Body Pod Test To See If It Helps Stabilize My T2i Videos

Shooting hand held video on a DSLR is very hard to do compared to a good camcorder.

Update: Check out my revised test on this topic here.

Shooting hand held video on a DSLR is very hard to do compared to a good camcorder. Many of your shaky handheld shots end up getting deleted because they are just so hard to watch. So I have been looking for solutions that are cheap and easy to carry.

Here is a test where I try out Cheesycam’s bodypod.

To be honest I am not sure I am seeing a big difference with the bodypod, what are your thoughts?

Not sure if these clips were a good test at all, any feedback on how I could do this test better.

The photo-wand can be found on Amazon for $7 bucks.

Update: Emm from cheesycam just messaged me, hopefully he will chime in and provide his thoughts below. I think I missed the intended use of the bodypod. Yes, I am learning.

Here is what Emm wrote me:

“Haha, good job Dave I just watched it. I’m fine with the video, but actually I think it may confuse people a bit. In my first paragraph I state:

“Remember, this DIY is to ‘enhance’ practicality of Monopod use while still maintaining full functionality. This is not a ‘flying’ stabilizer.”

You can’t walk with it, much like you can’t walk while shooting with a monopod on the ground. Also, you should try rack focusing with and without support. We’re all pretty stable in the first few minutes of shooting. But after holding a scene for a 5 minute interview it gets sketchy.

“Oh and when I mentioned try rack focusing, try it at a very shallow depth of field very close to an object with and without the support. Being close to an object (macro like) magnifies the shakiness. Try with and without the support.

p.s. damn you’re lighting looks good. You should show us how you’re lighting setup in at home!”

Yep, I screwed up that test! I will have to try again. I’m learning.