Added: 1 year ago
From: sprattoo
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  • Thanks for making this video and explaining things about your stabilizer very well!! Ive been working on my own and what you said about where the gimbal is located and weight below=weight above fulcrum finally helped me to get it set up correctly. Now it works super awesome :)

  • thanks for the tutorial!

  • genius! 

  • Very impressive steadicam, it works well. I like it

  • Hey, thanks a lot for taking your time to create and share this. I've been wanting something like this for my Canon T2i for some time now and I thought it would be perhaps a bit beyond my ability to DIY. Thanks to this video, I think I can actually do it fairly well. Nice work! :-)

  • @NightRunner417 If I were to do it again, I might look for something a little heavier than the Traxxas model mentioned. It works, but could be a hair beefier.

  • @sprattoo Good to know, because lol I was really close to going for it. I don't suppose you'd have any suggestions? If I do this, I'll be using it for my Canon T2i with a fairly heavy lens and I'll want it to have the security of a strong gimbal.

  • @NightRunner417 But one that moves nicely... and one that looks nice... and isn't too expensive...

  • @NightRunner417 I don't have a suggestion, but if you can find a local hobby shop dealing in R/C parts, they probably will come up with something. It's just a drive shaft Ujoint I think

  • Comment removed

  • Who has $800 dollars to go buy a REAL piece of video equipment?

    

    Gee, let me think.... Someone who actually makes money with their trade and skill in Video.

  • @4Firearms Yup, but anyone with a handycam... probably not. Nor do the students I attend production classes with, nor do most Indy film makers, nor do.... a long list of folks.

  • @4Firearms besides, when I DO work professionally at the TV station, they have a budget and I have access to their glide cam

  • @4Firearms even people who make a living on photography and video enjoy not spending $800 if they can make something that works as well. just fyi. ESPECIALLY to most people who do this for a living, that's a decent chunk of change. that's a new lens, or a year's worth of marketing, or rent...

  • @CarOnTheWall

    WRONG. If professionals showed up with that piece of metal to shoot a high budget video they would never work for that client again. IMAGE is a lot of what sells clients.

    You can't charge $15,000 bucks for a commercial and then show up with tiny cameras and chunks of metal and expect to ever be taken seriously.

    TRUST ME! I know. I've worked in the industry for nearly 20 years at all levels.

  • @4Firearms if you've been in the industry so long you'd know specialty equipment doesn't start out in mass production, it's made by specialists; read hand built equipment. ever used apple boxes? i didnt say anything about tiny cameras and chunks of metal. a respectable pro will know they need something that is sturdy, reliable, and well constructed. that doesn't necessarily mean you're buying it from b&h. and if you're a seasoned pro, why are you watching a diy steadicam video?

  • @4Firearms also, people who do this for a living and have $800 to spend on a piece of equipment like this don't watch diy videos on youtube.

  • Make me one. I'll give you $20 CAD (shipping handling included). Paypal. It should be generic enough to fit a smart phone (i Phone) as well as the Sony DV cam.

  • 1:57 ".. and why that happens is" - because its not perfectly balanced. It should be the same regardless of length of frame, if the balance is spot on!

  • @Detjo I think you are right. The pro versions are much longer in length.

    I aim for a shorter frame because of weight mostly.

    In retrospect I do mis-speak a couple of theories here and there... this video has a little age on it. Maybe I need a new one... hrmm... one more thing on the TO-DO list.

  • great. thanks!!

  • thanks a lot!!!

  • Yeah you should definitely do a write up.

  • Super Stoked To Make This One!!!

    

  • I am scared if I make this Merling will sue me, but mybe I sue them instead because this design is better than theirs

  • where is the 5/16 bolt/ steel i'm confused what you welded the top of the 1/4 bolt to. also is that 2 washers at the top of the traxxas joint near the cam?

  • @mechamegalodon95 I welded the heads of the two bolts together. This isn't always necessary, I only did it because that was where this particular cam happenned to balance. You could just drill 2 different hole fore and aft of one another depending on the camera balance point.

    I put a washer on the 1/4x20 side as a spacer so the threads wouldn't run too deep into the camera. if you cut it short, it also wouldn't be necessary.

  • @mechamegalodon95 Maybe this rig needs a website with some detailed plans...there seems to be a lot of interest in it.

  • @sprattoo that would be awesome, i really want to make this, i just need some detailed instructions to look at.

  • the sample video is rocking like you're in a boat. fail.

  • @xxhumblepiexx responded to this in earlier posts.

    The sample was actually filmed with a different prototype that was a dash too heavy on the bottom (thus the rocking)

    I was under the gun to turn in a produced piece for the local TV station in a hurry, and instead of loading / unloading more video, I just stuck with what I had.

    Once balanced up, it doesn't sway

  • people from maine, where lobsters come from, are cheap? lol

  • @marlo916 Yup. Just because we are flocked by tourists, doesn't mean we have $ to blow.

