Image stabilization

M

Mark Smith

Veteran
I recently tripped over image stabilization with the AF. I was shooting with non stabilized lenses (Olympus glass) and after years of hvx 200 and hpx 170 with their image stabilizers, I was caught out by shooting hand held with the AF with a 35 mm focal length. Much funkier that would have expected. My cheap solution to the problem, putting aside the birger mount with some canon IS glass mounted was to get a monopod with a fluid ball head& quick release mount for the camera.With the head loosened up and the monopod supporting the weight of the camera I could free form shoot really easily at varying focal lengths, some quite a bit longer than 35 mm, without any issues. The monopod solution is cheap and works with quite a range of focal lengths. There are some limitations as you might imagine, but with a quick release base plate for the camera its really easy to mount or abandon the monopod very quickly.
 
The reason for no stix is simple: I wanted the hand held feel, with some float and the ability to free hand the camera within a range of fore - aft, left- right movement which tripod does not allow. With a monopod you can easily work within a radius that is anchored at the bottom of the monopod and described by movements of the camera end. The look is definitely hand held but the camera weight is supported by the pod and you get plenty of degrees of freedom with the ball head. Some ball heads also have a fluid pan function which I find desirable .In the case of the shoot I used this monopod set up, we were getting some harassment from the NYC police who don't seem to know the film permit office rules when it suits them. Using the monopod reduced our footprint enough that the cops wouldn't bug us- additional bonus.
 
Mark Smith said:
I wanted the hand held feel, with some float and the ability to free hand the camera within a range of fore - aft, left- right movement which tripod does not allow.
Click to expand...

I use a monopod with small fluid head for the same reasons, but have an Acratch leveler in between for dutch tilts.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/431861-REG/Acratech_1117_Leveling_Base.html

I keep the monopod, tripod, plus medium, & large, SteadyBags, in a Tuffpak hard rolling case. Entire package weighs 45 lbs. so doesn't incur additional airline luggage fees.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/315762-REG/Nalpak_TP1139WH_TP_1139WH_11_Tuffpak_Series.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=steadybag&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

I also keep a small SteadyBag in the AF100's case. It helps pad the EVF, & in a pinch, get's used to stabilize a shot.
 
Last edited:
my first crack at the ball head was with a cheapo rig from B & H - I think it was a Vortex... The Ball head movement was ok but the head proved to be not so durable- so I just ordered a gitzo head and I'm going to give that a try.

I experimented with monopods for video about 12 years ago and wasn't very happy with the idea, but i've come back around to the notion and like the monopod for certain situations this time around.
 
FWIW the Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 monopod has been a great, indispensible tool. You can fake reasonably decent slider, crane, steadicam, and shoulder rig moves with it. My avatar pic has it in it, actually.
 
Hi excuse my ignorance but how does it mimick the crane and dolly shots etc? I've heard it mimicks steadicam shots to? Can you glide with this? I was considering getting a black bird stabilizer but would this be a better option? Thanks Taras
 
taras4444 said:
Hi excuse my ignorance but how does it mimick the crane and dolly shots etc? I've heard it mimicks steadicam shots to? Can you glide with this? I was considering getting a black bird stabilizer but would this be a better option? Thanks Taras
Click to expand...

Well it's essentially a long stick, which is what a crane is as well; a dolly has a linear move quality to it, and you can perform similar moves with this monopod. You can also glide with it. Having said that, there's no substitute for the real thing, and it'd be silly to think that a $280 monopod could do as well as tools designed specifically for each task. With practice, it does well in a pinch, but that's it.
 
hey thanks for the quick reply. Hmmm fair enough so with the crane shots you literally hold it near the bottom and like arch it over someone? And the camera is reasonably fixed on? You've given me something to chew on as a monopod is appealing for the quick set up plus the crane etc similar look. Or i could spend more then twice as much on a blackbird stablizer and be left with a good steadicam system...decisions decisions...
 
I've literally gone as far (high, ha ha) as extend the monopod to its full length, and holding the foot sitting on my shoulder, panned and tilted shots. Of course, going wide and either having lens IS and/or software IS is needed, because the image will be a little shaky, even if you're a body builder.

One trick I've used to smooth out my fake Steadi shots is to hang the camera upside down from the monopod (which puts most of the mass down low), while holding the monopod as loosely and lightly as possible. Takes practice, but the results are decent. However, when I want consistently better footage, I pull out the Blackbird. If I could afford it, I'd have a Steadicam Archer (or better) too. Horses for courses.
 
Do you have any clips I can take a look at? And wow sounds pretty impressive the possibilities, i'll have to decide which to opt for first! And upside down!? You are brave, I think i'd have a panic attack lol!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top