2010/11/26

jonni's DIY steadycam

If you don't know what a steadycam / steadicam is good for, I'll try to explain it in a few words. When shooting video one of the most important factors is the stabilization of your camera. If you don't do it right, your footage will look shaky - and this is what we really want to avoid (in most cases).

You'll find yourself in situations when it's absolutely not possible to use a tripod. Even if some lenses do have build in image stabilization, they can't compensate the shaking that you'll get while walking or running around with your camera. So when you are filming while walking around and it's not possible to use a slider or track dolly you'll need another kind of mechanical stabilazation.

There are different steadycam models on the market. I think that most of them are really good, the only problem is their price. So if you have some time and the right tools you can try to build your own model.

This is my DIY steadycam:

My main goal was to built a steadycam for DSLRs that is as small as possible, fully adjustible, lightweight but still very strong. As you can see in the image above it is adjustible just like all the other models. But there are some more facts that I would like to point out. I used a high quality universal joint which is very agile and therefore the movement is compensated very effective. The handle is very soft and big which makes it possible to carry this thing around a while. The steadycam is made out of aluminum and therefore it's very lightweight. The weights are made out of brass. It is possible to loosen and tighten all the screws without any additional tools. This makes it possible to make quick adjustments when changing lenses or adding other equipment. It can carry my 550D wit a LED video light or other DSLRs with medium sized lenses easily. The first test runs went pretty well - I will upload a video as soon as the sun comes out.

The parts have just been painted black and are still drying - I think this thing will have a really professional look.

Hope you like it. Feel free to ask anything you want if you have some questions.

Cheers,
jonni

38 comments:

  1. It looks great, would you be posting a test video? I'm finally getting my T2i (actually a kiss X4, it's cheaper) my uncle who lives in Australia and who is comming back to Xmas will bring it to me, can't wait for it!

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  2. Hi Matias,

    I will upload a video with some test footage soon.
    Hope you'll have some fun with your new camera.

    Cheers,
    jonni

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  3. I wonder where I can find parts like this in the U.S. It looks really cool, and I look forward to seeing your test edits! I have a T2i also, and use a canon 50mm 1.8ll and a Canon 28mm 2.8 as well. I wonder How this will work with a bigger lens(My biggest lens is the L series 17-40mm f/4).

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  4. Hi Tiff,

    most of the parts are custom made, I don't think you'll find them anywhere else, sorry ;)

    I do have the 50mm 1.8 lens, too. Works great with it, but the focal lenght of the lens isn't that good for steadycam shots. Looks better when the lens is wider.

    A friend of mine has the 17-40mm 4.0 - works great, but I do have to add additional weights. For me the setup with the 18-55mm kit lens works best because it is so light. I could carry this thing around the whole day :)

    Cheers,
    jonni

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  5. really nice, very good design.

    What kind of guimbal did you use ?

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  6. Thanks flenoir,

    it's a small kardan joint, made in Germany. I don't know where to buy something similar, it's an industry part.

    Cheers,
    jonni

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  7. Hello Jonny,

    excuse my English, I'm Italian.
    could you tell me the measurements of the individual parts?
    Thanks Eugene

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  8. Hi Eugene,

    I can't check the measurements right now, but to be honest, they aren't very important because the system is fully adjustible. You can slide the weight back an forth, adjust the height and move to camera in every direction. I think it's more important to make it flexible than stick to some measurements.

    I hope this helps.

    Cheers,
    jonni

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  9. hallo jonni

    dein ansinnen ist ehrenhaft, eine machselbst-steadicam für lau zu basteln, aber die besagte aufnahme oben damit ist einfach verwackelt, mehr nicht. ich arbeite seit einigen wochen mit einer steadicam pilot für 4.000 euro (diese ausgabe hat wirklich wehgetan!) aber das ist kein vergleich zu den systemen, mit denen ich mir vorher einen abgebrochen hab (handgehaltene systeme)natürlich ist immer die frage, was braucht man wozu?

    www.schwebi.tv ist glaub ich auch nicht schlecht.

    benedicite
    joachim

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  10. Hallo Joachim,

    vielleicht erinnerst Du Dich noch an Deinen ersten Steadicam-Flug, ohne etwas Übung ist das gar nicht so einfach... ;) Jedenfalls sind für mich jetzt Aufnahmen verwertbar, die sonst im Papierkorb gelandet wären.

    Du musst es so sehen, meine komplette Ausrüstung (Kamera + Objektive + Licht + Ton + Zubehör) hat (noch) einen Wert von unter 1500 Euro. Da ist eine 4000 Euro Investition für ein Schwebestativ einfach unrealistisch. Mein Ziel ist es, die Aufnahmen wie ich sie mir vorstelle mit so einfachen Mitteln wie möglich umzusetzten.

