#Steadicam Jr
10 messages in this thread
> If your going to use Steadycam Jr, which is great product BTW, use
> lighter cams.
Les, in what situations do you find the Steadicam helpful? From a
mechanical point of view, how does one use this device? I've seen them in
person at a store but never used one.
Thanks.
-jts
John…
The Steadicam Jr works on the principle of counter-balance. A weight is
positioned to drop the center-of-gravity to a lower level. This over-rides the
normal sway of a camera and puts all motion into either up–>down or
side-to-side…you remove the diaganol jaggies when moving in either the x-y or
z axis of rotation.
It works!! Quite well. You'll not believe the smoothness your pictures will
have–clean, non-jaggied scenes, smooth transitions form L–>R and back…
up–>down and back. You can stand in one position and do a 360 degree spin of
the camera–while holding it–and no-one would know that you were holding the
camera–absolutely NO SHAKE!!
This all works if the camera is in the right weight class for the Steadicam Jr.
The camera must weigh NO MORE than 3.5 pounds for this to work. My L-1 w/the
15x lens weighs in at over 7.5 pounds—too much!! I have done everything but
totally rebuild the Scam Jr–that I will be doing in the next few weeks as I
redesign a totally new device for the larger—but not ready for $10,000
Steadycam costs!!!– size of cameras.
If you use a smaller Hi8 camera you will fall in love with the Scam Jr. The
holding the camera out in front of you for long periods, during shooting, takes
getting used to–but what doesnt'. It is worth the 'getting used to'…
believe me, there isn't a better way to shoot off-tripod shots. In fact the
Scam Jr will virtually eliminate your need or use of a T-pod. I now only use
the T-pod for those times when using multiple cams or when I cannot hold the
unit… like being in front of it.. <G>
It will be the best $500 you've invested in video–if your camera is under
3.5lbs.
les booth
owner/ NETWORK 500 Outdoor Communciations Group
Nice message … thanks. I've seen more than one message by users of the
Steadicam Jr that indicate it's very difficult to learn how to handle one
well. Is this so in your experience?
> the Scam Jr will virtually eliminate your need or use of a T-pod
I use a tripod for most of my shooting. It's a pain but the rock solid
pictures sure make it worthwhile. For this reason you've really given me
something to chew on.
Thanks.
-jts
John Small comments and asks…
>>I've seen more than one message by users of the
Steadicam Jr that indicate it's very difficult to learn how to handle one
well. Is this so in your experience?<<
Yes, John as in all technologies there is a 'learning curve'… even the
instructional
video that comes with the Scam Jr says… it takes time to develop your
technique in using the device, so be patient. I concure. It will be worth
your investment in time and $$$ … just be patient, the payoff is worth it.
les
PS.. thanks for your nice comments
Ok … it's on my shopping list. You know, the never ending list. <g>
Thanks.
-jts
les
<<I have done everything but totally rebuild the Scam Jr–that I will be doing
in the next few weeks as I redesign a totally new device for the larger—but
not ready for $10,000 Steadycam costs!!!– size of cameras.>>
I am a constant user of my SteadyCam Jr with my TR700. As long as you're
rebuilding, I have a couple'a minor suggestions. <g>
First and foremost, when the lower spar is collapsed and placed on my tripod,
the butt of the folded screen intrudes into the camera's view. Yuk. I can
raise the SC up to rest on the handle but that makes it slightly unstable and
unpredictable (the reason I'm using the tripod to begin with).
Second, I have an Avenger counterweighted 6ft boom (only $96 retail) on a Bogen
tripod. I have rigged a post on the end of the boom that slips up into the
'table rest' hole in the handle of the SC. This rig allows me to do certain
cinematic shots like booming from worms-eye to 10ft overhead in a single fluid
sweep. As you know, boom motion causes an undesirable attitude shift in a
fixed-mount camera; but the SC auto-compensates for any pitch, yaw or pivot
keeping the shot in original framing. It would be very helpful if the 'table
rest' hole were a standard pin-size and had a screw-lock hole in the side to
secure it. This would eliminate the need for duct tape.
BTW: I often mount my SC on a tripod with the camera on another tripod. It
makes a great fully-articulated monitor (with tripod's fluid head) to use on
location. I'm often in my shots, and use the camera's IR control and the SC's
monitor for framing.
Yours,
Paul
> I'm often in my shots, and use the camera's IR control and the SC's
> monitor for framing.
That's another neat use for the Steadicam Jr. Reasons for buying are
increasing.
Thanks.
-jts
Paul… thanks very much! Those are good points and you've been working on it
for a while..eh? I will take your comments quite serious… they are good.
I'll let you know when I have a 'working model' in showing condition. If you'd
like I'll send you a clip of what it does and looks like …eh?
Good shots and clean wipes..
les
Yes, I'd like to see THAT clip too. Your cam suspended 10' in the air on a
homebrew boom? <g>
-jts
Les,
Oh, you're welcome. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the SC jr.
Just wishing. The SC has made me a much better videographer. I never have to
limp by with that amateurish zoom when a pro would use a track, boom, or dolly
shot.
<<I'll let you know when I have a 'working model' in showing condition.>>
Please do. And is the clip on tape, AVI, or quicktime?
BTW: I'm sure your design will incorp some of the 'strap on' stuff of the
Cinema SC. I love using the SCjr with the tr700 'cause weight isn't a prob.
But I could see you'd need a heck of a right arm to weild around 15lbs of gear
gimbal'd on a hand-grip <g>