On 25 Jun 2001 01:01:51 -0700, ved79@hotmail.com (ved) wrote:

>I was hired the day before yesterday to go do a live recording for a
>band. I video taped everything for 4 hours! Only stopped to change
>tapes. At the end my arm was killing me!!!!!!!!! (I did use a tripod,
>but too many people were dancing and it was dangerous for my camera).
>While I captured the fourth tape today I noticed how shaky it was
>compared to the others. I was really tired :( Well, I'm convinced
>that I'm going to need something to help me carry my VX-2K. So I have
>about $250 to invest on an ok ON-Camera light that would do a
>reasonable job for weddings, and a stabilizer. I believe I've got good
>options in terms of on-camera lights at B&H Photo for around $60 to
>$85 (40w to 100w light). I've been checking out some shoulder
>supports, one is the "Mini DV Shoulder Brace". It's pictured in the
>New July Issue of VideoMaker Magazine (pg. 116). It's an ad for
>studio1productions.com Does anyone know if this support would really
>mark a difference and would relieve me of some pain. It seems as if I
>would still have to be using a lot of strength to hold the camera up.
>
>Unfortunately I don't have much to invest :(

Well, the best solution I've seen for this is fortunately
cheap: a combination of side-handle (actually, a
still-camera flash-bracket), and a belt pod. I tried a
Habbycam shoulder-mount for the VX-2000 (well made, and
with a mod, well-designed), but it has the problems all
these would have: there is not enough weight on the shoulder
to keep things in place - or, if the handle(s) are far
enough out front to provide stability, it becomes a REAL
effort to hold your arms out that far for very long...
The belt pod can be quickly removed when great mobility is
needed, or replaced when support is needed. I have never
been very happy with monopods as an alternative...

>One other thing, How would an external VU-Meter perform. Would it be
>reliable. Some of the video I shot that night had distorted sound, and
>it was my fault for getting so close to the speakers,but there are
>other times when I am far away and I still get distortion. I was
>looking at this "VU Pro", would it be reliable?

Probably OK, but the VX-2000 has a meter, and even better,
a good AGC system (when external mics are matched with pads
to the system sensitivity). This is more reliable than
a meter for keeping audio from clipping... (though, if the
level is REALLY high, you may have clipped a stage that you
cannot control, like the mic itself).