Handholding NON IS lenses

Psynema

Psynema

Well-known member
So what tricks does everyone use when handholding non IS/manual lenses? This is not just for steady shots, which is fairly easy, but MOVING A SHOT HANDHELD.

Maybe an old debate, but I'm really getting annoyed by the 20mm 1.7, as great as it is, it's wide enough to fool you on the LCD that you're stable, but still a series of small, but annoying jitters still show up, ESPECIALLY when your fussing with the PITA manual focus or autofocus which can easily get confused if you're shooting wide and jitter the shot :Drogar-Angry(DBG):

That being said (I love the 20mm I swear)

What are some tricks / discoveries in MOVING the camera handheld with this lens (or other lenses for that matter)

Some things I noted...

1. Panning can be jittery unless you keep your arms still and do it with your legs and keep a decent distance away.

2. Spinning (like a steering wheel) - oddly enough, I've pulled off some fairly smooth shots ornately spinning the camera like it was on a jib and seemed to work better than pans and tilts
 
some users use the strap around their neck and hold the camera in front of them with tension on the strap...worth a try? i notice the same thing with my 50mm fd...shaky!
 
I love how light and portable the GH1 is but it looks like the Canon's have smoother video with similar focal length EQUIVALENTS (crop factor calculated for) on manual / non is lenses.

I'm guessing maybe I should add weight to the GH1 somehow. Wish they'd come out with a battery grip
 
yeah...i noticed you've been having frustrations with the GH1. Shouldn't you have gotten the Canon? your recent posts hint of buyers remorse, with a bit of willingness to make the best of the GH1....just an observation...
 
Shoulder brace. Shoulder rigs for great for formal shooting, but in gun and run doc situations I use an old SpiderBrace like rig(no longer made in this configuration) that is exteremely light weight, and I tuck the shoulder strut under my arm for low angles, or hold above my head and the longer radius of support stabilizes.
 
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Halo Rig Mini... We used a 5D and GH1 on the mini's last friday at a sports event. Normally very hard to run around run & gun with a dSLR, but the mini gives you much more stability - without adding heavy and expensive equipment.

Check it out http://halorig.com

skinny! said:
some users use the strap around their neck and hold the camera in front of them with tension on the strap...worth a try? i notice the same thing with my 50mm fd...shaky!
Click to expand...

Using the strap is also a great idea to add additional support and stabilization while on the halo rig... check it:

halorig_mini_5dsports.jpg
 
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I tried this one yesterday with my rod rig - haven't made up my mind if I want to spend money on it but it did smooth out the microbumping and jitters rather well when walking with a 35mm.

http://www.dvtec.tv/id3.html

That said the weight of my rod rig alone evens out things quite a bit compared to just the GH1 and a lens.
 
Basic primary school physics here :) Put the camera on something that you can balance, like a tripod or a shoulder rig with weights.

Have the tripod+camera horizontally, and hold the tripod at its centre of gravity (ie: where the weight either side of your hand is equal).

Mark it. When you hold the tripod with one hand outstretched away from you, it should be balanced and awesome. Likewise on your shoulder.

There you go, you've just elimited jitter! Also when people mean handheld, they're discussing the AETHETICS of the look, not a literal technique. It's always balanced with some weights and extra points of contacts to the shoulder. Ever noticed on behind the scenes they have huge extra battery packs, rods, and cables gaffer tapped to their rig in precise spots?
 
BandanaDan said:
Basic primary school physics here :) Put the camera on something that you can balance, like a tripod or a shoulder rig with weights.

Have the tripod+camera horizontally, and hold the tripod at its centre of gravity (ie: where the weight either side of your hand is equal).

Mark it. When you hold the tripod with one hand outstretched away from you, it should be balanced and awesome. Likewise on your shoulder.

There you go, you've just elimited jitter! Also when people mean handheld, they're discussing the AETHETICS of the look, not a literal technique. It's always balanced with some weights and extra points of contacts to the shoulder. Ever noticed on behind the scenes they have huge extra battery packs, rods, and cables gaffer tapped to their rig in precise spots?
Click to expand...

