dslr stabilizer

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Juicedlink first introduced this slider idea as a prototype during NAB2011 (found here). The kit consists of a few different parts which are bundled or sold separately. The basic set will have at least a trolley (rolling carriage) and end clamps to hold a set of rods. The end clamps have three 1/4-20" threaded taps to mount stands. A benefit to this slider kit is that you choose any type and length of 5/8" rod you require. You're not limited to specifically choosing a 24" or 36" like IGUS or Konova sliders. With JuicedLink, you can carry multiple sets of rods if you want to run short or long. Suggested rails to be used are stainless steel rods for it's clean smooth surface and hardness, which run about $20 dollars each for 4 feet (48").

JuicedLink-DIY-Slider
find-price-button JuicedLink DIY Slider Kit

The setup in the video (above) is on 4ft. stainless steel rods with a few modifications done to get it motorized. This is pretty much the same equipment used on the motorized Konova slider by Vimeo member C Light. On one end I have a freewheeling Idler Pulley. On the opposite end is the servo motor, servo controller, and 4 AAA battery pack. These all simply plug in together seamlessly without any soldering to give you a reversible slow speed motor. For the string, i'm just using Nylon Mason Line. Fairly thin, but strong, and readily available at your local Home Depot. I decided on using Velcro at the ends so that I can adjust the tension of the Line. Below is the remaining parts list of what you'll need if you wanted to do this to other sliders.

Basic servos will not rotate 360 degrees. Here you'll find the Continuous Rotation Servo: https://www.hobbyengineering.com/H1429.html
continuous-servo

You'll require a pulley to be mounted on the servo. This fits perfectly and has the proper amount of teeth to fit flush: https://www.servocity.com/html/pulley_wheel__futm2045_.html
servo-pulley

To control the speed and to make the servo move in reverse, you'll need the servo controller: https://www.servocity.com/html/dual_servo_driver.html
servo-driver

To power things up, you'll need a small battery pack. This battery pack will simply plug in to the controller. https://www.servocity.com/html/battery_trays.html
aaa-battery-tray

It's definitely a smooth slider, but the design means you'll need two stands to elevate it. It's important to get solid stands on each side if you want to minimize any rocking or swaying when used in windy environments. Especially if you're shooting with a long lens. Before you consider the JuicedLink DIY slider kit, you should check out some important information about the slider over at the JuicedLink website. He's started a 'CookBook' of ideas and tips about using the slider, and pointing out a few things to keep in mind when going to a longer set of rods. You can find more information and pricing on the JuicedLink sliders (click here).

juicedlink-slider
find-price-button JuicedLink DIY Slider Kit

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Here's a couple of quality videos from Vimeo member FilmCyfrowy showcasing some Skier DSLR Video equipment. Skier is fairly new and is still building up their product line. They have an unusual cage-like design that wraps over the camera lens, a Follow Focus, ViewFinder, Small Transformer rig, and a Merlin-like stabilizer which seems to perform well.

Company information found at at their website luck-in.com, but so far they only have pricing on one item listed in their eBay store (found here).

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find-price-button Skier DSLR Video Equipment

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eboboo body mount supporter

Thanks to Erik for a refresher about the Eboboo Body Mount Supporter. I've seen this little harness a few years back, but I'm not the type to wear something like this just to hold a camera. Silly idea? Well now that Cotton Carrier has finally created an adapter to support DSLR video (here), this 'Body Mount Supporter' idea (that was fetched long before DSLRs were doing video) doesn't look so far fetched anymore.

The Eboboo Body Mount Supporter is even offered with a hands free Umbrella holder should you need to shoot outdoors. Might be worth looking in to if you're on the same DIY path for some odd reason. Website found at Eboboo.com, and you can find information on the product and an entire 8 part series of videos over on YouTube here. [Thanks Erik]

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Just caught LetusDirect on Twitter showing off an eBay seller ID just a few days old. Looks like Letus35 has finally opened up an eBay store and has some great 'No Reserve' auctions on many of their DSLR accessories including the popular Cage, ViewFinder, Rig, and other accessories. Let's hope this storefront grows to offer more excellent quality gear at auction prices (found here).

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find-price-button Letus35 DSLR Cages, Rigs, ViewFinders, Adapters

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Not a cheap solution since i'm using a rail set and clamps, but something like this can be done using other techniques. It doesn't take many of these large washers to add up to about 8lbs. and the further you can position the weight, the less you'll need to counter the weight in the front. Much easier than carrying around workout weights, making this portable Jib truly portable. I guess something like this can be used in the rear of your Shoulder rig too, if you can live with the aesthetics.

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Fancier-Event

I forget who asked, but here's the size of the latest Fancier Mini Rig next to the Express35 Event Rig. You can see why a small micro four thirds or Sony NEX-5n / NEX-7 would look more at home on the smaller stabilizer. With some accessory clamps, it's possible to mount small accessories like a Zoom H1, Z96 LED light, and small Rode VideoMic Pro. Of course the minimal rods are not designed to expand into follow focus or matte box accessories. A better look at the Fancier can be found in an earlier article (here). As of now, I think the only place it's available is on Amazon (here).

Fancier (1 of 7)
find-price-button Fancier Folding FTV-50 DSLR Rig Counterweight

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Starting with a basic Ladder Hanging Bracket found at Home Depot, Vimeo member StudioAmarelo was able to create this DIY Steadicam. The Gimbal is based on WSClater's Traxxas U-joint design. From there it's a matter of placing weights in the right spot. You can find some additional information at the video link (here). [Thanks Garrick]

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Cotton Carrier Vest

Cotton Carrier handles your DSLR like a BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier. Fitting as many of us consider our cameras as such. The Cotton Carrier Vest system has been around for quite some time as an option for photographers to carry their cameras 'hands free'. At some point Cotton figured these DSLRs shoot video and created an adapter to position the camera in front of the operator. It can also support a fluid head like the 701HDV. Looks like they are also rockin' a Varavon view finder as an example in one of the photos.

Camera Cotton CarrierScreen shot 2011-09-11 at 10.45.51 AM

The problem is that this little 'Steady Shot' adapter bracket requires an existing Cotton Carrier vest system (found here). Add in the very expensive MSRP price of the bracket for $259, and the combined solution to hold your camera hands-free may not fair well with the masses.

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find-price-button Pre-Order Cotton Carrier Steady Shot Bracket

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Another Hollywood Ultralight turns up on auction. This ultralight stabilizer is a discontinued product, but works like a mini Glidecam (as seen in the video demonstration above). It can support cameras of up to 4lbs, but with all the new GF3 like cameras with HD video, it's too bad they don't start making these things again. eBay auction found (click here)

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find-price-button Hollywood Lite VS1 mini Video Camera Stabilizer