Nikon SLR Cameras

Best Stabilizer for Nikon D3200?

Guest
Guest

I have a Nikon d3200 and I shoot music videos and I was wondering what would be the best stabilizer to buy, because I do a lot of moving shots and I don't want it to look all shaky when moving. What would be the best cheap one and a good mid range, maybe a good end one also?

Little Dog
Little Dog

There are different kinds of "stabilizers". That which is "best" depends on your requirements.

Tripods are common. Monopods, camera cranes, sliders and vest mounted systems with an articulated, counter-balanced arm like a Steadycam or glidecam system are all "stabilizers".

The weight of the lens can vary a lot… At the low end, a tripod - see Magnus or Davis & Sanford. You want a fluid head. Not "fluid like". Plan to spend about $150 (more is better - check the decent Manfrotto sticks + head kits for $300 - $500). For the higher end, a Steadycam Merlin 2 with vest and arm. If sliders or camera cranes look interesting to you, I strongly suggest Kessler. I have one of their 8 foot cranes on a Hercules head and K-Pod tripod system, and it is *rock-steady*.

Guest
Guest

What do you mean by a stabilizer? There are several routes you could go down, the most obvious is a tripod, or a monopod.

For video stabilization there are steadycam type rigs - these appear to come in all shapes and sizes and budgets.

AlCapone
AlCapone

The Steadicam Merlin is very popular but you can spend more money and get more sophisticated stabilizers. Or you can go with an active 3-axis gimbal-based stabilizer such as this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...&A=details

qrk
qrk

Do what Lok does, hand hold. His technique is pretty amazing while in motion. Perhaps his series on shooting video with a DSLR will be helpful.

Best of all, no cost involved, just a bunch of practice.