Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Build Your Own Steadicam

Posted by michael on from the also-useful-for-mugger-whacking dept.

John Jorsett writes "Always wanted to film one of those cool 'walking' sequences, where the camera stays rock-steady as you trudge along? Well, so did Johnny Chung Lee, except he didn't want to lay out major cash for a professional Steadicam rig, so he built his own for $14. He further claims you can do it in about 20 minutes if you know what you're doing. What more could a cheap, impatient Spielberg wannabe ask for?"

4 of 293 comments (clear)

  1. Does what it says it does by capz+loc · · Score: 5, Informative

    I stumbled upon this site about a year ago and, being an ametur filmmaker, decided to give it a try. The parts were cheap and it really was quite easy to put together. But don't expect it to be perfect. It takes a little while to get the feel of it, and even then you won't be getting perfectly steady shots while running quickly. But for the price, it's tough to beat.

  2. It real (and really cheap) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Saw this in RES magazine last year. Built one in under 30 mintues and with exactly $16 worth of parts. It actually works too, though you do have to practice with it to get good at controling your own body movement. Also, I reccomend making the lower section about 50% longer than the upper section to further even out movement.

  3. Re:the story's better at memepool. by dwave · · Score: 5, Informative

    There you can't post and complain about incomplete coverage. But the link to a site about home made stabilizers should have been mentioned.

  4. Better Links by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The 14$ thingy is pure crap...

    if you want some real inspiration check out the following websites:

    http://homebuiltstabilizers.com/
    The original site for all your home built video needs

    http://pub173.ezboard.com/bhomebuiltstabilizers
    Discussion forum full of lots of useful information

    http://www.codydeegan.com/

    Might take a bit more effort, but the results are incredible. Cody's plans are awesome, and I would gladly purchase them again.