How to use some shooting gear you already have as DIY camera stabilizer

By Alvin Motilla

Not all DIY camera stabilizer devices are built.

In this article, we're not going to talk about buying raw materials, and making your own camera stabilizer.

Why?

Because, honestly, it's better and more convenient to buy a low-cost, ready-made, but properly designed stabilizer. Not everyone wants to go through the hassle of sourcing materials, and building a camera stabilizer by trial and error.

So...

We'll only focus and talk about some free, alternative ways of stabilizing your camera as you're shooting videos. Using gear or tools you may already have.

What are DIY camera stabilizers?

Okay, let's clarify first what "DIY camera stabilizer" is. As you can see, it is the combination of...

... "DIY" + "camera stabilizer".

"DIY" means "do it yourself".

And "camera stabilizer" refers to any tool you use to make your camera stable, while you're shooting videos.

So, a "do-it-yourself camera stabilizer" is different from a dedicated or branded camera stabilizer. A DIY camera stabilizer is an alternative device for making your camera stable while you're shooting.

You can categorize DIY camera stabilizers into two groups...

1. devices that you build yourself using various raw materials, and
2. existing gear that you repurpose to be used in other creative ways of keeping your camera steady.

This article focuses on the second group.

DIY camera stabilizer - Using camera strap as stabilizer

Most likely, you also got a camera strap, when you bought your camera. The strap can be your best friend, because it's always there, to help you quickly stabilize your camera.

It's so handy. :-)

Here's some ways of using the camera strap as camera stabilizer...

1. Camera strap around your neck.
2. Camera strap hanging on your shoulder, like a sling bag.
3. Stepping on the camera strap.
4. Hanging your camera and lens on the strap.

Now, let's take a closer look at each method...

1. Camera strap around your neck.

• Wear the camera strap around your neck.
  
  
• Make sure that strap length matches the length of your arms. Not too long, not too short. And your eyes can clearly and comfortably see the camera screen.
  
  
• Hold the camera in a manner that you're pulling it away from you. But not too tight, to avoid hurting the back of your neck. This will help you record stable shots.
  
  
• With your arms extended, pulling the camera strap tight enough, start shooting and doing camera movements—like panning and tilting.

2. Camera strap hanging on your shoulder, like a sling bag.

• This method is similar to, "camera strap around your neck". But this time, you're wearing the camera and its strap, like a sling bag.
  
  
• Position your camera to the front.
  
  
• Hold the camera, pulling it away from you.
  
  
• Start shooting and executing camera movements.

3. Stepping on the camera strap.

• This technique helps stabilize your shots, from a low angle.
  
  
• Step on the camera strap with one foot, while holding the camera with both hands.
  
  
• Pull the camera upwards and start shooting.

4. Hanging your camera and lens on the strap.

• This method works better, if you apply it to a fairly heavy camera—like a DSLR with wide angle zoom lens. Because the heavier the weight of camera-lens combination, the better the stabilization.
  
  
• You'll find it easier to use this technique, if your camera has a swiveling screen. Because you can see your framing well, while making your shots.

• For better and realistic results, I recommend this technique, only if you're going to do minimal camera movements. Such as small slider-like, or crane-like movements. I don't recommend this for extended walking and running shots—like when using a steadicam, or a gimbal.
  
  
• To use this method, both ends of the camera strap need to be attached to the camera body. Then, wrap the middle of the strap under the lens.
  
  
• Ensure that camera strap is not touching the lens focus ring. Because you don't want the strap to interfere with focusing, when you're shooting.
  
  
• Now, carry your camera like a hand bag. Press the record button, and start shooting. Remember—"minimal camera movements", only.

DIY camera stabilizer - Other ways of using a tripod

Can I use a tripod as a stabilizer?

Yes. That's my quick answer. :-)

But, we'll only talk about alternative ways of using the tripod, as camera stabilizer. Ways that are more sensible, more effective, and easier to do, in the real world.

How to use tripod as stabilizer

1. Use tripod as a monopod.
2. Use tripod and camera strap as shoulder rig.
3. Use tripod like a dolly, or to get dolly-like shots.
4. Use tripod and blanket as slider.

Let's take a closer look at each method...

1. Use tripod as a monopod.

This is what I love about the monopod...

I only have to adjust one leg—just one leg—and I can go on shooting my subject from different angles.

What a huge time saver!

I can even incorporate minimal camera movements, and my monopod shots still look great. Very convenient to use.

In other words, a monopod helps a lot when shooting real life events. When you cannot afford to miss capturing precious life moments.

But, what if you don't have a monopod, and what you have is a tripod? Can you use tripod as a monopod?

Yes. Here's how...

• Extend only one tripod leg, all the way.
  
  
• Keep the other 2 legs collapsed, or closed up.

• Use that one extended tripod leg as a monopod, when shooting. Treat the other 2 legs, as if they don't exist.
  
  
• Now, you only have one leg to adjust—say, when you want to shoot from a low angle.

2. Use tripod and camera strap as shoulder rig.

When you watch news on TV, do you notice those raw, unpretentious, but still decent-looking handheld shots?

Those shots usually result from carrying a big, heavy broadcast camera. The camera operator puts the videocam on his—or her shoulder, and moves to where the action is happening, while shooting.

You can also get that similar resulting look. Even though, you're using a relatively lighter camera—like a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or a small camcorder.

But how?

• By mounting your camera on a tripod.
• And using that tripod and the camera strap as shoulder rig.

—

There are 2 ways of using a tripod and a camera strap as shoulder rig...

