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Ever since filming has become an accessible hobby or activity for more and more people, there has become an ever-increasing number of people who have become aware of the importance of camera stabilizers in shooting videos. As a result, there are plenty of camera stabilizers out on the market today, both online and in physical stores, that specialize in camera and photography gear.
With the multitude of brands available nowadays, it can prove to be difficult to choose which ones are the best. Usually, there are a few main qualities that you need to consider when looking for a good brand of camera stabilizer.
1. Effective and efficient. Remember that you are buying a camera stabilizer for a purpose, and it should be able to serve that purpose well. If not, then the purchase will be all for naught.
A good camera stabilizer will be able to eliminate most if not all of the shakes and vibrations that you may encounter while filming. The output must be smooth and crisp images no matter if you have shot with a handheld device on uneven terrain.
It should be built with the right mechanisms that effectively deliver smooth images and minimize or completely get rid of any shakes or hand movements when panning or adjusting or even inadvertent movements made by the operator.
2. Easy to use. No matter how great and efficient a camera stabilizer is at stabilizing your shots, this will all be rendered completely useless if you are not able to use it correctly and easily.
The ease of use will not only boost your confidence in using the gear correctly but more importantly allow you to maximize it to its fullest potential in order to get the clearest and the best results you could expect from your videos using the device.
Find a brand that has a user-friendly interface and controls that are not too complicated to understand and use.
3. Comfortable or ergonomic. Another thing that you have to take into consideration when buying a camera stabilizer is its comfort. Many camera stabilizer brands these days have subtle comfort features that improve the lives of camera operators such as foam padded handles and an ergonomic design that allows the user to bear it for long periods without experiencing too much fatigue.
Some other brands go as far as having additional shoulder mounts or straps that allow you to distribute the weight of your device along your body so as to prevent arm strain when carrying your device.
If you are expecting to shoot lengthy takes that take more than ten minutes, this feature is what you might want to focus on when choosing the right brand for you.
4. Before owning a camera stabilizer, you may already have a number of cameras to start with. That is why it is important to choose a stabilizer that will be able to accommodate as many different camera types as possible.
Whether it is a DSLR, an SLR, a video camera, a Go-Pro, or even just a smart phone, the right camera stabilizer brand will be able to accommodate it.
It is, therefore, a good thing that most camera stabilizer brands these days are able to accommodate different camera types and are not brand specific. If you want to make sure the brand you choose is versatile enough, you can bring your camera along as you shop.
5. Many camera stabilizer brands today are made up of lighter materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum alloy. Having a light weight is important since operators will have to carry these stabilizers along with the camera and extra gear such as a light and microphones sometimes for a longer duration than is comfortable, so it is important that they are able to do so without compromising their comfort and well-being to produce a truly seamless and smooth take.
6. Even if they are generally lightweight, materials such as aluminum are quite sturdy and durable. Camera stabilizers have to be sturdy enough to bear the weight of a camera.
Many camera stabilizers come with varying weight limits that can accommodate devices as light as a Go-Pro or as heavy as a full blown professional video camera. You will also want to make sure that your stabilizer will stay with you for a long time to come.
7. Other features. Good quality stabilizer brands also have many other useful features that not only make them stand out above the rest but also make them more practical for you. For example, many stabilizers come with a quick release feature that allows you to pop your camera on and off in a flash.
