Kinda off topic but - Has anybody ever built a Steadycam....

[argento]

I've been looking at two sites:

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/

and

http://www.homebuiltstabilizers.com/

Both look really good! Have a look at the video samples - I really like the low tracking shots!

This might be the best £10 I've ever spent - pity I'm crap at DIY

[Mike Thorpe]

Let us know how it goes, i've been considering this for a while!

[argento]

Will do - But I've gotta get a vice first!

What did you think to this guys videos? The seem almost too good to be true....

They are at the bottom of his page.

[Mike Thorpe]

I have to say, i'm that *that* impressed with some of the footage. The low one (first of the fou) is excellent though.

[argento]

Yeah - Thats my favorite too.

He also sells 'em pre-made. I wonder...

[Mike Thorpe]

$45. Not bad!

Plus $43 P&P to UK. Eek

[argento]

Works out about £62....for a steadycam....Sounds like a bargain - He also give you all the bits and pieces to "invert" the camera for the low shots...

[Alan Mills]

Will someone please explain to me how the homepade steadycam at http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/ actuall works?

As far as I can tell, it;s a solid frame with a camera mounted on it. Surely if you move the frame then the camera moves too. How's that keep it steady. The ones on the other page all appeared to contain some sort of ball and socket joint which would absorb or dampen hand movement. I can see how that would work. But how does this work. I'm at a a loss to see it.

Maybe it's just the weight at the bottom which makes moveing the camera need extra force and so slight movements have less effect simply because fo the extra weight now included.

With the bar sticking outthe side I can see that lateral movment would be reduced though.

Also, i can't forthe life of me see how you can connect your camera to big bolt with a wing nut on the end. How's that done then? Surely your parts list would need the top half of a tripod for the camera mount.

I'm seriously at a loss on this one so please enlighten me cos if I can be convinced I think I'll build one.

[argento]

I've no idea! I suspect it's all to do with the weight. It must work, the guy has his own forum with plenty of feedback. Millsy, what did you make to the videos on his page?

[LJR]

Millsy, This link explains and demonstrates it much better than I can.