can't keep my pd-150 up
 

i imagine subject title will bring on replies in likes of: "try viagra" and such. but seriously...

i'm looking into support for my pd-150 so that my arms don't tire so quickly from holding it. so far i've heard of hip braces and shoulder mounts. what are the pros and cons on these two solutions. any recommendations?

i like the mobility and descresion of the small camera, but my arms start shaking after a while if i have to hold it up for long periods of time.

any help much appreciated. thanks

[wasn't sure if this thread should be posted here or on the SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CAMERA forum. but would, of course, like to hear from pd150 owners]

adi

Adi,
I've been using a shoulder brace from studio1 for almost a year now and frankly, I couldn't work without it. I keep a lot of weight on my 150, WA, longer shotgun, on camera light, and I have actually done wedding ceremonies handheld with it. Not a full mass, but a shorter ceremony, maybe 20-25 minutes and have been OK. Kinda has a Wedding Story look to it. I forgot it 1 time and ended up using a monopod for the ceremony and I could see the difference. I also made a bracket that I pop rivieted on and I use that for my wireless recv'r, so I really carry alot of weight on my shoulder and have all the mobility I need and none of the shakes of handholding. I like it and I'll NEVER forget it again!
I'm just not steady enough anymore not to use it. Age has a way of making us shake more :)
Don

Stealth Pod
 

Take a look at the Stealth Pod. I was having the same problems shooting my grandson's school plays and came across this. Works like a charm and unlike a tripod can be easily moved and carried.

Go to:

http://www.zgc.com/html/varizoom_stealth_zoom.html

Good luck.

An L-Bracket is a great way to go. Your body acts as a tripod and you can get different angle shots.

first time i've heard of an L-BRACKET. what is it?

When I am shooting handheld I use both hands and lock my elbows against my chest. Makes sort of triangle and helps me hold still without getting tired.

I also shoot regularly with a monopod. I brace it against my stomach or hook it into my belt. Works well.

The ideal "L" bracket is the Mighty Wondercam mini rover. It's not cheap but it's a well made comfortable piece of gear. Also look at the shoulder mount on the same page.

Then there's always your dirty old monopod with a belt pouch. The stealth thingie is nothing more than a monopod with an expensive name.

My problem with using anything that goes to my belt or stomach is when I breath it can move the camera, just like shooting a rifle. I tried the belt pouch with my monopod and got enough movement to not use that. When I use the shoulder brace I can walk backwards up the aisle in front of the B/G and get them in the recessional and have minimal if any camera movement. Takes some practice, like any other piece of equipment.
For me the monopod and L bracket, although both are good and have a place, didn't work real well.
Oh well, to each his.her own :)
Don

Don
Which model shoulder brace? it looks similar to the habbycam brace. The shoulder pad looks wider yhan the varizoom or the mighty wondercam.

The mini rover is not good for everything. It is a good way to mount a whole lot of equipment though. I can hang my shotgun, wireless receiver from it and still have room to mount my beach under the VX and have my LCD open.

Yeah, the Habbycam and Studio1 are the same, or atleast they look like it. I relly like using it, so much so, it's starting to come apart, but I really hang a lot of weight on it and use it pretty much all the time except when I'm on a tripod. The other thing too, is I have the 150 set on it so I canuse either the LCD OR the VF which I actually prefer. I also have the Century LCD magnifier which adds even more weight but it does keep me from having to wear my readers when I use the LCD. Anyway, I like it a lot.
Don

I was looking for a similar solution. I didn't feel a shoulder brace was right for me since I was looking for something that would support the camera's weight better. I opted for the DVCaddie which is a unique hip brace monopod thing. You can check it out at www.dvcaddie.com .
I added a saxophone neck strap and a little cushioning to the ab hinge...I can go hands free for a few moments at a time with this, a real life-saver (well, arm-saver anyway) during those times when you dare not put the camera down.

I looked at that system before and as I stated earlier, the only problem I have with it is if you breath you have a real chance of getting movement. Not that you won't with the shoulder brace but I don't want to get more than necessary. As for letting go of my camera, I don't think so. I lost an old EV5000 by letting go for just a second. By the time I realized it was going, it was gone. (I kinda spaced out)
I may get tired arms but when all is said and done I know where my camera is.
BTW, with everything I pack on the camera and brace, it's actually well balanced. If I take off the WA lens it's a little backheavy, but livable, so it's not really all that bad for a long shoot.
To each his/her own I guess.
Don

The DV Caddie looks very interesting. On the other hand it might be that that is because they have a really hot woman modelling the equipment.

The DV Caddie people understand marketing.

Everything they know about marketing they learned from Glidecam.

<<<-- Originally posted by Don Bloom : I looked at that system before and as I stated earlier, the only problem I have with it is if you breath you have a real chance of getting movement.
Not that you won't with the shoulder brace but I don't want to get more than necessary.
-->>

Honestly, I don't think I could hold the camera any steadier with a shoulder brace. The breathing is really a non-issue. I think the shoulder girdle moves as much as the lower rib cage with normal breathing. With all 3 axis locked down this thing is very stable.

<<-- As for letting go of my camera, I don't think so. I lost an old EV5000 by letting go for just a second. By the time I realized it was going, it was gone. (I kinda spaced out)
I may get tired arms but when all is said and done I know where my camera is.-->>

Even if the sax strap broke suddenly, the configuration of this device makes it very unlikely any serious damage would occur.
(I should qualify this...the camera would swing down and whack me squarely in the groin...so it's very unlikely serious damage would occur TO THE CAMERA)

<<-- BTW, with everything I pack on the camera and brace, it's actually well balanced. If I take off the WA lens it's a little backheavy, but livable, so it's not really all that bad for a long shoot.
To each his/her own I guess.
Don -->>>

I wondered about adding weight to the back of a brace, but it seemed that getting the weight balanced properly might be a problem. As you said, though, different solutions for different people/styles.
I should add that I have no affiliation with DVCaddie, just a satisfied customer.