I just released my latest VR180 music video with Trance Music legend Kristina Sky and Armada Music
label on Meta Quest 2. This entire video is shot on a handheld gimbal on a moving boat.
You can check out the video here on YouTube VR. Even tho the movement is pretty smooth,
I am not happy with the result with just a gimbal. Especially
when you watch this within Meta Quest 2. To 100% eliminate motion sickness, you need your
video to be 100% floating without any side-to-side or up-and-down movement. Also, without any shakes.
The camera basically needs to flow forward or backward, that it! Definitely no turn AT ALL.
I do have an in-depth VR180 Stabilization Guide here on YouTube
you should check it out before this tutorial. The biggest issue with the handheld gimbal,
even in ALL-LOCK mode, is the Z-axis movement when I walk or run. So I started a mission
to build the cheapest ARRI Trinity Look-alike camera stabilizer.
Low angle moving on top of objects look incredibly cool in 3D 180. I called these objects fly tho
shots. You can not get that close, that low and that smooth operation in another solution.
This rig is great, especially for long hours shooting in unpredictable
live events like a concert or a festival. Or, for any run and gun VR180 documentary.
Or walking your dog! When you use this rig for a stationary tripod-like shot, it is
very stable, and you will think this is shot on my tripod rig - but as you see when I move,
it is not. Remember, you should never handheld a Canon R5C for VR180 video.
This is better than hand-holding a gimbal, but it is still not perfect. I think lots
of the work fall onto the operator. As you see here, I am trying my best to keep
walking in a straight line with Kimchi - but I am still drifting left and right,
partial b/c of the weight of the full setup. It is okay in 2D, but not okay in 3D VR180.
So if you are planning to do the same thing - just prepare to have a lot of hands-on practice
to make your movement as smooth as possible. And honestly, joining a gym should be your first step!
I also want to point out, there is no wrap stabilizer in VR180 video.
You can not post stabilize your 3D 180 shots. As you see here,
even tho it looks super stable in 1 eye after running a stabilizer. In both eye anaglyph view.
The result does not match 3D principle and is the best way to make your viewer's head hurt.
This build is very cheap - The Moza Air Cross 3 cost $450
The Glide Gear G2G 1000 package comes with everything, the Vest, the Arm, and the stabilizer.
Everything only costs $699. And, I believe it was even cheaper when I got it as they are on sale.
Compared to ARRI Trinity 2 - which costs around $200,000 US dollars and Tilta Float
DJI RS2 setup which costs $2300 US Dollars. BTW, I hope Tilta saw this video and could
send me a Float to test. I do own the DJI RS2 and planning to get the RS3. I am sure Float
will be a better setup giving the price tag is double. It does require some modification
to get Canon R5C to work with RS2 and RS3 - but that is a tutorial for another time.
You do see this setup is not fitting that well on my body as I am too skinny. My lower back
is hollow so lots of the weight still fall on my back instead of my hip - which makes long
hour operation tiresome to me. I don't think for an average size American will
be an issue. The setup is also pretty hard to balance - especially we need to balance it front
heavy to get my base V-lock battery out of frame. Tilta Float has some nice adjustments, and that is
why I am excited to try that build in the future. If you know Tilta, send them some good words.
This rig is also pretty big. For tight space, like right here, I can't really keep the camera stable.
It looks great on set tho. It makes your client feel like they definitely get their money's worth.
So, in conclusion, this Steadicam system for Canon R5C or other VR180 cameras is not for everyone.
The best way to move the Canon R5C or R5 is still on a Moza Slopod or
on a motion control system like the Cinerobot you see here. If you can operate a onewheel with
a gimbal safely, like what I did right here, I think it is also a better
solution than this Steadicam build. I do think it is a solid solution
if you are a professional like me and willing to put in the practice and workout.
Both me and Kimchi put in lots of hard works on making this tutorial.
Both of us believe in pushing the boundary in VR180 filmmaking. We will need your support.
So subscribe if you have not already, and hit the notification bells to keep
up to date on tutorials just like this. I will see you in the next VR180 tutorial.