One of my biggest gripes about my new Canon Vixia HF10 (so far) has been the incredible sensitivity to movement... particularly in 24p mode. I'm in pre-production on an indie film, and I was VERY concerned about this issue (especially since there are some important tracking/panning shots in my screenplay)... and then I discovered the following:

http://services.manfrotto.com/figrig/

It retails for around $300.00. I haven't ordered one yet, but I'm planning to at some point (probably when I can afford it, whenever the hell that'll be!). Anybody used one? Comments?

Haven't used one, but I have seen plans for building a "poor man's" fig rig - you might look around abit - I've seen them mostly made of out of PVC pipe. You might also consider the Merlin imitators (there is one from England that ships to the US for about $150).

You may be onto something there. One thing I hadn't considered: I'll need to be able to walk backwards through doorways for my project, and the Fig Rig may be too wide! The Merlin looks pretty amazing... but way too expensive ($799.00 on Amazon). The Bogen Manfrotto 585 MotoSteady is essentially the same thing and retails for $185.00 (again, on Amazon). This may be the answer I've been looking for.... thanks Jasoraso!

I've got one, love it, works great, and isn't as big as you think. It will fit through a door way.

If your camera is that sensitive, you should look into getting a dolly instead (and ensure the floor is smooth).

A dolly? I actually (briefly) considered it... but no, that's too much work and money. Yes, I realize there are DIY approaches, but I'm construction-challenged. I think the MotoSteady will fit the bill, but hopefully I can try it out somewhere before I buy. I'll need to call around the local shops and see if anyone's got a floor model I can play with....

For the price of the motosteady, you could also get the one from England. I read a report of one guy that tried both, and liked one from England better, although it isn't quite as versatile as the Motosteady, or fold up as small ....

For the price of the motosteady, you could also get the one from England. I read a report of one guy that tried both, and liked one from England better, although it isn't quite as versatile as the Motosteady, or fold up as small ....

D'ya got a link or something? Maybe the name of it?

Check this link:

http://www.b-hague.co.uk/Camcorder%20Stabilizer%20HCS3.htm

I made a steadicam similar to the Hague using copper tubing from Home Depot. The biggest key is to get it properly balanced. My "gimbal" is a 3/8 ball joint I got online - isn't as friction free as I'd like, but it works ok.

Here's a link to a homemade fig rig:
http://www.dvguru.com/2006/04/17/diy-fig-rig-for-10-bucks/

Good luck

The Hague Mini Motion-Cam Stabilizer looks pretty cool... the video on that page is hilarious (with the older dude swinging it all over the place, while the camera appears to stay perfectly still). However, from a theoretical standpoint (i.e. not having actually touched either of them), I've gotta give the edge to the Motosteady, since it has the added bonuses of the shoulder-support mode and the tabletop tripod mode. Damn, I've gotta find a place where I can try one out prior to buying....

And as far as building my own? Ha! Won't happen. The only thing I can build is a pretty good omelet! :-D

There's a cheap fig rig on ebay going for 46.75 buyitnow

Does anyone know how this one compares from indiehardware (an item on ebay i found which claims to be better than the Hague and is cheaper too.

http://www.pbase.com/mplacek/image/96310499.jpg

anyone?

Thanks everyone....

looks like something I've seen before, but I can't place it. I guess no one else can either.