stabilization system for EX1 for handheld shooting on boats

[Craig Seeman]

It depends on what you mean by “stabilize”
You could be a shoulder mount device such as the one VortexMedia sells.
If you mean an actually steadicam type device I’ve heard people who’ve gotten it to work on the Merlin although it’s just about outside the weight class. The weight of the EX just about puts it outside of the hand held stabilizer class and into the expensive back brace support systems.

I suspect being on a boat is going to make it even more difficult to work with hand held stabilizers and there’s going to be arm fatigue setting in within a few minutes short of being a body builder.

Dean Sensui does “Hawaii Goes Fishing”
https://www.hawaiigoesfishing.com/
with the EX on a boats so maybe he’ll drop in and tell us how he handles these issues.

[Craig Seeman]

Seems he uses Glidecam V16 but would prefer Steadicam Flyer if he were buying his own system (exploring his posts elsewhere). They are far beyond “under $1000” though.

[Olof Ekbergh]

I use a Stedicam mini (it is pretty big actually) cameras up to 20lbs.

It works very well originally I got it to use on a DSR500, I add weight to it to use on my EX3.

I do a lot of shooting on boats. Link to some footage:
https://www.westsideav.com/westsidestudios/FloridaVideo.html

I also know a lot of people shoot with:
https://www.ken-lab.com/stabilizers.html

These a gyro stabilizers you can rent or by, they work very well sometimes in conjunction with stedicam rigs or just hand held.

Olof Ekbergh

[Brent Dunn]

I haven’t done any filming on a boat yet, but this is something I use for run a gun shooting. It’s called the DV Multirig Pro.
https://www.dvtec.tv/

It gives you the stability at a low cost. It’s much easier to work in small spaces, such as a small boat on the move. I’d be worried about using a steadicam for safety reasons. If you go into the water, your sinking fast!

This rig has a small shock absorber that can be adjusted up and down. When your finished, it folds into a small space that can be stuffed into a very small bag. Quick and easy setup too.

[Clint Fleckenstein]

We use a Merlin (with the dual-arm vest rig) with our EX-1. I will attest to the fact that it’s borderline as far as weight. The Merlin can handle it fine, and balances with the included weights. They updated the gimbal to a beefier metal design when we got ours. But to run that Merlin handheld for any extended amount of time and 7 pounds worth of camera on it? Forget about it. Short stints work fine for us but if we have the ability to use the vest, we use it.

Sadly, not under $1000 either.

Cf

[Olof Ekbergh]

Another rig I shoot with sometimes on a boat is the Fig Rig.

It is quite affordable and works pretty well. I have also used it on steam locomotives, very bumpy and cramped. There is no room for Stedicam there.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/381894-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_595B_595B_Fig_Rig_Camera.html

If you get a camera controller with this it is a really useful rig.

Olof Ekbergh