Your plans for stabilizition on the 7D?

L

Lkorver

Well-known member
This should probably be a 5D question since those guys have already fought this battle but I just got my 7D and took what I thought was a very smooth walk around the house with it and realized in looking at the footage I'll definitely need some sort of steadicam/stabilizer to make this camera work.

So what are people planning on purchasing for the more aggressive hand held shots (stabilization options and viewfinder options??).

thanks!
 
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You can't expect to get good results while walking unless you're using a glidecam, steadicam, merlin, etc. A heavy should rig is another option that can yield quite good results in the right hands.

Most people just don't shoot while they're walking. As a wedding videographer i get 99% of my shots while standing still and the shots I get while walking I shoot with a glidecam. I know that otherwise I will just make people sick.

If you're on a budget and you want something run and gun then i suggest a monopod with a small fluid head. Like this one...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...V_561BHDV_Video_Monopod_with.html#accessories

If you're not worried about having a tripod then use that, it will yield better results than anything else. If you want to run and gun AND you have the money to spend you might look into the million and one different shoulder, etc, rigs you can purchase. I highly suggest borrowing, renting, etc, one of these setups before investing the money. They aren't right for everyone.

Another good option is getting some sort of DSLR viewfinder. It will help you see your focus and add another point of contact for hand held shooting.

EDIT: Any sort of glidecam, merlin, steadicam, etc will require patience and skill. You can't just spend the money and get good results. You HAVE to learn how to use one correctly before you will get good results.
 
I also love the spiderbrace. cheap and effective.

But if you are trying to get away with trying to look like a tourist while actually shooting a movie, I've also had some success with the strap around my neck, and holding the camera out tight in front of me.
 
Has anybody used the Glidecam on the 5d or 7d? If so, how well does it work for such a light small camera?
 
patssle said:
Has anybody used the Glidecam on the 5d or 7d? If so, how well does it work for such a light small camera?
Click to expand...

Glidecams work great for these small cameras, but unless you intend on always using a wireless FF and focus puller, forget this rig because it is nearly impossible to operate the gimbal, compose the frame and focus all at once, you need a third arm. Generally you can get away with wide/deep dof shots but anything tracking or with shallow dof, your going to need an AC.
 
Refer also to (just a few examples):
http://www.camotionllc.com/
http://www.ikancorp.com/pages/monitors/V5600/index.html

Typically you turn off in-cam or in-lens image stabilization when using a tripod, steadicam or other camera support because the IS system "fights" intentional camera moves -- for example, it may tend to overshoot at the end of a pan, etc.

For hand-held work you often use IS, unless you find it similarly interferes with a particular move.

People have been doing relatively steady hand held camera work for decades with cameras of all shapes, sizes & weights. It takes practice to do it well, but a shoulder brace or steadicam can be a very good addition depending on circumstances.
 
Which glidecam would you recommend for the 7D? the HD1000,2000, or 4000?

would you recommend something like the Z Finder to go along with the glidecam? I think the external monitor would be a pain in the butt and would throw off the balance anyway.
 
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I'm not familiar with the 1000.

I would suggest the 2k if you just plan on flying a 7D + lens. If you want to attach sound, lights, etc, then I would suggest the 4000. Remember, you want the HD MODEL ONLY. The HD model is soo much better than the older 2k,4k, etc.
 
Thanks Jordan, going to look for some tutorial vids on the glidecam HD series, and based on that, probably pull the trigger.
 
REDROCK Shoulder mount and grips... follow Focus V2, Z-Finder V2, and Zoom H4n... the same rig that was posted under 7D Rigged up for ENG
 
I'm going for this. I can't be bothered with handholding a camera.


1254428904.jpg
 
Lkorver said:
Which glidecam would you recommend for the 7D? the HD1000,2000, or 4000?

would you recommend something like the Z Finder to go along with the glidecam? I think the external monitor would be a pain in the butt and would throw off the balance anyway.
Click to expand...

Well I don't have one of these (stabilizer) but I cannot see how you would use a Z-Finder with one. I guess maybe if you kept you face a few inches away and just peered though it maybe? Otherwise it seems you would be defeating the purpose by having a contact point with your eye on the Z-Finder.

If this is wrong I hope someone will let me know, because I have thought about getting a stabilizer too.

Regards,

G.
Rookie
 
What I wanna get all depends on loads and what not. If you plan on shooting all day long, the Merlin with the arm and vest is good. If you have to shoot a wedding, the arm and vest will be a worthy investment.

Personally, I'm going for the Steadicam Pilot. I need a field monitor, so this setup works best for me. 5D, or 7D. Extra batteries and other toys.

Secondly, I came from an XH-A1, so I also have a shoulder rig for situations when I don't want to pull out the Pilot.

Plus, having the Pilot will afford me opportunities as a B/roll shooter - if I'm looking for side gigs I can use whatever equipment I'm assigned.
 
You really need some sort of rails system and shoulder mount or handles. I would say that is more important than a steadycam type thing. Get both if you have the money. But I think you will beat yourself up trying to shoot without a shoulder mount or rig.
 
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