I hear you on the crawlspace struggle—gimbals just aren’t built for those tight, awkward spots. I tried one under a low-slope roof once, and it was more hassle than help. Shoulder mount’s not as fancy, but at least you can wedge yourself around beams without worrying about knocking something out of calibration. For anything cramped or dusty, simple gear wins every time. Gimbals shine when you’ve got room to move, but in the real world, sometimes less is just smarter.
I’ve run into the same thing filming attic insulation installs—gimbals just don’t cut it when you’re crawling over trusses and dodging nails. Shoulder rigs might look clunky, but they’re way more practical in those tight, dusty spaces. Sometimes, simple really is safer.
Shoulder rigs just make more sense when you’re crawling around in tight spots. I tried using a gimbal once in my crawlspace—thing kept bumping into everything, and honestly, it was more of a liability than a help. The shoulder mount isn’t pretty, but at least I can keep my hands free if I need to brace myself or move insulation out of the way. Plus, less to snag on nails or wires.
I get why people love gimbals for smooth shots, but in real-world DIY jobs, especially up in attics or under floors, you need something that’s not going to get wrecked or slow you down. The simpler the gear, the less you have to worry about breaking it or getting hurt. I’d rather have a slightly shaky shot than risk dropping my camera—or worse, falling through the ceiling. Sometimes “good enough” is just fine when safety’s on the line.
- Totally get where you’re coming from. Tight spaces and gimbals just don’t mix—too bulky, too many moving parts.
- Shoulder rigs might not look fancy, but they’re way more practical when you need to crawl or brace yourself.
- I’ve had my share of close calls with gear getting caught on nails or pipes. Simple setups are just safer.
- Smooth footage is nice, but not if it means risking your neck or your camera. Sometimes “good enough” really is the smart call.
- Honestly, I’d rather have a little shake in the shot than end up patching a hole in the ceiling... or myself.
Had a similar situation last year filming my kitchen reno. Tried using a gimbal at first, but it kept banging into cabinet doors and the tripod legs were always in the way. Switched to a shoulder mount—way less hassle, and I could squeeze into corners without worrying about knocking stuff over. Little bit of shake, but honestly, nobody noticed except me.