All Stabilization Methods TESTED | Handheld vs Sakk vs Easyrig vs Shoulder Rig vs Monopod/Vest
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- Опубликовано: 13 июл 2024
- Today we put five different types of handheld stabilization to the test to see which one comes out on top.
What is your favorite form of stabilization?
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Canon C70: amzn.to/3Gi1Erg
Sakk: sakkcameraequipment.com/
Tilta Shoulder Rig: tilta.com/shop/tiltaing-light...
Easyrig: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...
Monopod: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...
Sony Vest (no loner made): Sony VCT-SP1BP
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MY MINIMALIST LIGHTING KIT:
- Zhiyun Molus X100: store.zhiyun-tech.com/product...
- Zhiyun Molus X60 (2): store.zhiyun-tech.com/product... (used code 10ZYX60TOCC for 10% off).
- All Zhiyun Gear: store.zhiyun-tech.com/?ref=Cu...
- Zhiyun Molus G200: store.zhiyun-tech.com/product...
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Gear I Use
Favorite Cinema Camera: amzn.to/3Gi1Erg
Perhaps The Best Lens Ever Made: amzn.to/3GluCXa
Wireless Lav: amzn.to/3Gi1L6a
Gimbal: amzn.to/3GfV4BD
Drone: amzn.to/3SYRYK2
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0:00 - Intro
0:24 - Handheld Laser Test
3:00 - Coverage Test
6:50 - Walking Test
11:00 - Usability Test
16:00 - Final Thoughts 
Кино
Use the monopod with the saddle. That's what I use. Works like a charm.
Oh, interesting combo. I'll test it out!
Dang i thought my prayers were answered until i saw doesnt make them anymore. It was the perfect solution for all day weddings
I know - such a bummer that they don't make the vest anymore. I might have to design one myself...
@5:03 yes, you do have to grab the cam off the saddle, but you could rest your elbows on the saddle for stability. no, i don't own a cine saddle...i'm a poor filmmaker so i just used an old lowepro sling bag that i had layin' around and filled it w/ a towel. worked out pretty well at my last shoot. and yes, i used the method i mentioned when i had to get the camera higher.
Yep, that would be a good technique as well.
Exactly - the saddle is used to rest your elbows when you need the camera at shoulder level - works very well!
I am getting the Tilta shoulder rig today. I use a comfortable foam standard camera strap. I poke one arm through so it's not on the back of my neck. All my cameras have a strap with easy to remove clips. I use rigged up C70's as well. Not a big fan of the EasyRig types. I have one but if you need to move/walk it's rough. Waiting on my C400 to come in September to use with my 24-105 2.8. Nice weight combo.
Good work here.
Yea the C70 really is not enough weight to use with an Easyrig - swings too much. Can't wait for the C400 + 24-105mm f2.8 combo. Might be the ultimate documentary DP setup.
loved the vid and it was very in depth. Personally i've been using my shoulder rig combined with a cinesaddle lately and that seems to tick allot of boxes from shooting low to on the shoulder. One thing i absolutely love when shooting on the shoulder rig is interviewing people by yourself you get a great eyeline instead of looking at the camera.
That’s a great point with the shoulder rig. And yes, it does seem having a second type of stabilizer (like the cine saddle) makes a shoulder rig quite a bit more useful.
Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it!
For all day shoots, I use my FX3/FX6 with a gimbal which is mounted directly to a mechanical support vest, namely the Thanos SE.
I can shoot nonstop for hours with that system without much fatigue, if I really need to. You can shoot from eye level to knee level, it’s a pretty good range for most situations.
With just a gimbal, it’s nearly impossible to shoot continuously for more than 10/15 minutes without destroying your arms and back. You have to put down your camera every few minutes to recover.
Totally. I wanted to focus specifically on handheld, doc verité techniques, but if you're going to be running a gimbal, you almost have to have something like a vest and arm. Thanks for watching!
The issue with your shoulder rig shots being this shaky, is that the rods the camera is resting on are way too short. The longer the balance points between hand grips and shoulder are away from each other (also between each grip), the more stabil the shot becomes. I would recommend 40cm for smaller and between 40-60cm for taller people for an optimal range. When you're mounting the battery to the rear end of the shoulder piece to create additional leverage to take weight off your arms, it becomes even more stabil and even if you shake, it will be smooth and controlled.
