(Part 2) Best professional video stabilizers according to redditors
We found 999 Reddit comments discussing the best professional video stabilizers. We ranked the 356 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
![[New Version] SMALLRIG BMPCC 4K & 6K Cage for Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K & 6K w/Cold Shoe, NATO Rail – 2203](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/418T4LN3ReL.jpg)
Absolutely do not get a DSLR, get a camcorder. Anything that has at least 12x Optical zoom (not digital), and shoots 1080/60p will work. I've had great luck with Sonys and Panasonics.
For support I really recommend this shoulder mount
Lumix g7
25mm 1.7
Shoulder Rig (raids are from it as well)
Variable ND
Matte Box
Cage
Here is a list of everything I bought to mount to the rails:
Smallrig GH5 Cage
Smallrig Top Handle
Smallrig Cheeseplate
Camvate V-Lock Mount
Koolertron D-Tap splitter
Smallrig D-Tap Power Cable
D-Tap to GH5 dummy battery
This was well edited, but the amateurish shots let it down - that first pan looked like a dolly slide and I got excited!
A few tips for your friend:
Otherwise, cool vid!
/u/ jaejones - I recommend a 3-axis brushless gimbal rather than a traditional counterweight balanced stabiliser for the GH4.
My [Flycam 5000] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BJ1ULNK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00BJ1ULNK&linkCode=as2&tag=hybrcamerevo-21) is sitting on a shelf in the cupboard because balancing it and flying it are such a challenge.
For less than the price of a [£465.96 Glidecam HD-2000] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0020LB0MO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0020LB0MO&linkCode=as2&tag=hybrcamerevo-21), you can get a [£429.99 Beholder MS1 3-axis pistol grip gimbal] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014II2URU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B014II2URU&linkCode=as2&tag=hybrcamerevo-21).
A brushless gimbal will give you a much more compact and easy-to-use solution - plus smooth handheld shots like these:
The MS1's payload is only 850gm - so you will be limited to small lenses. If you want to fly the GH4 with larger lenses (e.g, with a Speed Booster and DSLR glass), you might want to step up to the [Beholder DS1 - which costs more at £560] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0194XFPZS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0194XFPZS&linkCode=as2&tag=hybrcamerevo-21), but is rated up to 2kg and can produce results like this:
Hope this is helpful and best of luck finding the right stabiliser!
Skateboarding filmwork
if you want to do any amount of follow or low closeup shots you will need a wide angle/fish eye lens and an underslung grip. Sigma makes a beautiful 10-20mm lens that would be a good pickup, I think they made a version for your lens mount
If you are planning on doing panning shots [you stationary tracking the rider] any tripod will do but you will likely want a fluid head, fluid heads are video specific designed mounts for the video camera so you pan [move camera left/right] without it jerking or shaking.
As for shooting:
I would say you can break most shots down into 1 of 4 types of shots
B-roll is pretty much all the non trick/skating shots, police rolling up, post bail recovery, sizing up a spot, ect. This is stuff that is good to create "breaks" in a sequence. Trick after trick after trick hardly ever works in a video part
artsy trick shots this is actually a pretty broad group of shots but I think you'll understand what I mean. These are the shots where your rider is on the rail but you are filling your entire frame with just the board and their feet, showing a ton or rail riding detail but no context, this type of footage should be used with a shot that shows the entire story.
static shots This is any time your camera is on a tripod. You may be panning or zooming or any number of things with the camera but physically the camera isn't going anywhere. a few shots fall into this group. "Static Static", where the camera is set up for the shot and you don't touch it, usually this is something I do with my 2nd camera. "static follow" you are panning and keeping your subject in frame through the trick.
follow shots this is the big cheese of the footage usually, it used to be even more the bread and butter of the shots a while ago. These are low, fast, wide angled/fisheyed shots. They are usually a little jerky/bouncy because you are riding behind/front/side of the rider and trying to keep the shot in frame while cruizing. These take a while to get used to, and require actual planning with your rider.
General info regardless of what shot you are doing:
edit: watch this like a thousand times and pick it apart as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBgbBrxj2to&t=588s
EVO SS ($279) is the best one out there now, FeiyuTech WG($178) is the best budget option. There is a new water-proof FeiyuTech but the reviews are not yet clear, some people say it really really sucks.
