Switched to a gimbal and it smoothed things out, but I did have to watch my footing on the rafters.
I’ll be honest, I tried a gimbal once for a rental walkthrough and almost went headfirst into a closet door. The footage looked great, but man, trying to juggle that thing while dodging stray shoes and low-hanging pipes is not for the faint of heart. Sometimes I think the shoulder mount, shaky as it is, actually gives a more “real world” vibe—like, yes, this is what it’s like to crawl around in a 1960s crawlspace.
For me, if I’m just doing quick before/after shots or need my hands free to point at stuff (or, let’s be real, hold up a suspicious insulation sample), the shoulder rig’s less hassle. Gimbals are slick, but sometimes the “hassle-to-stability” ratio just isn’t worth it, especially if you’re not filming for HGTV. Maybe I’m just lazy or clumsy... probably both.
I hear you on the gimbal vs. shoulder mount struggle. I tried a buddy’s gimbal once, and it felt like I was carrying a tray of drinks through a crowded party—one wrong move and the whole thing tips. For my own walkthroughs, I stick with a basic shoulder rig. It’s not as smooth, but I can set it down fast if I need to poke at a leaky pipe or move a box out of the way. If you’re just documenting repairs or doing quick before-and-afters, the shoulder mount’s way less fuss. Plus, you don’t have to worry about charging batteries or recalibrating every time you bump into something (which, in my house, is often).
I get where you’re coming from on the gimbal feeling a bit like a balancing act. I’ve had similar experiences—my neighbor let me borrow his for a kitchen remodel video, and I spent more time fiddling with the thing than actually filming. The footage was smooth, sure, but every time I set it down to check something or move tools, it took forever to recalibrate. Not ideal when you’re in the middle of a job and your hands are covered in who-knows-what.
For most of my documentation—leaky faucets, drywall repairs, even some exterior walkarounds—I stick with a manual shoulder mount. It’s not flawless, but it’s reliable. Like you said:
If you’re just documenting repairs or doing quick before-and-afters, the shoulder mount’s way less fuss.
Couldn’t agree more. When I’m crawling under a sink or trying to show the inside of an attic hatch, I don’t want to worry about accidentally knocking my gear out of balance or having the battery die mid-shot. With the shoulder rig, I can drop it on the floor if I need both hands free and pick up where I left off without missing a beat.
That said, there are times when I wish I had that buttery-smooth look for “after” shots—especially if I’m sharing with family or putting together something for insurance. But honestly, for day-to-day stuff? The minor shake is worth the tradeoff for simplicity and speed.
One thing I will say: if you’re shooting longer walkthroughs (like full home tours), a gimbal does save your back after a while. Shoulder mounts get heavy fast if you’re carrying them through multiple rooms. Still, for most repair jobs or quick updates, low-tech wins out for me.
Guess it boils down to what kind of footage matters most to you—polished and cinematic, or practical and fast. For my money (and sanity), manual shoulder mount gets more use around here.