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View Full Version : The $14 DIY Steady-Cam


Jason Dunn
04-13-2004, 06:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/' target='_blank'>http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/final.jpg" /> <br /><br />"Steadycams (or camera stabilizers) are attachments used to capture smooth looking video even when the camera and camera operator are in motion. The camera operator may walk (or even jog), move through tight hallways and doorways, and even climb up and down stairs without shaking the camera. Unfortunately, professional steadycams cost around $1500. Even the cheap 3rd party ones cost $600+. Not exactly a bargain considering many of us use cameras in that price range. So, I decided to make my own version. <br /><br />It turns out, it only costs $14. Not too bad. And I'll show you how to build your own right here (or you may simply buy one from me). Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker, a videographer, the family documentarian, or just want more utility out of your video camera, you'll appreciate a steadycam. If you know what you are doing, you can probably build one of these in about 20 minutes. It might take you an hour if you have to read this web page while you do it and aren't very good with tools..."<br /><br />A $14 Steady-Cam? Seems too good to be true, but this site will give you a step-by-step guide to making one from local hardware store parts. I was skeptical, but after watching the sample videos, I was quite impressed - it works very well. I've always wanted a steady-cam myself, because I have the absolute <i>worst</i> camera shake when freehand shooting. In fact, when I was in college I took a video class where we shot with big Betacams. For one group project, I was the camera guy, and I shunned using the tripod - "I can get way more control shooting off my shoulder, and hey, it looks just as good!"...until we got into the editing suite and we saw how unstable I was. :oops: We called our group "Off the Shoulder Productions" in honour of how bad of a cameraman I was. :lol:<br /><br />Although the introductory text says that he's selling them, at the base of the page he reveals he's not selling them again until Summer 2004 at the earliest. Nuts. I was hoping to buy one from him because I'm not the DIY type when it comes to power tools...:lol: Anyone want to build me one? :wink:

foldedspace
04-13-2004, 06:38 PM
Just a handle with a weight attached. Pretty simple, but smart.

groan
04-13-2004, 07:36 PM
darn site is borkeded.

looks cool though...maybe i'll do this this summe, unless i can get one from him cheaper than i could do it!

Jason Dunn
04-13-2004, 07:42 PM
darn site is borkeded.

It's up for me - try again, or perhaps an ISP problem on your end?

Phoenix
04-14-2004, 12:17 AM
Now this is cool! I think I'm gonna build one of these. I'll have to experiment with galvanized steel piping and plastic piping.

Jason, if I build one before he gets around to building them again, I'd probably be willing to build you one, if you want. Naturally, you'd have to cover the costs (materials, labor, packaging, shipping, insurance - but I'm sure that's obvious). :D

Just let me know. :beer:

mrkablooey
04-14-2004, 01:05 AM
Naturally, you'd have to cover the costs (materials, labor, packaging, shipping, insurance - but I'm sure that's obvious). :D

It's $14. I'll do it for free. And that's "free" in Canadian dollars. :twisted:

Phoenix
04-14-2004, 08:18 AM
Naturally, you'd have to cover the costs (materials, labor, packaging, shipping, insurance - but I'm sure that's obvious). :D

It's $14. I'll do it for free. And that's "free" in Canadian dollars. :twisted:

Just for the record, I wasn't trying to be a brown-noser or kiss anyone's butt here, just makin' an offer to Jason's request. Which means that besides the cost of parts and labor time, whoever makes it for him or anyone else will have to pay to package it, ship and insure it to get it to the recipient. I wasn't about to spend that out of my own pocket and pay for the supplies, too. But if you're willing to, hey, be my guest.

I'm a busy boy - my time is money and I ain't Santa Claus :lol:

Have fun!

mrkablooey
04-14-2004, 11:21 AM
Hey I was just goofin' with ya. The part about the "labor" is what made me chuckle. :wink:

Phoenix
04-14-2004, 09:42 PM
Hey I was just goofin' with ya. The part about the "labor" is what made me chuckle. :wink:

:lol: Oh that's cool, but I wasn't upset, just makin' a point.

You don't think a couple hundred bucks would be too much for labor, do ya?

:lol: Oh, good grief...

mrkablooey
04-15-2004, 02:15 AM
I'm only chargin' $400. 8)

Littleshmee
04-22-2004, 06:22 PM
That's pretty cool...

I wonder if attaching a weight to the bottom of a tripod would work the same?