Comment
Iowa
Alert! Innovation.
Apple announced today that it has developed a breast implant that can store and play music. The iBoob will cost from $499 to $699, depending on size. This is potentially a major social breakthrough since women are always complaining about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them.
Apple announced today that it has developed a breast implant that can store and play music. The iBoob will cost from $499 to $699, depending on size. This is potentially a major social breakthrough since women are always complaining about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them.
Once you try it, you'll never go back.
From your bicycle, a car, panning, jogging, climbing stairs: make all your camera moves look more pro.
I finally put on my thinking cap a few years ago when I couldn't seem to get it right shooting from a bicycle. Amateur cycling (roadways and hard surface trails) is my sport. Making it look pro ought to be a piece of cake, right? Sorry, it is one of the most difficult. Your cycling or sports method will depend on what you want as an end result. Do you wish to tape an entire ride (boring), or are you out to record highlights of the ride to be edited later? (Don't forget interviews. People are the spice of video.) I go for brief shots that will be edited later into an interesting clip. So here are the existing options in my case. Betacams or large shoulder mounted units don't work for me. Hand held is out, too, the camera is all over the place. I tried camera mounts that attached to the bike - The shock and vibration from the road traveled directly through the high pressure tires, up the frame and to the camera giving the end footage that sci-fi chattering teeth look. So attachments for me are out unless riding on glass. A helmet cam (records the entire ride and is hands free) seems more logical, but I was disappointed right away. There is still an amateur jerky look to it. If you are racing or careening down a mountain on a bike, one can get away with unsteady footage because it looks really cool with that out-of-control feel. But jerky doesn't do here. Helmet cam footage can be made supplemental to other footage in small doses to your clip but not primary. This is assuming you are able to edit your footage. DOABLE > A collapsible monopod held by hand, arm snugged to your chest, is much better. By the time the vibrations get to the camera, they are dampened by your butt and arm. But there is a side to side sway that has to do with operator balance which is still annoying, and takes practice to conquer. Remember, you are doing this one handed for a short period of time while steering the bike. Take your concentration off the trail for a moment or two and you are in the ditch. I've found the absolute best way (but not useful) to get smooth footage from a bicycle is a hand-held collapsible monopod, both hands off the handlebars to avoid road shock, capturing from the rear seat of a tandem. Pedaling does not bother the camera when the GoPro is held with two hands.. Someone else is steering and braking while you concentrate on the video. But how often are you on a tandem? So one has to back up and go into training with the monopod. ...I am presently reviewing a hands-free Chinese method. If it's good, it will be incorporated here.
The 1.5 pound monopod steadies small cameras for constantly changing shots. Take it everywhere the camera goes. At any kind of event, it is always attached. Interviews come out perfect when braced and no one can block the lens. It's light, adjustable on the fly, and catches shots that others cannot get. Say you are in a pressing crowd surrounding a celeb. You raise the monopod over heads and tilt forward. You get audio and great video that the shoulder mounted Betacam guys can't even get close to. If it's a single camera shoot of a band, you want to keep changing angles very slowly while not interrupting the audio. The most versatile way is with a Steadicam-like monopod. Tripod functions are useful for fixed stationary events, say a podium shot or a contained stage. I seldom use a tripod but try not to forget to bring one along. I taped a Blues Hall of Fame event where the room was so packed with people, to record I had to brace myself against a pole with patron's chairs pressing against each leg. The monopod was the only thing that could have kept the camera steady in that environment. A tripod would not have had the leg room. ...I had decided back when that for family action, parties, events, and hobbies which most people want to tape, the Go65Tv was going to be a monopod that can be quickly converted to a Steadicam and then back again. The physics of a Steadicam has to do with a balanced unit, presumably with the camera on top and a counter weight on the bottom. If one clutches the unit on the rod at its center of balance, there is little side to side or front to back sway. The unit remains straight up and down. It's as simple as that. The expensive Steadicams add on bells and whistles which improve on the physics even more, providing great footage, but to me the unit is way too clumsy for everyday stuff. I want to shoot right away and without carrying a bunch of gear..
.jpg)
Go65Tv
Monopod and Steadicam.
The Sony HC1 here with large battery, external mic and lens (not shown) is about 2.5 lbs. The easily removed counter weight at the bottom is a 1.25 lb. rubber or metal weight for a barbell purchased from Sheels. Total unit weight is less than 4.5 pounds which is a little heavy for a female or effeminate male. Large Pro-Cams cause the unit to be way too heavy to hold. Newer consumer and semi-pro cams are half the weight and size of the HC1, and no counterweight is needeed. Just adjust the grip. This brings the unit down to 3lbs. The monopod can be extended to eye level for floor shots or collapsed for handheld in a matter of moments. In steadicam mode, the sliding grip is moveable to the balance point depending upon the weight of your camera.
For bicycle purposes, Go65Tv with the weight is clumsy and heavy, if not downright dangerous. Don't use it this way.
Let's be clear. Using a handheld unit on any bicycle is not safe.
Having said that, I will relate my experience. I took a weighted unit on a 25 mile ride. I was worn out when returning and swore 'never again'. The resulting footage was noticeably better but not worth the crash scares. From then on I used just the new lighter camera and closed monopod with the camera strap around my neck. (never use the strap doing over 10 mph and always stop to make your adjustments.) It can hang that way when not in use. After all, when taping you shoot in bursts, maybe 10 to 20 seconds max. Any interviews on the move are brief. See something, shoot it, then relax. It's a learned method and gets easier with time. One also has to look at the safety aspect for yourself, those around you, and the equipment. With the camera strap around your neck, there is no worry about dropping the unit into the front wheel spokes which would be disastrous, or of falling and having the monopod enter an orifice uninvited. To be masterful at anything one has to practice, which I do every day. When preparing a shot, do things three or four times first to get the feel of it. Jogging with the weighted monopod works once you get the hang of it, as does turning, going up or down stairs, doing a 360 degree rotation, shooting from the car, etc... It will never be perfect but you are working toward giving a gentle floating appearance to your videos. Be aware of your surroundings. I nearly walked backwards off of a gap in a stage, concentrating too much on my so-smooth shot.