You can make do with the 18-55, though just be aware of the limitations:
At the very minimum the three bits of kit that I'd recommend for your use cases would be:
It would also be worth installing Magic Lantern to give you some advanced video features like zebras and focus peaking.
I second this. Never film in portrait, always landscape.
It can also help the guy filming to get a handle for the phone you're shooting with, something like: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Smartphone-Filmmaker-Traveler-adjustable/dp/B01EBEPDO8
Or for easier low angle work you would get a tripod adapter and low angle grip (the grip linked above also works as a tripod adapter, so if you buy that first you can get just the low angle grip later):
Or if you have some more cash and want something more compact for low angle camera phone shots:
https://www.amazon.com/Original-Handle-FreeRide-Combo-Smartphones/dp/B01N8XYIZC
Laing Handheld Stabilizer
Here's an awesome review by Nitsan.
EDIT: Another review!
Does an owl cost more than $682?
Yes :) here they are:
Handle: link
Mounting plate: link
Manfrotto Quick Release Plate : link
Follow focus: link
Rods(16" & 6") link
Handlegrip: link
Lens support: link
Shoulder pad: link
Rod clamp: link
Cold Shoe mount: link
To hold the battery I used this rod clamp: link and this plate: link
Battery: link
To connect the battery to the BMPCC 4k I used these cables and the charging cable from the camera to make an adapter: link to cables
Magic arm to hold the monitor: link
Samsung SSD 500gb: link
SSD holder: link
Monitor: link
HDMI cable: link
BMPCC 4k cage: link
I'm using the Sigma 18-35mm (Nikon) and the Viltrox 0.71X Lens Mount Adapter: link
I think that's it :)
I now have my P4K balancing on a Ronin S with the SmallRig cage but it took some extra counter weights to do it.
I'm also using a Rokinon 35mm lens that certainly has some heft to it, and since the lens connection is offset on this camera any extra weight is going to make a big difference when balancing. So, it would probably be easier with lighter lenses.
I purchased 2
Zhiyun 100kg100g counter weights and even with an LPE6 battery in the handle it was still needing just a tad more weight on the lighter side of the camera. I didn't really want to get another Zhiyun counterweight because they aren't cheap and stacking three of them on top of each other doesn't exactly look great either.This is when my DIY portion of the brain took over. Since I'm powering the camera via the Ronin Battery I knew that I didn't actually need the LPE6 battery to be functional. So I dismantled the crappy battery that came with the P4K, discarded the battery inside and filled up the inside with steel BB's. This gave it about 50% more weight than a standard battery and was enough to give me the weight I needed to get perfect balance.
the 2 daddies at the moment are the Dji Ronin S and the zhiyun crane 2 (amazon referral links). Don't confuse the crane 2 (the latest model) with the crane V2, although if your budget can't reach then the crane v2 was a good gimbal and certainly powerful enough for your sony.
If you want to go oldschool and not worry about carrying a battery, or lengthy rebalancing if you take the camera on and off then flycam steadicam can be excellent after learning how to use it
It's almost entirely shot on my Neewer stabilizer. I'm still getting the hang of it with my 70D on top. Luckily, you guys don't get to see the several times I tripped when I was moving backwards.
And thanks for the compliment on the colors, I've been working on improving my color-grading lately and I really enjoyed making this one.
> Should I invest in a Shoulder Rig?
That depends entirely on the type of work you plan on doing and the style you are going for. If you are planning on doing event videography it might be a good investment. Obviously one of the main reasons to use a shoulder rig is the ability to quickly relocate yourself without the hassle or footprint of a tripod. Personally I prefer a monopod as it has a very small footprint and results in steadier footage than a shoulder rig.
If you just want something to try out, I would recommend this Neewer Shoulder Rig. I started out with it for my T3i and it was surprisingly solid for the $20 price tag. Plus it looks a lot more professional than a bunch of PVC pipe taped together.
Down the road you may want something more sophisticated that supports a rail system, follow focus, etc. but that comes with price.
Thank you for the advice!
