Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact for Camcorders with 1/4"-20 Tripod Connection

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I bought this and pretty much wasted my money. the pan head is hard to control with the tilt of the stick. More of a headache than anything else

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Not very functional

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Steady Stick is good support for many different camcorders and cameras.
It's solid, compact, light weight to carry. But it would be better if it's include a rubber pad on the plate to mount camcorder to keep it perfect steady.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I was pleasantly surprised when I first tried out the Steady Stick. I had read good reviews about it and that's the biggest reason I decided to buy it. I was amazed at how well it works for a variety of shots. I highly recommend this product if you find yourself filming for extended periods of time or just need a little help stabilizing your camera!

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Overall the build quality is very good, this product is best used for additioanl hand-held support, rather than being used as a "Steadicam". I read one review that complained the Steady Stick didn't balance the Sony HXR-NX5U well - I found the opposite to be true.

I was hoping to be able to shoot stable hand-held video and I believe that with more practice I'll be able to achieve serviceable results.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I use this with my canon xhg1 and it has saved my shoulder.
Very solid and universal

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Perhaps time and usage will change my mind but right now this is a clumsy solution to a simple problem. True, it does keep the weight off your arms and shoulders. Taking the weight on the belt holster is uncomfortable at first but you get used to it. Construction on the whole is good quality but the design needs revision - very fiddly and be careful not to drop your camera while setting up. I haven't figured the tripod connection yet. To get the system to work I,ve fitted a quick release adapter to match my tripod head. Adds weight but... Can't help thinking I should have made my own holster, fitted a Manfrotto 234 swivel monopod head and worried about the handle/shoulder brace later.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Use with Canon T4i , for film and picture.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Great addition to my support collction.
Increases stability while allowing free movement

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

on product very good for the price

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Not only good at the price but very flexible support at any price.

Doing hand held with Sony EX1 is difficult. Shoulder mount supports, while they alleviate that burden, they don't allow for a lot of camera movement flexibility.

The device moves the weight to your waist, allows it to sit on your shoulder with the handle, yet allows you to move the camera off your shoulder and raise or lower the camera as desired.

Of some may still want a shoulder mount for some situations but this device at this price is practically a "must have" in one's bag of tricks.

It's slightly awkward putting it together and the handle to shoulder isn't the most secure setup are the only reasons that keep me from giving it 5 stars.

I'd definitely recommend it for Sony EX1 use and it'll certainly work with lighter cameras as well.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Too bad I can't give it 3 1/2 stars. I am using it with a Sony EX1. It works well if you need to cover an event for a long time and don't have to change the camera height very much. I was even able to get some decent walking shots, nothing like a steadicam, but better than hand held. The mounting plate does not quite tighten snugly, the screw is a bit too long. I will need to add a go between of some kind.

The buckle is plastic, so that may become an issue, but it has a 10 yr. warranty.

I look at it as one more device I can use when needed. I also have a monopod and a shoulder mount unit, as well as a tripod.

Still looking for something better, but for the money, certainly worth a try. I

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I don't like it. My new Sony NX5u doesn't balance on it good at all. I am returning it

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I´ve been using the steady stick with my Canon 5D.
It´s light, easy to carry, and it works well. I manage to shoot 90 minute gigs with it with quite steady images. Also for interviews and videos I have to shoot on the move in the streets. Before this one I bought a US$ 2.000 Red Rock Micro Cinema Bundle but couldn´t use because it was too heavy for me (I am a female). Sold the Red Rock and I am very happy with this one.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

The new SteadyStick is great for many different applications in shooting video and photography. It's versatile, compact, easy to use, easy to store.
My one complaint is the plate which attaches to the camcorder should have included a rubber adhesive footing. When the thumbscrew is completely tight, slack space exists causing the camera to rock a bit. To compensate for this deficiency, I adhered four small circular felt stick-on pads to the plate. Problem solved.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

For such a simple design it works really well

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

For the price, this is a great stabilizer. I've used it many times, after flying from airport to airport, without it taking up much space in my bag at all.

