AC90: Hand held stabilizer

J

Joff

Member
Just curious to know if people are bothing to use a stabiliser or shoulder mount with the AC90 when doing a lot of hand held work? I am using a wide angle lense and stay wide when running around. But was wondering if using some kind of brace or shoulder mount or stabilizer makes it easier to control the camera while moving?

Thanks

Joff
 
I always use a shoulder mount (Gliders Gray) on my AG-AC160A except when walking around in a crowd where space is at a premium. This is a 5.3 lb camera (somewhat heavier than yours which tips the scales at 3.3 lbs). The other difference is you have 12x whereas my camera has 21x. Clearly there is more of a need for stabilization with a longer lens but re weight differences it seems to me that with a lighter camera, you might have more of a need for a stabilizer than with a heavier camera. BUT, I hear that the AC90 has newer and better OIS capabilities. Staying wide reduces the need for a stabilizer. The ideal stabilizer may the new Movi (again try before deciding) but it is pretty expensive. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VDb1xX0JVE
 
I shoulder mount my 130 often. Even on sticks, I keep it on rails and can throw the mounts on very quickly. I tend to use the VF right to my eye vs. the LCD which stills it even more. Focus in red is awesome.

My mount isn't crazy expensive, either... whatever rails I have handy, and cavision front grips and shoulder mount. You do want long enough rails to position the camera comfortably for your hands and eye. Get it right and you can go all day.
 
Joff,
I always use a shoulder mount for my 130A. I use the viewfinder as opposed to the LCD and I don't use front grips. I like to have my right hand on the zoom control and left hand on the focus and iris rings. Also, the 130A has a lot of useful buttons available without moving my left hand much. After seeing what was on the market, I ended up designing my own mount that attaches quickly and is comfortable to use. My only complaint about these cameras when shooting hand held is they are way too light. I would want them to be about ten pounds heavier... after 30 years of doing this... that's what I'm used to.

Look around and see what's out there and works for you... or design your own. Good luck and keep us posted.
 
Can you post a picture?

Can you post a picture?

BradComLLC said:
Joff,
I always use a shoulder mount for my 130A. I use the viewfinder as opposed to the LCD and I don't use front grips. I like to have my right hand on the zoom control and left hand on the focus and iris rings. Also, the 130A has a lot of useful buttons available without moving my left hand much. After seeing what was on the market, I ended up designing my own mount that attaches quickly and is comfortable to use. My only complaint about these cameras when shooting hand held is they are way too light. I would want them to be about ten pounds heavier... after 30 years of doing this... that's what I'm used to.

Look around and see what's out there and works for you... or design your own. Good luck and keep us posted.
Click to expand...

Can you post a picture of your mount...if possible?
Thanks
 
The AC90 works well on a monopod. You can use a monopod with three feet that fold out or have the monopod fully collapsed and rest it on your waist. If you put a pan and tilt head on the monopod you can use the arm as a further contact point on your shoulder to stabilise it further. I have a Manfrotto 701 on mine. Also consider using Mercalli to stabilise in post. I've just upgrade to Mercalli SAL v4 though I haven't tested it yet.

Pete
 
I've messed with monopods, but when i do events I have to move around a lot. And I like shots that are in smooth motion. Shoulder mount works great (with the 130 anyway), the OIS is pretty spectacular if you can stay fairly smooth.

I use front handles wide enough to slide the rig on & off the tripod or crane - usually I do events where there are officials or speakers at a lectern, and then everyone goes off to some presentation, party, whatever, I have to follow very quickly so I keep it as a shoulder rig, even on sticks.

I mount the manfrotto focus & iris controller to the front handle area and use focus-in-red, works very well. Lately I've mounted a DIY zoom/trigger to the other handle, there's a schematic sticky around here somewhere, or get a cheap model - they're way less $$ than a focus/iris box.

manfrotto.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top