Steadicam supports and boobs

IjabaFilms

IjabaFilms

Well-known member
I'm thinking of getting a steadicam and as always I want to make one. My thing is this... even with the pro manufactured ones my issue is that, being a woman, it looks like my boobs would be smushed. The only support system I saw that seems like it wouldn't smash my chest was the Glidecam body pod. But it doesn't really look like it would do that great of a job. Any experience with it?

Or maybe one where the rigid support would be in the back but I was reading that that is harder on your body.

I'm thinking there should be some way to have the support maybe down the center then expand under the boobs but not be over them.

Any suggestions?
 
I dont have boobs so I cant say for certain, but the breast plate area of the steadicam is looser than most of it.

If its a major problem, you can get a walter klassen style vest that dosn't have a ridged breast plate.

walter-vest-front.jpg


You can also get compact versions of the steadicam vests, which might be a little looser in that area, its best to try them out before you buy anything...
 
So with the vest in this photo, those straps up top are just like thick leather and don't have any metal in them?

I would rather try one on before buying. The tricky part is where I buy from because I live in nowhereville and my camera gear has to be ordered online because there is no place to buy it here.

Thanks.
 
well you could post pics of the boobs to see what we are up against. just kidding ... but i do have a glidecam v8 for sale.
 
well breast size could be a problem if your breast are large. but i would say you have no problem. if anything the breast plate would separate you chest area so it might look awkward. if anything I would wear a sports bra.
 
The Klassen vests have two seat belt like straps. From the front they look like braces, but there is a large support that goes up your back.

I think they are deisnged to cater for female operators though...
 
spidey said:
well breast size could be a problem if your breast are large. but i would say you have no problem. if anything the breast plate would separate you chest area so it might look awkward. if anything I would wear a sports bra.
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Yeah, that's part of the problem too. I'm not a small breasted woman. So its not like when you see the women in the steadicam rigs in promotional photos (like for the glidecam V-8) and it looks fine. Any bigger than those women, I can see it being a problem. I'm just wondering if there are some options for me that I don't know about. I've seen some DIY rigs that use this over the shoulder bracket thing or use PVC pipe but that sort of thing is too rigid and really wouldn't work with boobs. I think one with straps instead of a hard plate will probably be the best bet.


The Klassen vests have two seat belt like straps. From the front they look like braces, but there is a large support that goes up your back.

I think they are designed to cater for female operators though...
Click to expand...
Maybe the Klassen vests would be worth a shot.

I would imagine one could also make a steadicam support from the harnesses used for marching quads, snares, etc. but again the front support was always an issue even for small chested drummers when I was in band back in the day. Something like this
 
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I had a errr... similar problem. Beeing a guy my problem was not the chest, my problem hangs a bit deeper.

My belly is in the way, I was to fat for my vest.

I have a vest where the arm is attached at the back- not at the front, that makes things much more comfortable for me.

I took the rigid aluminum back plate and got me a set of used aircraft seatbelts that look like suspenders - you got one over each shoulder and a big one around the hip. Much like the picture Peter has posted. It allows me to wear it real tight and distribute as much as posible wight on the hips.

I think something like that would work for you too.

Frank
 
I'll get my friend to try it on. I have a glidecam smooth shooter.
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Thanks. Is your friend a chick with big boobs? :nads:


Postmaster said:
I had a errr... similar problem. Beeing a guy my problem was not the chest, my problem hangs a bit deeper.

My belly is in the way, I was to fat for my vest.

I have a vest where the arm is attached at the back- not at the front, that makes things much more comfortable for me.

I took the rigid aluminum back plate and got me a set of used aircraft seatbelts that look like suspenders - you got one over each shoulder and a big one around the hip. Much like the picture Peter has posted. It allows me to wear it real tight and distribute as much as posible wight on the hips.

I think something like that would work for you too.

Frank
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Hmmm aircraft seatbelts, thats a thought. I'll have to look around for those. So they don't make vests that are adjustable at the sides for larger folks?
 
Its best not to start bodging about with steatbelds if you are using a propper steadicam rig.

