Barber Tech SP1SH STEDDIEPOD Camera Stabilizer

Comments about Barber Tech SP1SH STEDDIEPOD Camera Stabilizer:

I use this for a variety of situations...shooting panoramas in huge crowds, covering events where I have to reach above heads to get the shot, using the steady mode for getting some pretty good steady shots and using the tripod/mono pod mode for shooting pictures with long lenses as well as for shooting video where portability is a must.The portable aspects of it and the relative good results make it better than that of a good mono pod.The biggest flaw of the whole thing is the video head that comes with it. It is a piece of junk. B and H does not offer the unit with the swivel handle and not the head. You can only buy it without the swivel handle and without the head. The manufacturer may offer the unit as a special configuration.I recommended that persons buy the unit without the head and then buy a Manfrotto 701 HDV fluid head that has a tripod plate that you can adjust forward and back for balance. The Manfrotto head is a little bit bigger, but is so much better in quality than what comes with the unit. Overall, I think it will run the buyer about $50 more to get the whole setup with the manfrotto head.I use this device with Sony PMW ex3, Canon XHA1, Nikon D300 with a manfrotto panorama tripod head.If you need steady shots that are not long in length, then this device will work well for you. It will get heavy if you are using it for weddings or other events that do not allow for rest in between shots.Overall it really comes through when portability is a must.

Comments about Barber Tech SP1SH STEDDIEPOD Camera Stabilizer:

I am reluctant to write this because this has been my secret weapon rig, unknown to much of my competition. I own a steadystick, jib, a $300 dolly, a slider, a glidecam with vest and arm, a tripod with fluid head, and even a fig rig. But this has got to be my favorite rig. I'll tell you, the flying shots are definitely comparable to the glidecam if not better and it only takes about 10 seconds to calibrate. You can even get a kind of pseudo jib and boom shots with this. It's a great monopod. Its fluid head isn't the greatest but it does OK if you learn how to workaround it's limitations. It can act like a shoulder mount by placing the rig against the front of your hips. All in all, my favorite stabilization rig. What's great is that it only take 10 to 20 seconds to switch between modes. It truly is the equivalent of a swiss army knife for videographers. Our company will probably going to get a second one soon. But most importantly, you must get the swivel handle if you want to be able to fly. Again, get the SWIVEL HANDLE! :)