What do you think of this one
We are also looking for something that can easily used in a car because there’s a lot of shake there with speed bumps and pot holes in the road.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BGYJYWQ?ref=myi_title_dp
Hey. I currently use the Flycam HD 3000 for my video shoots and am very happy with it. It's a cheaper alternative to Glidecam series and it captures some fantastic shots after a bit of practice, highly recommend it.
Here: https://www.amazon.com/FLYCAM-Handheld-Stabilizer-Supporting-weighing/dp/B00O5ZSAC6
What kind of videos do you want to do? The Flycam Nano DSLR is a good option for more cinematic shots and something like a Manfrotto monopod will work well for most situations.
http://www.amazon.com/DVC-17837-Flycam-Stabilizer-Release/dp/B0051XJXJU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404399617&sr=8-1&keywords=flycam+nano+dslr
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-560B-1-Fluid-Monopod-Replaces/dp/B002N4K6J6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1404399752&sr=8-3&keywords=manfrotto+monopod
Yes a hundred-ish for an ND filter is about right. Check the thread sizes on your lenses and get one big enough to cover all of them - use step up rings to adapt to different size lenses. I have one from Tiffen that was about a $100. I have this Laing stabilizer. I've been very happy with it. Build quality is exceptional and it's pretty easy to balance. I would be wary of the really cheap ones like the ones you mentioned because they don't have micro-adjustment knobs - this will make it much more difficult if not impossible to balance properly. If it isn't balanced right the camera will "drift" when you are moving and not give you steady shots.
What's your thoughts on handheld gimbal stabilizers for no-budget filmmaking?
I'm old and faintly suspicious of them for some reason, never seen one IRL... but that BBC BTS showing them using a MōVI made me realise I might be missing out on something! Especially when she said they never even got their cranes/dollies out of the box at all, only used the MōVI!
I shoot entirely outside, lots of adventure sports with DSLR and GoPros... I see stuff like This for DSLRs and This for GoPros...
...so yeah, are they a good tool? Do they have limitations I might not be aware of? (IDK, worsen rolling-shutter effects or something?)
This is what I have - http://www.amazon.com/Laing-Handheld-Stabilizer-0-15kg-Steadycam/dp/B009YY5ESQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412607742&sr=8-1&keywords=laing+p-04
It's supposedly better than an actual glidecam, I've only ever seen one glidecam in person and this one was nicer for a lot of reasons, the biggest being that you can easily do "Poor Man's Low Mode" (IE: Fly upside down to get low shots).
Here is the Cheesy Cam Review (Note: I did not purchase the vest yet, but I am looking at it if this stedicam flys my next camera purchase (Sony FS7)) - http://cheesycam.com/review-laing-x-15-vest-arm-kit-with-laing-p-04-video-stabilizer/
I have the wearable gimbal which is more flexible for my needs.
EVO Gimbals EVO SS 3 Axis Wearable Gimbal for GoPro Hero3, Hero4 and Hero5 Black, Session, Garmin Virb Ultra 30, YI 4K https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K8W0EFK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HuPszb6VVKD3F
They also have a dedicated handheld version
EVO GP-PRO 3 Axis GoPro Gimbal for Hero3, Hero4 or Hero5 Black, Garmin Virb Ultra30, Yi 4K+ - 1 Year USA Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AB5SFGE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ywPszbCTG1S26
Backpack clip by peak design. Bought it for a multi purpose use. Polarpro makes one for exclusively he GoPro.
Peak Design CapturePRO Camera Clip https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OY5UMD2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2zPszbRS6CN0C
Counterweights for the crane. Spoiler alert, they only help a little. I've come to the conclusion that you simply can't have a well balanced gimbal with a phone mounted on top. You have to rely on the motors to keep things locked in. Fortunately, a phone is really only necessary for the follow stuff.
Zhiyun 100g (1 PC Kit) Removable Counterweight for Balancing Crane 2/Crane Plus/Crane V2/Crane-M Gimbal Stabilizer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0797S81HR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_cSAZCbNFYAGHQ
That shoulder mount is awful. lmao - I can see right away why he was hurting himself. He needs one that either has a 2nd balance from the waist, or another brace from the other shoulder, because he doesn't have the physique to manage one side for extended periods. Just 1 example. Allows for hands-free. $22
I went with the cheapest one I could find and I’m honestly pretty thrilled with it! It’s the camvate modular system:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BPVIROS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QpxZDbYV3K006
I have a battery grip on my camera so I also got the 197mm side rail so that it would fit but the cage is very sturdy and both grips are quite nice!