It does have some serious drawbacks though. While it is great for any shots you may get while standing still, you can't really walk with it. Additionally I found tilting it up or down to be difficult to impossible, though panning right to left worked well.

Also after a while, the thing just started to fall apart piece by piece. First it was the belt buckle, which is more or less a cheap piece of plastic, then the screws started popping out until finally I was over replacing parts for it. I would consider buying it again, as it is extremely affordable, but I think I will look for another option first.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I use my Steady Stick with ease and comfort with a variety of different formats of camera. Whether it be snapping 35mm stills on my SLR free of motion blur or setting up my bulky sticks, or shooting NTSC and HD material on all shapes and sizes of camera body. The smooth handling and desirable movement that the body harness/steady stick offers is great for any shooting event, weather it be an on-the-fly event for documenting or for a character driven action sequence. We all know filming anything handheld can be frustrating or imperfect, especially for me, working with a fine tremor in my hands (A neurological movement disorder) But with my steady stick, all of the wait from equipment is placed on the waist, leaving the hands to function smoothly. I would have to say the only negative things about the overall design of Tiffen's Steady Stick is the lack in length of this models extender rod. I seem to remember using an older version where the camera could extend at least one foot over my head for birds-eye shots. (although I am 6' 4") The other design flaw was that there isn't a safety feature on the fastener bolt for the extender rod. If I were in a quick pinch, I would want to know 100% that if the device were flipped upside down with the camera would still be intact without slipping or loosening. With this said, this device is a wonderful, inexpensive, skies the limit piece of equipment that every shooter should have under their belt, literally!

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Use this for sporting events mainly, basketball to be specific right now and after some fiddling and learning how to use it to get the smooth shoots I need and I love it, but it requires 2 hands to use it.

The extra handle is a little long to use it daily makes a great way to turn this into a shoulder mount, the swivel mechanism is not the smoothest and the nut that holds the pivot method requires constant attention cause once you move the camera up and down its loose and will eventually fall off.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

For the Canon XHA1 the Steady Stick is a great add-on! Comfortable, functional with or without the belt.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I bought this and pretty much wasted my money. the pan head is hard to control with the tilt of the stick. More of a headache than anything else

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Not very functional

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Steady Stick is good support for many different camcorders and cameras.
It's solid, compact, light weight to carry. But it would be better if it's include a rubber pad on the plate to mount camcorder to keep it perfect steady.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I was pleasantly surprised when I first tried out the Steady Stick. I had read good reviews about it and that's the biggest reason I decided to buy it. I was amazed at how well it works for a variety of shots. I highly recommend this product if you find yourself filming for extended periods of time or just need a little help stabilizing your camera!

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Overall the build quality is very good, this product is best used for additioanl hand-held support, rather than being used as a "Steadicam". I read one review that complained the Steady Stick didn't balance the Sony HXR-NX5U well - I found the opposite to be true.

I was hoping to be able to shoot stable hand-held video and I believe that with more practice I'll be able to achieve serviceable results.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I use this with my canon xhg1 and it has saved my shoulder.
Very solid and universal

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Perhaps time and usage will change my mind but right now this is a clumsy solution to a simple problem. True, it does keep the weight off your arms and shoulders. Taking the weight on the belt holster is uncomfortable at first but you get used to it. Construction on the whole is good quality but the design needs revision - very fiddly and be careful not to drop your camera while setting up. I haven't figured the tripod connection yet. To get the system to work I,ve fitted a quick release adapter to match my tripod head. Adds weight but... Can't help thinking I should have made my own holster, fitted a Manfrotto 234 swivel monopod head and worried about the handle/shoulder brace later.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Use with Canon T4i , for film and picture.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Great addition to my support collction.
Increases stability while allowing free movement

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

on product very good for the price

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Not only good at the price but very flexible support at any price.

Doing hand held with Sony EX1 is difficult. Shoulder mount supports, while they alleviate that burden, they don't allow for a lot of camera movement flexibility.

The device moves the weight to your waist, allows it to sit on your shoulder with the handle, yet allows you to move the camera off your shoulder and raise or lower the camera as desired.

