Camera Motion Research Blackbird Handheld Camcorder Stabilizer Review (page 2)

Smooth Operator

There are two ways to control the Blackbird. By placing the thumb and index finger of your control hand on the lower control ring, you are limited to only panning. This is a good option if this is the only movement you need and you want to prevent operator-induced roll and tilt. By moving your control hand to the upper control ring, you can control the tilt, pan and roll.

To test the Blackbird in action, we set up three courses used to train professional Steadicam operators that simulate a variety of conditions. The first included a narrow tracking tape stretched tight between two C-stands about 20 feet apart that ran from about four feet off the ground to about six feet. An obstacle in the middle required the operator to step on and over it. We'll call this one Hurdle. The second course used the same two C-stands and tape placed alongside a rock stairway. Let's call this one Stairs. The last, Target, was simply a large cross made with black gaffer tape on a white garage door at about chest height. A quick note before getting to the tests: all three courses are as much measures of operator skill as they are of the rig being tested. Our tester is a professional Steadicam operator with 15 years of experience who spent several hours practicing with the Blackbird before performing these tests. The goal of each test is to keep the center crosshairs of the camcorder's viewfinder pointed at the tape or target at all times.

The Hurdle test measures how quick changes in up/down travel while walking impact the rig's dynamic stability. After only two trial runs, and using the Blackbird's lower control ring, it became quite easy to keep the camcorder's crosshairs on the tracking tape on both the up and down motions. The footage from the Blackbird looked as if there was no step obstacle at all.

The Stairs test measures how successive changes in terrain and subtle changes in rate alter the rig's dynamic stability. Since the level of the tracking tape ran from about waist height to about head height, we used the Blackbird's upper control ring to control tilt. While there was a small amount of roll toward the end, the footage showed that the Blackbird does a good job remaining mostly level.

Walking down the steps required us to hold the Blackbird's handle at an angle. It is very forgiving if you don't keep it perpendicular to the ground, but if you tilt the handle beyond about 75 degrees, you will get a type of gimbal lock on your panning movement. But this is an extreme angle and not something you will run into often.

For our first test with the Target setup, we started about 30 feet away from the Target, zoomed our camera's lens to its widest setting and aligned the Target with the center crosshairs in the viewfinder's display. This measures how easy it is to keep the camera on target in all three axes. We started walking toward the Target slowly at first, then at a faster pace, then slowing to a stop a few feet from the Target. The footage showed us there were small tilts both starting and stopping, even with careful feathering. Our rig was set up with a drop time of 2.25 seconds, and a slower drop time would make this less of a problem. With the camcorder still just a few feet away and facing the Target, we turned our body so that the camcorder was now facing behind us. We then walked about 30 feet away from the Target, then slowed to a stop, walked around the central axis of the gimbal and now returned to the Target with both body and camcorder facing forward. This is a common, though more advanced, technique used to shoot talent walking forward, then changing direction. This tests the amount of friction of the panning bearing in the gimbal.

We found that transitioning from one side of the rig to the other required a good amount of finger finesse to counter the friction in the gimbal. This countering input is less necessary with more expensive devices that have very high-quality bearings. But high-quality bearings could add several hundred dollars to the cost of the Blackbird, so it is understandable why they are not used.

The last test was really an observation. One balancing act you must consider is how much weight you can carry and for how long. Since you operate the rig by using one hand to hold and one to operate, you may find your support arm getting tired during extended shots. After about three hours of on- and off-again operation, we noticed some fatigue, but, with our light camcorder, it wasn't an issue. Heavier camcorders will require more counterbalance weights, so expect fatigue to kick in sooner.

Overall, we found the Blackbird to be a well-engineered, good-looking, low-cost handheld stabilizer that, with some practice, can give your shots a whole new level of professionalism.

Tech Specs

Stabilizer Weight (including camera mounting plate but no counterweights) : 2.1 lb.
Minimum Height: 20 in.
Maximum Height: 25 in.
Case Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 6 in.
Case Weight (components included): 8.8 lb.
Shipping Weight: 10.9 lb.

Strengths

• Easy to use, low cost, lightweight

Weaknesses

• Gimbal panning friction somewhat high

SUMMARY

A low-cost and easy-to-operate stabilizer for small camcorders.

Sidebar

Getting Ready to Go Steady
All handheld or body-mounted camera stabilization devices require practice to get consistent shots. Since you can't manually adjust focus, and autofocus is almost never an option, you are forced to focus with your feet. The way you walk also determines how smooth your video will look. The less pronounced your "bobbing" up and down, the better. A heel-toe technique helps here. When you start or stop moving, the camcorder will often tilt unless you "feather," or let your arms continue slightly forward after your feet stop moving when stopping. Wind will quickly throw the rig out of balance. If you are working outside, you may need an assistant with a large reflector upwind of the rig.

Brian Peterson is a commercial video producer and Steadicam operator.

Camera Motion Research
3200 Gresham Lake Rd., Suite 113
Raleigh, North Carolina 27615
www.camotionllc.com
$745 - $645 introductory