Posted by Steven J. Weller on 01/19/07 17:56

Fred wrote:

> I must admit that I saw no reason for a steady capability for regular
> shooting, and then just this week I was shooting a figure skater and at the
> last minute before I left home I decided to grab my skates and follow him
> onto the ice with camera and mic. Could have used something to steady the
> camera. I got some stuff that I can use with editing, but as soon as I
> tried to move my feet, things got shaky.
> Of course I may not needthis again for a while.(???)

My take on having your own gear is that when you need it, it's there.
You could have used a rig this week but the odds of you going out at
the last minute and renting, or calling up an operator, are slim to
none. Instead, you get by with what you have - like the old saying
goes, when what you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like
a nail.

I can hire a stedicam operator with his/her own rig for maybe $250 a
day; that means I have to use mine a total of four times and it's paid
for itself. I built my doorway dolly for less than a couple of days'
rental (and taught myself to weld in the process) and now I never have
to think about whether it would be worth the hassle of renting one.
The jib's more than paid for itself, too.

--
Life Continues, Despite
Evidence to the Contrary

Steven

[Back to original message]