Problems panning...

[GUMS]

I am having a real problem keeping the camera steady while panning and it just looks like the camera work from the D-day scene in saving private ryan on the beach as it looks very shakey.Is there any equipment which would be in the price range of a fourteen year old, any info would be fantastic. In the future I will try and use the unsteadyness to my advantage.

[stop_thief]

tripod?

[Eliud25]

Video Innovations sells a Shoulder Rest.
It makes your camcorder more comfortable to hold and video taping easier because you can shoot longer without getting tired.($45.00)
Many vidographers belive that you can't get good shots without a tripod, but I say that is not entirely true. Most small camcorders have built-in imagae stabilization features, and even camcorders lacking this features can produce steady handheld shots if the shooter leans agaist a solid, stationary object. On the other hand, when spending hours trying to make your film look good, it would be a shame to get shaky footage. A very small tripod, such as a tabletop model, or a MONOPOD may be what you really need.

[stop_thief]

I recorded my whole last short without a tripod. All hand held. It wasn't intentional, I just felt more comfortable that way.

One of the best ways to get steady shots
is to get intimately familiar with handling the camera.

[shakespeareskin]

I agree, what you need is a simple tripod or monopod. since your on a low budget I would suggest heading down to a Kmart, Best Buy or Circut City. they have tripods around 20 bucks...or try a flea market. other than that if you REALLY don't have the money to spend look around the house for something you can use to steady the camera. I remember when I first started using a camera I found an old rotating spice rack in the basement, it worked great for simple paning (provided you have something like a table to set it on). Good luck with your project.

[darthshawn]

One Idea you may like... I built my own dolly with three wheels, a slab of wood and water bottle lids... for more detailed instructions email me.

[email protected]

[Chance1234]

I had a similiar probelm when using a Super 8 camera, it was jsut too dam light, and there was no balance, so i got an old gunstock and attached the camera to that add added the weioght, a gun stock is ideal as you can swing it form anywhere and keep it straight,

theres a bit about it on
http://www.lookingglass.atfreeweb.co...ghts/index.htm

under about/old


also on shoot i finished about 4 weeks ago we were using the DSR 500, being used to beta this thing felt like a ballon, very hard to keep steady - easy solution is to get someone else to steady you

[WUXflooble]

How about just buying a fluid head Tripod?

[shirt]

You can make a monopod...

Go to a Hardware store with your camera...
go to the nuts and bolts section, and find the bolt that fits into the tripod base of your camcorder... buy two of them. (1.00 at most?)

Remember not to long or too short... About an inch and a half is great!

Anyways, now ask someone for a piece of wood dowling... about an inch thick... if you can, buy a length suitable to your height! Now... take it home, drill a hole into the top of the wood dowling, deep enough so that you can hammer the bolt into the hole, but still have just enought sticking out for the camcorder to screw onto!

And viola... a sterdy monopod for under 10 bucks!

[shakespeareskin]

well a tripod with a fluid head would be great, but I think that might be a little out of his budget. the post about making our own monopod sounds like it might be the best thing.