Tripod or Stabilizer?

B

BuckVade

Member
Hi there, I need advise here. I have purchased every needed equipment for my video camera and now I need a camera-support but can only afford one of the following, which one would be best to start shooting a short or documentary?

A Camera stabilizer such as GlideCam + Smooth shooter
or
A Tripod and rail system?

Please advise
 
There are a lot of times where a stabilizer is nice. There are many, many, many more times when a tripod is needed.
 
It really depends on what sort of feel you are going for and your style, many people prefer tripods but I like a good stabilizer, it can give you a nice loose feel as well as a steady shot.

Fun Fact:
Robert Rodriguez shot his first film "El Mariachi" nearly 100% handheld yet still ending up selling it to paramount.
 
Tripod Definitely. You can free hand some shots until you get the money for a good stabilizer. With practice some shots are totally doable. But it is nearly impossible to get those smooth 360 pan shots, and other standard quality shots without a tripod. Hell in the right hands a tripod can act as a stabilized. I would go with the tripod.
 
Thank you all for the great respond, very helpful.
Any suggestion which brand/prduct (head and leg) would be reasonable and good?
Is the "Avenger A630B" any good? And if yes what head would be good for that?
 
Fun Fact:
Robert Rodriguez shot his first film "El Mariachi" nearly 100% handheld yet still ending up selling it to paramount.
Click to expand...
Columbia actually. But I agree, I prefer a stabilizer over a tripod.
 
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