Mini Dv Steadycam - Random test shots - Parks and Playground

Some random test using the Mini DV Steadycam from Balvanz Enterprises:

http://www.balvanzenterprises.com/

I did a little upgrade on the unit by installing ball bearings on the Roll and Pitch axis where its usually held up by the four bolts. The ball bearings sit between the bolts and the main ring/holder. This eliminates any friction and has improved the shots a lot. The ball bearings can be acquired from any RC hobby shop.

Of course, practice makes perfect......and I know I need more of it, haha.

Pictures of the ball bearing:
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/72/dsc03101i.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7131/dsc03102gc.jpg


Made hole larger:
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4843/dsc03103n.jpg

Bearing installed:
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1305/dsc03104h.jpg

I hope you liked this short video. I'll be making official videos very soon once the weather becomes better.

Shot using the Canon HF10, 1080p 30FPS. Edited in Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 (no color corection or enchancements) and rendered as "HDV 720p PC" for Youtube HD upload.

I really wanted to get the Tiffen Steadicam or at least the Flycam 3000 but I cannot afford them. So I settled with the Mini DV Steadycam and was very happy with the results - It's lightweight, compact, and very affordable.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Mini
• DV
• Steadycam
• Jag35
• Jag35E
• DOF
• Adapter
• Canon
• HF10
• 1080p
• 720p
• F1.8
• Corel
• VideoStudio
• Pro
• X2
• Tiffen
• Steadicam
• Flycam
• 3000
• 5000
• 6000

[mrwashur1991]

couldnt you have just got a smaller bearing and a smaller screw? or would that not work?

[SleekGTZ]

@mrwashur1991 - Yes, I could have done that, but it was more difficult to find a small bearing with a matching screw.

[eisontv]

do u use any type of desahking software in post prod after u done filming ?

or is this just str8 off the stabilizer ?

[SleekGTZ]

@eisontv - No deshaking involved in post production. All the clips were straight from the stabilizer. Tnx

[mrwashur1991]

@SleekGTZ are you a advocate for the company or are you just someone who bought this?

[SleekGTZ]

@mrwashur1991 - I'm just someone who bought it. The guy who makes this is friendly and very helpful. The unit is probably no match for a $4000 steadicam but it gets the job done if you put a little patience and practice. Good luck! :)

[SALVATOR11]

Would you recommend getting this without your upgrades?

thanks for the video!

SAl

[SleekGTZ]

@BlueCastStudios - The scenes in this video was shot using the Jag35E. I did buy an achromat lens later on which improved the quality.

[BlueCastStudios]

What JAG adapter package did you buy? And are you using the achromat?

[TheFilmMaster]

@SleekGTZ

Thanks!! Awesome song!!