Need help finding the right stabilizer

[Michael Patterson]

I'm looking to get something to help me out with some of my handheld work. I'm not that interested in getting a steadicam type with a gyro because 1-I've tried them before and I get so frustrated that I give up and I know it's a skill that I don't have the time mastering. 2- I don't want to spend thousands and thousands on something. Basically I'm pretty good at doing smooth handheld work with just a shoulder mount but I'm looking to add some smoothness to walking around. Is there anything out there that anyone has used that is relatively easy and effective? I know that if I want steadicam like results I need to be on a steadicam and/ or hire an experienced operator. But I travel a lot and have to do a lot on my own. Thanks.

also, I'd be using my scarlet pretty stripped down. Weighing it last night it was 12.5 lbs.

 

[Marc Berger]

Hi Michael,
I always find to hold the camera with two hands in front of me, a little bit away from me with my arms slightly bended to smoothen, works well. Said that there is a device helping a lot to hold it this way : the fig rig. I have something similar. It works quite well, but 12.5 lbs is still hard to hold like this for a long time.
Marc

 

[Roy Rossovich]

I did a lot of travel documentary work last summer with my red and I rented an Easy Rig and I loved it

http://www.easyrig.com/

packs up small to which is great and takes the stress off total handheld.

 

[Mike P.]

Also consider slight post-stablization. A little bit (10%) goes a long way without distorting the image... basically takes the edge off of really handheld work. Best part is, you can try it with footage you've already shot and see if it works the way you want (assuming you haven't tried already).

 

[Michael Patterson]

I actually was looking at the easyrig combined with a little post stabilization. I was looking at the mini strong which goes up to 13lbs. I'm at 12.5 so that's cutting it close but it's so much cheaper than the next step up. I'm hoping that 12.5 isn't cutting it too close.