Edit: I’ve also heard smallrig is quite good as well, if you’re willing to spend $40-50 more.
I have this cage w/ top handle and I like it a lot. $85
Left handle, as well. I've been using that for over a year and it's great.
https://www.amazon.com/CAMVATE-Camera-Handle-Canon-Panasonnic/dp/B01BPVIROS/
If you're using a DSLR the Beholder DS1 is a popular choice.
https://www.amazon.com/Beholder-Handheld-Stabilizer-Brushless-Support/dp/B01983K0SQ?tag=t9r-20
Hooo boy. Everything on my WL is weird! But the top of the charts would be things like:
The Furby I'm a film student, and the Furby is for a shoot I'd like to do, whereupon one poor soul is chased by demon furbies.
The giant raptor statue is a big one. I put it on my WL purely to share it since it's life size, and because holy crap you can own a giant raptor and stick it in your yard!
The canon would come next, It's an item I am debating on adding to my pirate themed bathroom.
And speaking of the pirate themed bathroom this skull toilet brush is going to eventually be a part of it. Unfortunately it's almost always out of stock, but I'll get it one of these days!
The dragon table is another oddity item on my WL. I'm keeping it on there for tracking purposes, much like the canon, because I plan on having my living room be Disney's haunted mansion themed and it's a good center piece. Can't get it until I move here in a few years since it's so large, but I often use my WL as a sort of checklist for future household items and this is most certainty on it.
Then there's the extraordinarily expensive stick which is a film item. A buddy in my Uni's TV crew has one, they're absolutely fantastic to work with and something I like to keep my eyes on.
Then we have the Gargoyle speaker set the knight helmet you can use as a trashcan, the horse rope (though I am starting to think I can just use the giant training leash my dog had since there is literally no difference between this lunge line and her old leash, but I do have to check length. Getting kicked in the head is not high on my list of priorities.) And then there's the oddity that is my Pet wishlist. It is mostly made up of extremely expensive small fluffy blankets and odd fish-tank items.
Oh boy, those are pretty expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007FDE4Y8/ref=asc_df_B007FDE4Y82184084?smid=A1P9QRDRYY6FXL&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395129&creativeASIN=B007FDE4Y8&hvpos=1o4&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12864423181466018107&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=
This is one of the cheaper ones but if you search online you can find a lot of homemade stabalizers. I myself built a shoulder rig about two years ago out of PVC pipes. Hope this helps.
I'm a keen disabled photographer, and I've found this to be quite helpful, as well as tripods for anything requiring a bit more stability. Tripods can be a bit awkward in a wheelchair, but I think they're still the preferable method for mounting the camera. The shoulder mount is good because it keeps the camera at eye level at all times, no matter where you move you don't need to keep re-positioning like you would with a tripod, but it does limit your framing at the same time. It would be possible to mount a ball head to it though which would help get around that somewhat. The shoulder mount along with a remote shutter release cable really helps when my arms aren't up to holding the camera up for long periods, and is more stable than me hand holding too. It's really designed for video work, but I've found it quite helpful, and it's really cheap too.
The shoulder pad and matte box are terrible, but the rest is strong and works great, especially for the price.
I use it with my 60D and twisted the shoulder pad so it fits under my armpit, which works pretty well. Even without the matte box and shoulder pad I'd still have bought it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0095PTKMA?pc_redir=1410005438&robot_redir=1
………………
I know this recently went on sale, haven't bought it but may in the future. I've read some good reviews
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0051XJXJU?pc_redir=1409996613&robot_redir=1
Buy this lens if you don't have it already, it's great in every category and is a joy to use outdoors. The focal range is extremely diverse, the image quality is very good, and it's rugged as hell.
Don't get a gimbal... just get a really good tripod. I'm a recent Benro convert (though I still use Manfrotto head), check out something like this one.
If you absolutely need a stabilization rig, stick with a mechanical solution rather than an electronic solution for shooting in the woods. Maybe a Glidecam. I'd still rather have a tripod, tbh.
