2011Operating forum
Proper finger positioning on the Steadicam gimbal during operation
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
- Placing fingers above the gimbal yoke introduces drag and friction that degrades gimbal performance and can cause rolling or tilting during pans
- Operating with all fingers below the gimbal yoke allows the gimbal to function as designed with minimal external input and better shot quality
- Proper technique involves using body movement to fly the rig rather than relying on manual corrections via tight gripping
- A correctly balanced rig should float neutrally when released, indicating the operator is using proper technique rather than fighting the equipment
- Tight or contorted hand positions often signal excessive manual input into the gimbal instead of trusting the arm and gimbal to do their intended work
Depends on
- Some operators report comfort with finger positioning above the gimbal in low mode operation
- Very rare situations may exist where defeating the gimbal intentionally could serve creative purposes
- Hand size and finger length may affect whether this technique introduces noticeable drag
- The discussion includes anecdotal experiences and lacks systematic testing of the claims
- One participant suggested that effects depend on individual physiology and rig setup specifics