I want to get a stabilizer but I don't want one that is too heavy or costly. What stabilizers do you use? Can you post a clip that illustrates what it does best?

We use a body mounted stabilizer, the magiqcam, and a handheld stabilizer which is homemade, like a glidecam with a monopod attached.

The body mounted stabilizer is fairly new for us, I have only hot a couple weddings with it, but I already rarely use the handheld stabilizer as it is much easier to work with the body mounted version, there is less strain, and more options.

Here is a highlights clip from the second wedding I shot with the stabilizer. Every shot with motion in it came from the stabilizer (even the overhead shots of the cake), which shows how versatile is can be. Within this clip there is a steady reveal of the dress, a couple overhead shots, walking shots, and some other camera moves that all came with relatively little experience with the unit. I have worked with handheld stabilizers before though, so I did have an idea of what I wanted to do.

www.smcouples.com/Des/HighlightsRev1.mov

Patrick

We use a body mounted stabilizer, the magiqcam, and a handheld stabilizer which is homemade, like a glidecam with a monopod attached.

The body mounted stabilizer is fairly new for us, I have only hot a couple weddings with it, but I already rarely use the handheld stabilizer as it is much easier to work with the body mounted version, there is less strain, and more options.

Here is a highlights clip from the second wedding I shot with the stabilizer. Every shot with motion in it came from the stabilizer (even the overhead shots of the cake), which shows how versatile is can be. Within this clip there is a steady reveal of the dress, a couple overhead shots, walking shots, and some other camera moves that all came with relatively little experience with the unit. I have worked with handheld stabilizers before though, so I did have an idea of what I wanted to do.

www.smcouples.com/Des/HighlightsRev1.mov

Patrick

Thanks Patrick, I'll check it out.

hey patrick i been lookin at gettn a magiqcam.. not for the stability but more so coz im a lazy bastard .. lol jk
How do u find learning to shoot with it?? i was lookin at glidecams and the like, but i cant be lazy..
just downloading ur clip now, but would be great to hear some feedback on the unit in use out in the real world :)

Michelle-
Here's a shortie I threw together. First time using my Glidecam 4000 (with the armbrace) at a wedding. I put some practice time in with it first, but I'm still learning how to use it right. Cam was a PD170.
Vin
http://www.firsttakestudios.com/demos/gcam4000demo.wmv

hey patrick i been lookin at gettn a magiqcam.. not for the stability but more so coz im a lazy bastard .. lol jk
How do u find learning to shoot with it?? i was lookin at glidecams and the like, but i cant be lazy..
just downloading ur clip now, but would be great to hear some feedback on the unit in use out in the real world :)

In the beginning, I thought I would use it a lot less. It was purchased for love storied and specials shots at weddings now, after learing to use it, I try and wear it as much as possible simply because it is easier and makes great footage, in my opinion. For introductions, it is great to be able to walk in front of the peope and track them coming in, for other events like th first dance and what not, you can still get very stable tripod like footage with virtually no strain on your body, so it is easy to hold.

When I purchased it I already had soem experience with the glidecam and homemade stabilizer so that made the learning curve much (quicker for me, I think). I got it in the offseason and practiced every once in a while for the first month then took it out on the first shoot. I was quite surprised that most of the footage turned out well, some of it turned out amazing, and very little turned out unusable. I'm still getting much better at using it, but I think you can get great results quickly and I much prefer it over a hand held stabilizer which I used all the time for years. Does that help? Let me know if you have any other questions.

Patrick,

Do you find that using a full body stabilizer is too intrusive for a wedding? I mean you probably stick out like a sore thumb at a wedding? no?

do you mind sharing where you got the musical score from?

thanks

The couple chose and provided it, it was two songs from the Island soundtrack.

http://www.firsttakestudios.com/demos/gcam4000demo.wmv

Are you sure it was a wedding ? It looks more like a funeral to me...

Michelle-
Here's a shortie I threw together. First time using my Glidecam 4000 (with the armbrace) at a wedding. I put some practice time in with it first, but I'm still learning how to use it right. Cam was a PD170.
Vin
http://www.firsttakestudios.com/demos/gcam4000demo.wmv


Thanks Vincent. I will go to B&H and tryout a few stabilizers. B&H doesn't sell the Magiqcam, though.