Go65Tv can raise your camera lens from approximately 2 feet in height to 6 feet and still be braced on the ground. Lift the whole unit and lean it on your leg to go higher for another point of view.
See photos and video clips.
Another method of transporting your Go65Tv when not in use is to wear a backpack with a hang-up loop. The Monopod (camera attached) slips through the loop handily. And the barbell weight can be carried inside the backpack. With practice, one can quick-draw from over the shoulder.
Monopod and Steadicam.
The Sony HC1 here with large battery, external mic and lens (not shown) is about 2.5 lbs. The easily removed counter weight at the bottom is a 1.25 lb. rubber or metal weight for a barbell purchased from Sheels. Total unit weight is less than 4.5 pounds which is a little heavy for a female or effeminate male. Large Pro-Cams cause the unit to be way too heavy to hold. Newer consumer and semi-pro cams are half the weight and size of the HC1, and no counterweight is needeed. Just adjust the grip. This brings the unit down to 3lbs. The monopod can be extended to eye level for floor shots or collapsed for handheld in a matter of moments. In steadicam mode, the sliding grip is moveable to the balance point depending upon the weight of your camera.
For bicycle purposes, Go65Tv with the weight is clumsy and heavy, if not downright dangerous. Don't use it this way.
Let's be clear. Using a handheld unit on any bicycle is not safe.
Having said that, I will relate my experience. I took a weighted unit on a 25 mile ride. I was worn out when returning and swore 'never again'. The resulting footage was noticeably better but not worth the crash scares. From then on I used just the new lighter camera and closed monopod with the camera strap around my neck. (never use the strap doing over 10 mph and always stop to make your adjustments.) It can hang that way when not in use. After all, when taping you shoot in bursts, maybe 10 to 20 seconds max. Any interviews on the move are brief. See something, shoot it, then relax. It's a learned method and gets easier with time. One also has to look at the safety aspect for yourself, those around you, and the equipment. With the camera strap around your neck, there is no worry about dropping the unit into the front wheel spokes which would be disastrous, or of falling and having the monopod enter an orifice uninvited. To be masterful at anything one has to practice, which I do every day. When preparing a shot, do things three or four times first to get the feel of it. Jogging with the weighted monopod works once you get the hang of it, as does turning, going up or down stairs, doing a 360 degree rotation, shooting from the car, etc... It will never be perfect but you are working toward giving a gentle floating appearance to your videos. Be aware of your surroundings. I nearly walked backwards off of a gap in a stage, concentrating too much on my so-smooth shot.
Go65Tv can raise your camera lens from approximately 2 feet in height to 6 feet and still be braced on the ground. Lift the whole unit and lean it on your leg to go higher for another point of view.
See photos and video clips.
Another method of transporting your Go65Tv when not in use is to wear a backpack with a hang-up loop. The Monopod (camera attached) slips through the loop handily. And the barbell weight can be carried inside the backpack. With practice, one can quick-draw from over the shoulder.
Video/Photo
Go65Tv
Steadicam and Monopod
Steadicam and Monopod
Weak point.
Always carry your unit in the vertical position.
Allow no angle pressure to occur which could damage or brake the screw mount inside camera. A sling can be made to loop over your head and shoulder but it must be attached at both ends of the monopod. Do not attach a sling to the camera as this puts pressure on the weakpoint and all of a sudden you have no mount.
Always carry your unit in the vertical position.
Allow no angle pressure to occur which could damage or brake the screw mount inside camera. A sling can be made to loop over your head and shoulder but it must be attached at both ends of the monopod. Do not attach a sling to the camera as this puts pressure on the weakpoint and all of a sudden you have no mount.
Keep the monopod tightly joined with the camera. If any portion of the screw mount is showing, insert large spacers or washers to have as much surface area of the monopod head snugged to the camera base for sturdiness.
(pictured here, the unit has been loosened on purpose.)
(pictured here, the unit has been loosened on purpose.)
Make a promise to yourself. "No More Crappy Video."
...So, if you are like me and wish to raise your video standards on the cheap, how do you make your shots better without dropping big, big bucks on a professional Steadicam? The Go65Tv is offered as an affordable alternative to steady and improve semi-pro and consumer video footage. It is a $40 unit that is easy to take anywhere at anytime.
With over thirty years of videography experience, I depend on the Go65Tv everyday taping entertainers, weddings, sporting events, interviews, politicians: a little bit of everything. My primary use of the Go65Tv is as a 2 ft. collapsed monopod which when extended will reach the floor. (See Photo & Video page) Other people can do it but I almost never handhold a camera when shooting. The added steadicam option is for creative camera action or camera movement shots. One doesn't get rich doing camera work but I immensely enjoy creating quality video and constantly strive to improve.
With over thirty years of videography experience, I depend on the Go65Tv everyday taping entertainers, weddings, sporting events, interviews, politicians: a little bit of everything. My primary use of the Go65Tv is as a 2 ft. collapsed monopod which when extended will reach the floor. (See Photo & Video page) Other people can do it but I almost never handhold a camera when shooting. The added steadicam option is for creative camera action or camera movement shots. One doesn't get rich doing camera work but I immensely enjoy creating quality video and constantly strive to improve.
