Best image stabilizer?

1. newenglandguy
   Member

   
   I have a Sony VX2100 that I use at weddings on a monopod. I'd like some type of additional image stabilization, either hardware or software. I edit in Final Cut Express 2 on a Mac, but the included stabilizing filter isn't very good. Any suggestions? The Varizoom Flowpod seems good but from what I can dig up on the it seems to take a long time to get used to using it. Are most stabilizing units this way?

   Posted 6 years ago #

2. Video-maniac
   Member

   
   The best image stabilizer is a tripod! X-D
   
   Just teasin!
   
   As far as the cameras go, built in “optical” stabilization is the better than “digital” stabilization as far as final video quality goes. These do a pretty good job but if won’t fix anything if you’re all over the place. I know there is a plug-in by 2d3 called “Steady Move Pro” that is supposedly able to correct excessive movement. It’s not cheap and from reading the info on it, I’m thinking that it probably takes a month of Sundays to render out. I know it’s available for Premier Pro but I think it can work with Combustion and After Effects too. I don’t think it works with FCP.
   
   I have a Glidecam stabilizer unit which is really neat and does a remarkable job. When I’m walking and shooting video, it looks like I’m on rails. But here again it’s a MAJOR pain in the “doo-pa” to mount a camera and balance. Varizoom and Glidcam are so close to coming up with a neat unit yet they both haven’t figured out how to make these with some kind of quick connect system so you can just snap a camera on and go. Right now it takes me about 10 to 15 minutes to balance out.
   
   Even though I was jokin around on top, if youÂ’re using a mono-pod, the only way to steady up your shot is by adding two more legs. I do weddings too and I would never use a mono-pod just for that reason.
   
   RAM

   Posted 6 years ago #

3. svhs
   Member

   
   Surely, a tripod is the best lens ;)
   But for dynamic shots, I use a Cullmann Travelpod DV.

   Posted 6 years ago #

4. compusolver
   Member

   
   RAM - you stole my line! I read this post and felt I had to type - "The best stabilizer is a tripod!", but you stole my thunder.
   
   You should not be using a monopod during the wedding ceremony UNLESS this is your fourth camera and you're just shooting for special shots to edit in.
   
   There might be places you could get away with the monopod during the reception and maybe a few places during preps, but I'd advise against it. Learn to be mobile with your tripod.
   
   Most times (95%) you'll need to be on a tripod. The few times you really should be unmounted, you should be handheld - possibly using a light to medium tripod (legs folded up) as a counterbalance to stop shakes. There is no time during a wedding shoot that a monopod is precisely the right mount.
   
   I'll admit, I don't know what a "Cullmann Travelpod DV" is.
   
   I do have a Varizoom and I'll ditto RAM's comments. It is too time-consuming to use during an event shoot - but can be put to good use on business (promos & instructional) videos.
   
   I'll betcha RAM (Video-Maniac) is a darn good wedding videographer - he's always got great advice!

   Posted 6 years ago #

5. svhs
   Member

   

   compusolver Wrote:

   I'll admit, I don't know what a "Cullmann Travelpod DV" is.

   
   A great little thing.
   http://www.cullmann-foto.de/en/products/tripods/travelpods/3090.htm

   Posted 6 years ago #

6. newenglandguy
   Member

   
   Don't you find that a tripod restricts your freedom of movement too much? I film solo, so my set-up is to have an unmanned camera stationary on a tripod that rolls during the event and then for me to have a monopod so I can be mobile to be able to move during the wedding & reception. Since I'm by myself I have to be ready to move quickly, but the stationary cam can be used for cutaway shots while I'm moving or refocusing.

   Posted 6 years ago #

7. alohrey
   Member

   
   Weddings are a workout, and to get good footage sometimes you have to work hard physically. My suggestion is to practice a lot shooting handheld, the more you do it the better you will get. With a camera that has decent optical stabilization, and training yourself to move in a way that is fluid, you will get very good, smooth shots to work with. You need to be in the right place at the right time, and being handheld is the best way to do that. Work very hard to use your body as a tripod, and your resultant video will show the effort.
   
   Later
   ~Adam

   Posted 6 years ago #

8. compusolver
   Member

   
   You can sometimes get some nice shots handheld - but not during the ceremony.
   
   My rule for handheld camera operation is that it's OK if the subject is moving and that it works even better if the camera is also in motion, but almost never on a stationary subject.
   
   (Exception, dolly, boom and jib moves and some steadicam type moves.)
   
   There is almost never a time to do handheld on a stationary object and certainly not during a wedding ceremony where you can't circle the couple, etc. because you don't want to become a distraction.

   Posted 6 years ago #

9. alohrey
   Member

   
   Never during a ceremony, that's just distracting and unnecessary. I am talking about the great detail shots throughout the day. The ceremony's the easy part, get a couple of nice cams, and some nice tripods.
   
   later
   ~Adam

   Posted 6 years ago #

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