Since the beginning of time, humans have tried to answer some of the most difficult questions, like how does the Universe work, what happens after death, and how to take steady shots without a tripod?

Smartphones have changed photography forever. These revolutionary devices can now shoot 4k footage and slow motion videos with the quality once reserved for Hollywood gear. The only problem is that while the cameras on smartphones have improved, most people can’t take steady shots without the help of a tripod.

Enter DJI OSMO, a hand-held 4k action camera on a stick that can help videographers capture smooth, cinema-quality footage. It features a three-axis stabilized gimbal powered by brushless motors that can adapt to your shaky arms.

OSMO is without doubt a great filmmaking tool that puts the steadicam-style footage in the reach of hobby photographers and average consumers. Unfortunately, if you want to shoot silky smooth videos and get professional-quality results, you have to invest in expensive accessories.

Perhaps less known is that it’s pretty easy to save hundreds on OSMO accessories and get the same amazing results. There are numerous different gears much cheaper than the OSMO accessories.

Here are some of them.

• When Vertical Movement Becomes a Problem

Have you ever tried walking around while keeping your arm straight and perfectly still in front of you? It’s exceptionally hard to say the least. You’d be surprised how much your arm moves while walking and how difficult it can be to capture smooth shots without any vertical movement. A camera mount could make a big difference.

But, here’s the problem: mounts from OSMO can be pretty expensive, and you can’t always afford to spend hundreds of dollars and accessories. So, if you have a GoPro mount, you are in luck because it works just as well. There are also plenty of DIY solutions to get smoother shots without having to break the bank.

The suction cup mount from GoPro, for instance, is an excellent and reliable accessory. It has worked at high speed on boats, cars, and even helicopters (yes, you read that correctly – helicopters). And the best part, it costs less than $10.

• Accessories for Awesome Drone Photography

Do you know how amazing drone photography looks? Still shots, high-quality image, perfect focus, and smooth results. To achieve all this, you can invest in expensive OSMO accessories, or you can attach your GoPro mounts directly to the drone.

If you want to strap your OSMO to your bike, you can use this handlebar mount holder. It fits perfectly on bikes or motorcycles handlebars measuring up to 33 mm in diameter; it’s easy to install, and it costs less than $15.

When it comes to the world of real estate photography/videography, we’ve also used the Rolling Sliding Dolly Stabilizer for the Osmo.  For just $36, you can have an unlimited length slider.  Use the GO app to control framing and you can really get creative!

• Capture Great Sound

Although OSMO is a great tool to smooth away any shaky-handed shots, the sound quality is pretty terrible. That can turn to be problematic if you want to shoot a wedding ceremony or create a short movie.

If you want a quality tool that can allow you to capture interview audio or external audio, check out this Olympus ME-15 microphone. Small, light weighted, and affordable, this microphone can capture great sound without motor noise from the OSMO.

• Prolong Your Battery Life

The biggest limitation the OSMO has is its battery life. The lithium-ion unit lasts only about an hour, so you can’t plan an all-day shooting without some spare batteries at hand. You can find some at a really good price on Amazon.

DJI OSMO is truly and amazing tool for videographers. If you are looking to get professional-quality results, there’s no reason not to have it in your bag. However, you don’t have to spend big to take advantage of OSMO’s capabilities. Look for affordable options, shop smart and have fun!