    BTW... I pay $2.50 - $4.00 a lb for lobster off the boat, which is cheaper than beef... :/

  • @sprattoo we are also taxed into oblivion

  • thanks for the post friend happy christmas

  • what song is that?

  • @baileyroche during the test footage, i mean

  • @baileyroche not sure. All audio is royalty free, from Incompetech I believe.

  • @sprattoo found it! You were right -- Incompetech. It's a song called Cattails. I was just really digging it.

  • Super good idea

    

  • @marcpreschia Thanks. I just couldn't justify spending so much cash on steadying a handy cam

  • that is great, good to know about the traxxas 1951 R/C U joint

  • well...240p we meet again

  • @theflightsimmer147 Yes, I'm afraid so, my apologies for the low def. My upload speed is painfully slow, and was even worse when this video went up, so I had to trim it to the minimums just to not tie my computer up for a day.

  • Nice job :)

  • thank you thank you this is exactly what i was looking for trying to figure out something like this great help thanx again kind sir

  • I live in maine too!

  • Well done... I love it

  • Thanks for your very clear explanation. I'm trying to build something like this for an iPhone 4S, which has an amazing HD video camera in it, but needs some stabilization. I'm using a strip of aluminum (idea borrowed from branliew here on YouTube), for lightness and easy bendability. I'm using your gimbal design. Not quite sure yet how to mount the iPhone onto the bar, but I'm waiting for a car-phone holder to arrive from Amazon. This is a nice design with a very helpful explanatory video.

  • all you need just the HD camcorder. Then your picture will be in high definition quality.

  • @hlubtiagproduction I have the Sony HDR-FX1. but the size of the camera makes mounting on a steadicam of this small size impossible.

  • That is a very nice design at an affordable price. However, I need to correct you on the physics of why you say the small frame is better because of less drag. It has nothing to do with the space or size of arc. It has to do with the weight of everything balanced between an imaginary line running vertically through your gimble point. If you had the same design you have now and added more weight some how to the bottom, it would drag also. It all has to do with a slightly bottom heavy design

  • @slambo239 You are right. It has to do with the fulcrum. This full video was a 30 minute show, and the initial prototype was made of plywood. It was a flat and wide bit and was catching "wind" or more precisely was experiencing air resistance during quick movements.

  • @sprattoo I know what you mean. When i have my LCD screen swung out, the same thing happens to me. I have read where that is a limitation to these types of steadicams and there is nothing we can really do about it. It is not one of those huge double spring arm rigs so we work with what we got. Running is also something that these types of Merlin rigs is very limited in doing. Since we do not have the spring arm system, we do not have a way of isolating the vertical movement on the Y axis.

  • @slambo239 There is a little "forgiveness" if you hold the gimble at a 45 angle.

    The spring loaded belted rigs are upwards of $5,000, so yeah there are just some things money CAN buy.

  • do you sell them?

  • @spetznas37 @spetznas37 I considered it but no, I'm sorry I don't. Mostly because each individual frame needs to be balanced specifically for each individual camera model.

    Welding the two bolts together becomes unnecessary if your camera balances differently. (depending on where the 1/4x20 bolt hole is.)

    To battle this I would need to machine in a groove to slide the cam fore and aft. (Tools I don't have)

    I have all I can do to keep up with internet orders from mainetackle -dot- com

  • thanks god, your not kipkay =)

    

  • nice design, but the sample footage still seems to suffer some wawing and wobbling, just exactly the things you said to avoid. Maybe at that time it was not perfectly balanced?

  • @hpept you are absolutely right. When I grabbed that sample footage I was still a little heavy on the bottom. Instead of re-filming the new result etc.. I just went with what I had. I was under a deadline to put parts of this on local public access TV.

  • @hpept You are straight on the money. That was a very first run with the cam, I was still a tad heavy on the bottom end with that footage.

    This show was initially shot to air on public access and I had a deadline to meet, with about 100 other projects, and just grabbed video of what I had on hand at like 1:00 AM during editing instead of waiting and re-filming and editing the next day (when it needed to be in)

  • Beautiful vid clip. Many thanks. How will this rig work if one is running fast?

  • @openuniverse2003 not bad at all really

  • @openuniverse2003 If you balance it correctly IE just BARELY enough weight for the frame to slowly right itself, it works quite well.

    Keep in mind though it's still an 8 or 10 rig so maybe it doesn't do everything an $800 Merlin would do, but it comes pretty dang close, because the same physics are at play.

  • @sprattoo eer I meant 8 or 10 dollar rig

  • ok i get it its btw a great design

  • Now that's one frugal treehouse

  • @moedem haaa, no kidding. Its bits & pieces of scrap left over from tearing apart an old Deck when I bought my house.

  • @S8OR wow.. being an artist... I don't know what to say to that... thanks.

    (Although I am a digital painter too... not sure where that falls in.)

