which stabilizer to get?

[luv2liv]

here's a wedding clip i recently saw:
http://vimeo.com/53806739

the guy pan and fly around the couple soooo smooth! i really want to know how he can circle around at 2:54 time frame. is this a stabilizer he's using or a filming technique?

 

[iGas]

Any stabilize lens with hybrid stabilizer mode such as Canon 100L macro will do, and then there are software that can smooth out the video in post.

 

[John Connor]

I have a JVC digital camcorder with a very good stabilizer. I think it all depends on the features.

 

[SecurityTheatre]

Probably done in post processing, in addition to the camera stabilization, honestly. You can do some amazing stuff with some skill and the right tools.

 

[Aharami]

im at work so cant link the video now, but look at "stillmotion" on vimeo. he has some great tutorials on videography. I believe one included which stabilizer system they use.

 

[luv2liv]

im at work so cant link the video now, but look at "stillmotion" on vimeo. he has some great tutorials on videography. I believe one included which stabilizer system they use.

ahhhh. i found it!
http://vimeo.com/15359451
steadicam merlin $600 on amazon
thanks!

 

[Childs]

You should search YT for DIY stabilizer/glidecam/steadycam. People get pretty good results for around $30 or less. Cheapest I've seen was a guy using a bolt, string, and washer. Doesn't help for shots like in the vimeo vid, but fairly clever for just steadying your shots, and probably cost no more than $3.

For example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da4dTGk-G6g

 

[luv2liv]

im not sure how he built that silver flyer for $30.... in his required parts, the manfrotto 577 itself is $60 on ebay!
and i have no idea why the Merlin unit costs $600

 

[Childs]

Its optional. I've seen people use a block of wood and a screw instead of a quick release plate. Just depends on how much you want to spend. Even the Merlin knockoffs on ebay look pretty good, considering they are $70-100.

This guy is using his tripod...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW6AWmqa8ZM

 

[monstercameron]

steadicams are business. Not cheap and definitely not easy to use. but some of those shots seemed like they were on camera dollies. dollies need more effort to plan the shots but are infinitely easier than steadicams

maybe a glidecam http://www.glidecam.com/pricing.php that is just too much work for a steadicam design

 

[Kaido]

ahhhh. i found it!
http://vimeo.com/15359451
steadicam merlin $600 on amazon
thanks!

I ended up getting a Blackbird Steadicam instead of a Merlin and like it quite a bit. The kit is $675: (steadicam, case, stand, dock)

http://www.camotionllc.com/blackbird-a-78.html

Two things to note:

1. Steadicam is a skill and requires a LOT of practice, it's not like falling off a log
2. It can take up to 20 minutes to setup properly

It's not a magic device that gives you smooth motion. You have to balance your camera & lens on the steadicam, and then learn the moves to shoot with it properly. There's a good DVD on techniques here:

http://www.steadicam.com/steadicam_efp_dvd.html

There is new technology that gives you gyro-stabilized footage, such as the Movi, but stuff like that costs $15,000:

http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/2013...nary-handheld-stabilized-system-takes-flight/

So be aware of setup time & practice. Professional steadicams cost upwards of $20,000, so getting something that gives you amazing footage for under $1,000 is awesome. The Blackbird, Merlin, and Glidecam are all good. I liked the feature set of the Blackbird the most out of all of those. Blackbird has a comparison page here:

http://www.camotionllc.com/choose-blackbird-a-86.html

It can also be fitted to a Merlin steadicam arm vest if you want to get serious about things. I haven't needed to get one for my projects, but it's nice to know it's compatible. Blackbird does give you a nice instructional DVD with the purchase. Once you get the workflow down, you can get the steadicam setup in under 5 minutes. If you're using the same lens/battery/camera combination all the time, you can get a feel for it pretty quick.

I use a Canon T2i as well as my iPhone (with a custom-made weight bracket) and get amazing results. Despite the price, I would say it's definitely one of the best investments in film tools I've made. The quality of the footage is incredible, it just adds so much to the production value of anything you're shooting. If you just want to give it a try, build a Poor Man's Steadicam: ($14)

http://littlegreatideas.com/stabilizer/diy/

I had one of these for a long time and it worked great. The higher-end models give you better results, but even the $14 steadicam is a huge step up from handheld.

 

[Kaido]

Another low-cost option to check out is the Camera Caddie:

http://www.camcaddie.com/

There's a basic one for $35 called the Scorpion:

http://www.amazon.com/Cam-Caddie-0CC.../dp/B001G46102

They are popular with people who make skateboarding videos, but they do help stabilize things, and you can do swinging moves to clip into your video pretty easily. Another good tool is a slider. I have a Glidetrack, which doubles as a shoulder-mount arm (not like Steadicam, but definitely a step up in stabilization and gives you more of a Jason Bourne or news-style type of footage):

http://www.glidetrack.com/

Plus it slides back & forth, so you get really great-looking camera moves. The Glidetrack & Blackbird are my two favorite camera tools. Bring those to a wedding and you're set. I use Manfrotto 557 quick release plates:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...t_Adapter.html

Not cheap, but they work great for fast work like at a wedding. So I have a tripod with one. My Glidetrack has one. My Steadicam has one. I can pop the Glidetrack onto the tripod, then pop it off to shoulder-mount, then pop the camera off that and put it on my Glidetrack super quick. Pretty neat system!

 

[slackerinabox]

absolutely love my steadicam merlin, but it's a bitch to set up

 

[glen]

Lok C robot dancer is a less expensive alternative.

 

[monstercameron]

Lok C robot dancer is a less expensive alternative.

chinese mr.bean lok...

 

[luv2liv]

thanks Kaido! lots of info there. the Movi rig is incredible!!! if only money is no object.
since i dont have $15k laying around, guess my next option is the Blackbird you suggested. it looks so simple to make, with the right tools, im still dumbfounded why anything like it cost over $200

 

[Kaido]

thanks Kaido! lots of info there. the Movi rig is incredible!!! if only money is no object.
since i dont have $15k laying around, guess my next option is the Blackbird you suggested. it looks so simple to make, with the right tools, im still dumbfounded why anything like it cost over $200

You'll understand why it's expensive when you watch the Blackbird training video. The gimbal is a pretty hi-tech piece of equipment once you get into the physics of it.

I'd suggest building or buying a Poor Man's Steadicam to start out with...it will give you a greater appreciate for the stabilization technology that go into stuff like the Blackbird & Merlin. The difference in footage is tremendous too...I can slap my iPhone 4S on my Blackbird and make it look like a Hollywood shot because of the way it floats. Seriously cool stuff :thumbsup: