CameraGear.Net

DIY/Cheap Alternative to Steadicam Setup?

I am making a budget commercial for a local real estate agent, and the shots I have worked in require something similar to a Steadicam.

If there truly was a “$150 good alternative to a $10,000 Steadicam”, the professionals would already be using it. They don’t like to spend money just like anyone else – but they quickly understand the “do it right the first time so you don’t have to do it over and over and over…”

Since you did not tell us which camera or camcorder you are using, it is a bit of a challenge.

If you read through the Steadicam/GlideCam/Varizoom product information, you will learn that the more expensive stability systems have a “gimbal” and counter balance that removes the hand-held shake, a spring-loaded stability system and a vest system that elminates holding the entire mechanism with your hands. These are all precision designed and machined parts. In the first two cases, the weight of the camera is REALLY important because heavier cameras need more support and counter-balancing. These systems essentially replace your hand, wrist and arm while the vest system allows for portablility and replaces the role of the tripod supporting the camera.

Assuming you are using at least a low-end, pro-grade, camcorder (like a Sony HVR-Z1, Canon XHA1 or similar), then the $2,500 SteadiCam System will do what you need. Heck, even the $1,800 Varicam or Glidecam systems will do what you need. These are clearly less than the $10K you think you need to spend, but if your camcorder is heavier than the weight these systems are designed to handle, then spending more to handle the heavier weight camera is something that needs to be done.

In my opinion, you have a choice:

You can make the investment for the right gear you *know* will handle the job. That means either buying or – in your case having someone else design/engineer/manufacture something for you (since you have indicated your skills with tools are apparently not so good)… or not…

But I don’t think you can have this equipment design/labor to manufacture be cheap, easy to use and require no skills for making it yourself… and deliver high-end results.

If you are OK with real low-end and potentially corresponding results (or at least the understanding the lots of retakes will be needed), then you *can* experiment… Using your tripod – or a monopod – add a little weight to the bottom of the tripod or monopod feet. Extend the tripod/monopod lift enough where you can grip it securely. You will notice – with the camcorder mounted to the tripod/monopod – that the counterweighting immediately adds some smoothness to the captured video that handheld does not have. This is the gimbal and counterweight that the vest systems rely on. How much counterweight to use depends on the camera and tripod/monopod you are using.

Replacing the spring loaded balance articulated arm stability is a LOT trickier. This is where YOU learn how to walk without bouncing – and your shoulders, arm, wrist and legs become the spring-loaded balance system. It takes LOTS of practice. And your arms and upper body – and your thighs – need to be in pretty good shape to hold the whole set-up for long periods of time (anything longer than about 6-10 seconds is a “long time”) while capturing video.

You will find that the additional time you use in re-takes because the last few seconds were not quite smooth enough… and your body getting tired fairly quickly… could have been avoided if you had invested in the right gear to begin with.

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