  • you can also buy a camera with steadyshot

  • @matthijsfleumer almost all cams now have steadyshot, however, it is very limited.

    A steadyshot feature is made to fine tune slight "jiggling" if you are hand held and zoom way in.

    A steadicam stabilizes the whole camera itself while you walk, run, whatever.

    There is a huge difference

  • you hit the spot with that steadycam makes those who buy a 800 dollar one look like damn stupid, I prefer you steady cam than those who are just ripping us off with their so call pro steady cam.

  • @atabeylive thanks.

    The $800 rigs are very adjustable, though and theres no building required.

    I am trying to come up with one for a pro-sumer sized Cam (I have the Sony HDR FX 1) A much larger and heavier camera.

    Also working on plans for a home-made Jib arm.

  • I think it is a brilliant design, but I don't think I can build it. Can you build one and sell it to me? I can send a check. I really like how small and light you've built this.

    You know the footage of the man at the pond...this is wonderful. It would be neat to overlay some audio of him talking about the good ole days and relating some stores, etc. thanks! ~aubie

    always wanted to visit New Hampshire...live free or die! that's gotta be the best motto

  • Nice work! 

  • nice video man, looks like a quality piece of bodgery!

  • @TheKarlish Thanks man... When you're broke I guess you need to adapt.

    Still, It works pretty good.

  • So many people run immediately to the store to before they start any project. Look around you a little first.

    The average Facebook user has 130 friends. Post what you are looking for, or are doing. Of those 130 immediate friends who have 130 friends each (avg) there has to be a welder in those 16,900 connections!

    Or WHATEVER you are looking for.

    Use your resources, transfer station, recycling center, and networks with a positive can-do attitude and everything will come together.

  • Well done! I've been playing with the idea of making one for some time and have spent much time on the net looking. You bagged it!!!! Thank you.

    Keep innovating

  • The issue with this is the title. this is NOT an 8 dollar steadicam. It cost you 8 bucks because you had the good fortune to know a welder AND had some spare metal laying around. this is easily a 50 dollar project.

  • @tewkewl Why is that an issue?

    I paid $8 and made a steadicam.

    I think "Merlin Steadicam for $8.00 easy!" describes what I did.

    And I also suggest offering a local auto shop the services of filming an advert or video in trade for tacking 2 bolts together. (which would make it free)

    Also Scouring a transfer station will most likely yield a steel bar from a chain link fence.

    (So... we're still at $8)

  • @sprattoo i'm not trying to be mean. just realistic. most people won't do this. i made a steady cam too for about 10 bucks, but i was able to do it without welders or something out of the way. the fact that you have to weld something together or find someone to weld something together for you will be a major hindrance.

  • @lemoni1982 I understand that. Some cameras balance different too. The weld was only necessary for my particular Cam.

    having both bolts in the same place (for handle and cam mount) can be moved forward or back by adding, removing length and altering the bend of the bar and balance weight. I opted for the weld to minimize on weight and it was an easy solution for me.

  • @lemoni1982 i don't think you need to weld, wouldn't it be fine to just use the JB Weld? thanks, ~aubie

  • Having trouble finding that Sys track u joint 1951. Didn't see it one on Ebay. Where exactly can I get one?

    BTW it is important to get your stabilizing weights as far in front and behind as possible. The weight of your spars by comparison to your weights is too much. For dynamic balance the three points of the triangle need to be where all the weight is dispersed.

  • @steadibaby You put the weights wherever it takes in minimal quanities to balances your rig. The point is to have the drive shaft weight at the center point between top and bottom. Other than that, the back weight only has to match the front side of the curve.

    Do a search for Traxxas 1951 U joint.

  • @sprattoo That did it ! "Taxxas 1951 u joint" $7.41 on Amazon. Thanks

  • how do you attach your camera ?

  • @Johnwells10 When I welded the heads of the bolts together the 1/4 x 20 sticks up on the top. I put a bit of a pad from an old tripod... but any piece of rubber or firm plastic will do, the screw the cam onto the bolt where the mounting hole is in the bottom of the cam

  • @sprattoo thanks! great video, i'm going to try and duplicate your model, cause its a great design! Thanks again, John

  • @Johnwells10 happy to share. the key really is to get the pivot point of the handle exactly balanced so when you put the cam at 90 degrees sideways, it just slowly drifts back to upright. Too much bottom weight and it will rock when you move.

    Good luck!

  • Very awesome, very simple!

  • Thanks for this video. Your ideas on the balance explained somethings that I've been wondering about. I have a glidecam 2000 and a Steadicam JR and I'm thaiking of building my own unit as neither of the work well with me canon 5d.

    again, thanks for your time ;-)

  • Thank you.

    If I find the time, I will try to somewhat copy your design, or at least I was inspired by it.

  • Great design, and awesome test footage! Great job.

  • @joshdoube thanks Josh. I watched your video quite a few times.... and many others before I started building. There were other prototypes before this one, but nothing worked as well, or was as cheap.

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