Tutorial: Building The $14 Steadicam
1 year ago
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5. Tutorial: Building The $14 Steadicam
1 year ago
This is a tutorial showing how to build Johnny Lee's Steadicam, found here:
cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/
Hope you enjoy the tutorial, let me know if you found it useful.
UPDATE 2: A few people have suggested that you do not need to bend the washer that supports your camera. I'm inclined to agree, and it has also been suggested that you put a similarily sized rubber washer between your camera and the metal washer. This also seems like good advice!
UPDATE 1: If you would like me to build you one of these, the cost is (in Canadian $$):
PARTS: $15.00
LABOUR: $15.00 (unpainted) $20.00 (painted black)
SHIPPING: $21.00 to Florida, $14.00 to British Columbia (as two examples, since they are as far West and far South in North America that you can get from me).
EDIT: Seems that the audio is out of sync towards the end. Not sure why, because the file I uploaded is not out of sync.
cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/
Hope you enjoy the tutorial, let me know if you found it useful.
UPDATE 2: A few people have suggested that you do not need to bend the washer that supports your camera. I'm inclined to agree, and it has also been suggested that you put a similarily sized rubber washer between your camera and the metal washer. This also seems like good advice!
UPDATE 1: If you would like me to build you one of these, the cost is (in Canadian $$):
PARTS: $15.00
LABOUR: $15.00 (unpainted) $20.00 (painted black)
SHIPPING: $21.00 to Florida, $14.00 to British Columbia (as two examples, since they are as far West and far South in North America that you can get from me).
EDIT: Seems that the audio is out of sync towards the end. Not sure why, because the file I uploaded is not out of sync.
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Of course, I just used a 2-part epoxy to fuse a quick-release top (from an old, broken tripod I frankensteined) to the end cap. Works like a charm, no drilling, and it actually looks nice.
Also, in my earlier version, where I did drill to make the camera mount, I just used a PVC cap and screwed it into the steel pipe. The PVC was much easier to drill, and once it's painted it all looks pretty similar, anyway.
How have you found the results of using it for awhile? Do you find your footage is improved overall?
That's Canadian dollars, so if you're American it's a little cheaper.
2 thing I noticed...
1- At 10:32 the wing nut. You have it backwards. The wings of the wing nut should not be touching the washer. The base should.
2- The washer should not be bent the way Johnny Lee's site recommends. The reason, in my opinion, is because most cameras have a plastic housing, and the hole where the tripod screws into is a small, metallic nut that has been embedded into the housing. When you put a washer as JL recommends, you actually put pressure outside edges of the washer pushing onto the plastic housing and by doing that it would be pulling the embedded nut outward. This is similar to what mechanics use to pull a bearing.
You need to put flush pressure to the bottom of the camera by having a flat surface just as a tripod. I have not seen a tripod that has a concave surface. Also it would help to have a rubber washer sandwiched between the washer and the camera to reduce scratching. It would also help cushion it.
If the base of the camera was all solid metal then the concave washer would not mater (won't hurt the camera).
Just my 2 cents.
1) I was told that as well, but I felt the wings spread out the support across the washer better. So maybe this is an improvement on what Juhnny suggsts.
2) I can't argue with you here. I think you're probably right. My camera has a slight sircular scratch underneath from the washer, and as you say, I can't think of any other support you would put under your camera that isn't perfectly flat. Great idea with the rubber washer as well. I may work that into future productions of this.
Again , great job on the detailed tutorial.
Which part of Canada are you in... ? I'll take one by the way! Nova Scotia here.
do you sell to indonesia..???
Just wanted to let you know that I am still selling these to people if they are interested.
amankerstudio, I haven't yet, but if you pay the shipping, I don't see why not. Send me an email at MarlboMedia@live.com
Sorry for the slow response. I haven't been on Vimeo as much as I want to be.