This is the Poor Man's Steadycam, designed by Mr. Johnny Chung Lee. It's a device that allows for image stabilization, reducing the "shakey" look that handheld shots usually have.
Steadycams have been around for quite some time, but they are VERY complex devices and typically cost tens of thousands of dollars. They're used quite frequently in major motion pictures; a very good example is the tracking shot in "Children of Men" where the camera follows Theo through the refugee camp for nearly 10 minutes as a huge battle is going on.
This one, however, is MUCH smaller, MUCH less complex, and achieves somewhat decent results for only costing $55. It fits just about any consumer or pro-sumer camera, including our very own Sony HDR-SR11. Larger cameras such as the Canon XL series will work with it provided you install a sled on the top to fit it. You can make it yourself for around $14, or you can buy it preassembled with an inverter bracket for around $50. I opted to just go ahead and purchase it, as I lack some of the tools required and wanted to keep "labor rage" to a minimum.
This one works very simply: the counterweight on the end of the device keeps the camera from shaking as much. Additional stability is provided by the handle, which you grasp during use.
This particular steadycam has a distinctively cool feature - and one that convinced me to purchase it - that sets it apart: the device can be easily disassembled for many configurations, including one that lets you hold the camera inches above the ground for an extremely smooth, kinetic running shot. It looks great.
So how DOES it work? Pretty well, but it doesn't perform miracles. Using the steadycam requires a special sort of walk that is difficult to perfect, especially on uneven surfaces. However, when you keep yourself steady too, the extra stabilization the device offers is truly remarkable for only fifty bucks! See for yourself below:
Some things to know about this video:
- These runs were all completely unrehearsed.
- During the running sequences, there was no extra support used; the camera swung freely on the device.
- This is very, VERY poor quality video, recorded on a CyberShot still camera, a model released around 2002. Obviously, "Our Story" is being filmed on a much nicer high-definition camera.
I may have some better quality video coming later in the week from a friend's MiniDV camera.
Cheers!
-JD
Script: 100% since 2/09
Cast: 100%
Crew: 100%
Camera Supplies: 50% (updated)
Storyboards: 66%
Definitive Shooting Schedule: ~7%
Movement Rehearsals: 0%
Locations/Permissions: ~75%
Green Screen Construction: 0%
Darrick here. Just saw this on Gizmodo and thought about the dantz:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yb2normal.com/DIYsteadicam.html
Yeah, saw and pondered. I read about the gimbal before I purchased this one, but didn't really know how it worked. It definitely provides better image quality, especially with horizontal stability, but I doubt I would have the skills to construct it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how hard it would be to get an inverter bracket working on that one?
Been awhile, but I don't see anything in the build that requires more skill than being able to use an oven, a drill, and the ability to peruse Lowes. Having a removable camera mount on the bottom could be jury rigged to fit on it while still preserving its functionality.
ReplyDeleteThere are more design iterations on that guys site, too:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yb2normal.com/fancy.html