question about stabalizer shooting soccer videography

[john swanson]

I shot afew of my nephew's soccer games to put onto dvd and sell to the parents of the kids. The company or guy they hired before who does this full time couldn't do it cause he was booked, so my sister asked if I would step in and do it.  I jumped at it.  Anyway, it was a smash hit with the parents and some doors have opened, so this coming spring I've been asked to shoot afew more games.

The quality was good, but there was still shakiness cause it was all handheld material. It wasn't so bad that it was nausiating to look at, but I want to improve on it.  I suppose I could use a tripod, yes, but I like moving around and not staying in the same place.  I'd like to move around the field as well, not having to shut down the camera, set up again, and begin again.  I just purchased a glidecam 2000 pro, it hasn't arrived yet, but if you guys have some imput on a rig that would help out with that, I would love to hear your thoughts. I probably won't be doing any running, but walking I'm sure I'll be doing as well as standing still for awhile...overall capturing the boy's and goals at different sections of the field.  What would be the right rig for something like this... like in the 1500 to 2000 price range?

John

[Wade Francom]

First of all.... what camera are you using? Different rigs work better with different cameras.

Flowpod has a decent monopod/stabilizer that would function well. You can easily move from spot to spot, plant the pod and shoot. However, if you are planning on doing in-motion shots (trucking along with stabilizer/camera in hand), the flowpod works well with smaller, more centrally balanced cameras. We tried a flowpod with an XL1 and the Flowpod offers no way to dynamically balance it, and the whole thing is extremely heavy. If you are running an XL-1 or the likes, a camera support rig from Varizoom, such as the 1Shooter or DV RIG PRO would be good. You can easily move around with these, achieve much more stable shots, and will increase the overall proction quality of your video a great deal.

[john swanson]

I'm useing the panasonic dvc-30 camera.  I'll look into the flowpod

[Cody Deegan]

I would seriously consider something with an arm and vest, just because of how long games can be and how much moving around you'll be doing.  I'd also shoot in low mode with the camera at the bottom of the sled, get down to the kid's level.  It will make the action so much more interesting to watch.  A handheld is going to get tiresome to operate.  Talk to Terry Thompson about his Indicam.  It's within your price range, has a vest, arm, and sled that's extremely portable, and is perfect for the smaller size cameras like yours.

[michael stevenson]

I have to agree with CD. Hand holding a rig will make your arm get very tired and the quality of your shots will start to suffer.

Michael

[Wade Francom]

Check out this shoulder mount I'm selling on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Camera-Stabilizer_W0QQitemZ7586485789QQcategoryZ3325QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I use this for times that I want to ease the strain on my arms. I often run with this hands-free. I've even done some ENG shoots with a wireless mic in one hand and my Lan-c controller in my other, never having to touch the camera. It's perfectly balanced with a decent battery on back.

I have the reserve set higher than the starting bid price, but for you, if you can at least pay the $75 starting bid, I have one of these I can mail off tomorrow.