Steady Stick for Shoulder Support at DVinfo.net

Tony Nguyen · May 15th, 2008, 09:42 AM

Hey everyone. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the Davis & Sanford Pro Steady Stick http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ady_Stick.html)

I've been shooting a lot of long events (2+ hours) of straight up run and gun. I have a 3 day event coming up and need some "cheap" recommendations on some shoulder support. A steady cam set up is out of my budget because I work for a non-profit organization (church) and this is coming from my pocket. I say my budget is $500, but would go with a $200 set up any day. Any advice is appreciated!

Laurence Kingston · May 15th, 2008, 10:05 AM

I have a Steady stick but don't really like it. Check out the Spiderbrace at spiderbrace.com. It is made out of conduit tubing and bicycle handgrip rubber, but it works really well and is quite inexpensive.

Dave Blackhurst · May 15th, 2008, 11:00 AM

For me the SS is good because of the support belt, which saves the ol' back... straight "shoulder mounts" give me back pain, though I've tried a few and most are workable (spiderbrace is a nice inexpensive version of this design concept, as noted).

That said, I don't "like" the SS in the sense of it seems like there should be something better, but I keep coming back to it (was only around $80 off eBay). I've added a stretch strap to the upright so it's not so inclined to wander around on me, that helped, and I find that using the QR to go between supported and shoulder-ish mount (that's probably the part that needs redesign) is workable.

I think I'd look at a used DV Rig/Multi Rig if I had the $500 budget though...

I'd call the SS good value for the $$, but you are getting what you pay for, and some of the higher end systems with similar designs but far more advanced engineering might suit you better if the budget is there.

If your budget is around $100, grab the SS and a stretch strap, you shouldn't have much to complain about, it will "do the job".

Charlie Gillespie · May 15th, 2008, 11:25 AM

Guy has it for $99

http://www.dvcreators.net/dvestore/

Jack Barker · May 15th, 2008, 11:53 PM

I own and use the DVRig XL, which has now been replaced by the DVRig Pro HD. You might want to give that some consideration.

http://www.dvtec.tv/id27.html

Tony Nguyen · June 17th, 2008, 10:15 PM

I just got the tiffen steady stick for $90 on ebay. Tested the thing and is fairly easy to handle. The low angle shot is a bit weird and really isn't practical. It certainly does the job to take the weight off the shoulders. Thanks for advice. Maybe I'll upgrade to the spider brace one day.

May 15th, 2008, 09:42 AM	#1
Tony Nguyen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 107	Steady Stick for Shoulder Support Hey everyone. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the Davis & Sanford Pro Steady Stick http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ady_Stick.html) I've been shooting a lot of long events (2+ hours) of straight up run and gun. I have a 3 day event coming up and need some "cheap" recommendations on some shoulder support. A steady cam set up is out of my budget because I work for a non-profit organization (church) and this is coming from my pocket. I say my budget is $500, but would go with a $200 set up any day. Any advice is appreciated!

June 17th, 2008, 10:15 PM	#6
Tony Nguyen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 107	Thanks I just got the tiffen steady stick for $90 on ebay. Tested the thing and is fairly easy to handle. The low angle shot is a bit weird and really isn't practical. It certainly does the job to take the weight off the shoulders. Thanks for advice. Maybe I'll upgrade to the spider brace one day.

May 15th, 2008, 10:05 AM	#2
Laurence Kingston Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Clermont, FL. Posts: 941	I have a Steady stick but don't really like it. Check out the Spiderbrace at spiderbrace.com. It is made out of conduit tubing and bicycle handgrip rubber, but it works really well and is quite inexpensive.

May 15th, 2008, 11:00 AM	#3
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	For me the SS is good because of the support belt, which saves the ol' back... straight "shoulder mounts" give me back pain, though I've tried a few and most are workable (spiderbrace is a nice inexpensive version of this design concept, as noted). That said, I don't "like" the SS in the sense of it seems like there should be something better, but I keep coming back to it (was only around $80 off eBay). I've added a stretch strap to the upright so it's not so inclined to wander around on me, that helped, and I find that using the QR to go between supported and shoulder-ish mount (that's probably the part that needs redesign) is workable. I think I'd look at a used DV Rig/Multi Rig if I had the $500 budget though... I'd call the SS good value for the $$, but you are getting what you pay for, and some of the higher end systems with similar designs but far more advanced engineering might suit you better if the budget is there. If your budget is around $100, grab the SS and a stretch strap, you shouldn't have much to complain about, it will "do the job".

May 15th, 2008, 11:25 AM	#4
Charlie Gillespie Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 35	Guy has it for $99 http://www.dvcreators.net/dvestore/

May 15th, 2008, 11:53 PM	#5
Jack Barker Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 342	I own and use the DVRig XL, which has now been replaced by the DVRig Pro HD. You might want to give that some consideration. http://www.dvtec.tv/id27.html