Stabilized Low Angle Shots

[mark hansen]

The Black rapid strap allows you to put pressure between the you and the camera to help steady. I was able to take steady telephoto shots.

The $15 steady cam (three pipes in the shape of a "T" with a counter weight oppsite the camera) also does very well for low angle shots. If you put an old tripod head on the end with the camera, you can get great low angle shots without having to flip over the footage. the tripod head allows you to put point the camera level (away from the counter weight) and the thrid pipe allows you to get your camera low on the ground.

Good trick with the mono pod.

[momoffduty]

The $15 steady cam (three pipes in the shape of a "T" with a counter weight oppsite the camera) also does very well for low angle shots. If you put an old tripod head on the end with the camera, you can get great low angle shots without having to flip over the footage. the tripod head allows you to put point the camera level (away from the counter weight) and the thrid pipe allows you to get your camera low on the ground.

Mark, did you make one? Can you post a photo or a link on what this looks like? Thanks.

[sidd finch]

here is a pic Mom. http://littlegreatideas.com/stabilizer/diy/

Sidd

[momoffduty]

Thanks Sidd.

[mark hansen]

That's the one Sidd. I posted some pictures I had takes a while ago on the various positions I use. The low angle is there with the camera upside down. I later, I learned to hold the steady cam by "T" bar (the piece I'm holding im my right hand) and the long bar parallel to the ground. The tripod head allows me to pivot the camera to the correct angle for the shot. You can't to that if you don't use a tripod head. If you use what's in the directions, you can hold like I did i nthe photo.

Low angle


Medium angle - the "T" bar hooks in my belt and I pivot at the waist


High angle - the "T" bar on my shoulder


Very high angle - the "T" bar higher on my shoulder and weight in my stomach


Using a rail to steady the camera for a zoom shot.

[mark hansen]

Now, having said that, my Sony doesn't seem to need it, it has built in stablizers. If you notice in the video where my daughter is getting splashed, the water spots on the water proof case move around, I presume that's the stablization kicking in. But I can't get low angle shots like that.

[momoffduty]

Thanks Mark, great photos & how to.

[sidd finch]

I really like this model and used one a lot….until I noticed a lot of unwanted attention I got because of the piping used. It our post 911 world I did not look to be exclusively like a videographer anymore. I have not switched to a monopod and I just hold the camera upside down and rotate it in post…

Sidd

[momoffduty]

How much does this weigh? Probably too heavy for me.

[mark hansen]

About 4-6 pounds. The weight is is 2.5 pounds and the Camcorder a little less. The pipes are not much.