Stabilizer for EX1 for trekking/hiking documentary
 

I've looked around without any definitive suggestions.

I need a stabilizer for a documentary I am working on. Alot of operating will be done shooting kids as they are hiking.

I need:

1)something that is available now
2)something that I don't have to worry about slipping a disc
3)something that will give me relatively smooth footage

Is that vague enough?

Most are dayhikes, but we will have one 4 day camping excursion that we will be led by a trekking team on a moderate to difficult hikes.

What is the lowest-cost solution for the ex1 for this sort of operation?

Anybody been hiking with the EX1? Any suggestions? Thanks.

risky flying on trails with a vest/arm/pilot. I would think a fig rig would be a good fit for an environ like trails.

If you're really hiking, I think the monopod is the most useful stabilizer. It's my preferred stabilizer if I'm doing any sort of walking in the wild parts of the world. A basic monopod like the Bogen / Manfrotto 558B Video Monopod is easy to store, carry, and fast to setup. Doubles as a walking stick or you can strap it to your back pack. I like that particular monopod because the matching quick release adapter is relatively cheap.

When walking I usually:
A. collapse the monopod to it's minimum height and sling the shoulder strap over my shoulders
B. or I carry the whole rig by the handle of the camera
C. or put the lens of the camera over my shoulder like a baby.

Forgot to mention the 558B monopod has a rubber shoe on the bottom if you need to grip a surface, the shoe un-screws to reveal the metal spike if you want to plant it more firmly. The rubber shoe also lets you do rudimentary-freehand tilts and pans.

Another vote for monopods.

I have been using monopods for weddings etc for nearly 13 years (since the first small digital cameras first came out) and find the latest manfrotto excellent to use.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...od_Deluxe.html

cheers Vaughan

Another vote for monopod. Despite all you read here I find it superior to shoulder rigs.

I think i use a 550B, with a bogen 3232 tilt head - The tilt head is essential. Then tuck it in a fanny pack around the waist. Very flexible and easy on the body.

Only a stabilizer will give you a floating motion while walking though, but I think it would be very dangerous on a trail.

Lenny

Is it worth going for a Fluid Monopod like the Manfrotto 562B?

John,

I'd go for the 561b, which has the pan head in the base, and the tilt head (simplified 701) at the top:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=97716

I've recorded a live music performance using it lately; quite stable picture I'd say:

http://www.vimeo.com/1380497

Thanks for all the helpful replies!! :)

I am still shaping my plan. I live in Portland, Oregon and all the shooting that I will be doing for this production will all be only a couple hours away whenever we do a hike. The idea of using only a monopod and maybe a shoulder attachment seems much more streamlined, which is less stressful.

I am still thinking about this...

I definitely want the floating sensation from a stabilizer... my search continues.

The Merlin is amazing, but I have heard that the ex1 is too heavy for it.

What about the dvrig or dvrig pro?

Would this be too cumbersome for hiking?

You can use a monopod for this too, you just shorten it and use your arm. Possibly add some weight to the bottom to help. Works pretty well for short periods, depending on your strength. The added bonus is the pointy end remains at the ready, for fighting off bears and German backpackers!

Other than that, for the full floater you'd have to go a steadicam merlin, arm and vest at the least, probably a pilot. That would start to get pretty unwieldy on a long hike.

Another cool thing to do when using a monopod for hiking and such is to turn the monopod
upside down with the camera attached and shoot footage at low angles around your feet...

yes the footage is upside down.. you just flip in your NLE... adds a nice touch...

and just the opposite... you can use the monopod as a short camera boom too...

I would also vote for the 561b monopod.
For all terrain run n' gun shooting it's the best solution I have found for an EX size camera. Used as designed, with a little practice, you can get almost the stability of a tripod. With it attached but collapsed, it provides enough counterbalence to smooth out moving shots- better than I can do normal handheld anyway. You can leave it attached, hang on to the pod with one hand, cam over your shoulder, and easily move on to the next setup.
I have been disappointed with shoulder mounts: the real simple ones don't seem to be all that stable, and the stable ones seem more cumbersome & complicated than I want to deal with for "off road" shooting.

I use a Velbon Pro pod 8 http://www.velbon.co.uk/newvelbon/pages/monopods.html

Its absolutely the best video monopod I've ever used (and I've used a lot of Manfrotto and Gitzos) and cleverly converts to a handheld stabilizer by putting the foot into a provided belt loop and then turning the carry strap into a neck strap. Kind of hard to visualise and their website doesn't help but it works. It is helped more with a small pan head and quick release system on top of the monopod.

I think it as also available as a Miller monopod http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...bon_Fiber.html

I also use the el cheapo stabilizer popular elsewhere on this board.

"It is helped more with a small pan head and quick release system on top of the monopod."


I'll second that. A quick release is a must no matter which pod is used.

