easy to build DIY steadicam?

[Crosby!]

I just found out I have four ball head light stand adapters similar to that I can use. The bottom left might work the best.



Your handle idea looks good. I was at a hardware store and saw an interesting bolt, called a "hanger bolt". They come in a variety of sizes and styles but the I saw had 1/4x20 on one end and pointed screw thread on the other, like these:



I think this is what they're using to convert paint rollers extension handles into mic boom poles. You could take anything you wanted to use as a handle and screw one of those in the top of it.

[Elbo]

I found and purchased this handle on ebay, after loosing auctions on several of the Polaroid type.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mount-for-Spotti...mZ130248871209

This should make the whole rig easier to hold

[Arla]

UPDATED - It takes a 3/16'th allen wrench, but you can unscrew the gimbal from the tripod, and BONUS it has standard camera threading, so you can screw in a standard camera grip. Which is exactly what I am going to do!

Thanks for the update, I have that exact same tripod (as it happens) and was starting to think about using bits of it for my steadycam, as a tripod I dislike it because of the way the legs work, but as a better head for my steadycam... I'll take it!

[Elbo]

I saw this same tripod at Wolf Camera yesterday for $12.99
It was branded differently but was the same tripod. I got my double bracket in yesterday, and messed with it a bit. I will post some details later.

[Elbo]

Okay here is version 1 of my interpretation of the KFlueng steadicam.

I couldn't find such a door knob that Kflueng used for the counter weight. I wanted something that looked slick. I found a set of BMX pegs at Wal Mart, that are hollow and have a slotted hole on one end to allow it to be screwed down. This is excellent as it allows you to "hide" a variable amount of weight within the peg.

Currently put a 3" inch 1/4 20 machine screw in there. Inside I put an old socket and a dozen washers. The screw cap that I am using came with the U bracket. Just looking at the image I took, I realize I can move the coupling nut to be within the Peg. Making it a bit more sleek.

I would like to know what Kfleung used in the place of where I used a Sima Quick Connect to connect the camera. He appears to have uses a better solution. I couldn't find anything that would slide on both sides like this and have a 1/4 20 receptacle in the bottom to attach the gimbal. I managed to push the gimbal threading through to the other side and attach the Sima at that point. This should all be optional of course. But it does make it easier to get the camera on and off.

The U bracket is awesome! It is very good quality and heavy duty! It locks into place very firmly, and is easy to adjust. It has lots of places to connect adapters, very useful. The whole rig, folds up into a very small amount of space, making it very portable.

As soon as my other parts come in the mail, I will be upgrading it, I will add the real handle in place of the tripod legs, and I have a sliding bracket to replace the patching strip that currently holds the weight.

I shot a little video, and it really works well. I just need to get some practice in now

[Crosby!]

Congrats! Looks good, Elbo.

My friend that made one used the same thing I was going to for the weight, 1" or so wachers stacked on a bolt.

Are you using yours like the picture or dropping down the lower section like KFLeung did in the video?

Looks like he used a Velbon QRA-635L quick release (not cheap) with levels on it.

[Elbo]

When I look closely at his video it looks as though his mount must have some sort of threaded receptacle on the bottom. As he screws the tripod gimbal into it. The Sima piece doesn't work like that, unless there is some sort of Camera screw available with a threaded receptacle on it.

I improved this version of the stabilizer by

1. by shifting the counter weight to the inside of the frame. I also shifted the weight closer in. The unit is more "user friendly" now.

2. Separated the Gimbal from being directly part of the camera mount
I can now center it closer to the camera's center of gravity. (This is a big deal, because the added Lens and Mike shifts the camera's center of
gravity forward from it's stock location.

3. Mounted the Counter weight more cleanly, moved the coupler to the inside of the BMX Peg

4. Replaced the tripod leg handle with the other BMX peg.



Results. It works even better now. I'm looking forward to modifying it some more. I will post some footage soon as I get that figured out. I think it would be even better if I lighten it up some. I think by replacing the handle and perhaps removing some of the weight from the counter weight it should lighten up some. I need to weigh everything to see if I am using the correct amount of counter weight. I had a Glidecam previously and this is just way easier to deal with, it balances out much quicker. That said, the Merlin style is superior to the Glidecam style IMHO.

[Razaele]

I used a shoulder pad brace and a monopod of mines to add weight..i guess its a little too much weight, but I just wanted to show my progress on it..

[Razaele]

this just came to mind..has anyone ever tried modding a joystick controller into a potential steadicam?

[Elbo]

I suppose it is possible. Perhaps using a Happ Controller

http://www.happcontrols.com/images/5...8350_color.jpg

The only thing is usually the gimbal's are really loose, Arcade controller's usually have a spring mechanism to force it to return to center. So I would think you would have to weaken it in that way.

Might be easier to track down a nice "ball head", do a search on ebay. There are a lot of them. Some of the more expensive ones even have bearings.

I finished up version 3 of my steadicam today. I'll post on it some shortly. I'm trying to figure out posting to Vimeo..

