Ars Technica Builds Make Magazine's Steadicam

An anonymous reader writes "Make magazine has been out for a little over a month now and was given high marks in a Slashdot review. Ars Technica has taken their review one step further by building the $14 steadicam project and testing it out. (be sure to check out the QuickTime video at the end to see their results...)"

Comments

As expected?

[lukewarmfusion]

From the article:

For those stuck on dial-up, here is a quick summary of our results:

* Both "handheld" shots were very shaky with the electronic stabilization performing only marginally better.
* The "steadicam only" shot was a significant improvement over either "handheld" shot.
* Turning on the electronic stabilization made the "steadicam" shot even smoother.

Despite all of this, we found that there was still a little bit of shake in the picture. We expect that a little practice with the steadicam could have vastly improved our shooting technique. All in all, we would say that this project was a big success!

I saw the video. It was a little better, but the combination of the two made it much better. Unfortunately, it's still far too shaky to consider it useful for any indie film that doesn't want to be branded with the Blair Witch style. So why would you go to the trouble?

Re:As expected?

[Dun Malg]

One could easily add some small gyros to a handheld steadicam design and still come out fairly inexpensive. Take three 6v electric motors and a 6v battery. Add a wheel on the end of each motor, and mount them so that the wheels spin in three planes. Add weights to the wheels to balance them. Continue adding weights until you have enough stabilization. Place this apparatus in a padded box to keep it quiet, and mount the box.

Since all you really need to dampen is movement along the pitch and roll axes, a single gyroscope with the axis mounted vertically would be adequate. And rather than trying to build and balance your own, you'd do well to save yourself the headache and pick up a nice surplus military missile guidance gyroscope, like this. Knock that spinner out of its gimbals and I bet it'd be just right...

Re:As expected?

[ibennetch]

I'd just like to point out that the stabilization that goes in to a helicopter gyro is different from even the more expensive steadicam rigs(1) that you need for a heafty camera. Most helicopter gyros that I'm aware of run 6 figures, mount to the helicopter itself, and use gryoscopes rather than counterweights and springs (disclaimer: I don't actually work with helicopter mounts so I may be in error with regards to common technique. I can only repeat what I've heard from a reputable source). So yes, what you've said here is correct, but I believe you're comparing two different technologies.

I have a friend with a Steadicam (I think his was around $20,000, but I forget the exact number) and he can work magic with it...I really love the look of something that's been shot on one, but there's a trend now to over-use them in a lot of situations where it's not needed :-/

And finally, I like your idea of trying a couple of gyroscopes to balance it out. Many of us have tried that experiement with the rotating bicycle tire; I'm guessing it wouldn't take nearly that much effort to keep a smallish camcorder steady...you could shrink down the diameter a bit and speeding it up gains you even more; so I imagine something like you propose is very viable...maybe a good weekend project.

(1) I can't find the link right now but I think spending about $60,000 on a Steadicam rig will get a "decent" one for a heavy camera. But what do I know, I work in TV, not film.

Saw this 3 years ago

[filmmaker]

In the summer of 2002 I saw an article about the homemade steadicam on slashdot. I then used it for many shots of this independent production of dubious artistic or technical merit.

I loved it, but the whole time I was using it, I kept thinking of possible ways to improve it without spending any money if possible. I tried using more weight, which helps, but only very marginally. Anyone know a way to improve it inexpensively without electronic stabilization?

Re:Saw this 3 years ago

[DianeOfTheMoon]

I think some time in a marching band would probably eliminate most of the shake, with the "steadicam" removing the rest...

In marching band, you have to learn how to walk without disturbing your airflow due to steps, and that should translate very well into camera work, with the weighted cam evening out any missteps and normal hand jitters.

Re:Timmy Boi's new payola scam...

[ArsEric]

If you're referring to the subscription links, we don't get anything in return from the publisher, financial or otherwise. It's strictly there for the readers' benefit, should they decide to subscribe.

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