Is the Steadepod any good?

E

Egadz

New member
Hi all,

I did a search in the forum for this little gadget and came up with nada. Anyone use it before and did you find it helpful? It seems like it might be useful (if it works) for when you are trying to shoot low profile to keep unwanted attention to a minimum.

Currently, I'm using an IndiRailspro SM rig with a Zacuto 2.5x Z-finder (on order, I skipped the 3x 'cuz I'm near-sighted), but you tend to draw a lot of attention with a get-up like that, so I'm curious about the Steadepod as a feasible "fast draw" option.

Just Google steadepod or go to steadepod.com to see what I'm referring to.
 
For the same effect, just hold your camera out with the neck strap taut. Or, extend string from an eye bolt in the tripod hole to your belt.
 
I bought the SteadyPod at the PMA trade show.

I use a tripod about 30% of the time. monopod about 60% of the time and the Steadypod about 10% of the time while shooting.

Every time I use a tripod I think I should ALWAYS use the tripod but its too bulky and just takes too much time and effort to setup. The monopod has a fluid head on it and I rely on it a lot but no matter how good I get at it the results are never as good as a tripod. But the Steadypod is actually quite effective.

Its surprisingly simple to use. For those who aren't familiar with the concept its kind of the opposite or reverse of a monopod. You extend a cable [that has a small foot peg attached to the end] from the housing/take up reel, stand on the foot peg, adjust the length or height that you want your camera, lock the take up reek and take up any slack by lifting the camera away from your foot and adding pressure to the cable.

It is surprisingly effective at assisting you at holding your camera still. I never use it on long lenses and generally I try to use it with stabilized lenses and in those conditions it works very well. Also I mostly use it in conjunction with my shoulder mount.

The one problem I've had is that like any take up reel when you start to torque to it the cable will "settle" or slip as it tightens. Another good use for this it to attach the foot peg to a pole and use it to "dolly" with. You can get a nice smooth arc.

Here's a video I shot almost exclusively with a monopod and Steadypod. For $25 or $30 its definitely a great little tool to have in your bag.

 
Chuck. Nice little piece and good color correction also. Very steady. How much is steadypod vs monopod.

Have you tried using the steadypod under both feet to triangulate or with a bar under the camera to have 2 points to level horizontal motion - these were suggestions in another do it yourself site for a "string tripod"
 
Anyone have a link for the Steady Pod? My google searches keep coming up with a tactical weapon pod :violent5:
 
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