Camera Stabilizer Advice
Archive for August, 2010
Advantages Of A Camera Stabilizer
The advantage to moving your camera freely can not be over estimated. Being a digital animator I can move the camera easily. I still follow a story board but many times moving the camera I find a new camera angle that is exciting to use. In the same way being a camera stabilizer operator, does the same thing. We move the camera to get the right angle that will tell the story. The advantage the camera stabilizer gives you is how quickly you can capture your footage obtaining all the relevant material smoothly and easily. When you get back to edit the video you have all the camera angles. Remember many times you only have one chance to get all the footage. How many times when you are editing and you wish you had a camera angle that you missed. The camera stabilizer is a indispensable part of video camera operators equipment.
A Stable Video Tripod Is Like A Golfers Stance
As in a good golf swing your video needs to be smooth and fluid. The golfer has to have a good solid stance to make a proper swing. In the same way a photographer needs a tripod that is very stable that can absorb absorb vibrations. One such video tripod is the new Manfrotto w/546B 2-Stage tripod that is innovative made from aluminum with the new 504HD fluid head. This video tripod is ideal for the small independent camera operator. This light weight video tripod and head, I would highly recommend to any camera. operator. The camera operator has many opportunities to find subjects to shoot, one area of inspiration is the golf enthusiasts wanting to see there golf swing in practice and on the golf course.
How The BlackBird Camera Stabilizer Stacks Up
How the Camera Motion Research BLACKBIRD stacks up for a prosumer camera stabilizer. This a good camera stabilizer for DSLR cameras from 1 lb and up to 8 lbs. If you are looking for a new standard for ease of setup and adjustment this excellent stabilizer performance provided by the Blackbird results from the combination of high moments of inertia but low weight, and a precision gimbal with SmoothTouch adjustable friction in the tilt and roll directions.
The BLACKBIRD is in the category of the Steadicam Merlin but has some unique features. It has a gimbal centered under the stage like the Merlin and it will take camera weights more than the Steadicam Merlin. Best of all it has the Smoothtouch feature which is useful when you need to add a tiny bit of slowness to its reaction. For a Low price camera stabilizer the BLACKBIRD is the most complete package vs the Steadicam Merlin. It is a bulkier and taller than the Merlin and doesn’t do low to ground shots as well. Overall, the Blackbird is well-engineered, good-looking, low-cost handheld camera stabilizer that, with some practice, can give your shots a whole new level of professionalism.
What Video Camera Tripod Head to Choose?
When selecting a tripod head you have two choices a ball head or a fluid head. The ball head used more for still photography because of it’s simplicity, light weight, compactness and is quick and easy to use. The quick easy movement of the ball head can move up or down or side to side with only one control. This can be a problem when moving in one direction causing it to move in a unwanted direction. Some derivations of the ball head use fluid systems to increase their weight capacity and to make locking very secure. For video cameras a fluid head is the type of head to use. As in the name “fluid” meaning that it will give you smooth fluid motion. The fluid head has been designed for video cameras with a adjustable control arm so that it can be moved with one hand. These video camera tripod heads have adjustable screws controlling the amount of tension or dampening. Be sure to use a quick release plate for moving from tripod to stabilizer easily. Be careful when using a fluid head as it can be damaged from accidental bumps or turning the quick release lever incorrectly. Decide for yourself what video camera tripod head is best for you
Journalism in the Digital Age
Out of all the industries that have undergone serious changes in recent years, journalism has probably transformed the most. In past years reporters could make a name for themselves by simply interviewing sources and writing their stories before deadline. In the age of instantaneous news that’s delivered over the Internet, the job description has changed significantly.
These days, journalists are expected to have advanced Web design and photography skills by the time they enter into the job market. Armed with a camcorder and video tripod, they can offer readers bonus multimedia coverage of stories that would have only been covered from one perspective just a few years ago. The result has been that reporters are diversifying their skills and readers are benefiting from increasingly creative news coverage.
