Options other than tripod for Stabilization

[Hannah]

Hi,

I was hoping to get some ideas to help steady image but is more user friendly than the tripod for mobile scenerios?

ALso, has anyone tried the ones that go around your shoulders?

Thanks in advance,

Hannah

[neil_r]

Monopod ?

N

[sGu]

the one you described sounds like a steady-cam for me, which is mainly used with camcorders.

monopod is what you need, light, compact, easy to carry and does a great job

....... basically what Neil said :P

[Olegis]

You can place the camera on some steady surface - a table, a rock or something like that. Also try to press the camera against a wall or a tree - in some occasions it helped me to get sharp photos with speeds 1-1.5 stops lower than the "optimum" 1/focal length speeds.
A monopod could be a nice solution also, as suggested by neil_r.

[Scottes]

I did see one site where some company made a harness with a pocket at waist level. You shorten a monopod and put the end in the pocket. Seems pretty sensible.

However, I'd just go buy one of the harnesses that flag-bearers wear at parades. Same thing, much cheaper.


There is another company that makes a gyroscope in a pod that attaches under the camera. $300 and 2.5 lbs for the smallest. But it looked *nice* if you can afford the cost and weight. If I had a lot of disposable income I'd buy one.

[dtrayers]

Hi,

I was hoping to get some ideas to help steady image but is more user friendly than the tripod for mobile scenerios?

ALso, has anyone tried the ones that go around your shoulders?

Thanks in advance,

Hannah

Are you referring to the GoPod (http://www.pixelagogo.com/gopod/)?

http://www.pixelagogo.com/images/gopod/GoPod_large.jpg

Here is a short review:

http://www.outbackphoto.com/the_bag/uwes_tripods/essay.html

[Scottes]

I'd say that a flag-bearer's harness with a monopod would do the exact same thing, or darn close.

[HJMinard]

Are you referring to the GoPod (http://www.pixelagogo.com/gopod/)?

I knew this soft midsection of mine would come in handy eventually ... gopod stabilization. :lol:

[Ikinaa]

One method that works a bit better than handheld is to put the neck-strap around your neck ( :P ) than put the camera as far away from you as possible (works only good with cam that use the LCD for framing) so the the strap is straigtened, try locking yourself in this position and then shoot...
I managed to get some 1/5s with my G3 like that (at wide angle)
With this method, the camera at least doesn't move in all three directions because of the strap, at least one direction is locked, so only vertical or horizontal movement is possible and as you put your muscles to effort, you don't tremble as much

[Jesper]

I've been thinking about getting a monopod because lugging around a big heavy tripod is not always very practical. I tried out my dad's monopod that he uses for his video camera, and it worked great! It's just a simple and cheap but light and easy to carry monopod. I've ordered one myself. Definitely recommended.

Ofcourse you can also get a lens with IS (Image Stabilizer), which works great.

[Scottes]

Ikinaa's post reminded me... Much of "how to hold and shoot a rifle" can be applied to cameras. Things like adjusting the strap so that it goes around your elbow perfectly. Then "pushing" the camera up tightens the strap and adds stability. Elbows tucked in and all that. Breathing correctly, and *squeezing* the shutter.

Even without extraneous mounting devices you should be able to squeeze out a stop, maybe 2, from proper technique.

[Curos]

The Gyro!! Saw this in teh latest Digital Photo Pro, wish i had 2600 to drop on one....We're talking 5 second handheld shots with this bad boy.

http://www.ken-lab.com/stabilizers.html#KS6

[Perfect_10]

Hi,

I was hoping to get some ideas to help steady image but is more user friendly than the tripod for mobile scenerios?

ALso, has anyone tried the ones that go around your shoulders?

Thanks in advance,

Hannah

Are you referring to the GoPod (http://www.pixelagogo.com/gopod/)?

http://www.pixelagogo.com/images/gopod/GoPod_large.jpg

Here is a short review:

http://www.outbackphoto.com/the_bag/uwes_tripods/essay.html

I have something similar (made by Canon .. picked it up off ebay for $5 last year) .. but it uses a neckstrap instead of shoulder harness .. it steadies/braces the camera against your waist and neck. It does make the camera a little unwieldy .. I should buy a quick release head for it. I also use a monopod .. but again, make sure it has a quick release head.

[12345Michael54321]

I knew this soft midsection of mine would come in handy eventually ... gopod stabilization. :lol:
Plus, you're famine-resistant. :)

But getting back to the question, while there are all manner of devices, ranging from gadgets to gizmos all the way up to contraptions, ultimately a tripod will usually do the job better. No, not always. But usually.

And I understand that many people just can't bring themselves to tote around a tripod. But they should.

Me? I'm a tripod fanatic. I own several, and can discuss at length their individual strengths and weaknesses, although I love them all. They permit me to get sharper photos, and to compose the shot more carefully, and they're a convincing prop when I tell the 19 year old aerobics instructrix that she shouldn't hesitate to let me take nude photos of her, since I take photography very, very seriously.

[Andy_T]

Take a look at this for information on how to make a chainpod.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=33404&highlight=chainpod

Then, there are small (not very sturdy) mini-tripods in the 10$ price range that you can use to prop up your camera on a table or on the floor.

However ... the mention of 'techniques for rifle shooting' reminded me of the Zenit Photo sniper... I think Olympus makes a similar assembly nowadays for the 3x teleconverter on the E20

http://www.binocularsmart.com/cameras/fs122.jpg

I like it.... :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[flowe]

I'm keen on the monopod too, with very solid ball head (Manfrotto) and quick release. The ball head allows portrait position too.

For safety, I have a separate neck strap for the monopod. With the camera in place, both straps are about the same length for the least obstruction - if separated, I can drop the monopod into its strap and handle the camera alone.

As already mentioned, a main advantage of the monopod is the very deliberate selection of the picture area. If ever I have the time, I use the 2 secs. self timer as well, allowing unhurried final adjustments and even less camera shake.

As I have the Canon G3 with the swivel LCD monitor, by extending arm and monopod I can reach a camera position more than 3.5 meters above floor level. The same applies to other positions otherwise unaccessible. Sitting on a bench etc, the short monopod serves very well for candid photography. Many museums tolerate monopods, but not tripods.

The monopod alone, without contact to floor or other fixed point, already reduces camera shake just by increasing weight and inertia. This is of some importance with any light weight camera such as the G's.

A question to consider is the number of sections: 3 sections make for swifter adjustment, 4 sections for a shorter closed item.

But the monopod alone is not enough: I have about 7 different pods from 4oz. to solid full size, not to forget the bean bag. The problem is which one(s) to take along...

[Mark Kemp]

There is also a bean bag thing with a tripod screw in the middle - can't remember the name but a lot of shops and web places have them.

Plus of course you always have the option of winding up the ISO speed and/or using an IS lens.

[lucasdigital]

Hi,

I was hoping to get some ideas to help steady image but is more user friendly than the tripod for mobile scenerios?

ALso, has anyone tried the ones that go around your shoulders?

Thanks in advance,

Hannah

Hannah, your supposed to suffer for your art! :wink:

I force myself to take my Tripod whenever I go on a dedicated photography shoot. It can be annoying carrying it around but for me, there is no real substitute to having the camera standing on its own three feet.

I will have to try using one of those mono-pods though!