Danny--I randomly picked a few glidecam pieces just to show Michelle something done by GCam4000, but I know what you mean--it was mostly that one bridesmaid that seemed to be having a bad day...and I had chopped that down--the full piece has her looking even more PO'd. Overall, it was a fairly stiff wedding. The groom's side of the family are Brits, with most of his family flying over just for the wedding. Very nice folks, just didn't let their hair down much at all. The bride's family is Scottish, and they even had a piper playing at the ceremony--I enjoyed it quite a bit.

maybe you're just kidding but how did it look like a funeral? theres a little girl in a white dress with a flower basket running around....looks like a post wedding to me.






http://www.firsttakestudios.com/demos/gcam4000demo.wmv

Are you sure it was a wedding ? It looks more like a funeral to me...

Michelle--I would highly recommend, no matter which stabilizer you choose to go with, getting an armbrace and/or vest support. Don't know about any others, but I've used the Glidecam and Steadicam JR with and without supports, and let me tell you they can really wear you out physically. I've got both the armbrace and the vest for the Glidecam and I wouldn't last very long without them.

maybe you're just kidding,

Yes, Just teasing.... gloomy folks, shoots are good though.

I use a Steadicam flyer for all my weddings but really only use it at receptions. I find that using the stabiliser at the brides house you get in the way although it makes for some great shots. The problem is moving the item from location to location and having to get the camera set up and balanced first and this can take about 15 minutes at each locations. I use an XL2 on my steadicam.

Here's a clip from a wedding I filmed (in the rain outside) using a Glidecam 2000 (cam was a Sony VX1000 - not the best for low light):

http://rapidshare.de/files/21762640/Chris_and_Denise_Memories_in_Motion_large.mov

The glidecam 2k is a great piece of hardware, but heavy and tough on the wrist and arms, even with an armbrace.

Just got a Steadicam Merlin. I had one day of practice so far. Here's a clip of some practice shots (cam is a Sony TRV900 w/wide angle lens and extended-life battery):

http://rapidshare.de/files/22588734/Merlin_footage_1.mov

I love the Merlin for its lightweight and compact handling. It's an excellent piece, but pricey.

Danny- The wedding day was overcast and rainy, which I'm sure added to the gloomy feel, although I went with it in post and it made for some cool stills. Check out the opening still I used for the highlight vid...gloomy enough for ya?
The Brits seemed to think the weather was normal...j/k...Vin

http://www.firsttakestudios.com/demos/butters1sm.wmv

Patrick,

Do you find that using a full body stabilizer is too intrusive for a wedding? I mean you probably stick out like a sore thumb at a wedding? no?
thanks

Sorry I missed the first part.

No, after practice I don't find it too intrusive whatsoever. There are soem tight locations that I wouldn't use it which also goes for some very small packages, but overall I like to use it for the preps, some photo-session clips, certain parts of the ceremony and lots of the reception.

My unit only takes about 1 min to balance so it is much quicker to switch if I need something else, pus I usually leave it balanced all day with a camera and just have another camera on a monopod nearby. For covering something like a present exchange in the morning or the bouquet and garter toss (which I would normally just add small clips into a montage like piece) I find this stabilizer allows me to add the raw footage in a special features section and it often looks very good (for raw footage) all the way through with one camera, which I couldn't do before.

As for getting noticed, it is much much better than I had thought it would be. After the first couple weddings I almost think nobody notices anymore. We do go over these options with the couple prior to the wedding and nobody yet has even considered not opting for the stabilizer and nobody has had any bad experiences. The only reactions I have really gotten so far are from friends who are into video and what to know what its called and what not, but otherwise nothing at all.

Keep in mind we often use a small studio light at the reception for speeches and bring a crane out from time to time to grab some shots at the photo-session, which is not everybodies style and gives you an idea of how my opinion may be biased.

Heres my Wedding Highlights with the use of Steadicam Flyer at the reception:

http://www.greendaydigital.com/downloads/Steadicam/QT5_256_download.mov

http://www.greendaydigital.com/downloads/New%20Demo/Wedding%20Highlights%20Dunn.mp4

cheers

Chris

frankly i tried all the cameramount you can think of and there is no equivalent to a well balanced shoulder mount.
wearing a vest with arm/stabilzer is just heavy and painful.
additionaly, it is almost impossible to use in crowded place without bumping everywhere.
the turtle X stuff (hanging the camera in front of you ) is very nice because the camera has no weight anymore, but it does not really give stabilization (especially when walking) and can be as bulky as a steadicam.
every stuff you have to lift with your arms become very too heavy.
A well balanced shoulder mount remove all the weight from your arms, let you walk with smooth stabilization (your knees...), can be setup on and off in seconds, let you add and remove accessories without tricky balancing and does not make you look strange in a church or anywhere else.
you still can control the camera position (in case you need to roll the cam,aim up or down) the way you want.
just make sure you choos a model that can add counterweight in you back, so you can balance it properly. Some model propose a part that clip on your belt , it is ok but less efficient.

if you want any idea of how it can look: http://www.zacuto-rentals.com/0301.jpg
(i find this one a bit long on the back of the cameraman, because you can bump when you turn)
you can easily build one for less than 150$ in one weekend

frankly i tried all the cameramount you can think of and there is no equivalent to a well balanced shoulder mount.
wearing a vest with arm/stabilzer is just heavy and painful.
additionaly, it is almost impossible to use in crowded place without bumping everywhere.


