steady stick

Yes, I use it a lot. It is great when you can't use a tripod or run and gun. It is not a SteadyCam. I have gotten the most use out of it at weddings and car shows (places were tripods are difficult to lug around. I also take the stick and belt off and just use its shoulder mount by itself.

Folded it is about 4 inches wide by 2 foot long.

I got mine on ebay for $40 bucks. For the price it does what I need.
 
I've got the one without the shoulder brace. It's not really so much for stabilizing the camera as it is for getting the weight off your back. It's a total lifesaver when doing all-day convention work, things like that.
 
Good to know. I'm thinking of getting one for a shoot this summer. I'll be spending a week at a special needs camp doing a doc for them. Part of the time I'll be chasing the kids around. It might come in handy.
 
Can anyone confirm that the newer version COMPACT steady stick (SSCOMPACT2) is suitable for the DVX? ie rather than the more expensive Pro version
 
Would a light monopod (like the Slick carbon thing I just bought) work just as well, just make a belt holster for it? I have been using a folded monopod in a similar fashion without the belt thing, even that steadies the shots a bit.
 
I like the SteadyStick a lot. It's basically meant as a "human tripod" for long mobile shoots or where you can't practically use a tripod.

I used mine for a recent whale-watching boat trip for around 7 hours. Try holding your camera for even a fourth of that time. It's possible to just let the rig hang off of your neck with an added camera strap on the top, for all of the moments you don't want to shoot but you need to be ready.

The adjustable stabilizer bar can be handy... something a retrofitted monopod can't do.
 
The "Compact" version works with the DVX. I just shot the SEMA show with it, and it makes all the difference in the world as far as back/shoulder agony. Hand-holding a DVX or HVX for six hours would be a pain-inducing circumstance, but with the Steady Stick it transfers all the weight to your hip instead, so there's no weight on your back or shoulder at all.

It is, again, *not* a glidecam or steadicam type of floating stabilizer. It's more of a monopod that gets bolted to your hip. For event shooting it's cheap and works well.
 
Thanks KingVidiot. I'm convinced.

Barry, I owe you a debt of gratitude. I have scoured this site, and having read your book and watched the DVD, and learned so much about my camera. Our film, "Under Their Skin", made with this advantage, was nominated (without winning!) for best newcomer at Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival this year.

I've ordered a SteadyStick for my next film in Kathmandu about two monkey troops in Hindu and Buddhist temple sites.

Every piece of gear I've bought, or setting that I've fiddled with, has been influenced by this site.. so cheers! :laugh:
 
Barry_Green said:
The "Compact" version works with the DVX. I just shot the SEMA show with it, and it makes all the difference in the world as far as back/shoulder agony. Hand-holding a DVX or HVX for six hours would be a pain-inducing circumstance, but with the Steady Stick it transfers all the weight to your hip instead, so there's no weight on your back or shoulder at all.

It is, again, *not* a glidecam or steadicam type of floating stabilizer. It's more of a monopod that gets bolted to your hip. For event shooting it's cheap and works well.
Click to expand...
Barry,
I am thinking about ordering one of these, and giving it a go. I have a question for you, though. It seems, from what you're saying, that this accessory is not exactly a stabilizer (it slips through the cracks, falling into grey area as far as categorizing goes.)
So...
Would someone using a Steady Stick disable the DVX's OIS or not?
Thanks in advance. :beer:
 
It isn't a "floating" stabilizer like a Glidecam or a Steadicam. It does help stabilize shots as compared to handheld footage. On the whole I'd say it gives you stabilized footage about on par with a shoulder-mount camera.

I always leave the OIS on when using it, because it's not truly stable, it's still basically handheld, so the OIS does still help.
 
Hey Bifter,

Thanks for saying such nice things! I think I can speak for all of us when I say -- we're looking forward to some Kathmandu footage! :)
 
Kathmadu monkeys... I have some funny shots of them from Pashupatinath...

(with a beautiful blonde, too...)
 
Hey all,

Guy from DVcreators.net here...Calalaghan just emailed me about this thread and I hang out on the boards occasionally so I just wanted to kick in Free Shipping on the Steady Stick to all dvxuser members. It's the least we can do. Actually, free Ground shipping in the US for anything ya'll want in the DV eStore. Cool?

BTW, There is a quicktime movie on our site demonstrating the unit if you haven't seen it.

We have about 50 of these in stock but they come and go...makes a great holiday gift too :)

Here is the link :

http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clin...reators.net/products/steadystick.html+dvxuser

- coupon code "dvxuser"

(modified for Free Ground Shipping in the US)
 
Thanks, Guy.

I'm sure that I speak for all of us in saying, "That's more than generous of you, sir." :thumbsup:

Oh, yes - a Steady Stick will be in my Christmas stocking for sure this year.

Cheers, :beer:
Chad Calalaghan (sorry...couldn't resist being a buster.)
 
It's more expensive, but I have a DV RigPro.
Have done all day events with it.
An absolute back-saver.
Could not do those projects without this device.
No a stabalization device though.
But if you get good,---you can make it look pretty steady at a walking pace.
Takes practice, and a very funny gate.
Like the Groucho walk.
Maybe I overspent and Steady Stick would have done the job, but I love my DV RigPro anyway.
Wouldn't sell it.
 
I just got my Steady Stick. ... great! It's very easy to set up and use. The only drawback of the Compact is that it doesn't go very high, only a few inches above my shoulder (I'm a big guy) - it would have been nice to get up above my head.

That's a really minor point though - I've made a great purchase. Thanks for the advice (again).

Hey, Guy_Cochran - does that free shipping offer include for international orders? :grin:
 
Hi Bifter,

You must be a big fella - I'm 5' 10" and the Steady Stick easily goes over my head. You must be over 6' 2" - at that height why the heck do you still need to the Steady Stick to go over your head?

BTW, I modded my post to say Free US Shipping....shipping to the UK from the US as you know is big bucks. Still, a couple people took advantage of it so it's all good.

-G
 
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