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Hi,
I found a picture which may make it easier for you.
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aboveallproductions.com/images/EQUIPMENT%2520IMAGES/STEADICAM2.png&imgrefurl=http://www.aboveallproductions.com/Equipment.html&usg=__5Kq8rr_VvwJMJboaeNHTMQoGoV8=&h=200&w=172&sz=89&hl=en&start=32&zoom=1&tbnid=xu_cmzqfYD9B1M:&tbnh=155&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsteadicam%2Bflyer%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D780%26tbs%3Disch:10,591&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=163&vpy=524&dur=338&hovh=155&hovw=133&tx=80&ty=108&ei=E6yCTIGtGoa6jAe1iNXmCA&oei=_auCTIigL9-K4gaao73TCw&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:32&biw=1440&bih=780
As you can see the shaft of the steadicam has a stand which the user can utilise to calibrate the X and Y axis to ensure that the steadicam will be as flat as possible.
What you need to do it find something that you can mount your steadicam too in order to calibrate those axis. When I used to use it I would mount up the entire rig with the camera, lenses, cables all ready to go. Once this was done then calibrate the axis one by one. It is normally easier to work with the front/back swing getting it as vertical as possible. Once you have done this then work with the horizontal axis and replicate exactly the same as you've done with the vertical axis. When you have completed both of these pick up the bottom of the steadicam shaft where the weights are with just your thumb and index finger, pivoting it to a horizontal position and releasing it to let it swing. By doing so this will allow you to adjust the amount of weight that you have. If you have too much then it will obviously swing very quickly causing overswing and very little swing if you have too little weight. You want to try and replicate a pendulum effect but making it slightly softer so that the dynamo won't go out of control.
I hope this helps. I know it may sound long-winded but it is really easy to do it's just time consuming and a lot of fine tuning. If you want to know more then please just drop me a message in my ask box.
Thank you very much! You’ve been really helpful :)
thezombieapocalypse answered: How tall are you? I’m 6’5” I had to add more weight to mine in order to keep it from shaking. Could just be that I got lucky though.
I’m 5’10” - I’ve used quite a bit of weight so far and it doesn’t shake.and I think I’ve got it almost balanced, but sometimes it rotates whilst I’m holding it, throwing the balance off. My biggest problem has been working out how to correctly attach the camera to the head?
This is killing me!
The manual says ‘Use this v-shaped adapter (the black thing) to securely screw the camera to the head plate. The adapter has a pin that will not allow the camera to rotate.’
I can’t figure out how it’s supposed to work. The screw isn’t long enough to go through the pin and the head into the camera, but I don’t know how else it would work to stop the camera rotating.
:(
Very nice tumblr!! I do videos too, i like your videos. What program you use to edit?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Final Cut Pro - I’m not sure which version. It’s what I used all the way through University so I think I’m quite well versed in it by now. I read somewhere that Napoleon Dynamite was edited using FCP back in 2004, so I’m not really fussed about always having the latest version, just something that does the job.
I got a steadicam for my buffydy from my girlfriend :)
Can’t balance it for the life of me. Any advice?
Ask us questions!
I’m gonna spend some time answering the questions we get asked this weekend so if you have any, fire away!
x
Oh nooooooooo…
I forgot it was tumblr tuesday. It’s okay, we’re too cool for that scene.
PS - Please recommend !
