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Nice handheld rig work


Kevin Andrews SOC

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Wolfgang, you're too clever for the rest of us! Thanks for asking. :)

 

Well, I only said it was a theory, based on knowing the design of the rig, and I do not think the running in the shots is any reason to question that. I never saw any reason he could not be using just one hand, I just assumed he was using 2. In the bumps that I see, I agree it looks more like he's gripping tight to the post, so it all makes sense.

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Wolfgang;

 

Yes, I always said his one hand should always be on the post of the steadicam.

 

"gimbal hand" as you call it was always my concept. "arm or lifting hand" was the "let go" hand and use it when slowed the right amount.

 

Glad we got that done. We all agree.

 

We are beating a dead horse.

 

JA

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I am surprised and impressed that he ran holding with one hand and got those shots without digital help.

 

He may have a niche for himself there. Most of us probably try to avoid running as much as possible.

 

 

I think I'll get a pelican for my old 2000pro and bring it along on small cam jobs just in case.

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The high quality of the above footage underlines for me that there has never really been a thorough "precision shootout" amongst the hand-held stabilisers to clearly map their respective operating strengths.

 

Tiffen for instance (to my knowledge) does not publicise a Steadicam Merlin video that would show-case cross hair tests, whip pans, accelerations/de-acceleration, long lens, high-wind, running, radical in-shot tilts, etc ... the sort of standard workshop drills that would clearly reveal its limits.

 

(Mind you, Tiffen is not alone! Few hand-held manufacturers dare to even begin working through this list publicly. Self-immolation is never pretty? )

 

As DSLR-size cameras swamp the shooting market, the need to map the "light rig" / "hand held" end of the stabiliser spectrum becomes much more relevant. Perhaps a cross-manufacturer drill shootout would be a large challenge for another thread ... or another forum altogether? (e.g. Charles King's "Home Built Stabilizer" site www.hbsboard.com ???)

 

I am convinced there is a great deal more in operating precision that can be achieved with hand-held rigs and I would like to collaborate with anyone interested in designing a shootout test protocol or a "oner" competiton.

 

[by way of disclosure, I am a stabiliser DIY-er who has previously done a workshop with full-sized Steadicam. No current professional affiliation. Currently focussed on prototyping a DIY Merlin-style geometry rig optimised for DSLR payloads to around 1.4kg/3 lb, ideally including ultralight cage, mattebox, on board lights, and servo controllers for zoom / variable ND]

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Chris;

 

You've brought up all good points.

 

I do think it may be more of a Utube shoot out though with those who push the envelope on these rigs posting their works.

 

I've often thought that as the "little" cameras started getting better and better that this may be the wave of the future for all kinds of shooting. The hand-held rigs were scorned for a long time but as we see they have more and more of a niche.

 

This is especially true as running rigs for operators who can save themselves by pitching the rig away at the moment of doom.

 

I also see these, as some have shown, as rigs for the unicycle and bicycle etc where wearing a rig and strapped into a very restrictive vest is not good. Clearly water environments are good choices too. The other place I think they'd be good is for long posts shots. Why do all that crazy how do I get a 6' post on my "big rig" when I can do it this way and save myself lots of hassle/money/brain-power. (That's a really good idea as I say it.)

 

Heck the next generation may have a foam covering on the bottom of the sled to lessen damage when thrown!

 

Good luck with your plan, why not run with the shoot out on your own? Mr. Papert has other good ideas I'm sure cooking. . .

 

JA

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