over both shoulders

[Keaton Clark]

Hi Everyone,
I've been searching various fora and no luck so far----I really need a brace for a DSLR (7D) that goes over BOTH shoulders, leaving hands completely free for focus and exposure control. I'm imagining something like football shoulder pads (tho not as bulky) with a brace attached. Anyone know of such a thing, or someone who might make me one?

Or is this a bad idea for some reason I haven't thought of yet?

Any suggestions enormously appreciated.

Keaton

[Robert Turchick]

Steadicam with vest might work.

[Brian Drysdale]

Originally Posted by Keaton Clark

Hi Everyone,
I've been searching various fora and no luck so far----I really need a brace for a DSLR (7D) that goes over BOTH shoulders, leaving hands completely free for focus and exposure control.

The traditional on shoulder film & ENG form factor allows you to do this. They are balanced and using the single hand grip arrangement, which many great handheld camera have, the left hand is free. Unfortunately, the DSLRs aren't designed at way, which is one reason why people are buying accessory V/Fs to create this layout..

The downside having the camera centrally mounted on your body, in front of your face, is that your vision is obscured for seeing what's going on around you. Clear vision is key to quickly finding and setting up shots and not falling over obstacles.