Steady Stick to tripod and back at DVinfo.net

Bill Flowers · October 16th, 2006, 09:15 PM

Has anyone come up with an easy, fast way to go from a Steady Stick to a tripod and/or the other way? I can see times when I'd want to quickly go from hand-held to a tripod or vice-versa.

Yeah, I know, hit the gym to build up my upper body strength and forget about using rigs. (Just came from a session with my personal trainer aka personal torturer and I ache from ankles to ears!)

Harold Schreiber · October 16th, 2006, 09:32 PM

Hi Bill,

I guess you're meaning a MonoPod for the "Steady Stick".

Try getting two "Quick Release" mounting units and put one on each.

I use one on each of my 4 Cams and 3 TriPods, Monpod, Shoulder Mount, ChestPod, HandPod, ect.

Can change between them all in seconds.

Harold

Bill Flowers · October 17th, 2006, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harold Schreiber

I guess you're meaning a MonoPod for the "Steady Stick".

No, I really mean the Davis & Sanford Steady Stick by Tiffen:

http://www.tiffen.com/SteadyStick.htm

I'm guessing there is no fast-and-dirty way to do what I want, but I could be wrong. Good thing I'm doing a 2-camera shoot and I can just pick up the 2nd camera footage in post to cover me fumbling the Steady Stick adaptor off and the tripod adaptor on, then to swap back again.

Or, even better, since the hand-held part shouldn't last too long (famous last words) I'll ignore the Steady Stick.

The following week I have a 3-day shoot (OK, 2.5 days -- it won't start til 5pm Friday) that will involve hours of hand-held, and quite a bit of fixed position tripod as well. However I'll have (barely) adequate time to go from one to the other so swapping adaptors won't be a problem ... I hope.

Harold Schreiber · October 17th, 2006, 08:48 AM

Hi Bill,

I've got my MonoPod set up similar to that, in addition it being a straight MonoPod. (Bogen 3218)

I made a vertical articulating head and a removeable side handle, along with a belt holder. Much cheaper than the "Steady Stick", and will do much of what it does.

Still seems the Quick Release units would work. Does it not have a Quick Release mount on it ?? If not, I'd think it should have one OEM.

Harold

Guy Cochran · October 17th, 2006, 02:07 PM

Maybe one of these http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/3264

Bill Flowers · October 17th, 2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Cochran

Maybe one of these http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/3264

Umm, well, ummm ...

Gee, why didn't I think of that? I'd need two: one base on the Steady Stick and one on my tripod.

Thanks Guy.

BTW, I bought the Steady Stick from DVeStore. Fantastic price and quick delivery. Now, about those quick release adaptors ...

Harold Schreiber · October 17th, 2006, 04:05 PM

Hi Bill,

That's the idea. The one Guy points you to, is a better grade than those I've been using for years now. Since my biggest Cam is a TRV-950, the SIMA units I use work just fine, at about $10 a pop. If I had a bigger Cam, I'd use heavier duty Quick Release units.

Harold

Bill Flowers · October 17th, 2006, 06:40 PM

Harold, what would you suggest for a DVX100a?

Harold Schreiber · October 17th, 2006, 09:01 PM

Hi Bill,

Since the 100a is both larger and heavier that my 950, I'd go with a stouter Quick Release unit like the one Guy pointed you to, or at least one of similar quality. More $$$, but more safety for the Cam. The SIMA units I use, I'd be reluctant to use with a 100a or similar sized Cam.

Harold

Chris Stearns · October 17th, 2006, 09:41 PM

I use one of the Bogen QR assemblies (the one Guy mentioned) on my monopod so I can switch to my tripod in a snap. It's perfect for my DVX, very robust, and the plates work with the 501 and 503 heads(not sure about the 516). I think I paid around $55 with shipping from B&H.

Bill Flowers · October 18th, 2006, 08:26 AM

Thanks guys. Chris, I'm supposed to be receiving a used tripod with a 501 head and it is good to know that I'd only have to buy one adaptor.

That is, I sent some guy on another forum a check but haven't heard a thing about the tripod shipping yet; almost a week ago he did tell me he got the check. I hope I didn't just throw my money away.

October 16th, 2006, 09:15 PM	#1
Bill Flowers Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 36	Steady Stick to tripod and back Has anyone come up with an easy, fast way to go from a Steady Stick to a tripod and/or the other way? I can see times when I'd want to quickly go from hand-held to a tripod or vice-versa. Yeah, I know, hit the gym to build up my upper body strength and forget about using rigs. (Just came from a session with my personal trainer aka personal torturer and I ache from ankles to ears!)

October 17th, 2006, 02:07 PM	#5
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	Maybe one of these http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/3264 __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

October 16th, 2006, 09:32 PM	#2
Harold Schreiber Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 309	Hi Bill, I guess you're meaning a MonoPod for the "Steady Stick". Try getting two "Quick Release" mounting units and put one on each. I use one on each of my 4 Cams and 3 TriPods, Monpod, Shoulder Mount, ChestPod, HandPod, ect. Can change between them all in seconds. Harold

October 17th, 2006, 08:48 AM	#4
Harold Schreiber Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 309	Hi Bill, I've got my MonoPod set up similar to that, in addition it being a straight MonoPod. (Bogen 3218) I made a vertical articulating head and a removeable side handle, along with a belt holder. Much cheaper than the "Steady Stick", and will do much of what it does. Still seems the Quick Release units would work. Does it not have a Quick Release mount on it ?? If not, I'd think it should have one OEM. Harold

October 17th, 2006, 04:05 PM	#7
Harold Schreiber Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 309	Hi Bill, That's the idea. The one Guy points you to, is a better grade than those I've been using for years now. Since my biggest Cam is a TRV-950, the SIMA units I use work just fine, at about $10 a pop. If I had a bigger Cam, I'd use heavier duty Quick Release units. Harold

October 17th, 2006, 06:40 PM	#8
Bill Flowers Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 36	Harold, what would you suggest for a DVX100a?

October 17th, 2006, 09:01 PM	#9
Harold Schreiber Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 309	Hi Bill, Since the 100a is both larger and heavier that my 950, I'd go with a stouter Quick Release unit like the one Guy pointed you to, or at least one of similar quality. More $$$, but more safety for the Cam. The SIMA units I use, I'd be reluctant to use with a 100a or similar sized Cam. Harold

October 17th, 2006, 09:41 PM	#10
Chris Stearns New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Carbondale, IL Posts: 6	I use one of the Bogen QR assemblies (the one Guy mentioned) on my monopod so I can switch to my tripod in a snap. It's perfect for my DVX, very robust, and the plates work with the 501 and 503 heads(not sure about the 516). I think I paid around $55 with shipping from B&H.

October 18th, 2006, 08:26 AM	#11
Bill Flowers Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 36	Thanks guys. Chris, I'm supposed to be receiving a used tripod with a 501 head and it is good to know that I'd only have to buy one adaptor. That is, I sent some guy on another forum a check but haven't heard a thing about the tripod shipping yet; almost a week ago he did tell me he got the check. I hope I didn't just throw my money away.