Version 1 : All 3 tripod legs on just one shoulder.

This tripod-camera strap combination as shoulder rig, is easy to set up. Especially when you're shooting events. Here's how...

• Collapse all 3 tripod legs.
  
  
• Place the 3 tripod legs on your right shoulder—if you're right-handed. (Or, on your left shoulder—if you're left-handed.)
  
  
• Hang the camera strap from your neck. Position the camera in a way that you can clearly, and comfortably see the screen. Adjust the strap length as you do this.
  
  
• Now, all 3 tripod legs are resting on your shoulder. Next, pull the camera away from you with your 2 hands, without hurting the back of your neck.

• Then, start shooting.

—

Version 2: 2 tripod legs on both shoulders.

This is not as easy to set up as "version 1". But, "version 2" is better for your shoulders, because of the equally distributed weight of tripod legs.

I prefer to use version 2 of tripod-camera strap as shoulder rig, when shooting in more controlled environments—like in studios. I also like using "version 2", when shooting more structured presentations—say, a scripted short film, or a music video.

Here's how to do "version 2" of using a tripod and a camera strap, as shoulder rig...

• Collapse all tripod legs, but place the 2 legs on your left and right shoulders (as shown in the picture above).
  
  
• Hang the camera strap from your neck. Position the camera in a way that you can clearly, and comfortably see the screen. Adjust the strap length as you do this.
  
  
• Now, the 2 tripod legs are resting on your shoulders. Next, press the "record" button.
  
  
• Then, hold the one remaining tripod leg with your 2 hands. Pull it firmly away from you, without hurting the back of your neck.

• Start shooting.

Tip: If your lens has Image Stabilization—or, IS—turn it off. If your camera has in-body image stabilization—or, IBIS—turn it off as well.

Why?

You'll get a more natural, rawer, and more documentary feel to your shoulder rig shots.

3. Use tripod like a dolly, or to get dolly-like shots.

I'd like to emphasize, "dolly-like". Because this alternative way of using a tripod, only gives a look similar to the authentic dolly shot.

A dolly shot is a smooth sideways, forward, or backward movement of the camera. A cinematographer uses a cart with wheels—or something that moves on a rail track—to do a dolly shot.

With a real dolly, you can get the look of a camera moving fluently, along a straight line.

But, using a tripod as a dolly, gives you a look where the camera rises a little, and then moves downward.

So how do use a tripod like a dolly?

• Mount your camera on a standing tripod.
  
  
• Position the tripod legs, in a way that one leg is directly pointing towards you.
  
  
• Hold that one tripod leg, and carefully do some "dolly in" and "dolly out" shots. (You "dolly in", when you push the tripod forward. You "dolly out", when you pull the tripod toward you.)

4. Use tripod and blanket as slider.

I prefer to do this technique...

• indoors,
• on a smooth floor, and
• in a controlled environment.

Why?

To easily execute and get the slider effect. Here's how to do it...

• Place a blanket on a smooth floor.
  
  
• Place the tripod on that blanket, and mount your camera on the tripod.
  
  
• Consider how you'll film your subject, using this technique. Know the start and the end of your improvised slider shot.
  
  
• Press the "record" button, and slowly pull the blanket across the floor, to do your slider-like shot.

DIY camera stabilizer - Using monopod and camera strap as shoulder rig

This technique is similar—in fact—almost identical with, "using tripod and camera strap as shoulder rig".

The only difference? You got it—we're using monopod, instead of tripod.

Note: This works if your monopod has a tilt head.

The tilt head allows you to use the monopod as shoulder rig.

So, how do we use monopod and camera strap as shoulder rig?...

• Mount your camera on the monopod's tilt head.
  
  
• Collapse the monopod leg.
  
  
• Hang the camera strap from your neck. Then, place the monopod leg on your right shoulder—if you're right-handed. (Or, on your left shoulder—if you're left-handed.)
  
  
• Adjust the tilt head to position the camera, in a way that you can clearly, and comfortably see the screen. Adjust the strap length, as you do this.
  
  
• Now, the monopod leg is resting on your shoulder. Next, pull the camera away from you with your 2 hands, without hurting the back of your neck.
  
  
• Start shooting.

DIY camera stabilizer - Using garter string and tripod plate to stabilize camera movement

A garter string can come in handy, as another form of camera stabilizer, when you're already using a tripod.

How?

Remember that to use a tripod, you need to attach the tripod plate under the camera body. So you can mount the camera on a tripod.

But...

This alternative way of stabilizing camera movements will only need...

1. the tripod plate already attached to camera body, and
2. a garter string.

Here's how to do it...

• Simply insert the garter string into the ring of the plate screw.

• Now, how you use the garter string and the tripod plate, will depend on the camera movement you want to do.
  
  
• Let's say you want some crane-like motion. To do it, step on both ends of the garter string.

• Press the record button.
  
  
• To do a "crane up" shot, slowly pull the camera up while filming your subject. (Doing this will stretch the garter string, of course. So, try to do this at a consistent speed.)
  
  
• Now, try to do the opposite—a "crane down" shot. With the garter string already stretched, slowly let the camera be pulled down by the garter string, while filming your subject. (Again, try to do this at a consistent speed.)

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Simple, creative ways of using some common gear you may already have, as DIY camera stabilizer devices.

As you've seen, not all do-it-yourself camera stabilizers have to be made by yourself. There are available tools that you can repurpose, to make your camera stable in not-so-obvious ways.

To learn about some dedicated camera stabilizers, check out these related topics on...

• steadicam
• gimbal
• drone
• image stabilization