Ivation Pro Steady DSLR Rig System with Shoulder Mount For Video Stabilization For DV Cameras/Camcorders - Compact & Travel Size, Blue

Yes, you should buy this. It is a very versatile shoulder rig. It is not perfect but with some minor modification it sure becomes PERFECT. What modification I would recommend.I added a counter weight to he back leg rig. I put the weighted leg over my shoulder and the counter weight make the rig feel solid and secure. (I use an ankle weight rapped around a 6mm x 2 in. bolt/screw put in back attachment point.I switched out the star alan wrench locking nuts with 6mm real alan wrench bolts. (if you don't do this you could strip out the star bolts).I added a quick connect to the camera attachment.On the bottom of the camera mount I added a quick connect. And I use it to attach the shoulder quickly to a monopod. This really works well for extra stability. I bought the smallest monpod I could find on Amazon (Velbon Ultra Monopods 5-section ) and a cheap ball head (Sunpak 620-CPG Pistol Grip). The monopod is only 10 in. closed so I leave in on the shoulder rig (folded back) all the time. When I need it, I can either extend it to the floor or extend it only a little and brace it against my body. This really works wonderfully.I really like this rig. I think you will too.UPDATE 10-29-2016- I stopped using it. Maybe I grip it too tightly but I have trouble with the grips slipping position. I just can't get the nobs screwed down tight enough to hold the position tight enough to stop the slight slipping I get. It is still useful I think but they need a better locking method.

This was great at first. I've used it for several videos. As a concept, it is good. It does what it says: it stabilizes the camera so you have smoother camera movements. It's not a steadicam by any stretch of anyone's imagination so don't buy it thinking you will replicate that. Instead, think of it as a way steadier way to do camera movements than just hand-holding the camera. That's what you will get. There are a variety of configurations you can form the handles into that work best for your movements and your comfort.However: the grips on mine have come loose very quickly. A poor grip means it's more difficult to hold, which means possibly not getting the shots you want.Also, the locking mechanisms truly suck. Your handles will come loose and swing in the opposite direction. Not good. So I pretty much can only use 2 different methods now. It's pointless. But again, better than holding the camera in my own two hands and getting some shaky-ass bulls***.So anyway, get this if you want an entry-level stabilizer. Don't get this if you want a really cheap steadicam substitute.

Rugged build quality! Not cheap plastic. The supports are all metal. This is great for smaller lenses. No balance issues with my T3i and 50mm prime lens. If you're rocking a huge telephoto lens, you're going about this all wrong. This is NOT a big name zero gravity style stabilizer.. If you want one of those, go spend the $800 on a full chest rig. For the price, this unit will work amazing for a B-Cam during an interview to achieve that floating shot style. This rig would also be very appropriate for up close and personal action shots (skate boarding, snow boarding, etc.) I love that there is a 1/4" female slot on the bottom so you can attach a monopod, although when I tried to use it on mine, it wouldn't attach firmly so there was a lot of play in it. I also don't really like how much play there can be on the side grips, even at hand over hand tight. Which leads to my next point.... The one accessory you will NEED with this kit is a small hex key set to make adjustments on the fly. That's it. You can get them cheap and you will have the most power over this unit if you roll with them hand in hand.That's it! Happy shooting!

Pretty cool stabilizing rig. Really versatile contraption that allows you to find the perfect camera angle. The 3 handles provide enough support to considerably stabilize your shots. I use this rig on the ski slopes and it has greatly improved my shots. Not as stable as a glide-can or gimble set up, but pretty darn close. The adjustments really require some cranking down so the handles don't shift, but the package comes with a hex tool that allows you to quickly adjust your rig. I don't like the fact that the grips slide around, so I modified the rig by taping a few quarters to the ends of the handles so the grips don't fall off while filming. Overall, the rig is a good and solid piece of equipment, especially if you are looking to use it for action sports filmmaking.

Highly recommend this to our fellow DSLR filmmakers. A lot of our videos are whimsical and don't require a whole lot of steady-cam or extra utilities (lights/mic), but we bought this for when we do... Also, we wanted to be able to get those some shots that are from higher / lower angles without feeling like we're about to drop our camera.We haven't yet, but we're going to take another reviewer's advise and install a quick-release setup on the camera, because otherwise screwing in and out the camera for each shot just takes too long this ends up staying in the backpack.One last caveat to the review: we've barely used it for "real world" purposes; that is - we haven't used it for anything that we're editing, just for testing out various shots and testing out the product.

I really want to love this unit, but with my Canon Mark II and a large lens, the unit feels like it gets torqued from the weight of the camera and accessories. It seems like I can never get the nuts tight enough and the arms slip. Paired with a monopod, the unit works best and feels the most secure. I am sure with a smaller lens it would be fine, but I may have to upgrade to a more professional grade unit at some point. This works for now.

(AMENDED)This is the second of these products I have bought in a week. The first product's handle (the one situated directly behind the camera) couldn't support the weight of the rig without a camera, let alone with a camera. The handle slide straight off the rig and the rig fell to the floor. Very dangerous if your camera is mounted.I have just opened the second rig minutes ago and the tightening knob doesn't work. The knob spins but doesn't affect the tightness of the arm, meaning the arm directly behind the camera doesn't unfold.I purchased one of these about three years ago and was indispensable to me for a year and a half before I gave mine away. Either the build quality has massively gone down or I have been severely unlucky. Because I have had such a positive experience in the past I will buy another, but so far I have been extremely disappointed.I received the third rig, so far it seems in perfect working condition.Having now tried it again one issue I find with this rig is if you are holding the rig from both sides, which is how i find you get the best results, and if you want to change some of your cameras settings, such as f stop, ISO or Shutterspeed, you must either have someone else do it, put the camera down, or take one hand away which will usually mean you loose the framing the camera rig doesn't support its own weight very well with only one arm.

Despite of the strange form factor it does the job well and allow you to have several additional connection points/threads. Gives a 'ok' stabilisation that can work well if in conjunction with in-camera and/or lens stabilisation. Good value for money. Product arrived well packed. As stated, it becomes compact when entirely folded allowing you to carry it in a backpack.

Decent bit of kit. Only problem is that the screws thread if you tighten too much. Also you need a weight to add yourself for balance.

I love this item but it is a little weak for me. For first time users I do suggest this but HIGHLY suggest purchasing a quick release plate because the screws are rubbish!!!!

Wonderful, does what it says for the price it offers. Can be a bit flimsy at times, but you get what you pay for.