What are the differences between LevelCam's and Levelpod Complete

The Original LevelCam The original LevelCam is made from HTPE extruded textured plastic and works best with any small and light camera with a tripod mount. Your tripods quick release plate can be mounted underneath Levelcam with our supplied hardware. Dimensions are 7.5" x 11.5" x 1/2" and weighs under 1 pound. It can be drilled, has an adjustable camera mounting position and has lots of holes for mounting whatever with our bungee cords or your screws. Great for underwater videography using the GoPro!
The New LevelCam "I would pay more for a LevelCam with a quick release", a pro stated. Here it is. Under 1 pound and stronger than the original Levelcam. Thanks to triple ply bamboo, ("Plyboo). The all aluminum Manfrotto RC2 quick release adapter uses the same system as LevelPod's. The spirit level can also be seen from top to bottom. The new LevelCam is finished with a buffed and padded hand grip. Your tripods quick release plate or Levelpod's plate, is mounted underneath Levelcam with supplied hardware. Dimensions are 7.25" x 12.5" x 1/2".
LevelCam Complete LevelCam Complete includes LevelCam, LevelPod and the LevelJib adapter. The LevelJib adapter screws onto your tripods quick release plate and turns it into a jib arm!. It uses perfect balance, mass, and additional and adjustable leverage to achieve motion stabilization. It also converts into a monopod. The LevelJib adapter with your quick release system or with the optional RC2 quick release adapter (sold separately) makes for a complete support system with LevelCam Complete. You will get 4 basic support configurations with this system, with each one being extremely versatile. Dimensions are 24" x 6" x 4", and is rated up to a 9 lb. built camera.

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Is Levelcam and LevelPod better than a Steadicam?

Steadicam or similar steady cam systems are the best at being steady. (These active stabilizer systems must have the gimbaled and counter-weighted camera attached to a dual spring-loaded arm and compression vest)

LevelCam and LevelPod excel in other areas where being perfectly steady is not the only factor.

Factors:

• Portability.
• Ease of use.
• Weight.
• Build and break down time.
• Crew.
• Price.
• Safety.

LevelCam is also part of a system. LevelCam can be used alone for shooting in tight spaces or attached to a tripod with accessories. Add LevelPod and use the system for everything else, including helicopters. Then there's LevelJib, which is another category.

Ann Lukacs/DP in a Ranger III helicopter using LevelPod Complete, on a location scout for Visa.

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Why did you invent Levelcam and LevelPod?

The short answer: My camera system is 12 lbs. lighter, $35,000 cheaper, and I get more dynamic shots with less crew.

Tim Nixon and Dave Shaaf on location at the top of Keystone, CO for USA Network.

My 24 pound built, shoulder mounted Betacam didn't have the problems that 1- 9 pound camcorders have with handheld shots. I would have loved to have given $400 to a company in exchange for that type of control for my palm camera, but that device didn't exist. So I made them, used them, modified them and discovered that I wasn't the only video professional that wanted the same thing: A versatile, affordable and simple system for palm held camcorders.

Now I use LevelCam with accessories , or connected to LevelPod. The quick release adapter allows Levelcam to go directly to my tripod. I set out to at least equal the Betacam shoulder mount form factor, and LevelCam Complete exceeded it.

Tim Nixon with a 2009 "LevelCam Complete" on parade at Ullr Fest in Breckenridge, CO for a VNR.

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What type of quick release adapter do I need on my camera with Levelcam and LevelPod?

LevelCam Complete comes with the quick release adapter for LevelPod. The LevelJib adapter goes directly on your tripod, but for maximum versatility, the optional Bogen/ Manfrotto RC2 adapter is used to go directly to your tripod.

The original Levelcam and Levelcam without LevelPod, works with your tripods quick release plate.

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I've bought stabilizers before and they sit in my closet. What makes LevelCam different?

Most stabilizers are “One Trick Ponies” and take time to set-up and break down. That's why they stay in your closet because it's just easier to keep the video camera clamped to a tripod.

LevelCam and LevelPod will get used because the more you use them, the more types of shots you'll come up with. I've been using them for years and still find new ways to use LevelCam. LevelJib itself has opened up a new world of creativity.

LevelCam, LevelPod and LevelJib get used so frequently that they are a regular part of my support package.

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Where can I try before I buy?

LevelCam and LevelPod are only available on this site at a wholesale price. Try it for up to 30 days and return it in excellent condition if it does not work for you. To make sure that you're serious about buying one, you pay for the postage to return it. That's cheaper than a retailers markup.

Consider that you're buying directly from the manufacturer without markup. A retailer has to mark it up to pay for the salesman's time (does he know much about it anyway?), plus a long list of expenses.

This website has a video instead of a salesman. Watching the video shows you what can be done with Levelcam, Levelpod and LevelJib and includes a wide variety of sample shots.

All questions before and after the sale are directed to me.

