Choosing Steadicam for a smartphone

Thanks to the innovations of technology companies such as Samsung, Apple, HTC and Sony, modern smartphones now have the same capabilities as the best HD cameras and camcorders. You can shoot cinematic shots of unsurpassed quality. Nevertheless, even holding a tiny smartphone, your hands will tremble, and this trembling will intensify many times in the image, which will surely ruin even the most outstanding video.

To get perfectly smooth high-definition frames, you should buy a steadicam for your phone or read bestrobotsguide gimbal review. With a good smartphone, you don’t need either a GoPro or a SLR camera if your video is well stabilized with the help of a right stabilizer.

As SLR cameras become smaller and lighter, and cameras in smartphones continue to improve, the demand for handheld stabilizers continues to grow. Many cameras and lenses have built-in optical stabilization. However, for handheld shooting this is not enough and you need additional support.

Mechanical or electronic stabilizer for the phone?

There are two main types of stabilizers for smartphones and action cameras. Simpler one, which uses a set of weights to balance your camera for better shooting. And more sophisticated systems that use brushless motors as well as software to help you get the exact balance when shooting your videos from action cameras, whether GoPro or Nikon cameras, as well as smartphones. They are usually expensive, but guarantee you high-quality images.

Manual stabilizer for the phone

The most affordable option is a mechanical manual stabilizer for the phone. Consider what it is like with the Ulanzi Smartphone Rig as an example.

Steadicam for the phone is equipped with two handles, which, unlike stabilizers with one handle, provides additional stability. It can be held both opposite the face and lower, in the second case, the hands will get tired less.

But the main thing in this model is the presence of connectors in which you can install a microphone for a smartphone and a camera light. The picture above shows what it looks like. Now you will not puzzle over where to attach the microphone, there is also a place to install the light for the smartphone. Thanks to the hot shoe mount, you can use a more powerful camera light which is used for professional video SLR cameras. A standard 1/4” jack is provided on each side of the steadicam for mounting on a slider for the video camera or on a tripod for the photo camera.

We consider this Steadicam for a smartphone the best choice in the segment up to 50$.

More expensive mechanical systems are a small copy of stabilization systems for counterbalanced SLR cameras, when for counterbalance you need to add weights and adjust the length of the steadicam rod. Glidecam has such steadicam and is called Glidecam iGlide.

Besides the fact that this system is more bulky, you will need another quick-detachable platform and a holder for the phone. In addition, to achieve decent results, it takes time to acquire shooting skills. However, all these difficulties fade against the background of the result. After all, only a mechanical stabilizer for a smartphone provides physical isolation from the videographer and a truly smooth movement.

Electronic Steadicam for smartphones

While mechanical steadicams can do a great job of isolating the camera from videographer’s movements and providing a smooth “floating” sensation, they are limited in action, requiring the videographer to physically manipulate the system to perform tilts and rotations. With practice, this can become a habit, although any contact with the system can lead to unwanted vibrations.

On the other hand, motorized electrical systems do not require the person to physically interact with the camera pan or tilt system.

In fact, using a gyroscopic one, it is best that  you never try to pan or tilt the phone when it is on the stick. If you need to take a panoramic shot, just turn around while holding the stabilizer, and the camera will repeat this turn after you. This is fundamentally different from a conventional, non-motorized stabilizer, where the camera always maintains facing one particular direction, no matter how you spin on the spot.

For action cameras and smartphones, the number of electronic stabilizers is growing, they are easy to use and help ensure smooth video. The gyroscopic stabilizer for the phone has only one handle. This is both good and bad at the same time. The good thing is that such a steadicam for a smartphone is extremely compact, it can be carried with you everywhere, just throw it in your city backpack. However, often you will not get the perfect “movie-like” video, and the electronic stabilizer for your smartphone is not designed for this. Rather, it stabilizes your picture, removes vibrations, but it will not be easy to achieve a perfect picture when moving.

One of the best ones is DJI Osmo Mobile. It works with iPhone and Android, whose width is in the range of 59m – 85 mm. By the way, the width of the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 7 Plus is 80 mm, so most phones with a diagonal of up to 5.7” are suitable for this model.

