CamSling Shoulders Responsibility 
by David
Fox
Small hand-held camcorders are difficult to hold still, which is why
a small British company, Barlows, has developed a low-cost device that
wraps around the user's shoulders and gives the camera a much steadier
platform to work on. The CamSling also allow users to keep their hands
free, but have the camera at the ready, between shots and helps reduce
fatigue as the weight is borne on both shoulders. This also makes it much
more stable than if the camcorder was mounted on one shoulder, "and
it makes for better panning and tilting shots," says its inventor,
Barlows' director David Slinger.
The CamSling can be used with any non-shoulder mounted camera, such
as consumer DV cameras. "The lighter the camera, the more important
it is to hold it steady," he says. The CamSling also acts as a "third
arm" so users can change tapes or make adjustments more easily.
The lightweight frame has a small pack at the back which can take a
battery or weight to act as a counterbalance. The arm can also hold lights
and microphones, and the camera can be fitted with Barlows' own fast-fit
tripod mount to make it quick and easy to move between the CamSling and
a conventional tripod. Other optional extras include a raincape.
Although the CamSling, which costs £90, has been on sale for three
years, it only made its first appearance before a broadcast audience at
the Video Forum 99 in London, where Slinger said he found interest was
much greater than he expected. See CamSling's
web site for more information.
©
2000 - 2010 |
