Jan 6

Written by: drfranco
Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Cameras like the Sony HVRV1U, PD-150, Canon XL-H1, and more recently the Canon H1, and Panasonic HVX200 produce a great picture for an affordable price, the small size of these units make shooting handheld quite a chore.  This result is a very tired arm and then the inevitable shaky videos. 
 
There are a number of shoulder braces available for just about every camera on the market, but  they tend to be extremely expensive.  The Steadybrace XR Shoulder Support System fits most prosumer cameras, and has a price point that makes it a must have.  Period.  A quick look at online retailers will shock you that a Sony shoulder mount for the Z1U rings in at $265.  While it may seem inexpensive compared to the cost of your camera, we all know it is very overpriced.  And the thing is heavy.  Doesn’t that defeat the point of keeping me from getting tired?
 
A few weeks ago a friend recommended to me the Steadybrace (www.steadybrace.com).  The Steadybrace (comes in four versions) is super lightweight high-impact PVC, very comfortable to hold and meets my price range at $49 to $69 depending on the model selected.
 
I use the Steadybrace XR with my Sony HVR-Z1U.  If you have a Canon XL series, you’ll want the Steadybrace XL.
Connecting the camera to the Steadybrace only takes a few seconds by turning a standard thumbscrew on the bottom.  After a few days of shooting it seems strong and secure.
 
Because of the very lightweight design, there is almost no added weight to the camera.  And because of the collapsible design it’s easy to take this support with you on whatever shoot you go on.  The Steadybrace can also be used for low shots as ground tripod.
 
As with any Shoulder Support, you might still get an unstable shot when you move your hand from the grips to the record button or the focus ring.  If you want to keep your hands on the grips all the time, you might want to attach a LANC controller for easy thumb access.  I highly recommend the Varizoom with the Steadybrace.
 
At $69.99 the Steadybrace XR is the ultimate solution for those looking to shoot handheld but need a more solid support.  I stand behind this product and give it two thumbs up!
 

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