Yah, I've been in video for quite some time, I know all about tripods, steadicams, shoulder mounts.

People do like to just carry the small gh1 for personal use without having to lug a tripod everywhere I go hence why I asked. Not bringing a glidecam to a picnic or outing.
 
I am with you Psynema... my 35lb vest/arm/sled sits in the closet most of the time...

Yeah it has a super smooth capabilities, but its a hassle to lug around, put together and balance every time you want steady footage. Meanwhile the mini fits right in my regular bag, or straps on to my small bag - and ready to go at any time!
 
I think there are several ways to get there, but you just have to practice. Some think you HAVE to have a lot of weight. That makes sense and will dampen the jitters, but the flip side is you now have a bunch of added weight. It's like Aldo says in "Basterds"... The biggest problem with fightin' in a basement is...you're fightin' in a basement.

I have had pretty good luck with a GH1 and old 28mm lens using just a cheapie flash bracket. But when I use the 50mm, it's definitely harder to keep steady. I haven't gotten there yet. Haven't tried the pancake yet. Just got it but the camera's in the shop. I'm leaning toward something that has a shoulder brace and/or chest pressing mount but is light. If I could afford it, the Half Inch Rails setup is the way I would probably go right now.
 
Well the GH1 is so light you don't need a tripod, miniRIG or heavy weight to balance out the jitters. You could use a gorillapod, or a small rails set, or a piece of string tethered to the bottom of your shoes, as long as it balances out where you're holding it.
 
I second the idea of a Joby Gorilla pod as a "picnic stabilizer". Two legs into the chest and one leg bent up to right side of camera and you have a decent hand held set-up.
 
Initially I didn't really think it would work that well but I've used a $15 Targus TG-MP6710 monopod from Walmart that is 21" without extending it out. The end can rest in the top part your front pocket on your jeans for added stability. You can also get great "above the head" shots also without ever having to extend the monopod out.

The other thing is that the GH1 is a small camera and I've accidentally hit buttons numerous times when shooting photos and videos with it when holding it with two hands. I can hold the mono pod with my left or right hand to hold the GH1 without touching it and use the other hand to focus or make adjustments on the camera.

Randy
 
this is how i shoot with just the cam (no rig): tighten the strap so the camera is at chest level when hanging from your neck. open the screen and swivel at roughly 80 degrees. simultaneously push the camera against your chest and pull down on the neck strap while shooting. two pretty solid points of stability and it's as stable as your body.

i'd recommend replacing the factory neck strap with a black rapid strap or other equivalent, as you'll quickly tear the rivets out of your camera otherwise (perhaps you already have).
 
IMHO any of the DSLRs need weight if you want true smooth handheld work...bottom line. I used the d5000 (the jelloiest camera out there) on a weighted and balanced shoulder rig and it was even smooth at 100mm (non vr lenses). The GH1 and 7D are fairly close in jitters and jello.

I know you want to be more stealth so even a lead weight of some kind attached to the bottom of the camera would do a great deal in stabilizing AND still giving you a stealth-like ability. That's what we need to make...something that resembles a battery grip but it's made of lead.
 
Good old fashioned monopod will do the trick. My opinion is that you should NEVER handhold a DSLR for video. It's just not made for that kind of shooting.
 
imma second the mini-halo rig. Almost all my lenses are nikons, and running and gunning with just your hands will def. cause distractions while viewing it on pb. The mini really helps while moving, and having the neck strap on is def. suggested.
 
Chris Watson said:
Good old fashioned monopod will do the trick. My opinion is that you should NEVER handhold a DSLR for video. It's just not made for that kind of shooting.
Click to expand...

A DSLR with a rig with handles on it works fine for handheld...monopod is too steady for the handheld look in stationary shots. I know, I used one, and we had to wiggle it around.
 
Using a monopod in the traditional way is too steady when extended to the ground plus it's hard to walk around and shoot with it like that. I got much better results keeping the monopod closed up and wedging it into my front pocket making it a much more minimalist mobile and cheap solution especially if quick overhead shots are needed.

Randy
 
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