Simple DIY Handheld Stabilizer - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

wjm · 06-19-2006, 07:29 PM

Footage is surprisingly smooth.

I'l post details later if anybody is interested...

EDIT BELOW

Added some sample footage.

Obviously, I need WAY more practice, but it's a start. I knew from reading on this forum and from trying a few other DIY stablizers that practice makes it work more than the unit itself. Gotta get that "Groucho Marx" walk down.

I ordered a Bogen quick release plate assembly which will be here Friday and then I will post more footage. I am also going to add a rubber gasket between the washers to better lock down the handles and prevent unwanted rotation.

BTW the Bogen Quick Release is beautiful - simple, strong, smart. Highly recommended.

Hose Handles: Serial # 077855825355 - $6.93 USD each at Home Depot
Aluminum Bar: Custom, found at local parts place. Home Depot offers some, but they are not "L" shaped as mine is. Not sure if it makes much of a difference - just make sure the bar is wide enough on top to accomodate the 1/2 holes drilled for each handle. Depends on the handles you use, and the way they attach to the bar.
Various washers and fittings. To attach the Bogen QuickRelease plate, I just used one of the 1/4" attachment screws that came with the plate. Works like a charm.

Hope this helps everybody. Now I have to go practice some more.

twocik23 · 06-19-2006, 07:34 PM

Nice job! Any footage?

bewillia · 06-19-2006, 08:18 PM

i'm impressed with the photograph more than anything.

PaPa · 06-19-2006, 08:25 PM

seriously what did you light that with?

matt s. · 06-19-2006, 08:30 PM

im interested in details! does that flex at all??

wjm · 06-19-2006, 09:07 PM

Here's the original photo.

I just knocked it out using Photoshop and added back the shadows.

As to flex, the aluminum is light but fairly thick and doesn't flex at all.

The handles are two hose attachments. I might add a pvc threaded pipe to each handle to attach an external monitor, light, whatever.

Total cost from Home Depot and parts store: $17.95

ReneH · 06-19-2006, 09:19 PM

I'd like to know if you were able to get smooth shots while you were walking with the camera. Also, how did you attach the aluminum bar to the base of the camera? I'd like to see some more detailed pictures. Thank you.

TeamJoeDawn · 06-20-2006, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjm

The handles are two hose attachments. I might add a pvc threaded pipe to each handle to attach an external monitor, light, whatever.

Total cost from Home Depot and parts store: $17.95

Hose handles?

I will NEVER cease to be amazed by the ingenuity of the people who use this forum.

Nice job.

J

Yardsale · 06-20-2006, 02:17 PM

looks awesome!!

I was going to say, you lit the shot well too....but again, ingenuity lol

t-h-e-w-h-o · 06-20-2006, 07:38 PM

test footage?

06-19-2006, 07:29 PM	#1
wjm Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Colorado Springs, CO \| USA Posts: 159	Simple DIY Handheld Stabilizer Footage is surprisingly smooth. I'l post details later if anybody is interested... EDIT BELOW Added some sample footage. Obviously, I need WAY more practice, but it's a start. I knew from reading on this forum and from trying a few other DIY stablizers that practice makes it work more than the unit itself. Gotta get that "Groucho Marx" walk down. I ordered a Bogen quick release plate assembly which will be here Friday and then I will post more footage. I am also going to add a rubber gasket between the washers to better lock down the handles and prevent unwanted rotation. BTW the Bogen Quick Release is beautiful - simple, strong, smart. Highly recommended. Hose Handles: Serial # 077855825355 - $6.93 USD each at Home Depot Aluminum Bar: Custom, found at local parts place. Home Depot offers some, but they are not "L" shaped as mine is. Not sure if it makes much of a difference - just make sure the bar is wide enough on top to accomodate the 1/2 holes drilled for each handle. Depends on the handles you use, and the way they attach to the bar. Various washers and fittings. To attach the Bogen QuickRelease plate, I just used one of the 1/4" attachment screws that came with the plate. Works like a charm. Hope this helps everybody. Now I have to go practice some more. __________________ FILMMUNITION.com Last edited by wjm; 06-24-2006 at 01:48 PM.

06-19-2006, 07:34 PM	#2
twocik23 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,294	Nice job! Any footage? __________________ www.ifocusfilms.net

06-19-2006, 08:25 PM	#4
PaPa Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Montreal, Qc, CA Posts: 6,109	seriously what did you light that with? __________________ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2393063/ Actor Musician Filmmaker

06-19-2006, 09:07 PM	#6
wjm Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Colorado Springs, CO \| USA Posts: 159	Here's the original photo. I just knocked it out using Photoshop and added back the shadows. As to flex, the aluminum is light but fairly thick and doesn't flex at all. The handles are two hose attachments. I might add a pvc threaded pipe to each handle to attach an external monitor, light, whatever. Total cost from Home Depot and parts store: $17.95 __________________ FILMMUNITION.com

06-19-2006, 09:19 PM	#7
ReneH Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 309	I'd like to know if you were able to get smooth shots while you were walking with the camera. Also, how did you attach the aluminum bar to the base of the camera? I'd like to see some more detailed pictures. Thank you. __________________ Rene Hinojosa

06-19-2006, 08:18 PM	#3
bewillia Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: atlanta, ga Posts: 270	i'm impressed with the photograph more than anything.

06-19-2006, 08:30 PM	#5
matt s. Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 1,498	im interested in details! does that flex at all??

06-20-2006, 02:17 PM	#9
Yardsale Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 432	looks awesome!! I was going to say, you lit the shot well too....but again, ingenuity lol

06-20-2006, 07:38 PM	#10
t-h-e-w-h-o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: north pole Posts: 613	test footage?

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