View Full Version : Re: curious about Stabilizers
Mr-Joe
10-12-2003, 05:37 AM
Hurm, First of all if your talking about the Stabalizers the things that a guy would strap a big thing onto his chest then has a big mechanical looking arm that bends a few times and the camera is attached to it... those things... you can get a pro one from around $5,000-$10,000... And the reason that they are probly so much money is because they are built by pro cam equipment engineers and are designed to give the best and smoothest preformace to your picture..... I'm sure there also that expensive because think of how many people need these things and how many times they buy them... first off most people don't buy them they rent them... so its the big companys that are buying them..... So its not like people are sitting at there house and say.. gee I need a stabalizer today.. I think I'll go out to Walmart they are having a sale 2 for 1.... No, they are not a product that would sell tons like a video game or something... People mostly rent them because of their price.. you can normaly find a decent price around $75-$100 a day for these..... Not only do they look bad ass but they definatly give a great smooth moving shot... Now if Your talking about the steady cam thing.. the handy cam that is just a pole with a small monitor at the bottom and at the top it holds your camera... and you just hold the pole, thats it.. those things are cheap they are like $1,000 .... