Review on Cam Caddie Scorpion EX Handheld Camera Stabilizer with Threaded Feet - Professional Steadycam for Cameras, Camcorders, Mobile Phones & Action Sports Cams - Mounting Accessories Included - Black by Travis Carter

Cam Caddy is many things, but first we need to understand what it isn't. This is not a conventional stabilizer. Yes, it gives you another way to keep the camera more stable, and yes, if you're skateboarding or otherwise rolling/sliding, it's a great way to record video. However, it's not a stabilizer in the sense that all your recordings will be stable with it. You will not. And really, if you want to, there are about a thousand ways to do it beyond that. But you still have to understand it. I think the big question when building a cheap HDSLR setup is how you want to structure everything. There are many frames and accessory mounts that you can use to attach microphones, lights, recorders, monitors, audio recorders and anything else you might need to your HDSLR. Personally, I've "listened" to setups for my own film set for years without feeling terribly confident about any particular technology. I've searched various shooter, cheesycam, etc websites to find the right settings for the documentary and flexible shots I'm making. Many of the cheap frames I've seen from peers looked very poorly designed and possibly more expensive, although they added great options in terms of wheels and focus guides, and additional mounts were too complicated for the type of shots I do, which is mobility requires and a kind of "run and shoot" when the camera is on the cage and quickly removed from it. Here the Cam Caddy Scorpion EX exceeds all expectations. For the price of a cheap cage, you get a solid multifunctional mount with proven build quality, a wide range of well thought-out accessories (cheese board? come on! that's awesome!) and an inherently easy installation/dismantling method. It fits in most bags and backpacks or simply attaches to the back. It can support your setup as a simple handle, can be shoulder mounted (with optional shoulder mount accessory) or used on a tripod with pad (also optional). It comes with a shoe mount that can be moved along the handle and more can be added (I personally bought two extra). Their site has many examples of use with shoe extenders, microphones, lamps, monitors, audio and video recorders, another valuable resource specific to this device. Essentially the solid core of your budget rig, this thing gives you access to quality, tried and tested accessories from an established company that cares about the quality of their product and has rigorously field tested it to prove its usefulness and durability . Sure, this thing was born in the world of skate video, but so many HDSLR shooters have to run and shoot these days that the form factor makes a huge difference in day-to-day use. And in general, look at directors who started out with skate videos like Spike Jonze and Adam Powell. Innovation takes place in low-tech, lo-fi and migrates to the practical world of everyday shooting. We've seen this pattern over and over again. Heck, that's what HDSLR is all about, right? That's what the Cam Caddy is all about. Go there and get dirty. That's why this thing is so amazing. The Cam Caddy Scorpion EX is a solid piece of kit, even if you plan to ditch it someday in favor of a different, prettier rig. I bet even after installing automatic video drones with gyro balancing, focusing or whatever else you have your eye on, the incredible simplicity of this thing will keep you coming back to it whenever you hit the road. into the world to get shots. One tip: Get EX. You might be tempted to save a few bucks and not get the drilled legs to mount a cheese board with, but trust me you'll love the flexibility it adds.