subject: Camera Stabilizers: The Pros And Cons Of Tripods And Camera Stabilizers [print this page] You probably have started a small collection of cameras and other videography gear and you are either a dedicated parent, uncle or aunt, or just another one bitten by the film or video making bug. It does not mean though that you want every piece of gear out there or that you want or can afford it right now.
So, when faced with the question tripod or camera stabilizer, which would or should you go for? Here are some points we would like to raise for your consideration. To begin with, these two gadgets are important in the stabilization process. As anyone who has used a digital camera or camcorder by now knows, these are pretty sensitive equipment, so much so that, any flicker of movement we have, whether it is from another part of the body, will be picked up by our handheld digital video cameras. This is what gives the finished product, our movies, that shaky, jittery, i.e. homemade and amateur, look. A tripod or a camera stabilizer will take the cameras from direct contact with our hands but performing the "stabilizing" in different ways.
A tripod will basically act or serve as a solid base. It is just like placing your camera on a table or platform instead of holding it except a tripod is adjustable in height, lightweight, and portable. You can easily and quickly set it up where there is an even and level surface and set it up less easily and less quickly on uneven areas too.
The camera stabilizer is the current belle of the ball. This new, smaller and lighter version of the professional camera stabilizer is enjoying massive popularity in both the amateur and professional filmmaking or videography circles. If you are unfamiliar with the professional camera stabilizer, no worries, it works by absorbing the shock that comes from any movement we make. Taking the camera or camcorder off direct contact with our hands, they sit on a gimbal that redistributes the weight, smoothing out the tremors from our movements. These are popular because of their price, portability, and the freedom it allows for shooting various angles, movement, and viewpoints that you can not get with a tripod.
Whichever you feel you will use more should tip the scale. Do not let the current trend sway you. Either way, choosing to stabilize your camera is a move in the right direction.
