2011General Discussion forum
Using SCSI hard drives as affordable gyroscopic stabilizers for camera lenses
15 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Spinning SCSI drives rotating at 15000 RPM can function as gyroscopic stabilizers when mounted horizontally and vertically on camera lenses
- This approach using discarded SCSI drives represents an inexpensive alternative to commercial gyroscopic stabilization systems
- The inertial mass of SCSI drive platters may be insufficient to provide meaningful stabilization benefit on Steadicam rigs
- Electronic gyroscopic sensors with reaction-based stabilization are emerging as lightweight, affordable alternatives to mechanical spinning-mass gyroscopes
Depends on
- The effectiveness of SCSI drive gyros has not been widely tested or documented
- Weight and inertia of SCSI drive platters may limit practical application to smaller cameras or specialized rigs
- The approach was discussed for experimental purposes but no confirmed results or follow-up testing was reported
- Electronic gyro technology mentioned as emerging was not yet commercially available or proven at the time of discussion