So, I have been trying a lot of different rig setups lately.
The G9II is the problem, in that it is the most powerful hand held camera, but attempts to attack it to the BMVA 12G 5” have been problematic (fixed now though*).
While experimenting, a lot, I have tried all sorts of no-gimbal fix and this, “The Swaze” is the best and by far the simplest.
Cute isn’t it! No, well that depends on the hours you have invested in testing and finding it I guess.
The simple solution to the problem was arm freedom, body angle and down force.
Every other system I tried was decent, but always came down to finding the perfect balance between rigidity and softness, then practice my smooth walking.
Walking it seems is better, easier and more consistent if you stand straight and keep your head still, like they used to teach in deportment school, often with a tea cup and saucer on top of the head! Do not bend your knees, don’t lean over, and avoid anything you cannot sustain.
All you need to do is arrest the rocking motion of walking, the rest is acceptable to an extent.
The problem is videographers are usually stooped to view screens or camera focus rigs, so I ditched the BMVA for this rig and just use the flip screen for focus checking.
There is no doubt, Sony’s ascendancy over the last short decade or so came from their AF being reliable enough to be used with a gimbal and in turn gimbals becoming realistically within reach.
Before remote focus pulling became reasonably affordable, it was the only option. Poor colour science, a slim range of lenses, bland cameras that seemed to change but not improve each model were all fine as long as you got results.
For a while there you were mad if you did not use a gimbal/Sony combo, weren’t you?
This can be said of most major brands now and with that comes options like the world’s best mirrorless stabe.
The handle above allows you to stand straight, can be used from the top or bottom (or on the side I guess, need to try that) and is intuitive to use. A second hand supporting the base and applying thumb to screen focus control and you are sweet.
The lens is the 8-18 that not only preserves some wide angle when using high stabe, fits my main filter pack and stays the same length, but also seems to do a better job than the dual stabe 12-60, but that is only my gut feeling.
The irony?
It is an extension handle for a gimbal!
My next step is to try it with a video head and handle.