Review of YELANGU S60N Handheld Stabilizer

I finally invested in my first handheld stabilizer. I ended up starting with the YELANGU S60N Aluminum Alloy Handheld Stabilizer I purchased for only about $52 including shipping. Here's the link: https://adorama.rfvk.net/JPjDq I got the one with the quick release plate which also helps in balancing.

To start, after placing camera on, you have to balance it. I recommend making sure your lens cap and camera straps are removed because those will affect the balance. The first time balancing can be challenge and will take some time especially if you've never done it before. I recommend watching videos that explain how to balance them. If it's not properly balance, you will face swaying issues even if slightly off. Plan on it taking anywhere from 15 - 30 + minutes to balance. The more I do it, the easier it is, but sometimes it is time consuming and if your screws are not tight enough it can become unbalanced again.

I think this was a great purchase especially for the amount. There are a lot of gimbals out there that cost well over $100 and sometimes that just isn't in your budget like me at the time. I am planning on investing in a better one in the future but this is a great start.

It will take a lot of practice and can get very heavy (especially for a girl like me). I recommend working out your wrists to strengthen them. Some great practice tips I can offer are:

- Place tape or find a straight line and practice walking that line. As you walk, watch the bottom of your stabilizer to keep it centered.

- Place tape on a wall in a plus or cross sign. Turn on your camera and practice walking towards and away from it keeping your camera centered.

- Some recommend you bend your knees to help with shaking. I started doing this but then I found a video from an instructor who advises against this. It's hard on your back and can actually cause more movement for some. I found that my videos came out better when I straightened up my knees a little more. You don't want to be stiff, make sure your knees are loose. Then you want to take smooth steps by rolling your feet heal to toes and vice versa for walking backwards.

- When panning sideways do not cross legs over each other. Instead walk normal with camera pointing to side.

- Gently use your opposite hand to help stabilizer the bar just under the gimbal. Do not hold it, or you'll affect the gimbal's purpose. It's just more to use as a guide if it starts to sway or if you want to move the camera in an upward or downward motion (not straight).

Overall, I'm pleased with it. Still have a lot of practicing to do to perfect it but that's the way it is with anything. It will take patience. You won't master it over night! Here's a video I put together showing my review and first time using it.

Feel free to share your experience with it or any other stabilizer in comments below.