Posted by Toby on 12/22/82 12:01

"peter" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message news:XDtnj.19$eg.0@trndny01...
>I notice a type of camcorder support device that has a stick between the
>camcorder and a waist belt. This looks like it may reduce stress on my bad
>back while I run around with a 5 lb camcorder.
>
> If you have used such support devices, what is your experience? Do you
> have to be constantly adjusting the length of this stick while panning?
> Does it help or get in the way?

It is good for steading shots. I know pros who use something similar with
the big BVW-type cameras with good results. I have used something similar
(monopod stuck in my pants) with good results as well both with large and
small cameras. There are disadvantages, however: it is not suitable for
walking shots, and it limits other movements as well, especially tilts. That
being said, if you don't need those types of shots it is valuable. Also, it
is easy enough to take the brace out of the pouch when you are moving, which
frees up movement quite considerably.

If having the weight transferred from your arms and shoulders to your waist
helps your back and you do not need a lot of movement I should think that it
should be quite helpful for you. Generally, once you set the length of the
support rod based on your eye position it does not need to be adjusted in
most situations (extreme tilts being the big exception). With a small camera
you might be able to mount a small ballhead between the camera and the rod,
so that you can change the default angle of the camera, or leave it loose so
that you can change the angle while keeping the rod in the same relationship
to your body--good for those tilts.

Toby

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