Ex1 - best way to hold the camera
 

I am a fairly new EX1 owner and biggest gripe I have is the fatigue in my arm after holding the camera for any length of time.

I know everyone will say use a tripod but that is usually not practical so was wondering what tips others may have for shoot n run type scenareos.

I really don't want any extra mounts or brackets attached to the cam either as this will just make it physically bigger and bulkier.

thx in advance

That last caveat prevents any further suggestions, Matt.

You either hand-hold it or mount it on something (a shoulder bracket) to prevent hand-holding.

Then the only answer is to get yourself fitter or just shoot short clips.

Use a mono pad.

This is a great one...

561b | B&H Photo Video

I have been using this for close to 1 year now. It cost $60 and I never remove it from my EX1 even when mounted on tripod.
Anton/Bauer-EgripZ

Matt,

If you have your heart set on hand-holding a "naked" EX1 then here's how to minimize your fatigue and still get steady shots. I should point out that the following directions are from the folks at Vortex Media.

- Right hand using the hand grip. Twist the grip so your wrist is straight.
- Left hand palm up underneath where the tripod hole is and supporting the camera. Fingers pointing forward.
- This leaves the fore finger of your left hand free to adjust the focus ring from underneath and your thumb for the iris ring.
- Both your upper arms resting on your chest, elbows bent and forearms close together.
- Even if you're not using the viewfinder for framing push your right eye against it anyway. Pushing your right eye socket against the rubber VF is a huge stabilizing anchor.
- Left eye looking at the flip out LCD screen.

Now you have a steady camera while maximizing the amount of shooting time before your arms get tired.

Thanks Don - that was more the kind of response I was after - I will give it a go - cheers

Not suitable for all shots, but I have found this to be a good technique for many:

Fit the camera strap to the camera (I know this can sometimes be an inconvenience) and loop it over your head, then hold the camera with both hands (left hand underneath the camera and right in the cameras handle which is best rotated through 90 degree or so) in a way that the camera strap is taught; this will provide a comfortable and steady 'three point' mounting

The monopod described above with a cheap Bogen/Manfrotto tilt head and a fannypack around your waist is the best handheld solution IMHO.

Hi Geoff

Yes this is an old Stills trick... works too...
Personally I find using the body, elbows and shoulder with the LCD as I suggest and Steadyshot set to 'hard' gives surprisingly steady shots.

The biggest issue though is for long takes... I've occasionally been in shoots where after a few minutes your arms a really flagging. These small cameras once you add a big battery, mic, mattebox and radio receiver get really heavy...

Second thoughts, scrap all the above, sell your EX1 and get an EX3...LOL!!
Gareth

Hi Gareth,

For longer shots that require mobility I use and recommend the PAG Orbiter - can work for hours on end with that and not feel tired.

Cheers,

Geoff

I use Cinecity Gliders Super Shoulder..

My issue with all these brackets and shoulder is their weight and generally cumbersome nature. It make these otherwise small more discrete cameras somewhat unwieldy.
I do regularly use a Cavision shoulder brace and with the set up described in my post above find it works very well and does help me get steady shots in situations were I can't bring a tripod along.
But it is very heavy, makes it hard to put the camera down and when I do need a tripod requires the universal adapter plate set up, which of course adds to the weight.
For quick run and gun stuff, where I'm in and out of cars etc.. I like my set up.

Cheers
Gareth

I bought one of these today

Steady Stick at DVcreators.net

I'll post a review when I get to try it out.

Hi Terry,

This steady stick looking good. Can you put them on tripod without removing it?
Thanks

I can personally attest that this solution works brilliantly with the EX1 too. Note the grip twisted round by 45 degrees, and the left hand supporting the lens (I find little and ring finger on lens shade more comfortable than putting hand under camera body).

Over the last year I've shot a lot of events held this way, and when 'waiting for a shot to happen', I tilt the camera sideways to the right, so its weight is resting on my right fore-arm.

I've not had any real problems hand-holding, but the Hood-Pro has been the game changer by improving steadiness.

I personally like the wooden Levelcam which is at levelcam.com

Levelcam, what a great spoof, loved it and haven't stopped laughing

I think this guy is serious!

That steady stick is basically the same idea as the monopod.
Offhand though I might prefer the monopod. The nice thing about a tilt head on top instead of a free floating ball like the steady stick seems to have, is that it tends to keep you level while its still easy to twist for a tilted shot.

Also if you buy 2 cheap sliding quick release plates by manfrotto or giotto on the top then you can also put the same receiver on your tripod. Thus you have the same quick release plate on both units. Very easy to switch. I do this all the time even with full size cameras.

Also If you need to go high you can really go way over your head, and for a long interview you can run it the ground for support.

Actually I bet that Levelcam works pretty well. It is no doubt completely serious though it is pretty funny.

Never in a million years, this has to be a joke website. Can you honestly imagine anyone daft enought to be walking about with a camera on a plank of wood. Great joke though.

I will soon be the owner of an ex1 or 3, haven't decided. Either way I am going for this.

Protech ST-7

ST-7 Shoulder Adapter for SONY EX3 on Vimeo

PROTECH ST-7 ? on Vimeo

ST-7 Protech Shoulder mount Adpater for PMW-EX3 and PMW-Ex1

It also docks onto sony tripod plates and powers the camera via v-mount batteries. Great since I have a boat load of sony batteries. and will be sharing a tripod with a larger camera.
It's also the most profesional looking one I've seen.

I bet it would work great with the ex1. I think it's a steal at 800 bucks.

I love it, just one spoof site after another. Can't wait for the Steve Martin or Chevy Chase version.

For handholding, I find the camera is squeaking when my hand grips the handle or base of unit. I'm thinking about covering those portions with grip tape, but I'm wondering how others deal with this. Since I shoot with both a shotgun and a wide pattern microphone (Blue Dragonfly) mounted on the camera, I'd prefer not to pick up noise.

This how I use it, work just fine. Cavision stuff.

Looks good, and less than £200 in the UK too.

Yep that photo shows exactly how I do it... pity the Z1 handgrip doesn't pivot...
Cheers
Gareth