Steadicam or FCP stabilization?

Hi people,

As I'm new to filming I would appreciate your advice and opinion very much.

I use a Canon HFS20 camera. Next month I have to shoot a wedding. The question is, should I buy a steadicam/stabilizer or use FCP's built in stabilization? The point is, that I maybe want to invest in a new (better) camera. In that case investing in an expensive (Merlin) stabilizer is not a very good idea.

But I can also do with this camera for a while and use FCP's stabilization. So I can save more money for a new camera and a steadicam for that new and heavier camera?

My questions are these:
- is the Canon HFS20 a good camera that I can use for some time?
- should I invest in a stabilizer for this camera or should I use FCP X's stabilization?
- is the stabilization in FCP X to compare with a stabilizer for the camera?

Thank you very much for your help!

MBF

Ever thought of a monopod? For my palm recorder I use one that cost around fifty bucks (Trailblazer and small Manfrotto head). I even use it as a stabilizer - extend the pod, so it balances the camera and loosen the head screw, then just make a ring with your thumb and forefinger and hold the rig at the head. Not as good as a Merlin, but it does the trick.

I got pretty mixed results from FCP X stabilization. However, I needed it only a couple of times, so it might also be a lack of experience.

Hardware Stabilizer! like Glidecam or Steadycam you should find cheaper solution that might fit your needs.

The Final Cut Pro X stabilization is only good for footage that has minimum motion blur.

Way back when, I did weddings for a few years, we never used steady cams. We'd lean against posts, walls, tables, etc, to get steadier hand held shots, or use our tripod. I have several friends who still do weddings/events full time. None of them use steady cams, but I am aware some others do. With practice they get great hand held shots. The majority of their shots are on tripods, though. They fold the tripod legs up and use it as a steady cam, or as an extension to lift it above crowds. A few use mono-pods, but be careful of horizontal shakiness. If you get a steady cam, you'll want to get the smallest, lightest one you can. Something like a Glidecam will wear your arm out fast, be difficult to prep, and simply bulky. Different solutions work better for different people, it is really subjective. I'd ask other wedding videographers in your area what they do, and ask to visit and see their equipment. See if there is a local wedding & event videographers association in your area, or an FCP users group.

Ben's advice is sound. We do weddings and during ceremony we have tripods on all but one "rover" camera...and even that one is just on a monopod. I would have a rover to do steadicam...but only if I had a dedicated camera to stay on the steadicam. It's just to much of a pain to set up after taking it off. Weddings go quick and ya have to be ready. Otherwise there are times where I ma using FCPX stabilization to steady out some shaky monopod stuff. However use it with care because it'll get that jello-ey look to it. Most of the prep type things of the bride and groom are done with a monopod.

The HFS20 is so small and light, I doubt you would even need stabilization. The monopod is a good idea for that cam if you find you do need some.

As far as the camera itself, CNET reviews are not very favorable on it and it looks to be a pretty basic consumer product. Depending on how far you intend to take your wedding videography, I would look to save up for a more professional product before I would purchase stabilization for that camera.

I didn't even realize he said HFS20. I have an HF20...I would imagine quite similar. I ONLY use it to put on a tripod in the balcony getting a wide shot of everything. I hit record and walk away. It's only used as cutaway in case we all happen not to be recording at some point and time with the DSLR's.

Thanks (again) for your advice Ben.

I dived into monopods: that might be a good idea because you can always use with different camera's. Thanks for the advice!

Hi Don, thanks for your advice. I think I should consider a monopod. I read good things about the Manfrotto 561 BHDV-1 (with video fluid head).
What DSLR are you using.

Once again I appreciate your advice.

Kind regards,
MBF

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationtry something like this
supercheap and we use it with anything from DSLRs to EX-1 cams.

"I DO NOT sell these! just an ADVICE!"
hope the link doesn´t break any rules....

It's a mix of Canon models for the most part. T2, 3, and 4i's, a 60D, the Vixia Hf20 and when a buddy of mine comes to shoot with me he uses his Sony Nex 5 with some nice older glass. The sony footage looks great and the low light capability is fantastic from him. We're considering going to XA 10's though for ceremony and using 2 DSLR's for the juicy shots.

MacBookFan wrote: … is the stabilization in FCP X to compare with a stabilizer for the camera?…

just to answer this question:
No.

Post-production stabilization means re-framing, zooming-in, instant loss of resolution aka 'quality'.

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and another recommendation:
an actual very fancy style-element are 'drives'.
aside costly 'sliders':

for small money (50$) you get three-wheeled-'spiders' (foldable, easy to carry) to put the tripod on - on (very) flat surfaces, such in churches, ball-rooms, etc, you can move your camera horizontally.....