Like the new unmanned aerial devices (for example, DJI Mavic Pro), smartphone steadicams can rotate in three axes and hold your phone in one direction, even when you walk in circles.

The device allows you to get a very smooth video sequence and automatically create panoramas, selfies, time-lapses, as well as carry out other specialized types of shooting. This is the first electronic three-axis Steadicam for a smartphone from DJI, made on the DJI OSMO platform. It can help you produce stunning cinematic quality videos.

Gyroscopic steadicam for a smartphone can be either two- or three-axis. It is important to note that they all have limitations in the range in which the engines will operate. If you violate this range, you will feel a distinct vibration / oscillation on any engine, which is very difficult to extinguish. Most likely, you will have to cut out the damaged segment, turn off the stabilizer, reset the settings, and then restart. The more you practice, the less such situations will happen. 

By the way, DJI has released a high-end stabilizer with an integrated camera. Meet – DJI OSMO Steadicam, specially designed to work in conjunction with a compact 4K camera. This manual stabilizer has design features that allow it to lock the stabilizer in place to protect it from possible damage.

DJI OSMO Steadicam provides an excellent solution to any of your camera stabilization problems. The stabilizer weighs about 420 grams, which makes it very convenient for carrying and traveling. The 3-axis stabilizer allows you to take pictures at any angle in amazing quality. An easy-to-use stabilization system will gently correct any vibration.

Introducing a novelty in the price segment up to 90$ UAH. This is a two-axis electronic stabilizer X-CAM Creative sight 2. It is designed to work with smartphones whose screen diagonal does not exceed 5.5″. The product will be appealing to anyone who wants to improve the quality of video shooting using a mobile device. It is distinguished by an affordable price and decent video quality (you can see it by watching numerous tests on YouTube.) The dimensions are so compact that the X-CAM Steadicam can be kept in your pants pocket, and the settings are so simple that even a child can handle them.

Nice price makes X-CAM Creative sight 2 the best offer for a wide range of video making lovers.

Read More

What is the best glue for metal to metal?

Not so long ago, many specialists engaged in the design and manufacture of metal structures, did not apply in their practical activities gluing, because they considered this method of connecting parts unreliable. And the reason for this was the insufficient cohesive strength of adhesive for metal, inferior to the strength of the metal itself, although the adhesion to this material was quite satisfactory.

Today, thanks to advances in modern chemistry, designers and technologists have at their disposal special and universal adhesives for metal. This made it possible to firmly bond metal to glass, rubber, plastic, etc., as well as to connect heterogeneous metals such as steel to aluminium. Glue for metal has become a very popular material in domestic and foreign automotive, chemical, aviation, shipbuilding, general construction and other industrial production industries.

Metal adhesives are divided into two broad groups depending on their purpose:

  • Structural or power – used where there is a need for particularly strong connections, for example, in the manufacture of aircraft structures with lightweight aggregate, gluing friction cladding to brake pads, etc. Here the adhesive for metal resists considerable stress aimed at disconnection of fastened elements.
  • Non-constructional adhesive for metal is not able to withstand significant loads. Its purpose is to fix parts that are not subject to mechanical effects, such as gluing plates or rubber gaskets to metal stands, as well as temporary connections.

At present, bonding is considered one of the best methods of permanent connection of all kinds of materials, including metals. This is also due to the fact that the traditional methods such as soldering, welding and riveting, with all its advantages are not without serious disadvantages.

