Homemade Steadicam

shred444 said:
this could be used with the red, although i'm not sure what it weighs.

This rig can hold between 6lbs-15lbs cameras (using different springs)
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The RED ONE body is 9 - 10 pounds, I think. When you add a lens, battery, monitor etc, it will probably easily outweigh 15lbs
 
So, here's a question for anyone who's built "a dream" or stabilizer.

I've been over to the HBS website, and it is vast. Starting out over there is like wading in mud, because you don't know where to start, understand the finer details of the concepts discussed, know whose advice to take or which plan to follow. Can anybody tell me a good place to start, or else a sure-fire plan to follow in order to build a good rig for about £500 that will suit a DVX100 with rails, matte-box and 35mm adapter (about 14lb).

I would buy one of the paperback books available, but it seems that everyone has made "tweaks" or developed improvements over these designs, and I want to spend my money on the very thing, not some old idea.

Any advice is most welcome.

Lucas
 
Fantastic job on the build. Looks very official and the footage is showing that the rig is clearly working for you. I think with some more practice youll really be accomplishing some great shots.

Heres my questions:
-What kind of personal adjustments does this have? Can spring pressure be adjusted, arm fore/aft and side to side movement, and vest adjustments?
-can you float the unit at your side just like a real steadicam?

A steadicam is all about tailoring the tool to your body. The precision of the rig is what makes it so powerful when setup properly. You shouldn't feel the camera wanting to pull and push against you at all. The more you fight it, the more stress on your body and the more the shot is affected.

The reason I comment is because I wonder how universal this rig/design is for different users. I know that Cody's setup is copied a lot but can it adapt in its current form to people of different sizes/shapes. Great job and keep us updated on the new sled.

Also, Where did you order the CF and Vest from?
 
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a little update for my friends.


Onlinemetals.com order. Those guys must hate me. (Yes, two of everything...just in case i screw up)
2205557-9d6



My first time on a lathe....it's getting there
2205556-dbb


stage, 1/4 of the way done. Still need to thread the insides and square it up
2205559-d32
 
Avenger007 said:
-What kind of personal adjustments does this have? Can spring pressure be adjusted, arm fore/aft and side to side movement, and vest adjustments?
Click to expand...

The only thing that cannot be adjusted is spring pressure. Everything else can. To adjust springs, you just pop em out and put stronger/weaker ones in there. My next revision will have a tensioning system.

Avenger007 said:
-can you float the unit at your side just like a real steadicam?
Click to expand...
Yes, definitely. Everyone watching me thinks im holding onto this thing for dear life. Then i let go, and it just levitates in front of me, and they finally get the idea of what's going on.

Avenger007 said:
Also, Where did you order the CF and Vest from?
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]
the carbon fiber was from www.macqc.com. The vest is a DaKine kite surfing vest i tweaked to make work. Its great, but since its the same material as a lifejacket/wetsuit, you sweat like a monkey.
 
>you sweat like a monkey.

Nah, that's just you workin' so hard. It's why you can charge so much...

:)
 
So did you purchase cody's book and mainly follow that design for yours? If so, how are those books? Do you feel it is detailed and comprehensive enough?
 
I purchased cody's basic book...partially for the plans, but also because I really didnt have a great idea of how a steadicam comes together. His book provides a nice easy way to design it with readily available parts but more importantly, it teaches you about how it works. Since I have access to higher end tools and machines, I'm going to redesign my rig from the weakest part first ...the sled. There is way too much wobble when it tries to support the XL2. I purchased his advanced sled section, and I've started now.


Progress has been slow because I've never used a lathe before. I guess its time to learn.
 
Avenger007 said:
So did you purchase cody's book and mainly follow that design for yours? If so, how are those books? Do you feel it is detailed and comprehensive enough?
Click to expand...

Cody's books are the best out there. Highly detailed. He also tells you where to get the stuff you need - every part. So if you want confirmation then you just got it. :)
 
Lucas Adamson said:
So, here's a question for anyone who's built "a dream" or stabilizer.

I've been over to the HBS website, and it is vast. Starting out over there is like wading in mud, because you don't know where to start, understand the finer details of the concepts discussed, know whose advice to take or which plan to follow. Can anybody tell me a good place to start, or else a sure-fire plan to follow in order to build a good rig for about £500 that will suit a DVX100 with rails, matte-box and 35mm adapter (about 14lb).

I would buy one of the paperback books available, but it seems that everyone has made "tweaks" or developed improvements over these designs, and I want to spend my money on the very thing, not some old idea.


Any advice is most welcome.

Lucas
Click to expand...


Well Lucas, it's all a matter of starting a post over there. If you don't post we can't help you in your quest to building a descent rig or how to start. :) The question is, are you up to it???? If not it would be better to buy yourself a system.

A good place to start on HBS would be the HBS 101 forum, here: http://hbsboard.com/index.php/board,38.0.html
 
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sorry guys, i've been extremely busy at work and school. I'll be back on monday with some more updates i hope.
 
probably not. The cost of the materials alone could add up to that. there are some things that will need to be outsourced, such as welding and some intricate machining...and usually places charge a heavy setup or tooling fee.
 
Also, some bad news. I broke my leg last week mountain biking, and im heading in for surgery tomorrow. I'll be out of the game for a while, but responding to posts as they come in.

For your viewing pleasure:

Bad news. Sunday I was up in Maine mountain biking, took a spill and wrapped my leg around a rock. I wont be able to work for a little while. But dont worry, I'll be nice and healed in no time


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