dslr stabilizer

• 25 Comments

•

Vimeo member Jonathan Nicol throws up a review on the Fancier FC-02H video fluid head. I guess this is supposed to be a step above the typical 717 heads. There's some samples at the end of his video review, and the samples do look smooth indeed. I couldn't locate this particular model on eBay, but it looks like the FC-02H head could be mounted on different tripods and coming up with different model numbers.

Fancier FC-02H

There's two different version over on Amazon, and from the image appears to be the FC-02H head (75mm Bowl Mount). Although these heads may provide smooth movements, keep in mind that bowl mounts are not the ones that make it easy for you to remove and use on Sliders. These are best used as just straight up fluid head sticks.

fancier fluid head tripod fc-02h
find-price-button Fancierstudio FC-270 Professional Pro Tripod

A more expensive version also exists, it appears to be the same head, but possibly a different Tripod.

Screen shot 2011-06-04 at 11.59.22 PM
find-price-button Fancier FC370 Video DSLR Tripod Fluid Head

• 12 Comments

•

Double camera straps are definitely my choice. Having two cameras is faster than swapping lenses. Normally I have a 24-70mm on one side, and a 70-200mm on the other. I've had the Black Rapid double straps for quite some time now. At the time, it was the best thing I could find on the market, but I guess it's just a matter of time before someone else 'builds a better mousetrap'.

Rod sends in his review of the new CarrySpeed CS-Double straps, and there's no doubt it's definitely beefier than the BR's. The new CarrySpeed CS-Double padding looks pretty sweet too. Not very much padding over on the BR side. It's some rubber bubble type padding called Octopads to aid in grip and said to deter sweat by allowing air to vent. (I don't sweat much, not a problem for me).

Screen shot 2011-06-04 at 11.16.46 AM

Of course the real deal maker is a quick release adapter that still allows access to the tripod mounting hole - something my BR double strap totally lacks.

Screen shot 2011-06-04 at 11.32.18 AM

A tripod mount on a quick release adapter? Yeah this makes total sense. Even though these straps are convenient to carry two cameras, most pros still need quick access to a tripod or monopod. While the BR straps will run you around $130, the CarrySpeed CS-Double will only run you a nice $70 US. Actually just checked and the CS-Double is on sale right now for $54. [Thanks Rod]

Black Rapid
find-price-button Black Rapid Double Strap

Screen shot 2011-06-04 at 11.37.30 AM
find-price-button Black Carry Speed CS-Double Strap OCTOPAD

• 13 Comments

•

Wondlan's new Leopard Stabilizer system comes in along with some of the cheapest Dual Arm Vest + Stabilizer kits. How well does it work? Hmm..There's a few videos that are showing up over at Vimeo for you to take a look at. One demo above, and an instructional type video showing how to assemble the entire kit and balance (below). So far, nothing else online from an actual 'owner' especially here in the US. I'm more interested in how comfortable the vest is and if it might be available seperately. The spring design and dual arm looks to be of very high quality and much better than the Flycam junk vest stuff.

Wonland's products can be found below:
Wondlan Leopard Steadicam Stabilizer
find-price-button Wondlan DSLR Leopard Vest Video Camera Stabilizer


• 5 Comments

•

What's the best part about an extended Memorial 3 Day weekend here in the US? Everyone has travel and vacation plans. It's time to just hang out, lounge, and enjoy the time off. Since everyone is out and about, another good thing is the lack of Internet traffic and sales. A bad thing if you're a retailer, a good thing if you're trying to get a good deal on some auctions that hardly anyone is paying attention to. A reminder to check out some of the DSLR rig auctions that end today while nobody is around to bid.

Screen shot 2011-05-28 at 5.33.23 PM
find-price-button DSLR Rig auctions on eBay

• 3 Comments

•

Vimeo member Josh Donnelly revisits the​ DIY PVC shoulder rig article. A reminder that if you're not mounting accessories that require 15mm rails, this is a good start for DSLR Video stabilization. This has to be one of the best DIY PVC shoulder rig designs providing a wide enough area to rest over the shoulder, can be counterweighted in the rear, and have wide handles. If you're not permanently gluing the PVC together, the rig can break down for traveling. There's some additional information following the details of Josh's Vimeo video description and an older article featured in this blog here: http://cheesycam.com/pvc-camera-shoulder-support/. [Thanks Josh]

• 7 Comments

•

Cameras are getting smaller and lighter. People are attempting to fly GoPro's and iPhones on Steadicams. For lightweight cameras including Sony's A55, Panasonic GH2's, or Canon T2is, here's a simple DIY DSLR Steadicam (merlin style) stabilizer idea from Vimeo member KFLeung. There isn't much tooling required, it's more of an assembly of readily available pieces which combined provides you with a framework, gimbal handle, and counterweight for a camera Stabilizer. Starting with an inexpensive Flip Flash Bracket. These brackets are made for photographers to mount a Flash above the camera. When the camera is rotated in either landscape or portrait position, you can flip the flash so it still remains above the camera (i.e. to bounce light from a ceiling). This video is actually about 3 years old, but there are still several people using this method with good results.

