I've just upgraded my video setup to a GH4 (4k! yay!) with a speedbooster and a new lens or two.
I'm a bit concerned about video stability because
1) the primes I like and can afford do not have image stabilization
2) The camera itself doesn't offer any image stabilization
3) I need to be mobile out of necessity - I film moving, dynamic subjects.
My old camera had image stabilization and was relatively light. It also didn't have near as much depth of field. So I could generally move around, and if I concentrated on steady movements, I'd maintain good focus with limited camera shake.
The GH4 will be completely manual focus, out of necessity. That's perfectly fine by me - I don't mind manually focusing, and prefer the look of the results to boot.
BUT, since the camera isn't stabilized, I'd like to stabilize the camera and still allow myself the ability to manually focus the shots myself. My ideal rig is as follows:
1) The GH4
2) A 7 inch monitor attached to the hot shoe, since I'll always have to see where my focus is (it's not very heavy)
3) a lightweight shotgun mic, also attached to the camera
What would be the ideal stabilizer to keep those three items steady, but allows me to follow focus with a free hand. That rules out any kind of steadicam - I can't afford and don't have another person to pull focus 100% of the time. I don't have the option of autofocusing because I'm using adapted lenses. So a shoulder mount rig with one handed operation, then?
It seems like shoulder rigs put the camera right in front of your face, though. I haven't used one before, so I'm pretty clueless about shoulder rigs. If I want to use the 7 inch monitor, then the camera has to be a bit further away.
Also, it seems like most shoulder rigs have two handlebars. Does the camera 'dip' if you take one hand away to correct your focus? If not, then that is fine.
I appreciate any advice one might have!
Thanks,
Emerson
I'm a bit concerned about video stability because
1) the primes I like and can afford do not have image stabilization
2) The camera itself doesn't offer any image stabilization
3) I need to be mobile out of necessity - I film moving, dynamic subjects.
My old camera had image stabilization and was relatively light. It also didn't have near as much depth of field. So I could generally move around, and if I concentrated on steady movements, I'd maintain good focus with limited camera shake.
The GH4 will be completely manual focus, out of necessity. That's perfectly fine by me - I don't mind manually focusing, and prefer the look of the results to boot.
BUT, since the camera isn't stabilized, I'd like to stabilize the camera and still allow myself the ability to manually focus the shots myself. My ideal rig is as follows:
1) The GH4
2) A 7 inch monitor attached to the hot shoe, since I'll always have to see where my focus is (it's not very heavy)
3) a lightweight shotgun mic, also attached to the camera
What would be the ideal stabilizer to keep those three items steady, but allows me to follow focus with a free hand. That rules out any kind of steadicam - I can't afford and don't have another person to pull focus 100% of the time. I don't have the option of autofocusing because I'm using adapted lenses. So a shoulder mount rig with one handed operation, then?
It seems like shoulder rigs put the camera right in front of your face, though. I haven't used one before, so I'm pretty clueless about shoulder rigs. If I want to use the 7 inch monitor, then the camera has to be a bit further away.
Also, it seems like most shoulder rigs have two handlebars. Does the camera 'dip' if you take one hand away to correct your focus? If not, then that is fine.
I appreciate any advice one might have!
Thanks,
Emerson