I use the body mounted stabilizer weekly and I have no problems working in very crowded environments. Once you get used to the rig it becomes part of your body and you can move quite easily in very tight or crowded places. I don't use it everywhere but the quality of the footage, if your looking for the more dramatic moving style as opposed to the more staitionary and stable angle, cannot be beat in my opinion. There are many great glidecam users on here that can achieve the same results but this does provide less strain and definately offers many advantages. I've used many shoulder mounted braces and we currently bring the spiderbrace with us, but I don't think it comes anywhere close to competing with a glidecam.

Keep in mind when looking at any stabilizer, or even doing hand held work, creativity is the most important variable. No stabilizer will give you amazing footage without any work.

Holy cow, that thing looks more like a bazooka than a camcorder.

i got a glidecam (v20) since a long time and i know how to use it.
yes you can run and jump with it and still get smooth shots.
I do not think you need to do that in a wedding.
if it is a matter to walk (even in stairway) and get a steady shot, i can defy you (my shoulder mount against your stabilizer) and i am confident that i will get shot as smooth as yours (even with less balancing)
the difference ?
it will cost me 1/10th of the price, is smaller, lighter, it take 3 seconds to be operational (how much time you need to wear on/off a glide cam ?)
I can use all the button of the camera, including zoom and focus, nd filter, gain etc...)
i can add an accessory on the cam (even a teleprompter) or swap the cam without spending LOTS of time to rebalance everything. (unbalanced glidecam is a nightmare).
i can even fix a digital camera on it a take picture while shooting video.
I can lend it to somebody without a 2 day training and be confident that the shot will be usable.
believe me, try it and you will never use your glidecam again.

i got a glidecam (v20) since a long time and i know how to use it.
yes you can run and jump with it and still get smooth shots.
I do not think you need to do that in a wedding.

it will cost me 1/10th of the price, is smaller, lighter, it take 3 seconds to be operational (how much time you need to wear on/off a glide cam ?)
I can use all the button of the camera, including zoom and focus, nd filter, gain etc...)


I think that is the differenc right there. If you feel that you don't need to run and jump at a wedding then your option works perfect for you, and likely people who feel the same way as you. Each tool has specific advantages and everybody will have their preferences.

For what its worth, I have a camera mounted to my bounted mounted stabilizer ready to go so it takes about 30 seconds to load everything up and be perfectly balanced. If I remove the camera from the sled via the quick release, it usually takes an extra 90 seconds to rebalance.

ok, anyway i am not trying to convince anybody, i have nothing to sell.
I just answer the question, with the solid experience of somebody who had the chance to compare almost all the solutions available and give unbiased opinion, provided that you are looking for good , simple, cheap way to improve your shots.

More Steadicam Merlin footage.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4zcJ8L2-QA

Giroud,
Evxtly which model are you using (and talking about)?
Bruce Yarock

exactly, it is a home made model, but the principle is the same as the picture here.
http://www.zacuto-rentals.com/0301.jpg
the main thing is a rail, made of two tubes.
on these two tubes you can slide the different part so you get a good ergonomic and can balance the weight properly.
in the front you put the the monitor and camera, in the middle (on your shoulder) the shoulder support, and in the back, some counterweight (ideally "smart" counterweight like batteries or disk recorder).
i build mine from aluminium parts from the supermarket that fits together (picture will follow) so i just need to cut the correct length and assemble with pop rivets.
this requires no special tools (metallic saw, drill machine) and can be assembled in few hours. raw material cost less than 80$.
For sure you can find some "rig" already made, but they were all out of my budget and i would be reluctant to modify something i pay over 500$.
with these one (i already made several of them) there is no shame to saw and drill to customize them, knowing if you break a tube or another part, it will cost only few dollars to replace.
You can see here some part used to build a support for my miniDV35 with upside down vx2000.
http://www.giroud.com/minidv/frame1.jpg
http://www.giroud.com/minidv/frame2.jpg
the base (the two tubes and sliding parts) are the same as the shoulder mount.