Yes, I've heard those are pretty good. I started off with something like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00O5ZSAC6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1480747459&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=glidecam&dpPl=1&dpID=31E%2BZI0emCL&ref=plSrch
It does take practice to use however, at first it's a bit tricky and definitely a good workout for the forearms. The more expensive powered gimbals are basically idiot proof with a much shorter learning curve but as you note expensive.
I know what you mean. I’ve read and seen those same things. I ended up ordering some counterweights that Zhiyun actually makes now. I’ll update or reply once I receive and try them out.
Here’s the link if interested:
Zhiyun counterweights
Price History
CamelCamelCamel - [Info] │ Keepa - [Info]
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These prices aren't just Black and White.
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BGYJYWQ
Sure, that's standard. What I think you need though is a gimbal stabilizer, that you can mount a DSLR on and stabilize it as you go.
Would recommend the Sony A6300 w/ 16-50mm as a good travel video camera - mount it off your car mount and onto the gimbal when you get out of the car and you're golden.
Like this one? http://www.amazon.com/DVC-17837-Flycam-Stabilizer-Release/dp/B0051XJXJU
SSD - there's honestly a lot of ways to handle workflow and disc setup. At this point in time, i don't think that a 1TB ssd is worth the money unless you're a pro. 1TB is nice to have, but you probably won't have that many current projects going at once. Honestly, i still edit off my standard 1TB HDD for most things, and use my 256GB SSD when i need more speed. It works fine for lower data rate cameras like DSLRs and Mirrorless. Most of my projects are between 40GB and maybe like 150GB, even with weddings where i'm shooting all day. You probably don't want to be shooting more than 100mbps or even 50mbps footage. In some cases i even go down to 28mbps, which honestly is what cameras like the C100 shoot at anyway. It's still plenty of data for a good 1080p image. Music videos probably wont be much. You can edit a good 2-4 projects at once, even more if you're economical about shooting. It's not the end of the world if you need to pick up another SSD down the line, or even edit off your slower HDDs. I upgraded to a PCI-e M.2 SSD that gets close to 1GB/s read speed, and didn't really see an improvement for my current workflow/cameras. You'll likely be bottlnecked by your CPU long before anything else, assuming you have like 16-24GB+ of Ram and a half decent GPU.
Tripod -
That's actually a really complicated question. IMO there's a few price brackets. The ones around $150-300 are what i would consider budget ones, and are just okay. They work well as a second, stationary tripod, but if you're really serious about video work, you are best served stepping up to something like a Sachter Ace M for around $620. Past that point you get into really good ones that are true fluid head tripods. You could easily spend $1000 on one. Most people don't want to spend that much. Which i guess is fine. Some people do fine with something like a $400 one. You really have to narrow down your personal choice based on height, weight, features, tripod type, countless other factors.
Monitor - the monitor i use is a pair of Acer G257HU and i absolutely love them. No, they aren't completely color accurate for things like photo and color correction, so again, you might want something more accurate, but for general video editing and minor color work, they're just fine. I need the real estate and simply don't have $500+ to put into a proper monitor right now.
Cage - The cage won't add much stability simply because it hugs too close to the camera. Normally, you want to make a camera more bulky for more stability when going handheld. I personally HATE the look of handheld, so take what i say with a grain of salt. A cage by itself might not help much, but a cage paired with a top handle, rail system, and shoulder mount would give much more stability. But if you're looking to just put a cage on and expect more stability...i wouldn't waste your money. Combine that with the fact that the rolling shutter on Canon DSLRs is absolutely abysmal, which is why i would advocate that no one with that camera pretty much ever go full handheld. People may laugh, but this thing is only $20 and is honestly great for what it is - https://www.amazon.com/Shoulder-Support-Stabilizer-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B00MF6MJXI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1516151903&sr=8-6&keywords=camera+stabilizer+shoulder. I would pick up that, and see if it gives you any help. Yes, a proper shoulder setup is probably better, but the damn thing is $20 and i've even rigged up my cage and rail system onto it with good effect.
