Author Topic: How to create stable footage while traveling light (Read 6443 times)

kenwood · « **on:** November 03, 2014, 13:12 »

When traveling light to a new country, sometimes it is not always possible to bring a tripod. What techniques do you find useful to create stable stock footages? I have tried the techniques below and they are hit or miss. Perhaps a light shoulder rig will be the answer?

http://wistia.com/blog/stabilizing-handheld-video

asmai · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2014, 15:48 »

I post process in After effect with Warp stabilizer effect, it works most of the time.

tickstock · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2014, 15:57 »

Bring a tripod if you want to do it right. There are tripods that are lightweight and will work for static shots. You also haven't said what gear you are using and what types of shots you want to get.

Holmes · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2014, 16:23 »

i got tired of the video limitations of my Canon 5Dm2 so i bought

https://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-nxcamsite/resource.latest.bbsccms-assets-micro-nxcam-latest-hxrnx3.shtml

and now can see what i am doing and not have to mess with all the Manual settings of a dslr. It has great image stabilization and gets the shot for run and gun work. i still use the canon for studio video.

asmai · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2014, 16:27 »

How about Go-Pro? Anyone has experience with it? Is it supposed to have good stabilizing feature?

ACS · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2014, 16:45 »

Play dough. When traveling light I use a piece of play dough to stick my small Sony RX100 or Nikon J1 on a fence, wall etc. It works most of the time.

Copidosoma · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2014, 17:57 »

lbarn · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2014, 18:22 »

I purchased one of those Benro A48F with S4 fluid head, which is a monopod with little flip down feet. I was extremely skeptical before purchasing it, that it would be able to hold the camera upright and level. After a slight adjustment to the ballhead at the base, it holds up my Panasonic GH4 with ease. I wouldn't trust it enough to walk away, but its quick to set up, and stand right in front of me. With practice smooth pans are possible, especially if I can brace the monopod against a nearby railing. There are videos of people using it for a canon 5D with a big lens, not sure if I want to try that.

I have only had it a week, but I think with some practice, it will be less noticeable than setting up a regular tripod.

kenwood · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2014, 19:00 »

There are several types of travel footage I create: static shot of landmarks, locals interaction at a gathering spot, details of everyday items

I have tried stablizing the footage in post using virtualdub. It trims the footage so it is no longer 1080. Does the wrap stablizer trim the video?

I have tried the monopod approach. It is ok for static shots but it tends to shake side ways.

I have a canon 6d with a 2470. It is relatively light dslr setup. If i have a ligher camera such as a gh4, I would try using a octoplus tripod and attached it to my shoulder.

Someone suggest I tie a string to the camera, a corn on the other end. Drop the coin to the floor, step on it, along with the neck strap, I would have a 2 point stablizing system. Wonder if anyone has tried that?

tickstock · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2014, 19:07 »

Why not get a small carbon fiber tripod? This is only 2lbs and folds to 16 inches. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/759477-REG/Gitzo_GT1542T_Series_1_Traveler_6x.html

Mantis · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2014, 21:24 »

There are small bean bags available that are very light and small but allow you to set the bag on a rock, wall, bench or any stable surface and simply shift the camera around on the beans to get your camera stabilized where you want it.

Beppe Grillo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 06, 2014, 03:45 »

I use a (very) light monopod + software stabilisation in After Effects.
I think that it is a good compromise.

Benozaur · « **Reply #12 on:** November 06, 2014, 04:42 »

I use a beanbag in a pinch, a sweater works fine as well, I often take off one of my hiking boots and rest my camera on that - works like a charm.

If you are looking for a bit more sophistication, then I'd recommend the Joby Gorilla pod. http://joby.com/gorillapod/slrzoom
I take mine everywhere and can set up a shot almost anywhere.

Nikosbernardo · « **Reply #13 on:** December 10, 2014, 06:10 »

If you want to travel light without any load than go for carbon fiber tripod. Carbon fiber is the lightest stuff of the tripod. MAnfrotto tripods are of very good quality.

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 10, 2014, 20:15 »

Quote from: tickstock on November 05, 2014, 19:07

Why not get a small carbon fiber tripod? This is only 2lbs and folds to 16 inches. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/759477-REG/Gitzo_GT1542T_Series_1_Traveler_6x.html

This is what I have with a lightweight ball head and it works great for travel. I hang my backpack off the hook and it is very stable. Not quite stable enough for video in high wind (I discovered recently), but very good in most circumstances and small enough to go almost anywhere so it gets used a lot.

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Author Topic: How to create stable footage while traveling light (Read 6443 times)

kenwood

asmai

tickstock

Holmes

asmai

ACS

Copidosoma

lbarn

kenwood

tickstock

Mantis

Beppe Grillo

Benozaur

Nikosbernardo

sgoodwin4813

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