Best Floating tripod

Around 1926, the trade journal “Filmtechnik” recommended the use of a “breast stand”. This and other simple tripods use tilt and tilt stability as well as inertia for stabilization. This is done with reference to a mass held at its centre of gravity. From a physical point of view, it is a two-sided lever, which is arranged vertically. There is an attachment on the side of the load arm, while the counterweight is located on the force arm. In this case it is a composition from the control monitor, batteries and possibly additional weights. This relieves the strain on the wrist of cameramen

In the 70s of the last century the cameraman Garrett Brown developed the Steadicam. In 1976 he made a ten-minute film for the demo screening, which was seen by well-known directors such as Stanley Kubrik and John G. Avildsen. This system was used for the first time in the film “This country is my country”. Rocky” and “Marathon-Mann” are other films that recommend this system. The Steadicam was first used in Germany in 1979. The realization of the film “The Willi-Busch-Report” was done with this camera. Also in numerous other movies the directors relied on the Steadicam. Other films in which the camera was used include “Kill Bill”, “Good Fellas – Three Decades in the Mafia” and “Alien³”.

After the patent was granted, the American Cinema Products Corporation became the first manufacturer to commence operations. After the company closed its doors, the license was sold to Tiffen Company. In 2006, the price for such a system was $66,000. This included the battery pack, various connection material, the monitor in connection with a faded in artificial horizon as well as a PDA and a hardcase. After the turn of the millennium, a modular camera stabilization system called Artemis was introduced. It is also a full HD camera stabilization system. In 2015, further progress was made by combining an electronic stabilisation system with a mechanical one

Garrett Brown did not allow himself much rest even in later years and worked on further developments. This includes the rail (GoCam) and cable (Skycam) camera systems. These systems are often also used at sports events. The stabilization principle of the Steadicam, which is applied to non-human carriers, is in the foreground with the different systems. Steadydrive introduced technical innovations, some of which related to progression adjustment. On the one hand, it is possible to adjust the preload during operation. The suspension characteristics can also be adjusted. However, the most important further development is the SpaceCam. Stabilization is achieved by electronic means through the support of a gyroscope instrument. It is recommended to use this camera for aerial photography.