Best stabilizer for on-the-go shooting?

[Noah Kadner]

Really depends on how active you want to be. I find a monopod to be the best easy compromise for steady looking shots that don’t need to move a lot. Glidecams are a bit fatiguing to operate all day long though. So I’d consider a more shoulder-mounted solution for the long haul if you want to move around a lot.

Noah

Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Panasonic GH2 and Canon 7D.

[Errol Lazare]

I have a steadicam pilot but I also have the glidecam 4000 pro. I find that the handle grip glidecam is great because you aren’t harnessed into a vest and attached to a stabilizing arm which means you can quickly take it off the glidecam and throw it onto a tripod. I don’t use a monopod, for shots where i don’t have time to level the tripod i just extend one leg of the tripod and can even use the head to tilt and pan while on one leg.
Hope that helps with your decision

Errol X. Lazare
EXL Films
http://www.exlfilms.com

[Daniel Hughes]

I have a glidecam like the one you linked to, and it’s great but really difficult to aim in movement and you have to think of like wind, air, momentum and your posture and it’s really all quite difficult to judge.
I’ve got some really excellent smooth shots with it. But standing still it’s pretty awful.

To be honest, I would’ve said a shoulder mount! It’s a lot easier for more direct, quickfire shots. No fussing around with weights and balances, just BAM! and you’ve got it.

I would check out these reasonably priced shoulder mounts:
https://www.b-hague.co.uk/camcorder_shoulder_mounts_steadymounts.htm

Daniel Hughes
Amateur Writer, Director,
Director of Photography
United Kingdom

[John Frey]

Or you can build your own out of aluminum alloy stock. I built two of these for “two cameras – one operator”. DSLR gets wide shot, Panasonic TM 700 gets great 1080p for action sports. The Zooom, Pan GH1 and TM700 all have their start/stop controls on the right-hand grip. Quick release on each camera and on the bottom of the rig give maximum flexibility and quick access to a tripod mount. All for a fraction of the cost of most of the commercial “big rigs”

Here is the link: https://www.digitalwestvideo.com/content/field-production

John D. Frey
25 Year owner/operator of two California-based production studios.

Digital West Video Productions of San Luis Obispo and Inland Images of Lake Elsinore

[Jonathan Ziegler]

I really like these steadicam type devices, but they take a lot of getting used to and adjustments. I find them nice for certain shots, but they kill the documentary feel I think (too steady) and they require setup time which can be anathema to a run-n-gun style. I have made my own steadicams before with marginal results. Honestly, after the time and effort, I think the glidecam and Varizoom products are good and worth the cost. I don’t use them, tho. I like shoulder mounted stabilizers to smooth

Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293

[David Burkart]

I think I’m going with a monopod this time around.

“A song is an excuse to go to a chorus, and a chorus is an excuse to go to a breakdown.”

[Brent Dunn]

A tripod!

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Films
DunnRight Video.com
Video Marketing Toolbox.net

Sony EX-1,
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut Studio

HP i7 Quad laptop
Adobe CS-5 Production Suite

[Tom Barrera]

There is a new kid on the Block
The Parazzio Multi camera and Accessory support system. It scores tops in 10 different categories. It’s tripod mountable and mounts multiple cameras and accessories. The Ease of operation and the Overall Footprint is unobtrusive and a joy to work with. It’s Self Supporting with a Full Range of Motion that Includes pitch, roll, and yaw.
The Flexibility of Shooting at various angels on the fly is amazing. It combines, Versatility, Mobility and Stability moving from point A to B smoothly and bounce free, yet is simple and unencumbered. It’s Agile when shooting in and around obstructions and the ease of use and the comfort level that is amazing.
www.Parazzio.com

[Yuri Ritter]

Collin answered 2 hrs ago

I am using this Flycam 3000 Steadycam from the last 2 years.It is simply wonderful product with amazing stabilizing capacity.

Basic version of Flycam 3000

https://www.flycamshoppe.com/fc/FLYCAM-3000-Steadycam-with-Arm-Brace-and-Quick-Release.html

https://www.flycamshoppe.com/fc/FLYCAM-3000-Camera-Stabilizer-with-Arm-Brace-and-Body-Pod.html

[Megan Jobson]

Hey Noah!

I have a question… My husband is starting off filming events and wedding. I am thinkin of buying a DSLR Camera Stabilizer. I found this top 9 review of DSLR Camera Stabilizers https://www.top9rated.com/best-dslr-camera-steadicams-in-2016/. I was thinking of getting the s40. Is this a good choice for a newbie?