E-mail: tim@levelcam.com

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How does LevelCam and LevelPod compare with other handheld video camera stabilizers?

LevelCam, LevelPod, LevelJib and your tripod combined, is the worlds' most versatile video camera stabilizer support system.

That's a big claim for a lightweight $400 unit that doesn't come with springs or gyro's. But that's also part of the boast.

Please compare the rest to "LevelCam Complete" with these suggested questions:

• Do you have to support all of the weight in front of you?
• Does it allow you to shoot in any handheld position?
• Can you zoom in and keep the shot steady? How about waist level?
• Do your hands stay on the camera's controls or do you have to move your hand, even just to turn the camera on?
• How much time will you need to build it and take it apart for transport?
• Is it affordable enough so that one shoot will pay for it?
• Do you need to buy a special battery system to balance it and how does that adjust for perfect balance?
• Is it portable enough to pack in your one checked suitcase?
• Is it quick to shoot and move from one location to another?
• Can you shoot with it all day and be able to it again tomorrow?
• Does it clip directly to a tripod without tools?
• Does it convert into a monopod?
• Does it convert into multiple configurations for shooting a variety of angles, heights, reach and use with a tripod?
• Will it turn into a jib arm for your tripod?

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Please compare Levelcam, LevelPod and LevelJib to our competition using the above criteria:

Anton Bauer EgripX, Stasis Flex Stabilization, Steddiepod, Birns & Sawyer Steady Cams, Fig Rig camcorder stabilizer, Modo Steady Cam, Canon Brace stabilizer, Chrosziel Camcorder Stabilizer, SteadyFreddy, Steady Stick, Easyrig Stabilization, Frezzolini Camcorder Stable-Grip, Frezzolini Stable-Cam, glidecam stabilization system, Hoodman H-WS1 WristShot stabilizer, Bare Rover steady cam, Flyer LE steady cam, Mighty-Wondercam Shoulder Pod, Novoflex stabilization, Tiffen Steadicam, Pilot Steadicam, Merlin Steadicam, Steady Cams, Peter Lisand Adjust-A-Grip Pro-Camera Shoulder Bracket, Quad Pods Stabilizers, Stedi-Stock Shoulder Brace, Gopod, Ugrip, VariZoom stabilizing flopod, Media Rig, Video Innovators, HaloRig, Blackbird, Do It Yourself Stabilizer, DIY stabilizer, Basson Steady System, Digital Juice LowRider, etc!

These are mostly registered trademarks.

How do most handheld stabilizers work?

All systems either add:

• Mass.
• Leverage.
• Balance.
• Shock absorption.
• Gyros: mechanical, optical or electronic.
• Any or all of the above.

LevelCam uses leverage, either handheld or mounted to a tripod. LevelPod uses mass, additional and adjustable leverage, and balance. LevelPod also moves into a different category as a mono pod. Most cameras include some internal stabilization.

Here's are the different types of camera stabilizers Available:

1) Stabilizers that add leverage and a little mass.

LevelCam does this. These are simple handles that spread the weight of the camera out to achieve stabilization through leverage. Levelcam is unique because all controls are accessible while shooting and the handle is also a platform for mounting accessories.

2) The monopods or sticks that hook into a waist bag or strap on for shoulder mounted shots.

LevelPod does this by partly using the shoulder strap, partly bracing the counterweight on your thigh and holding LevelCam. Positive attributes include having no learning curve and these support most of the weight of the camera. Negatives include shooting only stationary shots as walking is too shaky. LevelPod allows you to go from static to walking while still shooting.

3) Shoulder mount systems.

LevelPod does this. Tight zooms are steady and the few that strap to the chest are even steadier. A positive is that if all your shots are from the shoulder, it is more of a "set and forget" system. Negatives include the limited types of shots, set-up time and transportation for the more exotic ones. Several of these are flexy and under built.

4) Vertical counterweighted systems.

LevelPod does this. These put ALL of the weight in front of you. Great for a tiny camera, but not for the average 4-8 lb. video camera. LevelPod works like these systems and adds the full length of a monopod for walking to standing shots.

5) Horizontally counterweighted systems.

LevelPod does this and can be also held at an angle. These are similar to LevelPod and work for shoulder mounted shots and more shots if it has an adjustable head and adjustable length (like LevelPod). Many use proprietary battery systems. Besides being pricey, achieving perfect balance means the battery has to weigh the same or less than the built video camera.

LevelPod allows you to use your stock batteries. It's unique and patent pending counterweight system also acts as a pendulum, like the vertical counterweighted systems, but with the weight perfectly distributed in a wide and adjustable arc.

Another concern is strength and flex. Some are flexy, which ruins the end of the shot. Others are overbuilt and are best for heavily accessorized systems. LevelPod is in the middle, supporting up to about 9 lbs. of a built camera.

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Copyright 2011 Baughan Productions, Inc.