Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

Edalgo_Alvarez

Edalgo_Alvarez

Well-known member
Hey there, I'm the new guy around here, and I've been lurking for a while but now that I'm getting dangerously close to renting a DVX100 and shorting a short film, it's time for me to start posting. For the longest time I've just been using a JVC GR-30 (I think thats the name, either way its just an $800 camcorder from Best Buy ;D) and I had made a steadycam from some instructions I found on the net. Now that I'll be using a DVX100 for the first time I was wondering if anyone had any instructions on how to build a solid steadycam for the DVX? I love moving the camera around to get lots of motion, but I hate the shakyness of hand-held filming. Thanks in advance, and cant wait to get to know you guys :).

Edalgo
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

Hey thanks BLWolf, thats the $14 steadicam I made before. I wasn't sure if I would be able to use that with the DVX100, but it looks like you can use anything lighter than 5-6 pounds. Last time I checked, the DVX100 weighed in at something like 4.30 pounds max (http://www.bealecorner.com/dvx100/) so it should work on this (woohoo!). Thanks for finding that site, I lost my old bookmark (wow he's gotten famous since I was last there). Wish me luck! :)

Edalgo Alvarez
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

Also try www.dvcamerarigs.com
He sells a book for like $35 that's very detailed and has plans for stabilizers, dollies, cranes etc.
I just finished a stabilizer and damn if it doesn't work.
The instructions are good and outline pitfalls to watch out for.

I looked at someother free plans on the net and they just weren't as well thought out...
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

Reidwriter, how much did the parts for the stabilizer end up costing you?
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

Yeah, Reidwriter, I've been looking at that book as well but I'm curious, has the stabilizer worked for your DVX100? Oh yeah and I also wonder how much it would cost to make :). Thanks!

Edalgo
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

;D I bought the book, and it is awesome. Lots of pics and very detailed, but still fun. I haven't built anything yet, still recovering from the $35 for the book. And my media expenses are killing me. (Blank - DVD, Tapes, CDs) But the plans are all very do-able and no welding. I am going to try and weld mine just to cut down the fastener expenses. Well not all the moving parts that is... But anyway, it is a awesome book...I Definately don't feel cheated.(as with other books I bought) Killer Camera Rigs is what it is called. www.dvcamerarigs.com

The finished products look fairly professional too. It is all up to your building skill set though. If you build sloppy, your gear will look sloppy.
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

Thanks for the quick response, Hart. I think you've just sold me on that bad boy. The guy who wrote the book always posts at DV.com's message boards, but I just never asked him about it for some reason. Thanks.

P.S. I'd still be interested in knowing the average price for a finished assembly :)

Edalgo
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

I would like to know the price too. But I was planning on adding to the plans, changing some things here and there. Adding some personal touches.
Then welding cause I have a arc welder and have been dieing to use it on anything I can. Fire! Fire! ;D

I have been grounded from it for a few years. I got flash burn a few years back and was blind for 3 days, so my old lady grounded me from using it. Flash burn is like sunburn but on your eyes. Feels the same though! ;D
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

Heh, am I the only person who doesnt know how to weld? WHY!!!!!! :'( Although... I guess it cant be that hard to learn... right? :D

Edalgo
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

Hey Guys,
I'm getting the killer camera rigs book also. I am also planning on constructing a new type of camera rig that would be suitable for doc shooting or really fast moving drama productions. The idea is to go from handheld to stationary and back - and not kill the operator.

He's got a second book that will be coming out early next year that will include other rigs and homemade lighting gear. If we all email him requesting a sooner date on book 2 - it might happen. Who knows.

Can't wait for the book.
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

Sorry,
Been away for a couple of days...

All told I think the stabilizer ran about $50 or so, maybe a tad more. I was buying other stuff at the time, and then of course those few pieces where I failed to "measure twice, cut once" :o
On paper it would have looked more costly but I had to pick up a couple of tools that of course I can use again. Tools and metal, probably around $100.
I haven't used it on the dvx yet, the dvx I'm playing with is someone else's is, but my directors glidecam (which I configured and balanced for the dvx) is virtually identical.
I did have a little problem finding the 1/4" aluminum plate for the balance base. That cost the most cause I had to buy it online and the shipping was more than the product. Ouch!
The author was good with email support, offering to pick up any pieces I couldn't find and sell them through his web site.

After this project I'm working on finished in June i hope to knock out the dolly and the basic crane. Not that I neccesarily need them, I've got gotten addicted to tinkering with this stuff. ;D So if the DC area loses power in a few months, it just means that my crane really is high enough to hit the power lines
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

I also bought the book, and it's amazing. I only made the stabilizer to far, and spraypainted the whole thing shiny black. It looks pretty slick. For the dvx, you need a about 2.5 to 3 lbs on the base so it doesn't fall over while holding it. That makes it 6-7 lbs total. It's a killer on the forearm. But if you plan your shot, everything should work out fine. My hand starts to shake after a minute or so. Maybe I just need to work out more :P

If you're looking for something to use as a plate for the top or bottom, try a trowl for putting putty on a wall. The aluminum ones. They're about $5 cdn. Just unscrew the handle and you're set.
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

Has anyone built the $14 steadycam? Edalgo, have you had any luck? I'm curious cause I actually went to school with the guy Johnny who made that site, he had showed me his model about 4 years ago, and I always intended on making one but had never gotten around to it. I had no idea that his steady-cam plans had gotten around. I'd like to hear if it specifically worked well for the DVX100 before I scrouge up that $14. Hah. ;D
 
Re: Any homemade blue prints for DVX100 SteadyCam?

The $14 steadycam works quite well to stabilize the camera.  You're changing the camera's center of gravity to a more stable place so it almost has to work :)

However, you can't just expect to pick it up and run around all willy nilly like and expect amazing results.  You still have to learn how to operate and move while using it-- just like any other camera stabilizer.

For the price, it's awsome.  The best thing about the price is that the basic materials required can be acquired for very little cash ($14 give or take), which provides you with the option to enhance your stabilizer by spending just a little bit more cash.  For one version of this stabilizer, I spent around $35 total because I wanted a better way to mount the camera and I coated the entire thing with a high-grip rubber coating (came as a spray) for better grippability, plus a few other enhancements here and there.
 
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