Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera steady

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kbro1413

New member
Looking into purchasing a DVX but I am used to using a shoulder mounted camera. Is there some type of attachment that can be added for shoulder support? If not, can someone tell me the best way to get a steady shot without shoulder support?

Thanks.

Keith
 
Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

http://www.tiffen.com/steady_stick.htm

http://www.dvcaddie.com/

http://www.marztech.com/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=252830&is=REG

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=193814&is=REG

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=241310&is=REG

Of course for a steady shot you could get a SteadyCam. ;D

Partner uses the wondercam and is very happy with it. Puts all the weight on your hips.

This might get more/better responses if you put it under Hardware category and not Documentary category. ;)

Good Luck!
 
Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Keith - Sounds like you might like the DvRigPro. Have a look here http://www.dvtec.tv/_wsn/page2.html and do a search for it on this site - you'll find many user experiences and recommendations.

Michael

P.S. this really belongs in the Hardware section - you'll get lots of replies there ...
 
Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

I'll agree with Michael.
DVRigPro is not cheap,---but it is a joy to wear. Pretty simple to get on and off too,---and that counts when you're pressed for time.
 
Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

I concur. DvRigPro was meant for shoulder mounting dvx-sized cams. Best money (aside from the dvx) that I've spent.

Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com
 
Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Hey Keith,

that DvRigPro sounds great.....but I guess it depends on what kind of shoots your on. This Rig looks great for the "film style" stuff where you have a crew, craft service table, martinis, etc. If your running and gunning it.....well, you mentioned your open to suggestions other then this mount....well, the matte box I have with my camera helps with the support. I use the little flip screen and my left hand grips the matte box rods. This really helps....PLUS (I know some people might scream bloody murder with this suggestion) the OIS feature is "OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZATION" in other words, it helps stabilize the image OPTICALLY NOT ELECTRONICALLY. So, there should be no video degreation whatsoever using that feature....at least, thats what I have been informed.

Cheers!

Mark
 
Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Actually Mark, I would says it's the other way round. DvRigPro really is something for the field - perhaps draws too much attention to itself for DISCREET run and gun, but for documentaries (hey - isn't this the journalism/documentaries section?) it's perfect. In a controlled situation I would always use a tripod/dolly/crane.
 
Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Has anybody had success building their own shoulder rigs? I'd love to hear some success stories!

Cheers
 
Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

Re: Shoulder Mount - Best way to keep camera stead

I'm getting a VZ-LSP delivered tomorrow. For me it came down to that, the DVRig, and a Birns&Sawyer model that seems to be sold out everywhere.

http://www.varizoom.com/pages/lsp.php

I probably won't use the ab-pad much, I'm more interested in the shoulder mount portion. It won out because the DVRig just seemed like "too much", both in overall bulk and appearance. If I one day need a steadicam "lite", I'd look at it, or if I thought I was going to do some really extensive long-running stuff, or lots of walking shots. For now, I'm hoping the VZ-LSP will make me happy. I can post a quick review tomorrow if you want.

As far as OIS, it's really saved my ass while I saved up for the second round of purchases that included the LSP. I've held that damn thing in front of my face with no support for a few hours in below freezing temps and it just sucked royally. The OIS was able to control my shivering... I found a few shots where the sun is behind the subject and there's some dust on the lens - the shot is steady, but the dust moves, and if I understand optics correctly the "moving dust" was the corrections that the OIS was making. Pretty bad ass. It's much less prone to over-correction than consumer cams.
 
Hands down (IMO) it is the DVRigPro.
PS: It does not operate like a steady cam, even though it softens walking movement some. If you want rock solid moves, then invest in a stabilization device. Thats what I did. :thumbup:
 
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