Agree that continuing to optimize your setup, no matter what it is, will give you better results. I've never totally put in that time for a shoulder rig because I dislike them so much, but for those who love them, you can continue to optimize and perfect.
this is amazing! thank you so much!
Thanks for the tests ... very informative.
I've been using a monopod pressed against my body connected to a shoulder strap (for a 2 point contact). Budget friendly and stable enough.
Yep that sounds like it would be pretty useful - is the monopod all the way to the ground?
@@CurrenSheldon Nope, pressed against my abdomen by its three feet
I still like to have my hands able to control the camera. Sounds like you can still do it with that setup!
What about breathing, though?
thank you!
this is awesome info. thanks
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this content!
Thanks for watching!
Very interested by the saddle but the price is juste a joke ... Recently i discovered the macgiver way using the never used camera ztrap around your neck with a rig ... To my surprised its pretty effective!
As of today, June 3rd, 2024, out of multiple videos I've ever seen, yours is the BEST & MOST COMPREHENSIVE regarding camera stabilizer reviewing. It's because you cover Easyrig, Handheld, Monopod, Sakk bag, Shoulder Rig and Vest. You also demonstrate their advantages and disadvantages. Thank Curren for such an INTERESTING & USEFUL job!
One question, please! If possibile, could you please compare Easyrig STABIL G3 with your monopod system? Easyrig claims it can stabilize camera setups between 5-25 kg / 11-55 lbs. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for the kind words and for watching! I'd love to test out the STABIL G3, but don't have access to one at the moment (and they are pricey!). I am going to do an easyrig vs readyrig comparison soon, though - and maybe throw in the monopod/vest system as a control group.
@@CurrenSheldon I agree that STABIL G3 is pricey. Thanks anyway.
Where did you get the vest and saddle for the monopod? looks great for a gimbal also.
I am a big fan of being handheld with FS-7 for B-Roll as it it the fastest way to get a lot of coverage. Your body learns where you can tuck it to get some stable shots. We bought some shoulder rigs for them but it makes everything heavier and harder to be quick without much benefit. I tend to work on sticks for long takes/interviews. Would liked someday to try a easy rig to learn if it could help on those longer takes while keeping the handheld look.
Yep, cameras like the FS7/FX9 work best for handheld as you can still throw them on the shoulder if need be for longer takes. 90% of other cameras can't really do this anymore - not my favorite style of camera, but they definitely have that going for them.
I love my ReadyRig w/ Proarms for most of my work. However, for less crazy shoots and run-and-gun work, I prefer to use my CineSaddle (even though it's overpriced lol). Thank you for sharing the results of these tests!
I have a ReadyRig on the way! Excited to test it against the Easyrig - definitely like the fact that it's not nearly as tall.
Great information, Curren. Thank you for doing this! I’m facing this very same dilemma in the documentary style show I’m working on. Do you know of vest that is similar to the Sony one you mentioned that’s no longer available?
I have not found a similar vest. I ended up buying that one on ebay for more than it used to cost new. I'm surprised someone like Tilta hasn't made something similar to it.
@@CurrenSheldon I may reach out to Tilta or Smallrig to guage their interest in creating a vest like this. Worth a try.
I wonder if you could track that laser dot and then get a "percentage stabilized" value in After Effects for each setup. Could also use that tracking data to put natural shake on to footage on sticks (might need two laser pointers for that so you have rotational data haha)
Ohhh I love this. Sounds like more work than I'm willing to do, but I LIKE IT. I might do another test with the ReadyRig and try to hold the shot for 3+ minutes. That should give us a more usable reading.
I know a lot of people hate on them but I still think a simple monopod, without the feet, is really useful. It takes all the weight off your body for longer takes, very stable, quite nimble and adjustable. Its main downside is that it doesn't offer a lot when walking. I often use a monopod/cinesaddle combo, and of course a quick adjust tripod.
Agreed! Monopods do work in a lot of scenarios. And yep, the Flowtech tripod (or YC Onion) are great if you want the tripod style/look.
I used to use a monopod all the time, but missed shots every now and again because it got in the way. Even with a quick release plate, I couldn't remove it fast enough to grab fleeting low shots. Getting a body with solid IBIS changed everything, now I hardly use a monopod at all.
I understand why you didn't do this but I think one thing that is overlooked is that when you have a shoulder rig you can take it off and use it handheld/rest it on your hip without having to rearrange or take something off. In my opinion shooting docs the top 2 methods are shoulder rigs and monopod with quick release. You can also stategically use an ezyrig based on location and payload.