Advantages of J-B Weld adhesive bonding

  • J-B Weld metal adhesive is able to reliably bond heterogeneous metals, while its welding technology is special and often quite complex. Sometimes welded connections, such as magnesium and aluminium, are so fragile that their practical use becomes impossible. Dissimilar metals that contact each other can form an electric steam. Its galvanic action leads to serious corrosion, which is intensified in a humid atmosphere.
  • The J-B Weld metal adhesive firmly binds metal and non-metal materials. Specifically, when bonded to aluminium or vinyl film steel, an innovative “metal plastic” is formed which combines the strength of the metal with the anti-corrosion properties of vinyl. This laminate material is widely used in the production of conveyor belts, control panels, chemical vessels, pipes, tanks, furniture, etc.
  • The metal adhesive strengthens the structure, while welding, soldering, as well as joining with rivets and bolts due to the need to drill holes weaken it. In particular, gluing friction linings to steel brake pads instead of riveting has dramatically increased their life span.
  • The J-B Weld metal adhesive is virtually indispensable when connecting thin sheets of sheet metal used in powertrain, electrical equipment and apparatus manufacturing. Mechanical coupling of elements of such constructions is unacceptable because of insignificant resistance to buckling, and high temperature during welding works leads to geometrical changes and warping.
  • The weld formed by metal adhesive distributes the load evenly over the entire joint area. Welded points and rivets, on the other hand, serve as a place of stress concentration. As a result, the fatigue strength of a glued structure is significantly higher than that of a dotted or welded structure.
  • Bonding significantly reduces the weight of the structure. In particular, aviation specialists believe that using J-B Weld metal adhesives instead of welding and riveting can reduce the total weight by 25-30 %. This is due to the fact that the glue joint allows for a higher load on the structure, so the components can be thinner. In addition, the weight of rivets and seals must be taken into account.
  • Adhesive for metal itself provides tightness of connections. And air- and watertight structures, assembled by other methods, must be additionally sealed. It leads to superfluous expenses of labour, materials, weighting, complication, increase in price of products.
  • Glue for metal makes it possible to glue special gaskets to metal parts, which increases sound absorption, improves thermal, electrical and thermal insulation properties, reduces or completely eliminates vibration.

Read More

How to choose the right boxing shoes

Boxing, on one hand, does not require any special equipment, on the other hand though, there is a certain necessary minimum, which we examined before.

Boxer shoes are very necessary for this kind of sport. Footwork is one of the most important aspects in boxing. You may have strong legs and technical movements around the ring, but bad shoes can negate your superiority. So, lightweight and comfortable boxing shoes are a must for every self-respecting boxer. This instruction is devoted to how to choose the right shoes for boxing.

Fit and size

It is very important to choose the best boxing shoes that will fit in size (that is, not to be small and not be large) and at the same time provide good support in the ring and during training. Incorrect footwear can cause problems with tendon-muscle ankle connectors or plantar fasciitis. This will not only put an end to the career of a boxer, but will bring a lot of trouble to an ordinary athlete. Such damage is best to be prevented.

Many boxing shoes, in order to be lighter, are made with a very thin sole, however, there are those that have additional cushioning. This cushioning withstands shock loading during heavy footwork such as jumping rope, etc.. The choice between boxers with light or reinforced soles mainly depends on the personal preferences of the athlete. Professionals use special insoles for greater comfort. However, some boxing organizations prohibit the use of such insoles in official competitions.

The selection of the right size is the same as when choosing a running shoe, some boxers prefer to take shoes half a size smaller for a more snug fit on the foot. Most boxing shoes are made for a narrow foot, so if you are the owner of a wide one, then you better read the reviews or come to the boxing store and try the shoes on the spot.

Material and ventilation

You need to carefully consider the materials from which the shoes for boxing are made. It should be comfortable enough for you to withstand 2 hours of training. Usually, the upper part is made of soft leather, suede, so that the foot can “breathe”. Some manufacturers may insert special perforated parts. Choosing the right material and the right level of ventilation is very important.

Height and style

Boxing shoes are usually divided into three types – high, medium and low. Low and medium provide maximum freedom of movement and lightness of sneakers. High ones additionally protect the ankle due to a more tight fixation.

For boxing, you can choose shoes of any style, but it should not slow down the boxer and should not cause injuries.

When choosing, pay attention to the sole – it should have a distinct pattern that will cling to the cover in the ring or hall. A good outsole is the key to sustainability.

The location of the clasps or laces is also very important. If they are located incorrectly, then the feet will be uncomfortable. The best option is boxing shoes which you put on and forget about during training or combat because they fitso  comfortably.

Read More