Studio mic - IMO the most important factor for a video mic is versatility. A studio mic like that simply won't be applicable to many things outside of shooting youtube videos at home. A good shotgun mic is arguably the most common mic in video for good reason. It normally sounds the best in the widest variety of applications. With it, you can use it on a boom pole for any proper video production or short film. You can rig it up on a stand for interview audio. You can use it on your shoulder rig setup, etc. I think that spending around $200 on a boom mic is the sweet spot when getting into video. Don't forget that you will likely need a shock mount, XLR cable, boom pole/light stand, and audio recorder. When all is said and done, you're looking at about $500 for a good audio setup getting into video. Lav kits are another option, depending on the circumstances. But myuself, and a lot of other people, generally prefer the sound of a well positioned boom mic.
Gimbal - I was referring to more of the Zhiyun crane or Moza Air type of gimbal. Ronins are another option, but honestly are used for completely different things a lot of times. I REALLY prefer the portability of the single hand gimbal when shooting without any type of crew. Not to mention that Ronins are like twice the price. I would really only step up to a Ronin if i were prepared to have a proper rig with remote focus pulling, a monitor mounted on top, etc. For everything else, my Zhiyun is absolutely tiny and amazingly convenient.
Camera - i would advise buying the cheapest camera body that will do the job. IMO thinking in terms of "future proofing" your camera body is foolish because the camera body is likely one of the few pieces of equipment you will want to upgrade every few years. It will become outdated MUCH more quickly than other things. You buy a good microphone or tripod or lights and they will last you DECADES. A camera body will never do that. my $500 G7 has been earning me my income from the start. I eventually got a GH4, but i still use those two cameras and i use my G7 more often. I urge you not to throw $2K+ into a camera body. You simply don't need it, even though everyone (including youself) will try to convince you that you do. The extra features are NOT going to be the limiting factor in the quality of your work for years and years and years. Something like a G7 is capable of producing professional quality work and you're much better off spending money on lenses and lighting and tripod/dolly/gimbal if you want great shots.
The thing about Sony is that I don't think it offers the best value until you move up to something like the A6500. I would not consider the A6300 for most things because of it's flaws. For under $1000, Panasonic is the way to go IMO. The G7, G85, and GH4 can all be had for cheap and are great options.
I found three. I hope one of them works for you!
(gopro) Stuntman 360 - Shoulder, Chest and Hip Harness for Action Cameras https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LW4EHCW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_L3wIDbPW3DM2V
(gopro) Stuntman Chest Harness for Action Cameras https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0FXZVZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_B3wIDbRNKKQPX
Shoulder Mount Support Pad Stabilizer for Video DV Camcorder HD DSLR DV Camera https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MF6MJXI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_a3wIDb5QP7M2Y
> zhiyun crane
Looks like it has some solid reviews. Have you used the glidecam (link below?
Has some really solid reviews, a bit cheaper than the crane and others. Came across t=the glidecame on a FullTimeFilmMaker.com ad. The filmer uses one and the footage looks solid.
glidecam link:https://www.amazon.com/Glidecam-HD-2000-Hand-Held-Stabilizer/dp/B0020LB0MO/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1495766381&sr=1-2&keywords=glidecam+hd+2000?
Personally, the flycams look like a better option, neewer is just ew.
try looking at reviews of the Neewer knockoff of the glidecam. I was surprised how cheap it was.
https://www.amazon.ca/Neewer-68centimeters-Adjustable-Stabilizer-Camcorders/dp/B00H7WKGQ2/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1487655469&sr=8-15&keywords=neewer
It depends on of course, what mm lens you use, but here's a short video (1.6x crop 50mm). All handheld, and shot with that cage. The video is 2 years old, and I think it's the first time that I ever shot with a cage. Most of my videos are handheld with that cage. Link to Cage
​
cheers
Yeah it seems that way. Smallrig seems to have what I need?
https://www.amazon.ca/SMALLRIG-Adapter-Support-Metabones-Compatible/dp/B07KXVBBN3/ref=sr_1_6?crid=E1XEPA28PCZT&keywords=smallrig+cage+bmpcc+4k&qid=1559242116&s=gateway&sprefix=smallrig+cag%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-6
https://www.amazon.ca/SMALLRIG-Blackmagic-Design-Pocket-Cinema/dp/B07KLYGGV7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=E1XEPA28PCZT&keywords=smallrig+cage+bmpcc+4k&qid=1559242116&s=gateway&sprefix=smallrig+cag%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-1
I use a Smallrig cage. I like the way it goes the body and it seems very well made for the price. I use the xlr adapter on my GH5 so I picked up the cage designed to fit that.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075R7238M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_GRwaCbZCK4GB6
Or If you need to wear it then this should be an option too.
