Introduction: Improved Steadicam for Under 40 Dollars! Also Boom Mic Attachment!
Did you ever want a steadicam that perhaps actually looked and acted like the steadicam the pros use? Well, my easy steadicam design involves no cutting of metals and the hardest things are perhaps cutting pvc and cutting wood (which in fact we all love). I tried to build one with strings, but there was no apparent souce that was easy enough to understand with springs etc.
Benefits:
-no fabrication of metal needed
-no welding
-under 50 dollars (or so....i stopped counting)
With this design, its design is more similar to a steadicam in that it is not a "pogostick" that is vulnerable to moving due to a change in speed.
my design inspirations:
-http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camsupport/dvsportster1.php
(this had the simplicity of design that i liked)
-http://www.abracadabravideos.com/DIY/DIYpage1.htm
(he had the simplicity to use pvc as the rib cage. though its hard filming when your laughing....)
Step 1: Make the PVC Vest With Polystyrene Insulation
Well, i actually built a design that this guy on another website (http://www.abracadabravideos.com/DIY/DIYpage1.htm), but the only difference is that i put some polystyrene foam insulation (the insulation is usually for your heater but i got a 6 ft lenght for 2 dollars. its just for looks and confort) but i feel he is not that desciptive with his explanation. Anyways i too have the same principal (okay, i forgot to measure how big they were, but i just did a "do as it fits" approach because i had to build from a picture.)
(i too also advise you to consult from his picture because they are very useful)
Here are some convenient parts descriptions:
Rib cage (all pvc parts are in 3/4 inch)
1 3/4 inch pvc pipe
7 1.75 inch "ingots" (parts you need to put in between parts)
11 45 degree pieces
2 90 degree pieces
3 "T" pieces
1 "cross" piece (has fittings for 4 tubes)
2 "bended pieces" (can be obtained in your electrical department. should be
grayish looking)
1 1 inch polystyrene plumbing insulation (optional, but just for looks and
comfort)
1 cover cap (it should screw in without an ingot)
1 premixed pvc cement
estimate: ~20 dollars
(if that seems too much, it is useful if you want to attach it to your boom mic, which usually requires lifting your arms for a long time. but if you simply attach it to the rib cage, no pain, no game! But more on that later....)
As the guy that i got it from, here are my following tips:
1. Pre-fit all your parts before gluing
2. make sure you are gluin the right part to the part is was originally connected to (or else the scale of it gets all ugly and tends not to fit well)
The finished product should be the picture above. Notice that i added the insulation and didn't buy or add the "bogen swivel" because i felt 30 dollars was too much anyways. anyhow, i solved that problem later on as we build the swivel attachment.
Step 2: Make the Swivel Mechanism
Here is the "swivel" part that attributes all my genius. it has the the concepts of "inertia" and "low center of gravity." now only that, but the design is pretty simple because its like a steadicam, except you don't have to involve yourself with cutting metal and involving yourself in the arduous process of using springs as the mechanism. anyways here is a parts list of my endeavors
"swivel part"
12 1/4" x 3/4 bolt
12 1/4" lock washer
18 1/4 nut
2 inch casters w/break (rotates 2 ways. should be rotable and have a nut on it)
2 iinch caster (the only part that rotates is the wheel. should have nut on it)
2 pieces of wood (preferably about 1.5 inch wide by 2 feet long and 1/4 inch thick)
1 bag of 10
4 1/4 x 2 inch bolts
1 3.5 inch bolt
4 flat washers
1 3/8 x 1 hexbolt
1 3/8 nut
1 3/8 washer
2 1/4 x 2 bolt
2 water risers
2 "water caps"
Well, that may not be the complete descriptsion, but its my best try. if you want more details, simply e-mail me. i might post more about this.
Step 3: Making a Boom Mic
sincei am not that great with descriptions, i will instead show my artistic abilities and show you my description of how to make a boom mic and attach it to the rib cage.
why do this you ask?
-well boom mic operators need really strong arms.
fact: not everybody has strong arms with lots of endurance
-also, it is near effortless. enjoy!
Step 4: Putting It All Together.
well if you did it correctly, than it should probably look something like the pictures below.
-It laying in the grass
-when its actually assembled
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38 Comments
15 years ago on Introduction
Here's another newer version of a Home Built Steadycam design.
View sample footage at:
http://www.Steadycam-Pro.com
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Yeah, it's awesome. I will build it next month but I will add some static and design changes.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
the site has been down for a while. do you think yo can post an intructable on how to make one? i know a lot of people would love to know how to make one!
13 years ago on Introduction
This is not a steadicam. Please change the title
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
You're a steadicam
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=31338874&id=1258756889
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
kekekeke
12 years ago on Introduction
Hey everyone, I have been using the smoothmount for a while now and I love it. It only cost $130 and in my opinion works as well as a merlin. check it out at www.smoothmount.com
13 years ago on Step 2
Thank you for the upload :)
13 years ago on Step 2
wood is only 1/4 inch thick?? how is it holding the weight?
14 years ago on Introduction
Anyone familiar with a type of steadycam which focuses on the person wearing the camera? Such as in the movie "Any Given Sunday," when they are filming the ball carrier. The camera focusing on the ball carrier leads me to believe the ball carrier is wearing a type of steadycam. Any leads?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
That has to be the snorricam, think thats the name, can find info here: https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Snorricam/
not a great design, but seems to work. Good luck and have fun.
14 years ago on Introduction
this is awesome I'm going to build it
14 years ago on Introduction
Heyy guys... I went to get the parts and it ended up being heaps for the PVC piping, do you know how i could get them cheaper?
14 years ago on Introduction
But do you think they would eventually loosen up and get longer?
14 years ago on Introduction
I recently got some bungee chord that may be substituted for the usage of springs on a rig
15 years ago on Introduction
could you use a desk lamp arm or hinge as the spring, i looks a lot like this: http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camsupport/dvsportster1.php
and then you could use an old back pack with a hip strap so it would be more snug
if i do it, i'll post it
15 years ago on Step 3
i can not read this pic please tell me what it says!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply 15 years ago on Step 3
what it basically says is: (assumed you built the cage) you need a 3/4 pvc pipe 30 degree electrical pipe 90 degree electrical pipe (did i mention it was grey?....you can obtain this in your electrical conduit section) 1 coupler (it couples things) attach the coupler to the 90 degree pipe and than to the 3/4 pvc pipe and than to the 30 degree pipe. Kinda like in the picture. Did that somewhat answer your question?
Reply 15 years ago on Step 3
yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!