Different Methods of Camera Handling

In Fridays session we looked at the various ways in which to handle a camera in order to get a stable picture. The main 3 methods of this are:

Tripod
The tripod (as it suggests) works with 3 legs, each can be adjusted to varying heights, many come with a spirit level to just the level of your shot, they are very sturdy and stable.

Advantages: most stable, provides spirit level, can be adjusted to various height, strength/endurance of cameraman not an issue, pan shots can be very smooth, good for panorama and multi angle filming, support from wider base
Disadvantages: heaviest and bulkiest, not good in tight spaces, slow to adjust/move, heaviest to carry to/from location

Monopod
A monopod uses just one 'leg' to support the camera, however it is not just to be used as a 'leg' but the monopod can also be used as a lever to hold the camera up off the ground as well as stabilising it on it. As with the tripod its height can be adjusted easily.
 
Advantages: smaller and more compact than tripod, light and easy to set up, takes up less space so can film in smaller spaces, multi purpose, can allow minimal physical stress on cameraman (depending on how it is being used.
Disadvantages: only has one point of stability, can get sideways shake, not alot of flexibility in shots

Fig Rig 
The 'fig rig' was created by director Mike Figgis at the time of the making of one of his films. The fig rig works by providing the user with a control similar to a steering wheel for controlling the camera. The controls of the camera can be linked up to a device on the wheel itself. Further info can be found here.


A
Advantages: easily portable, easy to use and set up, relatively light, distributes weight of camera, allows fluid camera motion
Disadvantages: cameraman could have limited space, hard to put down and leave safely, once camera is picked up must be continuously held, doesn't eliminate and side to side shake motion