H(d)SLR Stabilizers: A Modular Approach

I recently made a presentation on H(d)SLRs to a group of photographers in New York, and two of the concerns the audience had included the amount of money needed to get your H(d)SLR video ready and the size of the equipment. It got me thinking about a reasonably-priced, handheld stabilizing solution that would allow for growth and expansion as needed. If your curiosity is peaked, read on….

The Modular Stabilizer in Four Acts.

Act 1
The foundation for this handheld stabilizer comes from British Columbia-based Cavision (designated 1 in the images.) It is their Single Handgrip with the RCP4590 plate. The grip folds down and attaches to the camera via a tripod socket. The MSRP of the Handgrip and plate assembly is $75USD. In this configuration, you have a solid platform to handhold your camera which provides two points (handgrip, plus free hand on camera) of stabilization.
Act 2
The next component is a LCD viewfinder accessory. I choose the Cinema kit from Hoodman, which includes the Hoodman Loupe 3.0, Eyecup 3.0 and a cinema strap to attach the Loupe assembly to the camera. While the Hoodman does not magnify, it does enhance the viewfinder experience, by cutting out stray light and providing three points of contact (hand grip, free hand on camera, and face) for stability. The kit retails in the vicinity of $115USD. This is where I find myself a little divided: While I do have the strap, I have had some issues with keeping the loupe firmly anchored to the camera with the strap on.
As an alternative to the Hoodman strap, there is the Redrock Micro Microfinder Loupe Accessory kit (as attached to the Hoodman Loupe and designated 2 in the images.) The loupe attachment fits to the Hoodman loupe and is seated between the camera and the Cavision plate. The MSRP of the Microfinder Loupe Accessory kit is $55.
A word of caution: do not handle the camera by the viewfinder accessory because it is sandwiched between the camera and base plate and its security depends on tightening the mounting screw in the tripod socket.
Act 3
The next component is for those interested in on-camera lighting and/or a microphone. The item of choice is the Cool-Lux MD 3000 Light and Sound Bracket (designated 3 in the images.) The aluminum bracket has two cold shoes at different heights, so it can accommodate a microphone and a light. It can be mounted on-camera in the hot shoe or on an off-camera accessory (as you will see next.) The bracket retails for just under $30USD.
Act 4
The final add-on is intended to provide an additional stabilizing point and to get the mike and light off the camera body. I realized that the Cavision pate had additional holes which would accommodate and extension arm. I happened to have a Sunpak E-flash Grip and Extension Arm from experimenting a few years back with their flat panel E-flash units (designated 4 in the images.) The extension arm is simply screwed into one of the holes in the Cavision plate. It can be placed on either the left or right side of the camera. It provides a second hand grip, and an arm with a ball head attachment that the Cool-Lux Bracket can be placed on to further isolate a microphone and or light from the camera. Some people may prefer the balance that the additional grip offers. The good news is that the Sunpak Grip and Extension Arm kit retails for $34.95. Note: The Sunpak Extension Arm will fit on the Cavision 5D MarkII and 7D Single Hand Grip and Viewfinder package which was previously reviewed.

(The handheld stabilizer rig is shown attached to a light stand for illustration.)
So there you have it, a modular stabilizing solution that takes elements from different product lines and combines them in a unique and functional way. I am particularly fond of this solution because it is not camera brand specific. Although I personally prefer the Microfinder accessory, one of the benefits of the Hoodman Cinema Strap is that the Loupe can be used with different sized camera bodies and/or bodies with or without a battery grip. We recently learned from one of our readers that the Loupe 3.0 does cover the screen of the new Rebel T2i,(thanks to Paul G for that info.) This stabilizing solution is easy to carry, easy to assemble/disassemble, and for people just getting their feet wet with motion capture, can be enhanced as their skills grow.
As always, we invite you to check out the current copy of “Outfitting Your H(d)SLR by clicking on the copy embedded below.



Disclosure: No consideration has been received in connection with this blog entry, nor has any manufacturer and/or retailer offered any consideration.