Monday, March 28, 2011

The Smoothee - Steadicam for mobile phones

It's interesting to note how far the video quality of mobile phones and pocket camcorders has progressed over the past few years.

Features such as their resolution are greatly improved but they do have one disadvantage when compared to their larger, heavier predecessors – they shake like crazy.

But have no fear, this is a shortcoming that's addressed by the Steadicam Smoothee.  

The Steadicam Smothee has been developed by Tiffen the original designer and manufacturer of the professional Steadicam that we all know and love.

Professional videographers tend to have steadier handheld footage than casual shooters mainly because they're using wider lenses and shoulder mounts, but also simply because the extra weight of their larger cameras has a way of "flattening out" the jiggles.

A featherweight mobile phone held in an unsupported extended hand, however, tends to show up every little breath, heartbeat or nervous tic of its user.

Like Steadicam's existing rigs for movie and television cameras, the Smoothee uses counterweights to live up to its name. The phone/camcorder mounts on top, in a quick-release bracket, while the weights are located on a curved metal arm that extends underneath.

The user holds the contraption by a pistol-style grip, that is joined to the mounting platform via a freely-moving gimbal connection.

Watch a series of Steadicam videos to see the Smoothee in action

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