Video Stabilization

[Jack Harrison]

I’m having no joy with April Fool’s spoofs this year. My first idea turned out to be “politically sensitive” when I found out that I would have been treading on toes - so that had to be dropped. My next idea might have landed my in the libel courts with certain camera manufacturers. Then I thought I had hit on the perfect spoof but it seemed to be so plausible that it might in fact be true. That indeed is the case, and my “anti-drift” video stabilization idea already exists!

Making videos without a tripod inevitably results in drift/wobble – call it what you like. It is tedious to cart a tripod around so I thought that there has to be a better way.

Method One – some form of gyroscope fitted to the tripod bush. But although this would certainly help, it is bound to be heavy and tiring to use.

Method Two – some post-processing software that aligns those parts of the frame that are not supposed to move, or to move in accordance with the deliberate panning or zooming. Such software does indeed exist, fopr example ArcSoft Video Stabilizer:
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/A ... 28858.html
I have downloaded the trial version (complete with watermark stamp to stop it being useful until you buy the licensed version). This seems “OK” but is far from perfect.

There is no undoubtedly other software available. So anyone got good any good ideas?

Jack

[Paul Wetton]

Hi Jack

I can't see how you can really remove wobble from a video clip without the process being detrimental to the video clip itself. I would always suggest a tripod of some sort. Small tripods are fine for smaller video cameras but the bigger the camera the bigger and heavier the tripod. I'm noticing this after lumping my XL2, Manfrotto tripod plus Sigma 120-400mm lens and assorted batteries and adapters around all day to day in the Wyre Forest.

Go with what weight you can manage then if you do get wobbly sections of footage edit them out. Just make sure you take enough video to edit the bad bits out.

Have fun.

[Jack Harrison]

Of course using a tripod is bound to give better results than the most sophisticated post-processing.

Sadly, there are some of us older people for whom the use of a tripod isn’t really an option. I have significant arthritis my spine and especially neck have much reduced mobility. (It’s called Ankylosing spondylitis which I’ve had since my twenties but is more tedious nowadays). I cannot for example twist my neck into certain positions. That is a major reason why i really appreciate cameras with an articulated viewing screen. It always puzzles me that dedicated video cameras usually offer this feature but comparatively few still cameras do so. Dedicated video cameras are heavy which is why for me, a dual-purpose digital camera suits me better.

So I have to look at other options for overcoming video wobble even those it will always be no more than second-best. However, ArcSoft isn’t good enough. VirtualDub clearly is much better but seems to be fiendishly complicated.

Jack

[Paul Wetton]

Agreed Jack carrying a tripod is often not possible so I hope you can find some good software to do the job.

I can see the day fairly soon when I will require a smaller lighter video camera with smaller tripod to match. I'm sure with the advances in technology it won't be long but for the time being I'll soldier on with the excessive weight of my gear and bad back for the sake of the quality of footage it gives.

I would love a 3 ccd video camera that is very light but that allows for interchangeable lenses. It would only then be the weight of the lenses that would be the limiting factor to what can be carried. My burro Helen does a stirling job carrying all the still camera gear around but now we have a Siggy 120-400mm for the video camera and a Siggy 150-500mm for the still camera the weight just keeps going up.

Switzerland will certainly increase out fitness levels as we carry everything with us so as not to give the theives a chance to grab anything left in the car.

[Padfield]

Switzerland will certainly increase out fitness levels as we carry everything with us so as not to give the theives a chance to grab anything left in the car.

Away from urban centres there is very little little theft in Switzerland and some climbs to the best butterflies are quite substantial! There might be some fine risk balancing to be done, Paul!

Guy

[Paul Wetton]

Hello Guy

I think we'll probably need most of our gear so it will be a slow slog to any higher altitude sites. I'd appreciate any info you have on such sites by the way as I can't find any info on the net at all.

Personally I'll need the video camera, standard lens with 1.6 x converter, 400mm lens for distant shots and the macro lens for any close up work. Helen will using the macro lens plus 500mm Siggy and standard lens. Ouch!!!

[Gruditch]

Yeah no compromise, and no surrender Paul. You got to take your gear with you. My standard carry around kit is, 3 camera bodies, 4 lenses, a tripod, plus a selection of filters, cards etc.

Regards Gruditch

[Jack Harrison]

Sandra Standbridge:
http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/gallerie ... tandbridge
has the right idea. She too has a massive amount of kit but has a very willing husband Kevin who acts as caddy. I'll swear I've heard her say:
"Pass me the 300 please Kevin"

Jack

[Jack Harrison]

Here's just what we need:
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/store ... imageText=

Only £29.99

Edit. Just found this WITH WHEELS - and cheaper:
http://www.tgw.com/images/golf/products ... /image.jpg

Jack

[Gruditch]

Sandra & Kevin are as nice a couple as you're ever meet.



As long as I can take the weight of my gear on my waist, and not my shoulders I'm OK.

Regards Gruditch

[Paul Wetton]

Unfortunately my gear sits square on my shoulders at the moment as I have a Petrol holdall with additional shoulder straps. I'm going to have to pursuade my mum to have a go at attaching a waist belt to the holdall so I can set some of the weight on my waist.
The still camera gear sits on Helens shoulders but in a Lowepro Nature Trekker Rucksack that has any number of belts and straps and is much more comfortable than my bag.
We all need something like what Malcolm Rymer, wildlife videographer uses and similar to Jack's suggestion. A trolley with wheels.
I can't wait until someone invents anti gravity discs then we'll all be fine with any amount of gear.