Steady Cam.....NOT Steadicam

pmpworks

pmpworks

Well-known member
Well call it whatever you want, I built it.:Drogar-Evil(DBG):
Video was done with HVX200 at 60i plain jane sd video, I know should have done in 24p but I was in a hurry and forgot what I had it set on. Also forgot to white balance so color is a little off. This was just a test, never operated a steadi cam, just built it and this is what it did. With camera full weight is 15 lbs. Now I have one arm bigger than the other:( .

Images:(Large so you can zoom in)
http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/IMG_0460.jpg
http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/IMG_0463.jpg
http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/IMG_0464.jpg
http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/IMG_0465.jpg
http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/IMG_0466.jpg
http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/IMG_0467.jpg
http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/IMG_0468.jpg

video:
http://www.pmpworks.com/steadycamsample.mov
 
PMP thats some nice work there. How much did it cost you to make it and do you plan on producing or making just a few of them?
 
Ok it's up now. I think it's very nice, but are you experiencing any kind of flexing or sway with the nylon base plate (top sled)?
 
Thanks guys, no cost to me, everything was just laying around our shop where I work. I don't really plan on making anymore of these unless I need one for another HVX (hopefully in the future), but I do suggest if you have the knowledge to go ahead and make one because the shots you can get with one of these will turn your amateur video into professional looking shots. I still need a little more practice but for just starting out I was pretty amazed at how fluid the video looked. I'm going to be doing a music video here in the future so this thing will be very useful. Arm Brace tiring?....Hell yes, like I said after 5 minutes of carring it around I had worked up a pretty good sweat. My next step will be a vest and arm to make the job a little easier. You wouldn't think 15 lbs. would be that bad, but yes it's pretty heavy. As far as sway from the nylon..no... they sway you see in the video is just my inexperience and a little too heavy on the bottom, but it seems like the heavier the better so I'm gonna start making a support system. And yes I will be painting most everything black, except for the shaft.
Thanks
 
Have you tested that arm yet?

I see 2 issues with it. First off, i'm wary of the strength of those plastic parts. I think they may very well break under load.

The 2nd thing is that yrou spring placement will result in a very springy arm that will be stiff at each end it's range of motion. Your springs shodul be longer and spaced out more from end to end of each section.

- Mikko
 
I've actually had to rebuild and redesign this arm twice for different parts not being stable and I'm pretty comfortable with this final design. I haven't designed a vest yet, thats my next step before fully testing, I did bolt the arm to a work bench and after my modifications I put my HVX on it and it really didn't have any stability issues and also seemed really stable. Mikko, the plastic type material I used is a little soft so I don't think I'll be looking at any breaking issues, in fact I had to make both of them larger because they started twisting under pressure, but now they seem rock solid. Each of those blocks contain double bearings on each end to also help with stability. The spring location was a guess and I can modify those after I do some testing with a vest. I'm sure I'll probably have to move them like you say so we'll see how things go. Mikko, as far as placement on the vest I was looking at dead center on the lower back, this would seem to put the arm in a good location for me, is this a good idea? I've seen them sometimes on the side, but I don't think I could stabilize it very good on the side.
 
It does not matter at all where on the vest the arm attaches to - as long as the vest is strong.

I'd recomend you make a front mount vest - easier, lighter, and safer than a backmount vest.

- Mikko
 
Thanks, I will try a front mount vest then. By the way very nice website and steadicam work, I wish I could just buy one but I spent too much on other stuff.
Thanks again
 
Looks really good! My questions is how are you going to adjust the tension for the arms? Is the nylon pretty sturdy?
 
Looks really good! My questions is how are you going to adjust the tension for the arms? Is the nylon pretty sturdy?
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will probably, if I have to, move and remount the springs if necessary, I actually plan on setting it up for only one camera setup so hopefully I won't need much adjustment. Currently with the HVX put on the arm I still have some tension left so hopefully monitor and battery won't load me down too much. And the material is actually a little softer than nylon but doesn't give any when actuating the springs.
 
"I actually plan on setting it up for only one camera setup so hopefully I won't need much adjustment."


Well after awhile things start to wear anyway, so maybe look into that, but I think you can pull it off with what you have now.



What are you using to make the parts, lathe/mill?
 
What Milling machine are you using, I'm just about to get into it? Did you go to school for it, or did you just pick it up as a hobby?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top