Camera movement/shake?

[millerm]

Maybe someone has a solution to this, I haven't found one and have had this problem ever since I stopped using an ancient VHS recorder (the size of a TV news camera) so I've resorted to leaving my tripod in the closet for video.

http://www.rail-videos.net/video/rejected.php?id=10005819&key=115566044

Too much camera movement (or shake...whatever you want to call it). I agree but don't know a good solution (see following paragraph).

I've used tripods for other things but when I want to pan I find it jerks suddenly when I move it. Alternatively I can leave the adjustment screws/handles looser such that it moves smoothly but then I usually find the camera has nosed itself down from gravity if I'm not holding it -- which would result in the same shaky movement and defeat having a tripod.

I see some videos here just leave the camera for the whole duration but I don't particularly like those shots, I prefer the ones that pan at either the beginning or end of the train.

I have this same problem with 2 tripods, one is a pro-grade that my father had (to support the big old heavy VHS camera) and one is a light-weight one that I got with my digital video camera.

Any suggestions? Tips?

Thanks in advance.

[Joe the Photog]

Any suggestions? Tips?

Yes. Get the tripod out of the closet and put your camera on it. It is almost impossible to get a good shot of a passing train hand holding a camera. I eprsonally don't think it can be done, but as soon as I say that, someone will post a video which proves if nothing else that there is an exception to the rule.

Here's a good thread I started when RV came on line. Others have posted great tips on their too --

http://forums.railpictures.net/showthread.php?t=5869

[JBCagle7073]

There isn't much you can do about the particular tripod you have jerking suddenly when moved. Tripods designed for easy panning and tilting are usually pretty expensive. You may want to look in to investing in a ball head. You could also use a monopod so that you could rotate it on the foot instead of using a pan head. This may not work all the time, but it may be worth a shot.

[millerm]

There isn't much you can do about the particular tripod you have jerking suddenly when moved. Tripods designed for easy panning and tilting are usually pretty expensive. You may want to look in to investing in a ball head. You could also use a monopod so that you could rotate it on the foot instead of using a pan head. This may not work all the time, but it may be worth a shot.

Hmmm, the monopod idea might work. I think I could even adjust the one tripod to act like a monopod...

Unfortuniately, everything is expensive when you're in college :) ...newer/better equipment will have to wait for a birthday or something...

[Joe the Photog]

Dude;

A quick thank you for the time it took to reply would have sufficed. My response to your question didn't type itself. Sorry it wasn't what you were looking for.


Joe

[JBCagle7073]

I have used a single leg or sometimes 2 legs of a tripod on still shots. You may even be able to get a monopod for about 20 bucks. I got a cheap one to use as a hiking stick and to keep my camera from continually slapping my camera as I hiked.

[Dennis A. Livesey]

I have a real cheap fluid head and it works fine.

Now the shot you had is VERY difficult to do, even with $13,000 state-of-the art o'connor 25/75 fluid heads, the standard of the movie industry.

I suggest:
1.Be farther back from the track (This will help more than anything, less extreme arc and speed)
2 Frame up the end of your shot
3 Then reverse yourself
4 Now figure out how to wrap yourself around the tripod so you can do it in one smooth move.