Poor man's stedicam test footage

[mrob7]

Some test runs around my house. Its obviously not the best, espically for fast movement although handles small movement pretty well. A little choppy why I walked briskly and fast. Not to mention I got a little tired toward the end. Still better than a handheld though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv0spMKFDqc

[skinnyboy]

Not too shabby.

I use one of them as well. It's all in how you move - if you have a $10000 professional steadicam and don't move right, it'll look like crap.
If you have a $14 stabilizer and know how to move, it can look great (not as good as a pro model done properly of course).

I keep hearing how some pro steadicam operators take Tai Chi lessons to learn how to have better balance and fluid movement. They also constantly practice with the rig so they get better.
I don't practice near enough, but I do have martial arts background which helps...