I think that's one of the issues with the shoulder rigs is that you HAVE to take it off to get those hip shots - and then you would need a really robust hipshot or something similar to even be able to handhold it in that position for longer than 30-seconds.
The monopod could be really good for those longer and lower shots, if only we could find a wide, flat surface to set it on, instead of in the vest pocket 😄
Yea I've used a monopod to the floor a few times, but I find it difficult to move quickly with it, change heights as subjects move, and keep it level (though, most cameras have an electronic level now, so that's less of an issue - but a lot of them still don't!)
A good idea of a video to compare all of these methods. I appreciate the various tests.
My favorite stabilization was the EasyRig and CineSaddle. This video test also reminds me that there are different tools for different jobs. Filming in nature using the EasyRig is a breeze. A CineSaddle could be great for smaller spaces. I agree with you handheld is not great for covering scenes.
How did you come up with the ideaofousinge a laser and lon-exposure? Also, where can I find the vest from the vested monopod setup?
The general conclusion is: pick the best tool for the job, for sure. But it's not always possible, especially in docs, to bring ALL of these, so you have to choose the most versatile option and what you want to achieve. For the laser pointer, I was trying to think of something that would actually objectively show which one was steadiest, and how much the camera shakes over a given time period with a laser would be your best bet. Really, I should do it for 5-10 minutes each to really show the results - but who has the time? haha.
Unfortunately, Sony doesn't make that vest anymore. I bought it for WAY too much on Ebay, but I like it so much, it was worth the price. If you want to look for it, it's called: Sony VCT-SP1BP - I use a different monopod though.
@@CurrenSheldon I’ve done more reflecting on this topic. Have you tried the Ergorig with the Sling?
@@DANAMIONLINE I have not yet! I've always been interested in the ergorig, but since I'm not a huge fan of shoulder-mounted cameras, have never given it a full look. But the sling may be a good middle ground. I just received my ReadyRig, so going to test that out now as well.
@@CurrenSheldon I'm thinking the same about the Ergorig with the Undersling. You can get in a car with it, throw it on the shoulder (if you want), or use various heights with the underlying attachments.
What prompted you to get the ReadyRig?
Hi
I use Strap and schoulder pad from smallrig on my P6K org for handheld sometimes easyrig for longer Shots...
For handheld really everyone schould have this smallrig pad it is perfect to have a big chest point of contact.
Walking was always a problem...
Well if you have the S5iiX after the newer update you have almost gimbal level of stabilisation with a flair of hanheld ...and it is shootting prores HQ 5.8K on SSD...it is almost cheaper to get an S5iiX than an easyrig...😂😂😂
Haha - IBIS definitely helps, but I'm amazed at how often it gives me jitters and artifacts that I don't want in my footage, especially for documentary. But yes, the Smallrig chest pad on the back of rods is GREAT for extra stabilization. If you can tell, I have it on my monopod setup and it's great.
@@CurrenSheldon Well microjitters are for the past with the S5iiX IBIS setting to HIGH...it gives u a S35 5.8k Pores HQ with 1.3 crop +- after last firmware update really hard to do better...even hand held 70-300 was stable which is unseen...for FF (MFT is another story)
Why not just use some kind of gimbal system?
This is specifically for the handheld look. Gimbals are fine, but they have a specific look that I don't think fits documentaries very well - feels less organic. Also, trying to use a gimbal on a documentary for the entire shoot is near impossible if you are filming verite, actual in-scene action, people talking at table, etc. Gimbals are fine for b-roll but not the best route for real, true documentary-capture.
@@CurrenSheldon thank u for the thorough explanation
@@CurrenSheldon To add if I may, while gimbals are indeed killer for what they do, they are another failure point with a huge liability if it is your only means of getting the shot. I kinda think that glidecams are still relevant just for that reason. They seem to offer a smoother handheld look, quick to react, no battery, no fuss solution (after balancing of course).
@@CDStudios 100% - I've had gimbals go wonky on me at inopportune times and so never fully trust them. Especially when doing 10-12 hour doc shoot days where you are following characters and shooting observational stuff - gimbals are no fun in those scenarios.
Wished you included tilta float handheld support
Don't write "all stabilization methods". You are missing electronic gimbal, steadicam and more, that would have been much better in pretty much all of these scenarios...
These are doc or handheld stabilization methods. Gimbals and steadicams are their own thing and for a certain look - not what most handheld shooting scenarios want.