    Der "Schwebi" sieht auch nicht schlecht aus, Preis ist auch vertretbar. Aber DIY macht einfach Spaß und es ist ein tolles Gefühl wenn alles fertig ist ;)

    Schöne Grüße und guten Rutsch,
    jonni

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  11. Hi Jonn,
    were did get the breaker joint attached to the handle? thanks..

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  12. I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you mean. If you search a kardan like this you should search the web for "small kardan" or check a local R/C store. I got mine for free, it's an industry part.

    Cheers,
    jonni

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  13. HELLO!
    I see you said the parts are custom but where did u make them? do u have a design i imitate or at least the screw sizes?

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  14. Hi Mr. Ade,

    I do have access to some professional tools (drilling and milling machines), so this is how I made the parts.

    The measurements and screw sizes aren't important at all. If you want to build a steadycam like this try to keep it as light as possible, make it fully adjustable and get a good gimball! These are the most important things to make it work.

    Good luck with your project!

    jonni

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  15. Hi Jooni, i watched your steadicam video and I am intrested to buy one of this could you please let me know how can I buy and how much it cost me? my email address is massoud.q[at]gmail.com

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  16. Hi Massoud,

    please check your emails.

    Cheers,
    jonni

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  17. Do you still sell those custom made steadicams? How much would you ask for it? Mail me at mattijsdesmedt[a]gmail[dt]com

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  18. Hi, I might want to buy one of your steadicams. Could you email me at aarrh12371@maricopa.edu

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  19. Hi Jonny,
    very great work!
    I've a question about the cardanic joint.
    Where I can buy it? Can you tell me the company that produce the joint?
    I saw on your video that you screw the joint, so the joint is threaded or did it yourself?
    Thank you.
    Bye

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  20. Hi, I'm sorry but you can't buy this joint. It's an industry part which is used in automobiles. I drilled the holes for the screws by myself.

    Some people told me that you can find good joints in local model making stores.

    Hope this helps.

    Cheers,
    jonni

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  21. Hi I'm interested in purchasing one, please mail alaquian@att.net

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  22. Hi again.
    Thanks for the answer about the cardanic joint.
    I know that the dimension are not fixed but can you tell me the thickness of the bar where you fix the joint?
    Thanks.
    Bye

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  23. Hi, I also try to make DIY steadycam.
    I think yours is very good, so I want to use your photo for understanding how a steadycam works as below:
    http://aoihappa.seesaa.net/article/229810431.html
    if it is ok, I trackback this entry.

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  24. Hi koteitan,

    that's no problem at all, feel free to share anything you like from this site :)

    Cheers,
    jonni

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  25. I know that the dimension are not fixed but can you tell me the thickness of the bar where you fix the joint?
    Thanks.
    Bye

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  26. Hi Jonni,
    Verkaufst du diese Steadycam immer noch? Wie viel würde es in etwa kosten? Bitte schreib mir eine Mail an Alu09@yahoo.de ! Danke

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  27. Hi

    Can you tell me where i can find these brass weights.

    Thanks

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  28. Hi Imti,
    I made the weights by myself, so you can't find or buy them. I' sorry.

    Cheers,
    jonni

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  29. Hi

    I'm building my own steadicam, could you tell me how thick are the aluminium parts ? (in order to be rigid enough).

    Thanks

    Germain.

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  30. Hey Jonni,

    hätte Interesse an der Steadycam. Kannst mir gerne ne Mail an H.Baylam@gmx.de schicken.

    Thanks

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  31. Hallo Jonni

    Habe die selbe Steadycam gebastelt wie Du... wieviel Gewicht hast Du unten angehängt?

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    Replies
    1. Ca. 500g. Abhängig von Objektiv und Zubehör an der Kamera. Probieren geht über studieren :) Viel Erfolg!

      Gruß, jonni

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  32. Hi Germain, 4-5 mm should be okay for the weights.
    Hope this helps.

    Cheers, jonni

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  33. Jonni the god! Thanks for your great idea, I hope it will be works with my 600D! I'll go to the shop soon, chech the parts.

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  34. Hi there!

    I was astonished by your DIY steadicam but I'm afraid I'll not be able to buy it - I'm from Poland and the only way would be sending it?

    The other issue is - would this steadicam be suitable for lightweight camcorders? I mean Kodak ZX5 Playsport, which weights ~130 grams... I tried to built my own steadicam, but it turned to be total disappointment...

    All the best,
    Marcin.

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  35. P.S. I found your vid with a painted steadicam! :D

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_LbC3A2bnI

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  36. why would someone tease us with a DIY and not make it possible to at least find the parts needed to do it? That to me is a tad bit unthoughtful. Why bother making and sharing a DIY video if it's not going to help people ?

    Sorry, no offense, I just don't get the value, other than showing the world that you are smart.

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  37. Very good!
    Please write down your size in the table. Thank you

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