The Fig Rig

The Fig Rig, shown above, is a delightfully simple, low tech solution to a very difficult problem. The most noticeable difference between amateur movies and professional ones is that amateur video is notoriously jerky, while the professional products are extremely steady even on shots where a tripod can't be used. Professionals solve the problem with steadicams that costs about $1,500+, with articulated arms and gimbals. The Fig Rig uses basic physics that translates small hand movements into much smaller angular motions for the camera put putting a steering wheel sized ring around the camera for you to hold, at a cost of about $375 (one of the tricker parts is arranging to be able to operate the controls from the ring handhold rather than the camera itself).

Hat Tip to Popular Science.