Feel free to take you and your boobs to the nearest Tiffen office. I know the guys in the Europe office (down the road from me) would be glad to assist.
 
hoarp001 said:
Its best not to start bodging about with steatbelds if you are using a propper steadicam rig.

Feel free to take you and your boobs to the nearest Tiffen office. I know the guys in the Europe office (down the road from me) would be glad to assist.
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Who? I'm not anywhere near a Tiffen office. Besides, this post is in the DIY section is it not? :) As I said before I'm not in a place where I can go somewhere and try something on. My quest for a boob friendly vest is to find one and basically copy it in a DIY fashion, hence why I posted in the DIY forum.

Cheers
 
arges03 said:
Perhaps try posting your question at http://www.steadicamforum.com/forums/

That place is loaded with steadicam ops and could perhaps give you some more ideas. I might suggest contact Peter Abraham, who does the steadicam training workshops, as he might be able to offer some advice.
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Thanks! I will definitely check it out. I also found this post here. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=106292&highlight=steadicam&page=3

And I've been looking at some kiteboard vests. I think they would work for me as well. They make some impact vests for women too. But I think I could reinforce any of these vests and apply the seatbelt suggestion for the front. I also think I can alter it so the steadicam mounts to the front and not the back like the one in that thread I listed but I'll see when I get to that point.

I'll check the forum you listed as well to see what other ideas people can come up with.
 
I really don't think it would be much of an issue. There are a number of professional female operators that have been working without problem for years. I've also witnessed many women trying on my rig and others at various industry gatherings. Never a complaint. The fact is, the vest does not (if made properly) put pressure on your chest. It is snug, yes, but it's not like you're cinched in like a corset or anything. Also, if a Glidecam is out of your price range, a Klassen wouldn't even be an option, however, you'll likely not be working with heavy systems anyway. The lighter the system, the less rigid/snug the vest must be. Best advice has already been given - just try some on. If you're in NY as your listing indicates, you're surrounded by dozens of operators, as well as Tiffen's HQ on Long Island.
 
AftonGrant said:
I really don't think it would be much of an issue. There are a number of professional female operators that have been working without problem for years. I've also witnessed many women trying on my rig and others at various industry gatherings. Never a complaint. The fact is, the vest does not (if made properly) put pressure on your chest. It is snug, yes, but it's not like you're cinched in like a corset or anything. Also, if a Glidecam is out of your price range, a Klassen wouldn't even be an option, however, you'll likely not be working with heavy systems anyway. The lighter the system, the less rigid/snug the vest must be. Best advice has already been given - just try some on. If you're in NY as your listing indicates, you're surrounded by dozens of operators, as well as Tiffen's HQ on Long Island.
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Thank you for this info. I'm sure there are women who use steadicams like you said without problems. They look pretty comfortable in the product photos. My main issue is those women have average size boobs and I do not. So I wasn't sure if it would be an issue. But I think you all are probably right, it may not be as big an issue as I'm thinking (although my wet suit isn't that comfy. :) )

Also, yes I'm in NY but it may come as a shock to you all but NY is actually much bigger than NYC. I'm 4 hours north of the city. :) Hahahaha So yes.... I'm NO WHERE near any kind of steadicam anything. I can barely get talent for my projects where I am and I do mean barely. But it matters not. I will go forward with some of the thoughts here. In the event I can afford a commercial steadicam rig, I will. Until then I will see what I can do.

Cheers!
 
Well the girl in the Varizoom ads seems to have better than average sized breasts, and she doesn't seem to have any issues. Granted, she may just be a model, but nothing seems to be compressed.
 
Capt Quirk said:
Well the girl in the Varizoom ads seems to have better than average sized breasts, and she doesn't seem to have any issues. Granted, she may just be a model, but nothing seems to be compressed.
Click to expand...

Please, those aren't big boobs. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA :nads:

I wish this thing had one of those whiteboard apps you can draw on for others to see. :) But I think the overall jist here is that the front of the vest really isn't holding the weight but I do wonder then why do all the steadicam vests (well most of them) have that Y plate in the front. ... It has to serve some purpose for the unit...
 
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