Manfrotto 585 ModoSteady Stabilizer

[GeoffO]

Being made by Manfrotto (I have one of their monopods) I feel it's bound to be good, yet there are several critical customer reviews on Amazon, some saying it simply doesn't work.  I suspect that RTFM applies (put politely, they haven't read the manual).

It looks good and the price is right.  I intend to use it (if available in the UK) with a Panasonic HDC-HS700.

Any suggestions or alternatives, folks?

[Chris Harding]

Hi Geoff
You first need to decide what you need it for!!  If you are looking for stedicam style shots then it will work but it has to be balanced perfectly and you need lots of practice. All non-vest stedicams are really hard work to use...it may look light and they will tell you it's like floating on air but the simple truth is that you do need tough arms and lots of work at the gym!! I have a full harness rig and after a 30 minute shoot I'm exhausted!!!  Try walking around the garden a couple of times holding a common house brick in your hand with your elbow bent holding it just below your shoulder and see how you feel after 10 minutes!!!
If you are planning on 30 second shots then yes it will work fine but any hand held rig loses all practicality after around 5 minutes of use as your arm turns to jelly!!  If you are looking for long handheld shots also look at a shoulder mount rig with a stabiliser pole that provides spring loading to a waist belt.  CineCity have nice ones and you can shoot for extended periods without a tripod and get really smooth footage. (I use just the spring pole/belt system under my cameras as they are shoulder mount already!)
If you want real stedicam movements then you should really look at a sled, arm and vest unit!!
 
Chris

[Digidave]

Hi Geoff,

Generally speaking I concur, but it seems as though there are as many styles of stabiliser as there are people to use them and what works for one might not work for another, something else to throw into the equation!

I like Chris' analogy of walking around holding a brick, for stabilisers held with one hand it's spot on!

I tried several home built types, for example some here will remember my "Digirig" from P3U days. I considered the Modosteady but it just wasn't for me. I settled on a Gorillapod SLR. It's extremely versatile and every now and then I figure out yet another way to use it.

Dave

[GeoffO]

Hi Chris and Dave,

My primary use for a "cheapo Steadycam" is for making 3D Animations.  Have just completed a 1min 27sec video called "A new take on Little Miss Muffet" which has been getting positive local responses, but could have benefited from stabilization when panning and lifting the camera at the same time.

While not exactly a muscle man I don't anticipate any problem with holding that weight for reasonably short bursts.

Much as I like the idea and price of the Gorillapod SLR, I couldn't find one that did more than clamp to a variety of fixed objects – or have I missed the point?

Alas, CineCity seem to be well above my price range!

GeoffO

[Digidave]

Much as I like the idea and price of the Gorillapod SLR, I couldn't find one that did more than clamp to a variety of fixed objects – or have I missed the point?

The point I was making is that while the Modosteady is not for me, the Gorillapod I find so useful may not be for you.

The point you have missed but I didn't fully make, a point that a lot of people miss including me to start with, is that the Gorillapod, due to its extremely flexible construction, can be made to do so many things.

Now I know you want a "make do" job rather than a fully professional (read expensive!) job, it's worth passing on a couple of ideas.

I've been using one for about a year now. I have the Gorillapod SLR with the ballhead, which makes it even more flexible. For example I can wrap the legs around a vertical post, use the ballhead to level the camcorder and shoot almost like it is on a normal tripod.

You can do a makeshift Fig Rig type stabiliser by folding two legs into a U shape for the handles, the camcorder between the upturned handles and extend the third leg either forwards or backwards, angled downwards, to balance the camera weight. Not perfect, but it works and is better than hand held.

Or use the two front legs as handles and rest the third leg on your chest............... I could go on, but you get the idea.

Dave

[GeoffO]

Thanks, Dave, I have a friend to whom I recommended GorillaPod for still camera use.  Will see him next week and ask if I can borrow it to try your suggestions for video.

Geoff

[Chris Harding]

Hi Geoff
I'm a bit surprised that you say CineCity is expensive!! You can grab a U-Flycam which is much the same as the Manfrotto for $99.00 complete!!!   If that's all you want to do then why not just make a frame....Take a look on my DIY page and you could make one up yourself at virtually no cost and it will give you a smooth lift and great stability too!!  Mine cost me under $15.00!!  My signature link will take you to the page
 
Chris

[GeoffO]

Hi Chris,

Yes, I must admit to only looking at the main CineCity page with items from $1245 to $2475 (not to mention the Proaim 22ft long jib crane device at $4550!).  Have since looked further into the site and seen much more reasonably priced items.

On reflection I think I would need to get the feel of any stabilizer before buying.  While many items can be bought confidently on the web this is something I would actually have to handle before splashing out any hard-earned pounds sterling.

Have also come across a YouTube review of the Manfrotto 585 and seen that it will only handle cameras about the size of a small mobile phone!

Thanks for trying to help.

Geoff

[Chris Harding]

Hi Geoff
Here's a video and a bit of a review for you.

u-flycam stabilizer for mini dv cameras

Don't get too caught up with rigs..they are useful some of the time but not all of the time and do have limitations..My fancy stedicam vest and rig will get used maybe 10 minutes total at a wedding. I would think that a much better investment (and much the same money) is still the Blue Gliders Shouldermount rig from CineCity with the sprung arm that attaches to a waist belt. I probably use mine at the entire bridal prep and reception at a wedding ...that should tell you what direction to go for smoother footage and the ability to tilt and pan smoothly!!
Here's one on the shoulder rig..a better option I think!!

Film Sensei: Cine City Camera Shoulder Support Review	Small | Large

Chris
 

[GeoffO]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the reviews; food for thought ...

Kind regards,

Geoff