Steady-cam

[Brendon]

Here is a steady-cam I made for a friend who was shooting a short movie.
Attachment 16592
The handle was a new bicycle-handle and was the only part I had to purchase.
Everything else came from stuff lying about the shop.
It's amazing what you come across when you go rooting in the drawers.
The gimbal was made using a universal joint from a socket set and
a bearing off a router cutter.
The camera mounting came off an old camera tripod.
The tubular arm came off a broken garden hose reel.
The lead weights that I cast can be moved up or down the arm
of the device so that compensation can be made for the weight
of the camera. I made a set of 4 weights so that my friend could
change cameras. Only two are shown on it in the photo.
The handle can be turned or twisted in any direction quickly or suddenly
and the camera remains steady.

My friend was able to run about the yard and up and down steps following
his subject and all stayed still.
Apparently the short movie was successful for him at some festival
in the UK.

[DIYer]

Thanks Brendon! We've added your Camera Stabilizer to our Photography and Videography category,
as well as to your builder page: Brendon's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Camera Stabilizer by Brendon

tags: photography

[jclayjim]

Well done and good use of easily obtainable items. Thanks.

[Brendon]

Thanks for your comment. I like to make useful things out of bits and pieces that are lying around.
I built my slot mortising machine in the same way.

Best Wishes.