As anyone who's ever shot action video with a point and shoot-sized camera can confirm, the need for good camera support does not diminish as camera size decreases. In fact it is almost the reverse: the smaller the camera the greater the need for stable camera support to compensate for the camera's lack of mass and gravity. However, that doesn't mean that the support tool necessarily must be big or heavy. In fact some of the best support gear often complements the camera in size and heft.
This is particularly true with regards to popular cameras. In today's crowded camera marketplace there are few cameras more popular and prolific than the Go Pro Hero. Hence it should come as no big surprise that Tiffen, the makers of Steadicam, decided to design a compact steadicam specifically for Go Pro Heros
The result is Tiffen's Steadicam Curve, a steadicam designed exclusively for Go Pro Heros. The Curve is ultra-light, and weighs in at a mere half pound. Moreover, it only stands six and 3/8 inches tall, and compresses so well that it fits neatly into a photographer's vest pocket. To do so, its curved handle folds up, into its compact frame much like a pocketknife.
The Curve features a simple handgrip for GoPro cameras which enables capturing smooth video for a wide spectrum of projects ranging from extreme skateboarding to weddings to B roll for walk and talk interviews. For church production, the most common application would be for B Roll for video interstitials. In addition to B roll for interviews, Curve can transform an ordinary tripod shot into something more dramatic, notably into a smooth tracking shot which can then become a POV (point of view) shot rather than a more objective one.
Encased in a tough yet light aluminum frame, the Curve includes a comma-shaped arm, mini-gimbal and a standard GoPro quick-release plate. It also includes a Steadicam adjustment knob for fine-tuning the camera balance. Its built-in mount works with the GoPro Hero, Hero 2 and Hero 3, but requires either an LCD BackPac or LCD Touch BackPac. And, much like the new iPhones, the Steadicam Curve comes in a choice of colors: red, blue, silver and black.
Considering its many remarkable features, Curve's reasonable pricing may be its most impressive attribute, at an amazing list price of only $99. This makes the Curve Tiffen's cheapest Steadicam product ever, by a long shot, and it may well be the least-expensive gimbal-based camera-stabilizer on the market, period. At this price, it is an easy purchase decision to make, for any facility which has or plans to purchase Go Pros, even if they're only used periodically for special applications, for a fresh perspective.
