Digital Home Thoughts: The $14 DIY Steady-Cam

"Steadycams (or camera stabilizers) are attachments used to capture smooth looking video even when the camera and camera operator are in motion. The camera operator may walk (or even jog), move through tight hallways and doorways, and even climb up and down stairs without shaking the camera. Unfortunately, professional steadycams cost around $1500. Even the cheap 3rd party ones cost $600+. Not exactly a bargain considering many of us use cameras in that price range. So, I decided to make my own version.

It turns out, it only costs $14. Not too bad. And I'll show you how to build your own right here (or you may simply buy one from me). Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker, a videographer, the family documentarian, or just want more utility out of your video camera, you'll appreciate a steadycam. If you know what you are doing, you can probably build one of these in about 20 minutes. It might take you an hour if you have to read this web page while you do it and aren't very good with tools..."

A $14 Steady-Cam? Seems too good to be true, but this site will give you a step-by-step guide to making one from local hardware store parts. I was skeptical, but after watching the sample videos, I was quite impressed - it works very well. I've always wanted a steady-cam myself, because I have the absolute worst camera shake when freehand shooting. In fact, when I was in college I took a video class where we shot with big Betacams. For one group project, I was the camera guy, and I shunned using the tripod - "I can get way more control shooting off my shoulder, and hey, it looks just as good!"...until we got into the editing suite and we saw how unstable I was. :oops: We called our group "Off the Shoulder Productions" in honour of how bad of a cameraman I was. :lol:

Although the introductory text says that he's selling them, at the base of the page he reveals he's not selling them again until Summer 2004 at the earliest. Nuts. I was hoping to buy one from him because I'm not the DIY type when it comes to power tools...:lol: Anyone want to build me one? :wink: