Homemade Steadicam Tutorial (DIY)

[@settleac]

You guys are champions. I built this with a few mods and it is unbelievably good compared to the raw footage. Massive kudos guys. If there is anyone unsure-- This stabilizer is seriously legit.

[@arfurlife]

brilliant video. You guys are to be praised highly with total sincerity. we owe you big time. thanks a thousand times for this.

[@DJNAYO-dv8nq]

excelente trabajo amigo, saludos desde chile.

[@Filmmaker117]

the snowboarding one looks so professional. i like it

[@iapa22]

¡Las imagenes del snowboarding se ven super pro! ¡Buen trabajo!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Bravo!! 5/5 stars. I built one this weekend and tested it out and guess what... IT WORKS GREAT!! I have even come up with a great modification for when I'm out backpacking and don't want to carry the extra weight around with me, I can simply add the weight with sand, rocks or water. When I'm done, I can just dump out the weight and disassemble the tubing into a bag. THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!! I posted a video response to show you how it looks and how it worked for me. FUCKING AWESOME!!

[@Blu0tuth0ninja]

no, the subject was on the escalator. The camerea man was on the stairs, which were situated in the center of the two escalators.

[@JPWack]

@jetkrazee the force involved it' s torque (the thing that you do to doors to move it against angular momentum), so try to add a little weight or longer pipes

[@HeyItsSteve93]

Going to Lowe's right now. Can't wait to finish this!

[@danilko1]

Okay careful viewing of video shows how to hold. Watch shadows on the snow. Gees Louise. Use special brain cells to develop attachment for camera like some 20tpi .25in bolt. In video steady cam seems bigger than animation, but is correct. Gimbal will help with pan and jarring, noticeable weaknesses in sample video. Also pro steady cams have more balancing adjustments. Think 20/80 rule. That's why this one is so brilliant.

[@macadameane]

I put on PVC screw joints and glued the rest. It made the legs slightly longer and I can stick weight inside (and change the weight for different lenses).

[@OPE08]

@MattRosenDP 3/4" slip to male thread adaptor glued to the top with another small section will allow you to screw a 3/4" flange to the top. And Im thinking a bolt with a few washers on it threaded thru some endcaps glued to the lower ends would work as easy weights...

[@Enlazador9]

I did this myself and the results were satisfactory if you handle it the right way. Every steadicam has a learning curve line. I wonder though, has anyone tried something better than this? Wich one?

[@CharlieJamesReader]

I used this tutorial to build a steadicam that I used in a short film, shot in London. I used a baseplate on the top of the T junction, attached a square piece of wood to that, and drilled a hole in the middle of the wood where I put a screw from an old tripod in order to attach the camera. For the weights, I cut a dumbell bar in half, slipped each half into both ends of pipe, and screwed weight plates on. Click on my name to check out the film, 'Brief Encounter' that I made using it.

[@trevabove]

The floor flange has holes. Just like you would screw a camera onto your tripod, get a wingnut that goes through the hole and into your camera

[@1981DMC]

Excellent video, and well illustrated. Nice job thanks.

[@WorldBBChamp]

Also, if you have any tips on how to modify this to take the camera low, please pass them on. I may try shortening the arms and angling them more horizontal so that I can get lower before they hit the ground.

[@HansKJohnson]

Hey thanks guys! I just made it today and the results were fantastic! I made one for my T2i and it works great. It cost me about $7 and I still had 5ft of extra PVC so I'm going to make one for a friend. I'll be posting the results of my steadicam in a few. Hans

[@WorldBBChamp]

Also, since my camera is heavier, I'm going with 1-1/2 inch PVC. If anyone has any ideas on how to avoid the heavy 1-1/2 inch plate (due to all the adaptors needed) or a better idea for a plate, please pass it on! ..and thanks - excellent concept!

[@KingSkulkZ]

where u hold it?

[@Bevoin1970]

What can I say except BRILLIANT !!!! its ingenious and I like it.. Well deserved greetings from England Paul 5* :-)

[@Scorge120]

Wow looks great! Just a question though... My camera weighs 1.25lbs. should I go with the smaller design or the larger design?

[@trevabove]

Using this tutorial I built my own steadicam and it's working great. I uploaded a video of me filming my friend skateboard using the steadicam. Thanks guys!

[@ghesstifer]

This is incredible, great job. Anxiously awaiting Part 2 that shows how to operate... :)

[@OttoBelden]

Cool design, doesn't look too ergonomic but the results are great, good job! - Otto

[@nadavge]

This video was purely awesome! Thanks

[@WorldBBChamp]

What size is the base (Floor Flange)? I went to get a 1-1/2 inch and that made it very heavy up top. My camera is 5lbs.

[@oppproto]

Awsome, i whatched this video about 2 yeasrs ago, i still have it and glad i ttook the time to make it :D

[@cutarecutarescu]

I never saw this design until now. Looks interesting though.

[@WorldBBChamp]

Do you find it difficult to pan with this design due to the long arm on the rear by the leg? Overall I hear nothing but good things about this design, but I just built a rough draft version and ran into the panning issue. I'm a newbie and may simply be misusing it. Any advice from anyone would be appreciated!

[@Th17kit]

Actually I know the part of Copper where that was filmed and the cameraman does indeed walk down a staircase in the middle, between the two escalators.

[@SolarMoth]

Really nice stuff. Love the snowboarding shots!

[@WorldBBChamp]

J2VFilms...what design did you use for the base plate?

[@rikmills]

Very smooooooth! Nice job dudes!

[@Pianodog]

That is awesome! BEST CHEAP STEADYCAM EVER

[@InWhoseOpinion]

Wicked video... What did you use for the 3D animation?

[@BMDLP]

awesome job guys!

[@monstertunes]

Props to you guys! I'm going to try this tomorrow!

[@poppacooter]

awesome snowboard footage and i dont even snow board, awesome

[@jonahiew]

Great video!! where do you actually grip and hold the whole thing?

[@broard]

Nice and thanks. What program was used to make the neat animations?

[@TheUnihopper]

What diameter of pipe did you use? Thanks,

[@NIFTYDRIFTYPROD]

i think he's talking about the camera man walking down the stairs. after all this video was created for the camera stabilizer.

[@skim252]

where do you hold it? and if you have a bigger camera should you have more weight, or no?

[@ghesstifer]

Here's my go at it... I've also included footage of what the device actually looks like, with my own modifications. Thanks to Ben and Brad for the how-to-make vid. This design is very effective, especially given the low cost and ease of making.

[@mud2skipper]

Bike pegs? Is that the correct terminology? Where on a bike is it located? I can't place the part. The overall tutorial is clear and you did a good job. Just remember that we read English from left to right so the directions should do the same, otherwise it is confusing at first. It just seems odd to have it done in the opposite direction.

[@taylorb2053]

he was using it in this video

[@TheMikeGuy]

Hey, this is very helpful! I cannot wait to actually start working on it, but I would just like to know where I would find a base plate, and how would I insert the bolt in the plate to allow the camera to hold up? The plate seems to be completely flat and bolt less, and this video doesn't explain where the bolt should go and how it should be inserted.

[@Huntrguy102]

DUDE OMG i love you soooo much thank you. Sorry for nagging you forever to get this up. but this is great!!!!!!

[@Superfoot]

Kick azz! Those snowboard shots Hollywood is taking notice! lol

[@bizzarrogeorge]

Awesome job, I clicked the annotation to see how it's put together, and the kid in the video used a bunch of duct-tape to secure the baseplate to the rig. I have a feeling you guys had a much better way of doing that, that didn't involve duct-tape. Could you please let me know how you guys solved this? Thanks again, have a good one.

[@ghesstifer]

Hi Ben - I think people realize that you just put the stabilizer in your hand :) We want to know which direction the poles should be in relation your body... i.e. short end forward, long end pointing behind you? Or vice versa? Its not as obvious as some of the other designs (or maybe it is and we're all just idiots). Thanks man!

[@taylorb2053]

Thanks man.... Ill built one and it works great

[@strait6]

why do i have a feeling this is the real steadicam??^^

[@zoroasthr]

Would a gimbal improve this designe??? What do you think???

[@ronanderson48]

You guys did a great job with this video, what program did you use for the graphics, was is Google Sketchup?

[@chargersar21]

hello! this is totally awesome. do you have pictures and behind the scenes of the final product put to work? i would love to look at some! thanks.

[@fathead431]

where is one supposed to hold such a device? its not mentioned in the video!! thanks!

[@BrandtLeeds]

Where would one go about finding a base plate?

[@vk-shortvideos]

where does the weight go?

[@hanz79wvu]

There's so many question left unanswered with this video. I want to make this but there's a ton of detail missing. Here what I would like to know: What did you use as a base plate and how did you attach it? What size and weight pegs did you use and how did you attach them? Do the weight of the pegs depend on the size of the camera? How did you attach the camera to the base plate? What does the real steadycam look like?

[@DarcyWhyte]

If I make the stabilizer, will that music play all the time when I'm filming?

[@chrosk8]

does the base plate act as a counter balace weight? so i should get a 3 lbs base plate if my camcorder weighs 3lbs? thanks...AWESOME video btw

[@MECZAFilms]

woow man the test footage looks great..but could you upload a vid showing how to use it best??thanks

[@redmatrix]

Very nice tutorial.

[@taylorb2053]

What size floor flange did you use

[@TheMikeGuy]

Yes, I understand I may be asking stupid questions, but they are coming from someone who has never seen or felt any of the equipment mentioned, so I am very unfamiliar with it. But I have another question, since the pipe is 1 inch x 2 feet, should the connectors also be 1 inch, or just a tad bit over 1 inch for the pipe to fit inside it. Same with the floor flange.

[@mackanboy123]

ive done one of these but i still cant get it as smooth as you. how do you do it?

[@EiMpTv]

i love the jump, but were can i get the pvc pipe from??

[@KeithSwanger]

How did you connect the bike pegs?

[@ExtremeBMXrider]

Where do you hold it when filming???

[@wateverlike123456789]

hey nice stabilzer! do you have a pic of what it looks like and how do the pegs stay on?

[@lyndonriddle3432]

How do you hold it

[@dakzomo]

wow you are a genius! the footage looked so good too, and the tutorial was sick. but one one question, how do i hold it?

[@Balaman4]

hey , if i use shorter pipes but heavier weights it will work, wont it?

[@chrismastere]

so i have to drill a hole in the baseplate and put a wing nut on, and then mount my cam. I can't see how i should mount my cam on the base plate

[@ASPCAfan]

@Ben1257sb did you use a 1/4in screw after putting in the nut and bolt to put on the camera? I'm a little confused as to how the camera is mounted but after I find out I am going to build it :) thanks!

[@danilko1]

Okay explain 20/80 rule. 20% effort produces 80% results. IE: 15 minutes and $8 gets you 80% of a great steady cam. It will take you hours or days of effort and $50 - $1000 to get you the rest of the way to 100%... What's it worth to you? Ben shows it's awesome already. Maybe a little more can be done but who has the time?

[@zanar05]

Nice video. Its fun trying to figure out what they are sayin in this song.. "what makes the milk bone bounce? the ice tart taste of Sprite!" hmmm that can't be right...

[@CromulentEmbiggening]

Sprite - Freezepop "What makes a melon ball bounce"

[@itisnti]

this is definitely my next project. But where do you hold it?

[@sk8infreek]

I just made this almost exactly how you did except I just have a cap on the top and my go pro is adhered to it. But when i record and run or walk, it seems to sway side to side, the bottom weights swing a bit. Is there any way to fix that? and also where is a good spot to hold it? Thanks

[@abatti95]

How it works? Where I hold ?

[@SMTpictures]

ok thanx but how does the floor flange hold the camera

[@ManzanoManATVAdventures]

Awesome job! My friend made this DIY Steadicam using your tutorial and it works cherry! Lol.... Just as you said man! Use common sense when making this easy equipment!

[@MrAw3som333]

How do you make the base?????

[@mrchosop]

How much does it weigh?

[@undrneath]

and how do you attach a camera to the base plate?

[@Utube6762]

You misspelled Stablizer in your opening sequence. Now if there was a way to mount that on a bicycle you'd have a moneymaker.

[@pieterschout]

Whats the best way to attach my 7D to this steadicam?

[@indianracer111]

is the baseplate pvc or metal? looked at Lowes and Home Depot and they only have steel baseplates, if pvc, where did you buy

[@schoolsucks1234545]

Freezepop Rocks!!!! good vid

[@spozoner]

dwd where is the "new" vid for how to use it and ajust it? i really need it.. tnks

[@Mugre300]

@Ben127sb i have a sony Handycam that weights 1.183 g / 3 lbs, so what should be the weight on the lower part of the steadicam, should it be equal?

[@gizmoguyar]

Hey, what slope where you guys snowboarding on? It looks like a good one, I'll have to check it out.

[@chrosk8]

where do you hold it after its done, i dont get how this will aid my shaky videos, the vibrations are transfered back tothe cam right?

[@granskare]

i wonder if the diy thingy caused the snowboarder to fall down? :)

[@Xenfire_]

How/where do you mount the camera and how do you hold it.

[@AshleyNReed]

@Ben1257sb what is the most affectiver way to hold the stabilizer? You can't really see that in your video.

[@dennisonearth]

Hi, what application did you use for the animation of the pipes? Thanks, D

[@dakzomo]

How do you atach the camcorder?