Which is better for camera rigs: gimbal stabilizers or manual shoulder mounts?
Tried a chest mount once when I needed both hands to tarp a roof after a hailstorm - figured it’d be less hassle than the shoulder rig. Honestly, it was more comfortable for crawling, but the footage bounced every time I breathed or shifted. Plus, it felt like wearing a GoPro bra... not my best look. For quick walk-throughs or tight spaces, it’s fine, but for steady shots, I still end up back with the old-school shoulder mount. Gimbals just stress me out - too many buttons and batteries, not enough patience on my end.
I get what you mean about the chest mount feeling awkward - I tried one when I was patching siding and needed both hands, but the footage was all over the place. Have you ever messed with a simple handheld grip for quick jobs, or does that just make things shakier? I keep wondering if there’s a middle ground between all these rigs that doesn’t require a tech degree or a chiropractor.
- Totally get the frustration -
sums up my first attempt too.“the footage was all over the place”
- Tried a handheld grip once for a quick fence repair video. Honestly, it was easier to aim but yeah, way shakier unless I braced my elbows on something.
- Haven’t found a perfect middle ground either. Shoulder mounts look promising but seem bulky for small jobs.
- Don’t feel bad about not nailing it right away. It’s a lot of trial and error...and sometimes just propping your phone up on a paint can works better than any fancy rig.
- You’re not alone - figuring out what works for your projects is half the battle.
I’ve wrestled with this too, especially filming roof installs where you need both hands free. Gimbals are awesome for smooth panning shots, but honestly, they’re not always practical if you’re climbing ladders or working in tight spaces. Shoulder mounts can get heavy, but they keep the camera steady if you’re moving around a lot - just not great for quick, one-off clips. Sometimes I just wedge my phone between a couple of shingles or use a clamp mount on the gutter. Not perfect, but it gets the job done and keeps things stable enough for most how-to videos.
I get the appeal of just wedging your phone somewhere, but I’m always worried it’ll slip and crack - especially up on a steep roof. I’ve tried those magnetic mounts that stick to metal gutters, and they’re surprisingly solid. Not as smooth as a gimbal, but way less hassle than a shoulder rig for quick stuff. Anyone else paranoid about dropping their phone off the edge?