GH2 Producing stable handheld video while traveling.

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Drybread

New member
I've recently picked up a GH2 with the Voigtlander 25mm. I've been slowly learning to operate it, and have mainly been sticking to stills for the practice I've been doing (nature stuff, and indoor sport events), because I really don't feel confident in producing video. The main reason I bought this camera+lens was because I really want to produce video for when I travel with my friends. My main goal is to emulate the style of the Vietnam video below. However, as you can see from my video beneath that, which I hastily edited together after my first day with the GH2 (it's not graded or modified at all), I can't seem to get stable footage.

In the first video, he appears to be shooting handheld while walking, riding cars and motorcycles, and for the most part it's all pretty free of micro-shakes and vibrations. Did he apply something in post? Is he just better at holding the camera? I've looked at some stabilization solutions, but I really would like to keep the setup discreet and simple for walking around.

I suppose my question is: How do I make something like the Vietnam video?



PASSWORD: 'winter'
 
Drybread said:
In the first video, he appears to be shooting handheld while walking, riding cars and motorcycles, and for the most part it's all pretty free of micro-shakes and vibrations. Did he apply something in post? Is he just better at holding the camera?
Click to expand...

Handholding a camera -- especially a DSLR, where your lands are very close the lens -- requires practice. I don't see anything in the Vietnam video that you or anyone couldn't do with more experience.

An image stabilized lens will help a little bit with micro vibrations, but it won't help much at all in walking footage. You'd need a physical stabilizer for that.

And as you probably already know, you can apply stabilization in post. If you are shooting something that you know will be stabilized later in your editor, frame your shot a little wider to allow for the punch-in that is required when applying this effect.

You could also invest in a lightweight travel tripod or monopod. If you don't have the space in your luggage, consider at least getting one of the Gorilla products from Joby, as they require very little space to pack.

Lastly, all things being equal, a wide angle lens (such as a 14mm on your GH2) will show less vibration in a handheld shot than a medium or long lens.
 
Practice, practice PRACTICE!

You can also try the neck-strap trick, where you pull the strap tightly against your neck while holding it, which will abosrb some of the micro-shakes. Or get a cage/rig/wheel, heck even a flash bracket to move your hands farther away from the center of the camera will help.

But yes, being patient and practicing is key. There is no magic trick. OIS lenses help, as could After Effects filters like Warp Satabilizer. But I don't think the vietnam video used any of those. Good luck!
 
I agree with M.Gilden— the vietnam video you showed doesn't seem to use any stabilization.

I've had the voigtlander/gh2 combo for a while, and moved to Panasonic 12-35 with OIS for handheld in most cases when fast apertures are not needed. It can make a pretty big difference.

You can also use the EVF as a third point of contact. That would help too.
 
Quick perusal, I wouldn't say your microshakes are necessarily much worse than theirs. Both are basically "moving slideshows," so what makes the first video work is great frame composition. There's rarely much movement involved.

As to ironing out wee jitters, all of the above and a few more:
- practice
- use a strap in a manner that places tension on the strap
- add as many points of contact as possible (eye-to-evf, left hand secure, right hand secure, elbows tucked)
- a string-and-screw based "tension monopod" http://www.pcworld.com/article/145582/article.html (don't laugh, it works)
- I use a simple Gorillapod - even the cheapish "SLR" model, lain up against the left forearm, which adds a nice long, steady point of contact. My simple little Voigt-lensed home video using just that technique here: https://vimeo.com/41630034

The gorillapods in general are nice travel companions with the smallish GH cameras, because they can actually hold them and their lenses in place (unlike DSLR's) and they fit in carry-on luggage. I'm not certain if the hefty "Focus" model Gorillapod would concern any TSA officials or not, because it's a rather stout metal thing that could be used to fend off a small-scale Viking raid.
 
I use this for handheld. It's small, and you're able to hold the camera like a Bolex film camera, only it is much smaller and lighter.

View attachment 66787

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/739331-REG/Cinevate_Inc_CIDSLR000012_DSLR_Camera_Grip.html

It works well, but as everyone else has said, practice keeping your hands steady or anything you attach the camera to will be useless.

Here's a video I shot where I used the grip in every shot, including the sparkler shots using a lens with no IS.

 
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