Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

O

omiemac

Active member
I am looking at upgrading all of my equipment, before I do I need a device that can keep the picture steady while filming Weddings, and all other special occasions. I need the best picture, so I though on the Glidecam, or something like that... I just need to get the weight of my shoulder and get a nice steady pic without the need of a tripod if possible, so I can work with just one device. Is there anything you guys/girls recommend. I need something please.

Thanks
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

this post probably needs to be in HARDWARE.

you could consider a monopod by bogen.

I don't think you will find a one trick pony for your events. you would be switching from tripod to monopod to whatever else.

a glidecam doesn't sound like what you are looking for. it is more for shorter, smooth shots while walking.

maybe a dvrig ( search: dvrig), however, I might rule that out in your case because it takes a bit more time than you probably have to set up in a LIVE event.
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

Well, I know the Glidecam is for smooth shots while walking... I do tend to follow the Bride and Groom a lot for cool effects while editing the final video, and I also like to get in between the crowd on the dance floor. So with all of this in mind what do you recommend I should get, I get very tire holding the camera all night. I was also thinking on getting one of those ProMax CobraCrane II at http://www.promax.com/Products/Detail/6206, I just love to get the best footage, the easiest way possible. Any Suggestions

Thanks for your comments.
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

I'm sorry but resorting on a glidecam or stedicam takes practice to get smooth fluid shots. If you're unexperience with these setups it can be trouble and you don't want to give your clients shakey footage. I've never used Dvrig but I heard that this would be a better choice for you. You should just keep things simple by just using a tripod. Having a glidecam does not mean your going to get an instant smooth shot. Tripod and a good eye assisstant can do wonders.


if you can get a cobra crane that would be good. Requires some setting up but what dosen't. I own a cobracrane and it works wonders. make sure you have a portable monitor so you can see what you're filming.
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

[quote author=omiemac link=board=nws;num=1106814172;start=0#2 date=01/27/05 at 01:04:38]So with all of this in mind what do you recommend I should get, I get very tire holding the camera all night.[/quote]

Maybe you could vary your shots so you aren't holding the camera in the same tiring position all night?

A shoulder brace or something like that might be your answer..perhaps someone else can recommend.

I would NOT recommend the crane at a reception it makes the room look like hell. well, if you could hide it somehow or be in the corner, it might not be that bad?
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

Not sure if you're considering a glidecam2000 but I just got one a few days ago for my DVX and I think it's great, it is quite touchy for getting the balance just right but only takes 5-10 minutes (it's potentially possible to assemble and balance it "on the job" without appearing unprofessional), from what I read though other people have taken longer to get the balance and use of the beast under control.

My first try at shooting with the glidecam I was running around in the backgarden, up and down the stairs and the footage was extremely "glidey" on playback, I just need to learn to cut down on the heavy breathing!

Only problem is that it's very tiring on your arm, it's almost pointless without the forearm brace (unless you're also a professional heavy weight wrestler). Even with the forearm brace I can only manage about 1-2 minute shots at a time so I imagine that shooting a wedding would be ceremoniously hard.

Pete
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

Try DVrig pro. I just got one and it works great! I first heard about it from a discussion on DV Info net. They make one specifically for the XL1S etc. I went to the web site and I saw they also made on for the DVX100. The web site is: http://www.dvtec.tv/
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

I know that Bogen makes some monopods that have little fold out legs on the bottom so you can set them down for a minute. You can't walk away and leave them there, but it can give you a rest anyway.
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

I just bought a glidecam 4000 pro, seen the video, realized how great it could work. But haven't found the way how to balance it, evrybody says it takes 10 min but i've spent somthing like 4 hours without any results. The thing is that the manual explains how to balance the axis, but both of them seem to be calibrated in the same way. I own a dvx 100, anybody has any tips on how the hell i could balance it on that camera???
Thank you
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

[quote author=Jim Brennan link=board=Links;num=1106853187;start=0#8 date=01/27/05 at 18:15:42]I know that Bogen makes some monopods that have little fold out legs on the bottom so you can set them down for a minute.  You can't walk away and leave them there, but it can give you a rest anyway.[/quote]
A Bogen 3245 Automatic monopod is worth looking into, its quick adjust feature is great.
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

I have a glidecam 2000 and the footage I get with it is smooth and so much better than handheld, but I find it needs to be recalibrated quite often, since even if the lcd or viewfinder shifts a little, it throws the whole thing out of whack. Also, it gets tiring. A whole wedding might be painful with one, and it's not that much smoother than handheld (less smooth than a shoulder-mount) for long, still shots. The quick disconnect solves this to some extent, but then you have to rebalance it a little when you put it back on. Just seems like more trouble than it's worth.

