Cheap steadicam for the 7D
- Thread starter swaneon
- Start date
Sorry to dig up an old thread but someone messaged me with some questions that might be useful here:
“I was reading your posts about the DIY merlin steadicam, and I was just wondering how you've been liking it? It's been a month since the thread, so you've probably used it a lot more.. would you say it performs well for it's price?
My budget is around $150, but it seems high-grade steadicams are $350+, so if this DIY works that would be awesome.
Also, is it possible to rack focus while using this, or does it create a lot of camera shake? Maybe I am looking for a shoulder mount instead?”
It is not possible to rack focus with this, in fact I know of no steadicams that you can do that with...possibly the real original steadicam. The trouble is you have a floating gimbal and a very very delicate balance so any touch at all throws off the balance - even the length of the lens focusing will change it. I put it to the ultimate test in The Shining parody, I shot and followed the Jack character around some halls. It was very difficult, however I must point out that I do believe most of these simple gimbal steadicams would have acted the same without some kind of gyro. Rock solid smoothness is out of the question...it is great for smoothing out handheld shots and walking over non-dollyable terrain and up stairs but I believe a dolly should be used when possible. We switched to a wheelchair and still that didn't cut it...we ended up pushing me in the wheelchair while I was holding the stabilizer and that gave us the most solid approximation of the scene.
I can post the takes if anyone is interested.
“I was reading your posts about the DIY merlin steadicam, and I was just wondering how you've been liking it? It's been a month since the thread, so you've probably used it a lot more.. would you say it performs well for it's price?
My budget is around $150, but it seems high-grade steadicams are $350+, so if this DIY works that would be awesome.
Also, is it possible to rack focus while using this, or does it create a lot of camera shake? Maybe I am looking for a shoulder mount instead?”
It is not possible to rack focus with this, in fact I know of no steadicams that you can do that with...possibly the real original steadicam. The trouble is you have a floating gimbal and a very very delicate balance so any touch at all throws off the balance - even the length of the lens focusing will change it. I put it to the ultimate test in The Shining parody, I shot and followed the Jack character around some halls. It was very difficult, however I must point out that I do believe most of these simple gimbal steadicams would have acted the same without some kind of gyro. Rock solid smoothness is out of the question...it is great for smoothing out handheld shots and walking over non-dollyable terrain and up stairs but I believe a dolly should be used when possible. We switched to a wheelchair and still that didn't cut it...we ended up pushing me in the wheelchair while I was holding the stabilizer and that gave us the most solid approximation of the scene.
I can post the takes if anyone is interested.
This is all I have left sorry, it is from the wheelchair with the stabilizer. I guess I tossed out the wheelchair only and stabilizer only clips. They were both about equal... bumpier that this as it was a very uneven floor:
http://www.vimeo.com/8120410
http://www.vimeo.com/8120410
Screenforme
Active member
I built mine out of pvc pipe parts, the soft top of a crutch, and a pop up sprinkler with weights inside for balance. Not a steadicam but a sure shoulder support.
20 bucks built.
20 bucks built.
screenfrom me, i like that, got a list of the parts? Id love to replicate that, im looking for something simple right now.
I got my glidecam 1000 pro now (from ebay for $100), but i think there are some types of shots wehre a shoulder rig would be faster and easier, so i want one to, just dont want to spend a ton on it.
jon
I got my glidecam 1000 pro now (from ebay for $100), but i think there are some types of shots wehre a shoulder rig would be faster and easier, so i want one to, just dont want to spend a ton on it.
jon
DangerzoneRJ
Member
I wanna know too...
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