Can I build a full-sized Steadicam?
I’ve combined these questions because the answers are very similar. The primary factor that makes the construction of a Steadicam expensive is the same factor that makes purchase of a Steadicam expensive: engineering. The Steadicam design is constrained most by one thing: the human body. All the weights, stresses, and forces must be within the comfort range of a human operator in good health. This means that many solutions available to ground- or vehicle-based rigs are just not applicable; to gain strength, for instance, you can’t just add material to increase cross-sections. To increase inertia, you can’t just add mass. Because of this, the biggest factor in determining the price of a rig is the weight of the camera that it can handle. Each element of the Steadicam has its own engineering challengers. The post must not flex, even at its full length; otherwise, quick starts and stops would be difficult to control. The camera mounting must be able to support the camera both upright, and
