The End of the Shaky Camera (page 2)

Mechanical image stabilization involves stabilizing the entire camera, not just the image. The easiest way to create a mechanical image stabilization system is to put your camera on a tripod. However, we always want to make life more difficult and insist on physically moving our cameras from one point to the next. For these movements, you need a mechanical image stabilization system such as a Steadicam or GlideCam.

The Steadicam and GlideCam systems use the camera's center of gravity, a counterbalance system and the camera operator's body to maintain smooth motion. These systems mount the camera on an arm that you attach to a body harness or hold in your hand, using your arm strength for balance. The camera maintains a level axis unless adjusted by the operator, creating a smooth, floating image. You'd better get in shape before using these systems for long periods of time. Remember; practice makes perfect.

The type of image stabilization system you need depends a great deal on the types of video you shoot. It can also depend on your cash flow. If image quality is a major concern, you should look at the optical systems. If you to need to use smaller, less bulky equipment and quality is not a real concern, then the EIS system might work for you. If you find yourself doing a lot of movie-style video work that calls for smooth camera movement, the mechanical systems combined with one of the other two systems is an ideal choice. Whichever system you choose, just remember that camera movement must be planned to be successful. Good, solid, shake-free video is the key to professional-looking productions.

The images you see when watching a video are made up of very fine lines of information. To create an image, the camera's electronics record 525 lines of information across the CCD, thirty times a second. The odd-numbered scan lines running from one through five hundred and twenty five make up the odd field. The even field contains the even-numbered scan lines running from two through five hundred and twenty four. When the odd and even fields are interlaced, we perceive them as a frame of video - a complete video image. There are thirty video frames per second.

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