EVO SS
I got this guy recently. I love the portability of it so much better than the big ronins or glidecams.
Sorry, you don’t specify your cam:)
https://www.amazon.com/Zhiyun-Handheld-Stabilizer-Mirrorless-Panasonic/dp/B07NHH64CG/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?keywords=gimbal+stabilizer&qid=1573781814&sprefix=gimbal&sr=8-9
The best "cheap" is absolutely this Neewer Hand-Free Shoulder Mount Stabilizer Support Pad for Video Camera DV / DC Camcorder HD DSLR https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095DBBPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xh5Hzb076F4JX
Add stuff to the camera.
I work at a fancy pants high end custom guitar shop and they just hired someone to do video and lo and behold the guy shows up with a dslr with a rode video mic on top, all on a tripod. The guys getting paid good money.
Another story:
I used a cheap small consumer camcorder (HV20) with a rode mic on top to shoot a friends proposal, and someone else there asked for my card in case they needed videography done. I think the mike basically did it there.
Just trick out the camera a tiny bit- lens shade, mic and dead cat (even if you're not capturing audio), use a tripod, and if you go handheld use a cheap rig of some kind.
Something like this with a mike on top would probably say "pro video" to most folks:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LKK99QA/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00LKK99QA&pd_rd_wg=W7NNl&pd_rd_r=DHYH2C7WQ4PX8H53J47A&pd_rd_w=btSCs
Do what you can.
Here's something a little more college budget friendly:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B017KA4QEI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_GqxMAbJ9ZS44H
Definitely not as nice, but hey.
Aha I wish! I'm on a budget of 3-400 pounds, unfortunately. Would this work?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opteka-SteadyVid-Stabilizer-Camcorders-Supports/dp/B007FDE4Y8/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0
For the money this is great. Neewer® ST-012 Hand-Free Shoulder Mount Stabilizer Support Pad for Video DV Camcorder HD DSLR DV Camera,Support up to 13 Lbs/6KG https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017KA4QEI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jFjvyb0BENWRV
Very good stability because it hooks around your shoulder and you don't have any weight on your arms. This means it's easier to full focus and operate one handed. What's also nice is you can offset the camera in front of you so you can see the LCD or even get a loop viewfinder. You can still add a small 15mm baseplate to get front rods if needed.
Most of the 15mm rigs with handles are poorly constructed and very front heavy at a low price point so I would avoid any of that.
I haven't used it personally but the flycam nano is pretty popular. It costs much less than Steadicams or Glidecams at $170 USD.
http://www.amazon.com/FLYCAM-camera-stabilizer-quick-release/dp/B0051XJXJU
Bought one of these a few weeks ago. It's more like a Merlin than a Glidecam, but they're pretty similar in the sense that there's a counterweight that creates a 'smooth' movement.
Only problem? These things are a paaaaain in the ass to calibrate. Plus, the one I linked has a limit of 5lbs so you'll pry be relegated to the camera and lens. The matte box, follow focus, battery grip, rails, etc. will pry have to be scrapped. I was nearing the limit with my T2i, grip, and Sigma 30mm.
They're cool though. I think you could pry build one for pretty cheap too...check out the Frugal Filmmaker on YouTube (he builds some pretty cheap rigs that are awesome)
Here is it
http://www.amazon.com/FLYCAM-camera-stabilizer-quick-release/dp/B0051XJXJU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1375912308&sr=1-1&keywords=flycam+nano
Also get a new quick release, the thing that comes with it is garbage
any recommendations for something cheaper?
i was looking at something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Aluminum-Camera-Making-include/dp/B00QI6Y3X0/ref=sr_1_9?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1478647618&sr=1-9&keywords=dslr+stabilizer
Yeah, I bought the Laing P04 stabilizer, which is similar to the one you were looking at, but I ended up returning it within days. It's a fine piece of kit but balancing it without a c-stand and mount is almost impossible and it really does matter what the weight of your gear is. My camera and lens was supposedly just within it's range but I found that the weight limits on these things are grossly overrated. It worked much better on my BMPCC but on anything heavier I couldn't get a sustained camera move without yawing and after two takes it felt like my arm was about to fall off.
