Tripod Stabilization

[movielighter]

After quite a while of looking for a product to fill a big gap in my work, I found a solution that works for me.

Over the weekend I was capturing some family footage in a park. Had my T3i on a smaller tripod (Manfrotto MKC3-H01) that has a quick release pate and hand grip. Having to move around capturing some very young nieces and nephews, I found that if I left the legs retracted, camera on tripod, and the camera neck strap on my neck and secure, that I could do come amazing things on the fly.

Grabbing two of the short legs gave me some nice stable handles for shots, one leg extended for a monopod, two legs against torso for platform, Angled shots, overhead shots, low shots, and a few others. Seemed to really be comfortable as well, without giving up the safety for the camera that is always in the back of me head.

Tripod runs about $55.00 new, picked a couple up at Best Buy last year.

[Janke]

Also, if you keep the legs extended (or half-extended) but not spread, and grab the whole thing an inch or so above the center of gravity, you have a pretty good "poor man's steadycam"...

[movielighter]

Good to know! My clients yesterday were all chasing Easter eggs. Going to get some field experience this week covering some political stuff.

[STUDIO32MID]

Hello Movielighter could you show some footage of your easter 'tripod' discovery video? Perhaps we can see some of the cool things you were able to come up with.