My Pro.-Looking DIY SteadiCam

A

andybiz_2005

Well-known member
Hi All,

I've uploaded some 8 pix of my completed home-made steadiCam for my DVX100A.

Here are the links to my pictures :

1162803186.jpg

1162803241.jpg

1162803265.jpg

1162803299.jpg

1162803323.jpg

1162803350.jpg

1162803377.jpg

1162803399.jpg


Here's a cost breakdown of each & every component I acquired to make this SteadiCam :

1 Monopod - $210
One 1.25KG rubber donut-weight - $7.20
6 pieces metal hose clip - $3.50
1 Dura-Edge car windscreen wiper - $31.50
1 anti-tension spring - $3.50
1 PVC socket - $0.50
1 metal door hinge - $2
TOTAL = $258.2

I included the long spring to support the weight of the camera, monopod, 1.25KG weight, etc. The loose end of the wiper can be rested on my pant's belt.

It's really simple & fast to make. So, let me know your comments on my SteadiCam. Thanks in advance.

Andrew
 
Last edited:
Hi eureka,

Thanks for the comments. I love to take close-ups. Well, I'll get my photographer to take a long shot of me operating my SteadiCam. Will take some time, so be patient. Thanks.
 
windshield wiper blade? looks Funky! Yeah I would like to see how that is used. And how good it works. I get enough funny comments and looks about my homemade figrig.
 
After thinking about the main support, I decided on the wiper blade because it's made of metal & quite sturdy. Plus it is flexible at the same time. I'll post some pix later of me actually holding & operating the SteadiCam so you know how it looks like, but in all fairness, it's really a "poor man's SteadiCam".
 
Hi all,

Thanks for your comments so far. As promised, here is the latest picture of my operating my SteadiCam :

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I haven't actually shot any footage with the SteadiCam yet, but just walking with the camera on seems to give a very fluid movement.

Andrew
 
Well, after viewing my home-made SteadiCam, in your opinions, do you think it looks kinda wussie? Ofcourse bystanders looking at me use this thing while shooting may have raised eyebrows thinking "that looks awefullly familiar, did he steal my wiper or something?" I'm not sure I'll actually use it shooting in public, b.c. the parts I made it from look too "house-hold". Any comments?? But I do get amazingly fluid moving shots with this Steadicam.

Thanks in advance.

Andrew
 
I suppose the bottom line is, if it improves the footage, who cares what it looks like? Most of the stuff you buy looks a little goofy to me anyways. I gotta say though, that wiper blade in the gut looks awfully uncomfortable.
 
ok, I see how it works now. I would think about going to a hardware store and getting at least a large leather belt for tools, and make a notch out of a knife poutch for dropping that wiper blade into. May look a litte more pro that way, and less chance getting it shoved into your belly.
 
I think I would blur my face out too!!! Just kidding Andrew, looks kind of strange though lets see some footage. If your holding it with both hands like that I doubt your stabilizer is doing much except for suporting some of the weight of the camera. Maybe two windshield wipers in a V-posiston so you don't need to hold the camera, and let it float.
 
you know that wiper blade is just ridiculous looking but like as others said if it works, it works. I mean if u eventually end up using it for more professional applications you can always modify it slightly to hide the wiperblade. Also what Kdawk said is right, it would be a good idea to keep that part of the wiperblade securely fastened onto a belt or vest of some sort.

and as pmpworks says, lets see some footage.
 
Hey, thanks for all your really helpful comments. Yeah, Kdawg, I'll seriously look into a pouch or leather belt I can wear around my waist to support that sharp end of the wiper blade. I haven't got a shooting gig yet, so I can't test out real video footage from using the SteadiCam. But will post samples when they become available. Thanks for staying tuned.

Andrew
 
If you are going to use that for a paying job, you better make sure it works first. Otherwise, you will not just get bad footage. you'll get laughed off the job.
 
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