DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

Kirk Gillock

Kirk Gillock

Rebel with a cause
Hello everyone! I had a metal shop make a steadycam, like the "$14" one on the Internet. All I did was give the shop a photo and the next day they had an EXACT copy. Price, $9.00!!!* Ahhhh amazing Thailand!

dvx-steadycam.jpg


Steadycam Test (3.55mb):
http://www.isara.com/photos/steadycam_test.mov

Some of the road shots are a little bumpy because of poor shocks on my motorcycle. Still trying to learn the tricks of good steadycam shots. Any suggestions? (wear shoes, don't wear shoes, etc.)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
P.K. Gillock

* The bicycle handles were another $1. ...Bitchin streamers coming soon!!!  ;)
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

Excellent! Why not sell them PK? You could blow these out for $50 and make a killing!

Get them to make one with a gimbal and you won't be able to make enough...

Seriously - DO IT!
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

Dakota, thought about it, but I could never explain "gimbal" to the metalshop workers. My Thai is like a 4-year olds ;)

One night I locked myself out of my apartment (NO shirt and NO pants!!!). I didn't know the word for "locksmith" so I asked my neighbor to call a "door doctor." I don't know if she was laughing at my childlike use of the thai language or my childlike batman underwear. (Probably both.) Thought about climbing over my balcony (4 floors up) but remembered a promise I made to myself, years ago; "Don't die without pants on." I don't want to be remembered as the cazy pantless white guy.

Hmmmmmmmm.... Or do I?
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

[quote author=P.K. Gillock link=board=Clips;num=1103907328;start=0#3 date=12/24/04 at 09:31:17] thought about it, but I could never explain "gimbal" to the metalshop workers. [/quote]

You really should. Help others and make some cash. Two very good things! - Show them some pics :D

[quote author=P.K. Gillock link=board=Clips;num=1103907328;start=0#3 date=12/24/04 at 09:31:17](NO shirt and NO pants!!!). [/quote]

Not gonna ask! :o
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

Agreed, do it! But as dakota suggested, put a gimbal on that sucker. It would correct the hand held feeling you're getting now (although granted, a fairly steady hand held).

And you might not have to explain the "gimbal" if you can just show them pictures of it. Just show them lots of pictures from various angles. Take a shot! Worst that could happen is they say no, right?
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

Ok, peer pressure wins again! Hey, maybe Jarred can sell them via the site? ;D

Do you have any good links to gimbal (steadycam) photos on the net?
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

I have one of these:

http://www.ezprompter.com/products/steddiepod.html

It works well for a walking distance of 10 ft. after that, inevitably, I will screw up. Balance is everthing here. Without a bunch of gear on ME and on the camera, it can be wicked. however, I use it with lens adapters and i usually have something on me..a pouch, backpak etc., so it becomes harder to be balanced. The way the feet fold up makes it very portable and useful as a monopod. I have to check that whole set up sometime soon, though because the plate does not fit well on the camera anymore. the designer said he has upgraded the head though and will send me a new one.

maybe this gives you some ideas?

all in all, I'm still undecided whether or not this was a good purchase--for flowing shots. definitely A+ for versatility and monopod activities.
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

Thanks Taylor!

Pooh, that looks impressive. Very versatile. You got any footage to show?
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

I do, but not the time to post it right now.

If you bug me about it in the future ( after new years ) i can try and scrounge for some.

as I said, this is pretty effective with nothing weighing-tipping the operator and very little weight on the camera. ---and unfortunately, that is never my case. ( so I found out.)

these days I don't use it as much simply becuase I have a monopod with legs that fits in my tripod bag and the steddipod needs its own bag. been trying to cut down on all the stuff i carry.
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

I hate to be the wet blanket here, but the example video is not steady. IMHO, it is marginally better than handheld, but still shakes, dips, and wavers.

The rig looks nice, though. Looks like you could ebay that sucker for $30-$50 a pop and do quite well.
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

No worries. Afterall, your username is "speedBUMP".   ;D

This was my first time using one. I hear it takes some practice to get the motions down. Speaking of, has anyone ever operated one of these things? Any advice on how to get the smoothest motion? (No wise cracks!) :)
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

I think you can get better stability if the weight on the botton, the center of gravity, is much lower than the handle. Maybe it's too high. Just my thoughts since I made one with a couple of pipes and it wasn't too bad. Nice scenery though.
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

I have a buddy with one of these. He says that one good training trick is to get a hard-boiled egg (or raw if you are gutsy) and run around the house with it poised in a spoon. Drop the egg? You need more practice.

:)

Good luck with that. Like I say, I think the rig looks good.
 
Re: DIY Homebuilt Steadycam Video

The best way to hold it would be to support all the weight of it with the verticle handle and lightly control its movement with two fingers on the horizontal handle.

Take a look at the SteadyTracker (find pics on google).  It uses a simple adjustable height plate for a verticle grip.  The plate puts the weight of the rig on a narrow plane (I'm not an engineer but hopefully you get the idea) so the camera would float easier.  The weight of the rig would then rest on the top of your hand so it will be supported by your arm instead of your grip (your arm should act like the articulated arm of a high priced steadycam rig and absorb impacts).  Also by adjusting the height of the plate you can improve the balance.

If you're interested I could provide close up pics of mine. Its an amazingly simple design but it works great.
 
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