Camera Stabilizer Glidecam Balancing
Find an expert or here’s the steps in balancing your Glidecam make sure the shaft is tightly secured to the bottom part of the sled. To start with the Glidecam shaft should be as short as possible. Next align the top section with the bottom section using a smooth flat surface or a C-Stand will make this go a lot faster. By making an alignment mark you can align your Glidecam in a lower light situation. Support the Glidecam shaft handle on top of the C-Stand, by doing this you eliminate any body movement that can complicate things. To eliminate any re-balancing issues use a quick release mounting your video camera. Have your cameras LCD monitor open with your batteries and shot gun mic or any other accessory that you will use with the camera. Now you are ready to add equal number of weights (heavy washers) to each end until there is almost enough weight to properly balance your camera. By extending the shaft in alignment until bottom takes between two and three seconds to swing from horizontal to the six o-clock position. Slacken balancing screws (both directions) and get camera in approximate balance. Balance camera front to rear until it is almost parallel to the flat surface. With a little practice you will get the feel how much to move the plate to get proper balance. Use the same steps to balance the Glidecam side-to-side. Now it’s time to put your Glidecam to work.
Camera Stabilizer Quick And Easy Setup
It is important to have stabilized footage. The Glidecam camera stabilizer comes with a camera mounting platform which I call the slow release plate. I suggest purchasing a separate quick release plate. By unscrewing the four screws the slow release plate will come off allowing you to install the quick release plate. Make sure the quick release plate arrow is pointing to the front with the slow release plate having a notch at the front is also pointing to the front where the camera lens will go. By experimenting with the quick release lever so it is in the right position it will only have to be positioned once. The Glidecam is broken down with telescoping post, expandable base plate, and a camera mounting plate which can be easily broken down for easy compact transporting. The Glidecam camera stabilizer can be put together quickly and easily.
Camera Stabilizer Manfrotto 351MVCF Tripod
You’re in for a pleasant surprise the Manfrotto 351MVCF lightweight two-stage carbon fiber video camera tripod, a twin tube video camera tripod is a proven design with strength and vibration-absorption characteristics of carbon fiber. The video camera tripod has a cam-style flip lock for easy setup and dual spiked feet for high and low angles.This video camera tripod is suited for the busy news gathering professional! The Manfrotto 351MVCF video camera tripod carbon fiber composite leg tubes are stronger than steel, lighter than aluminum, and absorb shock and vibration, Two pre -set leg angles for rapid, repeatable setup, classic twin-tube upper stage design ensures absolute torsional stability, dual spiked feet provide a reliable footing at both high and low leg angles.Would like to see a spreader with this video tripod. Put our ideas to work with this very outstanding lightweight yet sturdy and fast to set up video camera tripod is a pretty good value.
Camera Stabilizer Steadicam Setup
I am certain there are many how to setup a Steadicam Pilot camera stabilizer advice articles ,but here is a short important steps to consider. The Steadicam Pilot a surprising and astonishing camera stabilizer rig. It is the smallest detailed featured Steadicam and has the feel of a much larger rig. Unique to the Steadicam is the widely separated location for Steadicam stainless steel Merlin weights. Because of the weights the Steadicam has a amazing feel when put in motion. The Steadicam Pilot you can locate weights top and bottom so that you can adjust the weight distribution to adjust the gimbal position. When purchasing the pilot purchase a Steadistand with the legs fully extended and made level with the bubble level. Extent the vertical post in this area chest high and tighten. Place the Pilot Docking plate on the top of the stand and tighten. Place the Pilot Sled gimbal on top of the gimbal pin on the Dock plate. Remove the camera mounting plate from the stage by unscrewing the 4 thumbscrews on the corners, next pulling out on the thumbscrews, then pulling up on the camera mounting plate. Mount the camera onto the camera mounting plate using the screws provided. Mount the camera on the stage using the 4 thumbscrews. Slacken off the A-A battery mount and add the batteries and reattach. Add the provided weights top and bottom to make the pilot stable. Adjust the length of the sled vertical post as desired. Connect the composite video output from the camera to the RCA connector on the back of the stage. The Steadicam Pilot camera stabilizer is set up for balancing.
Camera Stabilizer Inspiration
Practice Practice And More Practice.
As we know a video camera stabilizer takes a lot of practice to operate effectively. In our inspiration segment I will discuss what you can do to practice with these incredibly versatile video camera stabilizers. To become efficient using a camera stabilizer find a practice site that has a stairs to climb and rough terrain to go over or objects to go around. If you have room to set up an obstacle course with lines and practice figures practice every day. Practice using anything that moves such as a wheel chair, vehicles, bicycles, and trucks. If you live in the country try using a wagon, tractor, snowmobile or try riding a horse. Just try using your camera stabilizer in as many situations that will test your ability to give you fluid smooth video in almost any situation that you might encounter. Edit your video and see your improvement each time you use your camera stabilizer. If you a have the passion like myself the camera stabilizer is a great tool for story telling and film making..
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