The Best Seating for Live Camera Operators (2023)

Published 4 months ago

This is a complete list of chairs and stools I use and trust for live camera operators.

In this guide you'll find:

Let's get started...

Chairs

Chairs in this category range in height from 18" up to 24", and are the best solution for ultimate comfort and stability.

I only recommend products I use and trust. When you buy through links here, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Why You Can Trust Me

Best Overall Chair

Flash Furniture HERCULES Metal Chair

Get Price at Amazon

Same construction and features as my top pick stool, only at a standard 18" dining height.

This checks all my boxes for the ideal seating solution:

Welded steel frame construction
Padded vinyl seat provides enough comfort for most people
Ergonomic seated position
No wheels
No armrests
No bolts or moving parts
Maximum load capacity of 500 pounds / 226 kilograms

Also available in 30" bar height (Amazon) and 24" counter height (Amazon).

Best Custom Chair

Stealth Chair

Get Price at StealthChairs.com

Stealth Chairs are engineered to provide ultimate comfort and dependability for demanding AV applications.

While this chair is designed more for studios and FOH booths, it is also a viable option for camera operators.

The Stealth Standard Chair has a maximum load capacity of 200 pounds / 90 kilograms and comes with 2 adjustable cylinders that offer seat height adjustments from 19" to 28". An extra tall cylinder is also available separately that offers seat height adjustments from 27" to 37".

The Stealth Pro Chair accommodates users over 200 pounds / 90 kilograms and comes with 2 adjustable cylinders that offer seat height adjustments from 22" to 32".

Optional accessories like chair glides (to replace casters), foot rings, extra tall cylinders, and even drink holders are available for full customization.

These chairs are 👌!

Best Portable Chair

Filmcraft Short Director's Chair

Get Price at Amazon

While this breaks a few of my rules, it's hard to argue with the portability and ubiquitousness of the canvas director's chair.

This comes in 3 different height options (30", 24", and 18"), has a maximum load capacity of 300 pounds / 136 kilograms, and folds in one piece with no disassembly required.

If you setup and strike often, this may be the perfect choice.

Also available in 30" bar height (Amazon) and 24" dining height (Amazon).

Stools

Stools in this category have a seat height of 24" to 33" (although I recommend 30" or lower as much as possible for stability and safety), and are a good alternative to chairs when you need a little more height.

Best Overall Stool

Flash Furniture HERCULES Metal Barstool

Get Price at Amazon

A commercial-grade 30" barstool that works best for a majority of camera operators.

This checks all my boxes for the ideal seating solution:

Welded steel frame construction
Padded vinyl seat provides enough comfort for most people
Ergonomic seated position
No wheels
No armrests
No bolts or moving parts
Maximum load capacity of 500 pounds / 226 kilograms

Also available in 24" counter height (Amazon) and 18" dining height (Amazon).

Best Standing Stool

SONGMICS Standing Stool

Get Price at Amazon

A perfect solution for operators that alternate between sitting and standing.

It offers a weighted non-slip base, a 24" to 33" adjustable height cylinder that tilts up to 8º, and has a maximum static load capacity of 265 pounds / 120 kilograms.

For best results, the operator needs to be able to keep at least one foot planted on the floor at all times.

Best Portable Stool

Filmcraft Tall Director's Chair

Get Price at Amazon

While this breaks a few of my rules, it's hard to argue with the portability and ubiquitousness of the canvas director's chair.

This comes in 3 different height options (30", 24", and 18"), has a maximum load capacity of 300 pounds / 136 kilograms, and folds in one piece with no disassembly required.

If you setup and strike often, this may be the perfect choice.

Also available in 24" counter height (Amazon) and 18" dining height (Amazon)

Why You Can Trust Me

I started my career over 23 years ago as a freelance camera operator for corporate events and broadcast television networks including ABC, FOX Sports, and Speed Channel. Since then I have spent thousands of hours running all kinds of cameras during live events and broadcasts. Simply put, my butt has sat on a lot of stools, chairs, and other surfaces while operating cameras. Additionally, I have spent the last decade running this website and consulting with organizations to help them find the right gear and maximize their results. Learn more about Joel

Camera Operator Seating Buyer's Guide

Choosing the proper seating for live camera operators can have a drastic impact on operator comfort and, in turn, your final product.

Here are things to look for and consider to ensure camera operators are comfortable and have the best seating to do their jobs well.

Sitting vs. Standing

This is obviously the first decision that needs to be made. It is dependent upon each situation and every camera operator's individual preferences.

But before we get any further, I must preface with this...

I recommend that camera operators stand as much as possible.

Live production can be fast-paced and require quick actions. Simply put, acting quickly can be difficult to do while seated. I see considerably more mistakes and sloppy camerawork from operators that sit compared to operators that stand.

However...

Sitting can obviously make sense for slower-paced environments and camera positions that require limited movement, especially during longer events. For example, tight and loose follow cameras for corporate, church, and concert events.

It is also a good idea to have a seating option available even if the operator chooses not to use it during production.

No matter what, though, if seating is an option then a proper solution should be provided.

Ergonomics

This is, by far, the aspect I see most ignored in production environments. It is common to find situations where operators are asked to operate cameras with viewfinders and controls way too high, causing uncomfortable neck, shoulder, and arm ergonomics.

Do your operators, and yourself, a favor and take the time to get this right. An ergonomic and comfortable position, whether standing or seated, is important and benefits everyone involved.

Operating a camera is similar to standing or sitting at a computer and has many of the same ergonomic requirements:

The top of the viewfinder monitor should be at, or 1" to 2" below, eye level
Arms and shoulders should be relaxed
Elbows should bend as close to 90º as possible
Forearms should be parallel to the floor
Wrists should be relaxed, but remain straight
Back should be straight and reclined between 5º and 15º

Additionally, when sitting:

Hips should be as far back in the chair as possible
Lower back should have support
Thighs should be parallel to the floor
Knees should bend as close to 90º as possible
Feet should be supported either by the floor or a footrest

Materials & Construction

All metal construction with welded joints is recommended, at least for the frame.

Any bolts, screws, and/or joints between two pieces of metal or wood can (and often will) come loose, potentially making noise and/or affecting durability and safety.

Swivel

Swivel should be avoided or, at a minimum, have the ability to be locked. This, in my opinion, is non-negotiable. Throughout my career this has been the top complaint from myself and fellow camera ops.

As an operator, nothing is more frustrating than having your chair or stool turn the opposite direction as you pan the camera.

It can especially be an issue for tight follow camera operators that are constantly panning back and forth, and can become more of an issue for shorter and lighter people.

Wheels

In most cases wheels and casters should be avoided, too. Not only for the same reasons as swivel, but also for safety.

You never want a chair to move on you accidentally or while you're moving the camera, especially on a platform where a wheel could roll off the edge and cause injuries.

Seat Height

Try to keep seat heights between 18" and 30". Shorter chairs can get uncomfortable quickly and taller stools can become potentially unstable and unsafe.

While adjustable height seating is generally acceptable and necessary when different people operate the same camera, be aware that many adjustable height columns also swivel. If you need adjustable height then I recommend trying to find options that can adjust height without swiveling, or at least offer a locking swivel. There are also extra moving parts in adjustable cylinders that can wear out over time, so durability and reliability can be a concern as well.

Armrests

This is a bit of personal preference, at least for armrests that cannot be moved out of the way or removed completely. But it is still a hard pass, in my opinion

Even if armrests are in the perfect ergonomic position for operating the camera, it's rare for your arms to stay in that same position all the time. Think about how your arms will move when panning and, especially, tilting the camera. Operating a camera is not the same as typing on a static keyboard.