A camera stabilizer, or camera–stabilizing mount, is a device designed to hold a

camera A camera is an optical instrument that can capture an image. Most cameras can capture 2D images, with some more advanced models being able to capture 3D images. At a basic level, most cameras consist of sealed boxes (the camera body), with ...

in a manner that prevents or compensates for unwanted camera movement, such as " camera shake". For small hand-held cameras, a harness or contoured frame steadies the camera against the photographer's body. In some models, the camera mount is on an arm that protrudes in front of the photographer; beneath the camera is a handle grip. Another variation positions the camera atop a fulcrum brace against the photographer's chest or abdomen. To compensate for camera instability caused by the movement of the operator's body,

camera operator A camera operator, or depending on the context cameraman or camerawoman, is a professional operator of a film camera or video camera as part of a film crew. The term "cameraman" does not imply that a male is performing the task. In filmmak ...

Garrett Brown invented the

Steadicam Steadicam is a brand of camera stabilizer mounts for motion picture cameras invented by Garrett Brown and introduced in 1975 by Cinema Products Corporation. It was designed to isolate the camera from the camera operator's movement, keeping th ...

, a body-mounted stabilization apparatus for motion picture cameras, which uses springs as

shock absorber A shock absorber or damper is a mechanical or hydraulic device designed to absorb and damp shock impulses. It does this by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy (typically heat) which is then dissipated. Most ...

s. In 1991, Martin Philip Stevens (born in England in 1963) invented a hand-held camera stabilizer for motion-picture and video cameras, called the ''Glidecam''. Some camera stabilization machines use

gyroscope A gyroscope (from Ancient Greek γῦρος ''gŷros'', "round" and σκοπέω ''skopéō'', "to look") is a device used for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity. It is a spinning wheel or disc in which the axis of rot ...

s to sense disruptive motion. The Artemis Trinity system from

Arri The Arri Group () is a German manufacturer of motion picture film equipment. Based in Munich, the company was founded in 1917. It produces professional motion picture cameras, lenses, lighting and post-production equipment. Hermann Simon ment ...

combines a mechanical and electronic stabilization. Since approx. 2015, it is common to stabilize moving cameras with remote controlled camera heads. The camera and lens are mounted in a remote controlled camera holder which is then mounted on a moving dolly, such as rail systems, cable suspended dollys, cars or helicopters. For example the Newton stabilized remote head is broadly used to stabilize moving TV cameras at live broadcast of sports and events. NEWTON stabilized camera head on a RTS rail system at Beyonce tour 2018

NEWTON stabilized camera head on a RTS rail system at Beyonce tour 2018

Although a

tripod A tripod is a portable three-legged frame or stand, used as a platform for supporting the weight and maintaining the stability of some other object. The three-legged (triangular stance) design provides good stability against gravitational loads ...

can hold a camera stably, stationary platforms are not regarded as camera stabilizers.

Camera shoulder brace

A camera shoulder brace stabilizes by shifting the weight of the camera to the operator's shoulder. This allows for smoother shots than might be obtainable by handheld operation. Camera shoulder braces are typically padded for comfort and allow the attachment of zoom controllers, transmitters, and other devices. The operator generally holds two handles while a third brace rests on the shoulder. A remote LANC zoom controller is usually placed on one of the handles. Most braces are made of PVC,

carbon fiber Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (American English), carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (Commonwealth English), carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, carbon-fiber reinforced-thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP), also known as carbon fiber, carbon compo ...

or light-weight metals to keep the weight down. If the brace were too heavy it would defeat the purpose of using it, reduced camera shake and fluidity of movement. For low shots, most braces can be used as a mini-

by setting the brace on flat surface. Shoulder braces also reduce stress on the arms which reduces tiredness and muscle cramps during filming.

References

* Cinematography Film and video technology Photography equipment Articles containing video clips {{film-tech-stub

Camera shoulder brace

See also

References