Which diy stabalizer?

Steve Dave

Steve Dave

Active member
well im thinking of making my own steadycam stabalizer thingy or whatever (dunno difference)
and ive decided upon making one of the two
the poormans steadycam: http://steadycam.org/
and the hand held stabalizer: http://snodart.com/hbe_steady.php
can anyone give me comparisons on these two?
like which one gives better outcomes?
or just by looking at them which would be better for all occasions?
 
I haven't made either of those but I did drill a hole in the center of a 20-inch-long 2x4 and attached my camcorder with a 1/4 20 thumbscrew. Then I screwed in large, rubber-coated wall hooks on each side to serve as handles. Time: 20 minutes. Cost: $5. Big improvement. Making your camera heavier is the goal.
 
the one on snodart definitely looks better, having what appears to be a better weight distribution and atleast one axis of rotation...while the other looks like it just mounts weight at the center on the bottom stage and has no axis of rotation at all.

Personally I'd say neither though...I'm very much against any hand held stabilizer, as the weight is just humungous, and you have to hold it out in front of you...I'd go for a shoulder mount system before I went handheld stabilizer.

take a look around http://www.homebuiltstabilizers.com/ and be sure to drop in at the forums.
 
I'd try the Snod one - I built the other one and it didn't really do much...

Don't get me wrong - it did some - but spend the $14 on parts for the other one.
 
im thinking of just buying a spiderbrace
its inexpensive and seems to work just fine
if not i guess ill try making the snod
 
If your thinking of going with a low-end shoulder brace, I'd definitely look into building it yourself. Some PVC pipe, fittings, various hardware(nut, bolts, etc), and some kind of foam material and you'll have a capable system....always smart to also try to find a way to counterbalance the weight in the rear.
 
how much are all the parts to make the snod one?

Seems like online sellers are selling similar ones for about $100
 
no matter what you need to put time into these things...I think if someone is trully interested in stabilization they'd be better off with a DIY dolly, crane/jib, or forking out the cash for a steadicam training course and a REAL steadicam.

I've seen a few guys operating the handheld DIY stabilizer, and if it's more then 2 minutes they are covered in sweat, their joints are aching, their necks are on fire, and if they lasted more then a few minutes they are a rare breed that are usually a little overweight and short.......I say FORGET HOMEMADE HANDHELD STABILZERS. You'll waste a few dollars and then realize that stabilzation is meant to be done in a different way.

If a bunch of weight supported by just the human arm and stabilized perfectly was possible, don't you think Garret Brown would have gone that route??!
 
Nick Walters said:
no matter what you need to put time into these things...I think if someone is trully interested in stabilization they'd be better off with a DIY dolly, crane/jib, or forking out the cash for a steadicam training course and a REAL steadicam.

I've seen a few guys operating the handheld DIY stabilizer, and if it's more then 2 minutes they are covered in sweat, their joints are aching, their necks are on fire, and if they lasted more then a few minutes they are a rare breed that are usually a little overweight and short.......I say FORGET HOMEMADE HANDHELD STABILZERS. You'll waste a few dollars and then realize that stabilzation is meant to be done in a different way.

If a bunch of weight supported by just the human arm and stabilized perfectly was possible, don't you think Garret Brown would have gone that route??!
Click to expand...

I think that most of us are in the "Hey, it's better than nothing" boat. It's a workout to operate a handheld stabilizer. If I could afford a vest or had the technical skill to build one I would. Until that glorious day, I'll suffer with our stabilizer w/ gimbal that we built.
 
djbobbyrhodes said:
I think that most of us are in the "Hey, it's better than nothing" boat. It's a workout to operate a handheld stabilizer. If I could afford a vest or had the technical skill to build one I would. Until that glorious day, I'll suffer with our stabilizer w/ gimbal that we built.
Click to expand...

Please be very careful and atleast be sure to put it down the moment you feel the slightest discomfort. The human arm and associated support systems aren't meant to be stressed heavily while held out, and using fine motor control, and for long periods of time.....It's possible to pull off some shots with a handheld device, although I wouldn't recommend it.

Heck my muscles start to ache from even a well balanced shoulder mount. I spent about 8 hours shoulder mounted about 4 days ago, and I'll tell you what....I was feelin' it by the end, lol....intermix some handheld stabilizer shots?! no way jose....I woulda been out for the count, perhaps even in the hospital..
 
Not a simple answer -- it depends.

Not a simple answer -- it depends.

Steve Dave said:
well im thinking of making my own steadycam stabalizer thingy or whatever (dunno difference)
and ive decided upon making one of the two
the poormans steadycam: http://steadycam.org/
and the hand held stabalizer: http://snodart.com/hbe_steady.php
can anyone give me comparisons on these two?
like which one gives better outcomes?
or just by looking at them which would be better for all occasions?
Click to expand...

I've built the simpler one ("steadycam.org") and have used the equivalent of the other one ("snodart.com").

Either one will produce a nice steady picture. The difference is that the Snodart version will likely give you a little more shooting time before arm fatigue. Whether it gives you ENOUGH ADDITIONAL time to justify the expense depends on how long your shots are and how much weightlifting you do for exercise.

How long do you anticipate you shots will be? How strong is your camera operator?
 
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