2013Steadi-Newbies forum
Reducing pendulum motion in handheld gimbal operation during lateral camera positioning
13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Pendulum motion becomes more visible when the rig is oriented perpendicular to the operator's body because subject slanting is apparent, whereas in aligned positioning the motion manifests as less noticeable tilt
- Using the pinkie finger to rigidly push against the centerpost to prevent pendulum motion is less effective than learning to use different fingers depending on camera orientation and walk direction
- The thumb is more effective than the pinkie for countering pendulum motion when the camera is in lateral position
- Preventing pendulum motion requires anticipating movement and using a fingertip to gently restrain the post without overcompensating, rather than pushing back with equal force which creates motion in the opposite direction
- Lighter rigs with low inertia are more susceptible to air resistance during fast movement, causing balance issues independent of drop time settings
- Increasing rig weight closer to the equipment's maximum capacity and extending the post length improve stability with lighter camera setups
- Different grip positions and finger placements on the post are required depending on whether the operator is walking in the Don Juan position, Missionary position, or at ninety degrees to the lens direction
Depends on
- The operator was using a relatively lightweight rig at approximately five pounds with a Pilot gimbal and DSLR, which may have different characteristics than heavier setups
- The discussion does not provide definitive guidance on drop time settings and their relationship to pendulum motion
- Effective technique requires significant practice and experience to develop proper finger sensitivity and anticipation