davbeisner
Well-known member
So my company bought me the Bogen/Manfrotto 055XB sticks with the 501HDV head. Now, I'm not a fan of the sticks for video, but that's what they got me. Anyway, I noticed that the sticks have this removeable center column with a "low angle adapter" peice that connects to the base of the column (you probably need to have a set of these sticks for it to make sense). Anyway, if you pull the center column out, get a 3/8 16 rod coupler and a short piece (3") of 3/8 16 all-thread, a 3/8 16 wingnut, and a 5lb free weight, you can build yourself a very easy DIY steadicam out of the center column of your sticks. Its quick and easy to take in and out of your sticks, and, best of all, you've got a great 5lb counter weight to hang from your sticks for added stability (these sticks REALLY need that added stability).