If you want to seriously stabilize your Canon 5d Mark II or Nikon D90 (referred to as “hslrs,”) a tripod and/or monopod along with a fluid head are, at a bare minimum, essentials. They are available in different configurations and at various price points. A critical consideration is making sure the tripod/monopod and the head can support the camera and lenses that you are going to mount. Be sure to check the load capacity of the equipment you are considering. While tripods and monopods address relatively stationary shooting where you may primarily be interested in panning and tilting movements and you have the space to use them, they do not address dynamic shooting conditions or shooting in tight spaces. And that’s when you need to look at the portable stabilizing solutions.
Just like with tripods/monopods and fluids heads, there are portable stabilizing options to fit every budget. Personally, I did not want to wear a belt, vest or any contraption which made me look like I was in traction while trying to stabilize my hslr. In addition to keeping the camera steady, I also wanted to keep my wallet steady. After giving the matter serious consideration, I arbitrarily set my budget for a portable stabilizing solution at $300 maximum: Too much over that amount and I felt that the solution would be overkill since my primary usage for both cameras is still work. The solution had to be easy to transport; easy to set up and break down; and just as importantly, easy to use. The stabilizer also had to be able to support the camera body and substantial telephoto lenses. I was aware that this last consideration might knock out some of the support products aimed at the palm sized camcorders. My last requirement was that I had to be able to physically handle the product before purchase. The “video virgin” in me was driving this requirement.
After doing a lot of research, I found two products that piqued my interest, and were readily available here in New York for purchase. The Manfrotto Fig Rig which I found at Calumet Photographic and the BushHawk 320D camera support which I picked up the next day at Adorama. These are two very different solutions, but two products with impressive lineage: The Fig Rig being the brainchild of writer/director Mike Figgis in conjunction with Manfrotto, and BushHawk offering stabilization products for many nature and wildlife photographers.
The Fig Rig
What do you get when you mount a camera inside a steering wheel? You get a Fig Rig!! I keep hearing the Joni Mitchell song “Big Yellow Taxi” every time I think about the Fig Rig! People may find the concept of walking around holding a “steering wheel” in front of you, strange but I have to tell you it works. The Fig Rig offers incredible freedom of movement. The two handed navigation if you will, results in tremendous stability and smooth shooting. The body acts as the shock absorber and does not transfer the jarring movement to the Fig Rig. The wheel itself can accommodate add on’s such as video lights or a microphone using the optional Fig Rig clamp.
The Fig Rig is made of aluminum with padded hand grips. You attach the supplied quick release mounting assembly to the frame and plate to the camera and you are essentially ready to roll. Also supplied are 4 cable clips which allow you to manage any wires for accessories you might attach to the frame. You are looking at somewhere in the vicinity of 2 pounds before you add the camera.
The biggest drawback with the Fig Rig is the fact that it is impossible to place the camera down in a stable position when it is mounted. I find myself removing the camera from the cross bar when it is not in use (perhaps some sort of surface brace or stand can address this.) The other possible drawback is that you do look a bit weird walking down the street with one. But to those worried about how they look, I say get over it! The price of admission: $299.
The BushHawk 320D
The other product that I found myself very excited about is the BushHawk 320D Shoulder Support System. If you think steering wheel with the Fig Rig, think shotgun with the BushHawk! This shoulder based stabilizing system is what is called gun mount with a trigger which with the appropriate cable release will “fire” the shutter. Now one of my big concerns about taking this thing out and using it on the streets of New York is that someone is going shout “gun” (as Clint Eastwood in “In the Line of Fire” does in a crowd) and wrestle me to the ground!!
The 320D Pro Kit (one of two Canon versions and there is a Nikon version as well) I purchased included:
The 320D double handle stabilizer with trigger and shoulder pad; Canon shutter release cord; Quick release assembly and wrenches; Window Pod; Strap; Release cord case; and Storage bag.
The 320D is a modular thermoplastic frame which is extremely light and strong. An adjustable arm, which has a shoulder pad at the end slides into the main frame, and is locked into place by tightening a knob. While BushHawk advertises the product with both hand grips in the same plane, I loosened the front hand grip and rotated it 90 degrees (as pictured to the left,) which gave me better balance and greater stability while shooting video.
One of the biggest plusses for the BushHawk 320D is that with the cable release cord attached, you can effortlessly capture stills while shooting video with the 5D MarkII via the trigger button. I also found the BushHawk worked well for normal viewfinder shooting, live view shooting or video. If there is a negative associated with the 320D, for some people it will undoubtedly be having the shoulder pad braced against them. It does take a little getting use to. The price for all this at Adorama was $212.
Whether you go with either of these systems, or with another, the stabilizer is only part of the equation. The other part of the success of any of these systems depends on you and your ability to hold and move with the product of your choice. For me, a heel toe combination seems to work best for removing variability from my stride under most circumstances when moving with either of these stabilizers. I urge anyone buying a stabilizer to practice moving and finding their own “right” stride. And don’t forget about picking up a light set of weights to get your shoulders and arms into shape. You will thank me for this advice!
In Part 3 of this series, I will be looking at the Bruce Dorn U Boat Commander. I have elected to talk about this system independently because unlike the Fig Rig and the BushHawk, both of which I purchased, the U-Boat commander is on loan for evaluation purposes. Also unlike many of the available solutions, the U Boad commander was developed specifically for use with the 5D Mark II.