[Razaele]

I suppose it is possible. Perhaps using a Happ Controller

http://www.happcontrols.com/images/5...8350_color.jpg

The only thing is usually the gimbal's are really loose, Arcade controller's usually have a spring mechanism to force it to return to center. So I would think you would have to weaken it in that way.

Might be easier to track down a nice "ball head", do a search on ebay. There are a lot of them. Some of the more expensive ones even have bearings.

I finished up version 3 of my steadicam today. I'll post on it some shortly. I'm trying to figure out posting to Vimeo..

yeah because I was messin around my closet and I found this old microsoft joystick i used to use for my old compaq. I did noticed that it does springs back to it's original placement, mainly because that's what its supposed to do. I figured a little bit of wait distribution might give it that gimble affect.

Im still working mines, like i previously showed above. I need a counter balance because the top of the monopod is wayy to heavy.

[Piffer]

I've built one of these and it works great. It's also very cheap. If you haven't built one before, it can be a bit time consuming, but for the time and money this is the best DIY steadicam rig I've found:

http://www.abracadabravideos.com/DIY/DIYpage1.htm

I'd avoid spending $30 on a mere swivel as this design shows. You can just as easily rig up your own for somewhere in the $10 range.

[Crosby!]

When I look closely at his video it looks as though his mount must have some sort of threaded receptacle on the bottom. As he screws the tripod gimbal into it. The Sima piece doesn't work like that, unless there is some sort of Camera screw available with a threaded receptacle on it.

The knob that he screws into the quick release is threaded on the bottom as well. You see it in the beginning of the video at 0:04-0:13 between the tripod and the lower bracket. I looked at the bracket I think you used and the knobs aren't threaded on the bottom.



This is an example of a threaded knob:

[Elbo]

The knob that he screws into the quick release is threaded on the bottom as well. You see it in the beginning of the video at 0:04-0:13 between the tripod and the lower bracket. I looked at the bracket I think you used and the knobs aren't threaded on the bottom.

Thanks! That is exactly right! I got mine working without it, but I think I would like to try it with this type of knob. I'll order one. I've got my rig very stable front to back (Pitch?) But when panning, it does get a little swing happy. I don't know if there is something I need to do with the weights or if it is just something you learn

I got the real handle on now, and it's a big help.

[Elbo]

Here is version three of my Steadicam. I think the next thing I would like to change is try to bring the camera a little lower, replacing the Sima quick release with something lower profile. Or perhaps using a threaded knob.

[scon]

Hey Elbo...

Hope no one turns the fan on....

Your steadicam looks very slick, not like my JR.

Nice work, I look forward to seeing some footage.

Cheers scon.

[howironicman]

Looks good, Elbo. I had a question though, would you be able to mount rails on that thing or would that kind of defeat the purpose and throw the weight off?

[Crosby!]

Here is version three of my Steadicam. I think the next thing I would like to change is try to bring the camera a little lower, replacing the Sima quick release with something lower profile. Or perhaps using a threaded knob.

Looks good, how is it working for you? My thought would be to get a threaded knob like the original model so your camera would be right over the gimbal and maybe easier to adjust. Then, if like me, you only plan to use it as-is and it's balanced, doesn't matter.

[howironicman]

What are you using for the gimbal? I can't tell exactly from your pic.

[Elbo]

What are you using for the gimbal? I can't tell exactly from your pic.

A Hakuba Tripod with the legs removed. I think any of the all metal mini tripods should work.

[l2pdrums]

Elbo,
do you have any sample videos?


Long time reader, first time poster.

*EDIT*

I just ordered the U bracket form ebay and hopefully get it within 2 weeks.
Is there any modifications that I will have to use equipment (i.e drills, hammer, etc)?

Also, do you think this bracket will work to hold the counter weight?
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...US251%26sa%3DN

or this one.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...US251%26sa%3DN

[Elbo]

Elbo,
do you have any sample videos?


Long time reader, first time poster.

*EDIT*

I just ordered the U bracket form ebay and hopefully get it within 2 weeks.
Is there any modifications that I will have to use equipment (i.e drills, hammer, etc)?

Also, do you think this bracket will work to hold the counter weight?
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...US251%26sa%3DN

or this one.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...US251%26sa%3DN

I will have some video up shortly. I'll post back here when I have it up.
I don't think that bracket will work. The flash connector on the end I think would just get in the way. I used a Metz adapter. Your second image is a Camcorder..


Mine is like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/Metz-Metal-Flash...mZ160279864819

[l2pdrums]

I will have some video up shortly. I'll post back here when I have it up.
I don't think that bracket will work. The flash connector on the end I think would just get in the way. I used a Metz adapter. Your second image is a Camcorder..


Mine is like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/Metz-Metal-Flash...mZ160279864819

I ordered the same one from ebay.

I see what you mean about the flash connector end being in the way.

Thanks for your help.

[Elbo]

Looks good, Elbo. I had a question though, would you be able to mount rails on that thing or would that kind of defeat the purpose and throw the weight off?

What do you (he) mean by mount on rails?

[howironicman]

Like the indirails pro at indifocus.com This may be a stupid question after all. haha