It's not like a real stabilizer arm but it sounds like it would work somewhat. I suppose your wrist does much of the up-down stabilization. Hey, Maybe you could have a "donations box" nearby because it might look like you have a broken arm. Terry Indicam __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com

February 7th, 2007, 01:42 AM	#33
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	Hi Prech, This might look a little weird, but a sling (like you'd use for a broken arm) has become my new favorite way to battle fatigue when holding a stabilizer. Dan www.DVcameraRigs.com

February 8th, 2007, 10:03 AM	#35
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	I think you'd be surprise how much "UP" movement you can do. but you're right: Down, not so much. For a "Walk and Talk" tightening the sling up and using a "burrito" (a sound blanket rolled up) stuck between your arm and body gets suprisingly smooth shots from a hand held. (I've also used a wrist splint which helps as well). dan www.DVcameraRigs.com

February 9th, 2007, 09:12 AM	#37
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	The local drug store thinks I'm really accident prone! dan