Steadicam or Shoulder Rig

[EasygoingPants]

Hey guys I don't know whether I should use some sort of a steadicam or a shoulder rig for my video project that I'll be working on. What I'll be doing is filming a paintball event, I'll be following one player around the whole entire day and be filming him. This would involve me having to sprint at times while filming and also involve me to have to be in some pretty tight spots.

Now I'm not sure whether I should use a steadicam or a shoulder rig for this project or if there is any other suggestions for what I could use I would be happy to hear them.

 

[GLow]

What camera are you going to use? I couldn't imagine having to run all day with a Steadicam rig. I'd be in traction for a week after that.

They two will give you completely different looks so you need to decide on what you want. If you haven't used a Steadicam before just be warned. It is not as easy as it looks. First, it takes a lot of practice both to set up and to use and make look really good.

 

[DPStewart]

For all day follow along shooting you need a shoulder rig.
GLow is correct - a steadycam will tire you out too fast and will be too cumbersome for an all-day follow along.
BUT.....make sure you use a lens that has some variety of "auto image stabilization" in it because the kind of action you are talking about will still be VERY bumpy with a shoulder rig, but lenses or cameras with decent I.S. will really help.

 

[wgzn]

for this need, you might look at the fig rig or one of the many copies.

like everyone else says: a steadicam type thing isnt meant for "all day" use (your arms would be jello in about an hour) and it takes a good bit of practice to even get competent with one. a "vest and arm" configuration would be less tiring over a day than the handheld option. but it would make it super hard to get in and out of spaces.

a shoulder rig really isnt going to do ANY good while running. simply hand-holding a bare camera would be better in that case.