Inexpensive Steadycam

[coachgrd]

I stumbled across plans for a simple yet effective (and cheap!) version of what pros refer to as a "steadycam." Here's a link:

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

I have not built one yet but I did stop by the hardware store and purchased the materials. There is however some example footage on the website of how well it actually works and it does a surprisingly good job!

Thought some of you might find it interesting and useful.

[Ron P.]

I built one of these last year. They are effective for keeping the shaking down. One thing that I might add, is that you need to practice walking. It's a matter of not only the steadi cam minimizing camera movement, but also moving so that your body does not bounce. I likened this to my childhood days, participating in a competition drum & bugle corp. We had to learn to march without bouncing.

[coachgrd]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and footage Ron. I finished mine tonight and will have to give it a whirl tomorrow...maybe I'll chase the kids with the camera and see how the footage comes out. I think I'll use my back-up camera just in case Dad takes a spill.

Thanks again for sharing Ron,
Gary

[MrA]

I just built one, and I am impressed with what you can do with it. According to a recent article in a video trade magazine I get, you actually have to be trained and licensed in the use of the "brand name" version.

I can understand why. My first tests were not even close to being "steady", but, I see very positive potential for it's use. ( I actually made my dog mad chasing her around the yard, normally she only reacts that way to the lawn mower)