Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Steadicam Curve Review

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Steadicam Curve-6

This review has been a long time coming. The Steadicam Curve has been out for close to two years now. Initially, there were some issues getting production models out the door but the Curve is widely available now and it is relatively affordable at just $59.

If you aren’t familiar with the Steadicam Curve, it is a handheld gimbal for GoPro cameras. Using the Curve in conjunction with a GoPro can deliver very smooth footage while moving – akin to floating through the air. That’s what gimbals do. They prevent the transfer of shake and vibration from your hands to the camera.

I have spent brief amounts of time with it at several trade shows over the past couple years, starting at NAB 2013. From the first time I picked it up, I loved it – loved it. Then, I got one to review and wanted to pull my hair out.

This story has a happy ending; however, you need to hear what is in between if you are interested in the Steadicam Curve. [Read more…]

 

Comodo Orbit is a New Hand-held Camera Stabilization Rig Featuring Dual Mechanical Gimbals

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Comodo Orbit

The Comodo Orbit is another fresh take in the camera stabilization market. For many years, Steadicam and Glidecam models have remained mostly static in the fundamental ways they are constructed and operated. Now, the Comodo Orbit rig has come along and shaken up the basic single-gimbal designs we are accustomed with a new two gimbal design. [Read more…]

Cinevate Morpheus is a Stabilizer Solution for GoPro, iPhone and Pocket Cameras

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Cinevate is launching a Kickstarter campaign to bring its new Morpheus stabilizer to life. The Cinevate Morpheus is a all-in-one stabilizer solution for Steadicam-like handheld operation of GoPro, iPhone and pocket cameras while recording video. It serves as multipurpose device for static shooting, as well as an auto-leveling jib head and a slider or dolly. [Read more…]

Steadicam Curve Hands-On

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Steadicam Curve

Tiffen launched its new Steadicam Curve at NAB 2013. The Curve is designed to work with GoPro HERO cameras.

I stopped by Tiffen’s booth to try out the Steadicam Curve and was instantly impressed with the usability of the device.

The Curve only weighs a half pound and is made to be operated with only one hand. It is the first Steadicam product that I have picked up and instantly felt at ease with it. For those who are intimidated by these stabilizer devices, this would be a great place to start. [Read more…]

Adorama Rolls Out Flashpoint ZeroGrav Camera Stabilizer

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Flashpoint ZeroGrav

Adorama has released a new Steadicam-style video camera stabilizer under its Flashpoint in-house brand. The Flashpoint ZeroGrav appears to be a close reproduction of the Glidecam HD-2000, which is about the right build for HDSLR rigs.  Notably, the ZeroGrav has a bigger load range of 2.2-11lbs capacity, while the Glidecam HD-2000 is rated 2-6lbs. [Read more…]

Steadicam Merlin 2 at CES 2012

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Steadicam Merlin 2

We stopped by the Tiffen booth to check out some of their new offerings at CES 2012.  One of the hot new items there was the Steadicam Merlin 2, which adds some functional refinements to the popular and original Merlin.

Check out some demo footage and a brief overview of the Steadicam Merlin 2 in the video below.

Apologies for the audio distortion. It wasn’t clipping, but rather failing preamps on the camera, which we later remedied by recording to the Zoom H4n instead.

Additional details on the Merlin 2 in the press release below. [Read more…]

Shooting HDSLR Video with a Glidecam

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Glidecam 2000 Pro

I picked up a Glidecam 2000 a couple of months ago after talking with the Glidecam guys at NAB.  One of the operators at the booth gave me a short course in how to use it effectively, which turned out to be very helpful as I’ve been learning the ropes.

I haven’t arrived by any means, but I’ve started getting some pretty fun and usable shots with it.  My church’s VBS was a couple of weeks ago and I took the opportunity to have a bit of live practice with it.

Below is the VBS recap video we had for the parents the Sunday after. [Read more…]

Short Film ‘Tick Tock’ Shot with 5D Mark II in Seamless Take

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Anyone who has tried their hand at video knows that long takes are challenging from both a technical and creative aspect.  For one, everything has to go right with the camera and all the surrounding technical components.  And two, the subject matter has to be engaging enough in order to justify the long take.

This student short film managed to wrangle both challenges for a very compelling short film made up of roughly a four and a half minute seamless take.  It was shot with a 5D Mark II and 24-70mm lens on a Steadicam Merlin.  They shot 36 takes in total.

Check out the behind the scenes video below. [Read more…]