KFLeung's first test video posted after the build

The Gimbal (handle) is based on a mini tripod with ball head so that it swivels freely. Getting a good fluid mini tripod is key to having smooth movements.

Screen shot 2011-05-20 at 5.46.28 AM

A really simple method to creating a 3 axis Gimbal Handle most people don't think about is to literally take a mini ball head and throw it on top of a Barska Handgrip. This setup adds some size, but is extremely comfortable and acts as a decently effective Gimbal Handle system. (I can see many of your minds already at work with that idea...)

Screen shot 2011-05-20 at 5.40.07 AM
find-price-button
Mini Ball Head 		Screen shot 2011-05-20 at 5.40.25 AM
find-price-button
BARSKA Grip

The arch design of the bracket gives space for your hand to work, while providing an area to mount a counterweight below. At this area, you can use simple Fender Washers like most Hague or Indiehardware stabilizers. When you're done, the stabilizer folds into a small form factor.

Flip Folding Flash Bracket
find-price-button Folding Flip Flash Bracket

• 8 Comments

•

Vimeo member Ragnar tackles the DIY suction cup camera mount for his GH2. There are much cheaper suction cup mounts, first posted here: http://cheesycam.com/diy-double-and-quad-suction-camera-car-mounts/, but Ragnar decided to go with a slightly more expensive Suction mount with articulation so that it can mount on not-so-completely flat surfaces such as hoods, windows, and other car panels. I'm sure we all don't believe in specs, but the one he's chosen states that it's rated for 132 lbs, so even if it's half true, that's more than suffice for a small GH2. So far it looks like he's fairly comfortable with the setup, trusting it to about 50mph (with a backup safety strap attached of course). For GoPro owners, this inexpensive setup should have no issues with the mini lightweight camera.

Exact Tools used:
Screen shot 2011-05-19 at 8.49.23 AM
find-price-button Double Swivel Vacuum Cup

Screen shot 2011-05-19 at 8.49.29 AM
find-price-button Manfrotto 494 Ball Head

• 6 Comments

•

What do you get when you mix an old Bike Wheel, Bike Crank, and Bike Wheel Hub? You get a functioning Video Camera Stabilizer a.k.a DIY Steadicam. It will all make more sense after checking out the video above from YouTube member thomasumJohnson. Improvements? I would stay start with a smaller wheel maybe from a childs bike. This should cut down on about half the size, but still give you that nice arch. The smooth wheel hub is a nice touch, and it appears he's using a U-Joint similar to the WSClater builds for making a Gimbal Handle. But if you're not the type to tackle a 'Gimbal', Lensse can provide you with something http://cheesycam.com/lensse-gimbals-for-diy-steadicam-stabilizers/.

• 17 Comments

•

Letus-Hawk-T3i-3-of-10

(Above) Was my first image of my Canon T3i fitted with a Letus Hawk View Finder. Yes it fits quite nicely, and they make it in the proper aspect ratio for the 3:2 LCD screen. What I didn't have was the riser for a battery grip. Here's a gallery (below) from reader HD-Tography showing you the fit and the fashion of the Letus Hawk Aluminum ViewFinder, on the new Canon T3i, with Small Oval BlueStar EyePiece, on Gini Rails offset with a bit of Easom, with the cheap Shoulder Support. Sweet example of many of the items covered in this blog and  looks pretty solid.

[Ok guys, this is more of an example of the Letus Hawk ViewFinder with Battery grip riser adapter on T3i, so please don't start submitting your rigs. We'll save that for another time...]

Here's the direct links to the products if you have a Canon T3i with Battery grip and looking to rock the Letus Hawk VF too. If you have questions, you can always contact the support team @ LetusDirect.com

Letus Hawk DSLR Viewfinder - Aluminum 3:2 (with Canon T2i/550D Riser)
CODE: LTHKVF-AL-3:2
https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-hawk-aluminum-3-2.html

Shown beside the Universal Pro Mount (IMPORTANT: Low Profile Version for T3i Battery Grip)
Code: LTHKVF-UNI-RISE
https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/universal-pro-mount.html

Also shown is the Hawk Eye Cushion (Red micro fiber)
Code: LD-EYE-CUSHION
https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/hawk-eye-cushion.html

and the Letus Direct Lanyard
Code: LDLANYARD
https://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-direct-lanyard.html