Of some may still want a shoulder mount for some situations but this device at this price is practically a "must have" in one's bag of tricks.

It's slightly awkward putting it together and the handle to shoulder isn't the most secure setup are the only reasons that keep me from giving it 5 stars.

I'd definitely recommend it for Sony EX1 use and it'll certainly work with lighter cameras as well.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Too bad I can't give it 3 1/2 stars. I am using it with a Sony EX1. It works well if you need to cover an event for a long time and don't have to change the camera height very much. I was even able to get some decent walking shots, nothing like a steadicam, but better than hand held. The mounting plate does not quite tighten snugly, the screw is a bit too long. I will need to add a go between of some kind.

The buckle is plastic, so that may become an issue, but it has a 10 yr. warranty.

I look at it as one more device I can use when needed. I also have a monopod and a shoulder mount unit, as well as a tripod.

Still looking for something better, but for the money, certainly worth a try. I

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I don't like it. My new Sony NX5u doesn't balance on it good at all. I am returning it

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I´ve been using the steady stick with my Canon 5D.
It´s light, easy to carry, and it works well. I manage to shoot 90 minute gigs with it with quite steady images. Also for interviews and videos I have to shoot on the move in the streets. Before this one I bought a US$ 2.000 Red Rock Micro Cinema Bundle but couldn´t use because it was too heavy for me (I am a female). Sold the Red Rock and I am very happy with this one.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

The new SteadyStick is great for many different applications in shooting video and photography. It's versatile, compact, easy to use, easy to store.
My one complaint is the plate which attaches to the camcorder should have included a rubber adhesive footing. When the thumbscrew is completely tight, slack space exists causing the camera to rock a bit. To compensate for this deficiency, I adhered four small circular felt stick-on pads to the plate. Problem solved.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

For such a simple design it works really well

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

For the price, this is a great stabilizer. I've used it many times, after flying from airport to airport, without it taking up much space in my bag at all.

It does have some serious drawbacks though. While it is great for any shots you may get while standing still, you can't really walk with it. Additionally I found tilting it up or down to be difficult to impossible, though panning right to left worked well.

Also after a while, the thing just started to fall apart piece by piece. First it was the belt buckle, which is more or less a cheap piece of plastic, then the screws started popping out until finally I was over replacing parts for it. I would consider buying it again, as it is extremely affordable, but I think I will look for another option first.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

I use my Steady Stick with ease and comfort with a variety of different formats of camera. Whether it be snapping 35mm stills on my SLR free of motion blur or setting up my bulky sticks, or shooting NTSC and HD material on all shapes and sizes of camera body. The smooth handling and desirable movement that the body harness/steady stick offers is great for any shooting event, weather it be an on-the-fly event for documenting or for a character driven action sequence. We all know filming anything handheld can be frustrating or imperfect, especially for me, working with a fine tremor in my hands (A neurological movement disorder) But with my steady stick, all of the wait from equipment is placed on the waist, leaving the hands to function smoothly. I would have to say the only negative things about the overall design of Tiffen's Steady Stick is the lack in length of this models extender rod. I seem to remember using an older version where the camera could extend at least one foot over my head for birds-eye shots. (although I am 6' 4") The other design flaw was that there isn't a safety feature on the fastener bolt for the extender rod. If I were in a quick pinch, I would want to know 100% that if the device were flipped upside down with the camera would still be intact without slipping or loosening. With this said, this device is a wonderful, inexpensive, skies the limit piece of equipment that every shooter should have under their belt, literally!

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

Use this for sporting events mainly, basketball to be specific right now and after some fiddling and learning how to use it to get the smooth shoots I need and I love it, but it requires 2 hands to use it.

The extra handle is a little long to use it daily makes a great way to turn this into a shoulder mount, the swivel mechanism is not the smoothest and the nut that holds the pivot method requires constant attention cause once you move the camera up and down its loose and will eventually fall off.

Comments about Davis & Sanford Steady Stick Compact:

For the Canon XHA1 the Steady Stick is a great add-on! Comfortable, functional with or without the belt.