IMO, though, once it's balanced, it's not hard to get good footage with it. Certainly great footage takes practice, but right out of the box my footage was much better than handheld. Still, it's a lot of trouble to work with and when it's out of balance, it can be a disaster. I'd recommend a shoulder mount or something, but otherwise just shoot full wide angle with the OIS on. I can't see a glidecam working for events too well, though it can produce some very nice footage, and the more you practice the better your footage gets.
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

[quote author=Bad_Liutenant link=board=Links;num=1106853187;start=0#9 date=01/28/05 at 05:16:02]II own a dvx 100, anybody has any tips on how the hell i could balance it on that camera???
Thank you[/quote]
1) Assemble glidecam with camera in the setup you'll want (LCD screen in position and lens cap off).
2) Place glidecam on a flat surface and slowly pick it up as if you're going to use it
3) Start with the big changes: If camera tries to flip upsidedown you need to either extend the telescopic shaft to make the weights further away and if that doesn't work add more weights.
4) You really don't need a manual for this bit. If the camera leans back, slide it forward a bit. If the camera leans forward, slide it back a bit. If camera leans left, slide it right and vice versa. It is very touchy so you need to practice sliding the camera along in extremely small increments.

For quickfire adustments I only bother to screw up 1 or 2 of the 4 screws each time I check balance and make another adjustment.

If you have a level table you can check for perfect balance by slowly lifting your glidecam+camera straight up off the table and taking note of any movements, slight movements can be confirmed by identifying which part of the base of the glidecam first touches the table upon putting it back on the table (you need to do this before any pendulum movements though)

5) Lastly you need to check for horizontal balance so you make sure all your screws are done up properly and then you hold the glidecam out in front in a horizontal position and measure how long it takes for it to hit vertical. (it will pendulum after hitting vertical, this is normal.)

If it takes less than 2-3 seconds u need to adjust the telescopic thingee or else possibly less weights...

That's all I can say, except yeah, the main skill would just be being capable of shifting the camera along in extremely small increments when necessary.

Good luck
Pete
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

I use the DVRig Pro. I do weddings and really it doesnt take long at all to put up on your shoulder and start shooting. I've used it in "live" situations, and always have captured the shot steady but still being able to get creative. It allows you to do all kinds of camera movement side to side and up and down, etc. I love getting right there in the action on the dance floor as well, and you just have to be careful not to swing around real fast and knock someone out with the weight on the back! as far as comfort goes, I think the longest I have had it on continously was 9 hrs... no kidding... so i'd definately recomend it!..
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

i built a poor man's steadicam... it works great... easy to tweak to your needs and allows for some creative engineering... a must for every guerilla videomaker!
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

[quote author=Vinnie03 link=board=Links;num=1106853187;start=15#15 date=01/31/05 at 20:51:28]I use the DVRig Pro. I do weddings and really it doesnt take long at all to put up on your shoulder and start shooting. I've used it in "live" situations, and always have captured the shot steady but still being able to get creative. It allows you to do all kinds of camera movement side to side and up and down, etc. I love getting right there in the action on the dance floor as well, and you just have to be careful not to swing around real fast and knock someone out with the weight on the back! as far as comfort goes, I think the longest I have had it on continously was 9 hrs... no kidding... so i'd definately recomend it!..[/quote]


Any Footage I can see? I would like to see something you shot with it. Thanks
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

I would like to add one more DvRigPro. recommendation for wedding shoting posted in this thread and the other one going
now: http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=Links;action=display;num=1107243180

Great product and great support, Danny is always responsive and helpfull.

Danny, I know you are monitoring this user group, Thanks for the support the tips and for the great product. I am sure that all the other new models you now have on your site would have the same success.
 
Re: Best Way for a Steady Shot with DVX100A

I did my last 4 weddings with the DvRigPro . I have done weddings without sticks but its nice to get some really zoomed in tripod shots as well. The DvRigPro is the best $600 I've spent on cam gear period..........+ I've gotten a lot of work from people seeing me use the rig.................Pro factor ! It looks cool ! Of course my arm is dying from using my glidecam 2000..............Gotta get a body suit for it !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top