I would second the Steadicam approach.

If a lot of footage will be shot while you are walking, the full rig with arm is the only way to not wear out your audience.

This is a unique look that is only available with the right gear.

Monopods work well for a little movement. I use a monopod with a 501 fluid head set inside a cell phone pouch on my belt along with a leather strap clipped on and around my neck.

This works great for weddings as you can operate like a tripod with the fluid head, but a lot of movement takes a lot of care.

But it would just as cumbersome on a hiking trail imho.

So go big is my suggestion!

No argument there. It really does come down to- what's the plan?
If you are depending on a high percentage of motion shots, and that's the look you want to create, you'll need the gear.
If most of it can be shot from fixed positions, and convenience/mobility is key, a pod is a simple, effective way to go.
A personal factor for me, when my ambition threatens to overtake my actual patience and skill, is to remember, particularly for wilderness/travel programs, that when it's easy to setup and shoot, I shoot a lot and have what I need at edit. When it's more complex to shoot, I'm tired, the group is moving on, etc., I just don't get as much coverage, and sometimes don't discover that until I'm editing.
Maybe I'm just getting older.

I would say at most use a hand held rig for a few walking shots. It is reasonable to use a monopod for a stabilizer on the trail. A vest and arm will be dangerous for you and your equipment. Unless you have a crew with spotters and assistants helping you not fall while using a full rig, don't.

My question is - why are you trying to capture the experience in a way that is unnatural? I would think that a 'little' shakiness would add more realism to the footage and bring your audience into the situation more than a perfectly smooth shot. We aren't talking roller coaster or blair witch here but having your shots be too perfect is boring. Your audience expects some camera bounce when you are walking along. Especially if the shot is supposed to be POV. Of course I'm assuming its supposed to be POV and that might not be your intent at all.

More than anything, don't use a full rig unless you have lots of help. Even then realize its dangerous.

As for me, I definitely do not want a full vest/arm setup for hiking. It would be way too cumbersome and overkill for what I want. I want something relatively small and light, like a Merlin (but one that will take the weight of the EX1) for occasional floating-motion footage over things such as a field of wildflowers, or through a thick forest floating between trees, etc. The weight and size of a full vest/arm is not practical as I will be often be doing multi-day backpacking trips, or sometimes just hiking a couple miles down a trail or through a forest. I really like the 'look' of good moving stabilizer footage. It's dramatic. Just a minute here and a couple minutes there are all I need, and I'm sure that's all my arm could take anyway, ha!

Older? No, you are Young. :-)

I personally know of few options for what you are looking for. I'm testing a prototype passive stabilizer now that has similar ergonomics and size as the Merlin and with a weight capacity high enough for the EX1. When I get the EX1 back in hand I'll be trying out that very thing. It will be heavy and you won't be doing a long shot with it but it should work.

Otherwise you can get a glidecam 4000 or the indiecam pilot sled. Either one will handle the EX1. They might be a bit bulky for a hiking trip. You'll have to check them out and decide if they would work for you.

Buck - have you tried the metal gimbal for the Merlin with the Ex1?

Thanks, Chris... whatever prototype you're testing sounds cool!

James, I have not tested the metal gimbal/Merlin... I'm not very savvy in this stuff... does that increase the payload of the Merlin to be able to handle the EX1? And how is it different than just the "Merlin"? I'd be game to try.

I have the Merlin, metal gimbal and EX1. While it's technically possible to use the Merlin, if it is balanced perfectly, because of the weight of the Merlin and the EX1 and the extra weights you need, and the EX1's high center of gravity, it's very challenging to get good shots. The combo is just not that stable. In addition the sheer weight of that setup, when handheld, without a Arm and vest, is difficult to hold up with your arms for any period of time. I actually have a Pilot like setup with a Glidecam and the Merlin arm and vest, and that works a lot better for the EX1.

I've intended to do exactly what you want to do, film trails and hikes, scenery with the smooth, dreamy quality it's hard to get with another method.

Even with a small, lightweight camcorder, such as a less than 1 pound Panasonic AVCHD unit and the Merlin, filming is treacherous. You can easily lose your balance, because you need to focus your attention on the viewfinder, not your feet, as you'd normally do when hiking. You need to have somebody spotting you if you do that. With a big setup arm and vest, you really need to plan out the shooting and have somebody guiding you.

Another option for smooth motion is to take a portable dolly or 'slider' along. You can get dreamy type effects for small distances that way. There are units that might be considered portable. However, much more time and planning is in order. You can also use rigs that you can tie between trees on a cable, again more planning and time.

Another thing you can do is to 'Smoothcam' the footage in software. This kind of works, but not as well with the CMOS type rolling shutter sensors. You get jello-like effects, even with the EX1. For that you're better off with a CCD camera, but the smoothness can be stunning if you do it right.