Depending on where you live you might be able to rent a gimbal system for one day and pack all your tracking shots into one day on your schedule. Otherwise, you could be judicious and use a tripod to stabilize your shots. I did this for two shots and it works better than expected. Just shoot wider than you want your shot so you can run it through motion stabilizing in After Effects or Davinci Resolve and then punch in for your framing.
Just keep in mind that none of these options work Out Of The Box. They're all professional equipment that require some experience. I was once on a show that ordered a SteadiCam for a day and thought they'd just slap it on and shoot. Five hours later they started the first take. By the end of the day they only got three shots, all of them dodgy. Don't be those guys.
Oh one more question - would the slider be solely for attaching equipment? I was considering something relatively affordable like this mostly for the purpose of having better grip on my camera.
http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-SteadyVid-Stabilizer-Digital-Camcorders/dp/B007FDE4Y8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1368936892&sr=1-3&keywords=steadicam
most basic example. It's on a gimbal.
If you already have a tripod, you can try spreading the legs as wide as they go and holding at the top of the tripod for some stabilization. Film Riot shows off another technique.
Another option might be a coldshoe handle, which I saw for $25 on Amazon, or if you're afraid of damaging the camera hotshoe, you can get something like the Opteka X-GRIP. A slight step up from that would be a cage with two grips on the sides and a top handle, or something like a HaloRig, which goes for $150.
For better stabilization and to fly through the scene, at $200 or below, you're probably looking at a counterbalanced stabilizer, similar to a Glidecam or Steadicam Merlin. Though I wouldn't recommend this alone for hiking, as you arm will quickly get fatigued from all the weight; you'll want to a shoulder rig for added support and better stabilization.
If you can budget around $600, you're getting into gimbal territory, like the ikan Beholder MS1 or which would give you a much lighter active stabilization rig compared to counterbalanced systems.
I do a lot of travel as well have tried out various methods of stabilization over the years. Personally, I think a gimbal is the way to go. It's lighter and way easier to setup than a counterbalanced stabilizer, though the counterbalanced stabilizers usually will give you more fluid motion (gimbals can be pretty robotic with movement, especially with panning left/right). I've gone on hikes with my Nebula 4000 Lite gimbal, and my arm hasn't felt tired at all, probably because I had the rig on an R-Strap and let it hang when not in use.
What model of neewer glidecam do you have? Is this?
That one looks so different than mine haha. This one looks more like a Glide Cam. I am actually impressed with how awesome it looks in real life. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7WKGQ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YY5ESQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I ordered from the above link. It says P-4S but I think it may be a typo for P-04S.
I got this cage and I love it - and it's soooo inexpensive...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BPVIROS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You can find decent ones on amazon for around $100. It's not gonna be cheap but it's better than a glidecam for $500. This is the one I have http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7WKGQ2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
I'd also recommend getting a quick release plate, it's a pain in the ass to screw it on by itself.
I have one of these and have made very similar looking MTB videos: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K8W0EFK
No it won't, but this one certainly will. http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00QI6Y3X0
I got this for christmas and my 6D with battery grip just barely fits inside. But it fits.
I would start with 2 prime lens:
Then you need to be able to record high quality audio. Typically cameras don't have the best microphones.
Finally, one big factor that separates professional-looking video from amateur is smooth motion. I would get a Glidecam. These have a bit of a learning curve to them, but once you get used to it you'll get some amazing shots.
Good luck with everything. You've got a good camera so there should be nothing keeping you from getting great shots!
Edit: formatting
Shot in 4K except for slow motion.
Sigma Art 18-35mm F/1.8
Used this cheap but pretty handy cage, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QI6Y3X0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Graded and stabilized in Premiere CC
Glidecam HD2000 vs Zhiyun Crane
As of this posting, Glidecam has more reviews, a higher average review, and is cheaper than the Zhiyun Crane on Amazon. But do you want to play with weights and balance the Glidecam? Do you want the look of what a Glidecam can produce or a Zhiyun?
Edit: words
Found this! http://amzn.com/B00MF6MJXI
Is there some sort of extension tube to move the camera farther away using the same screws?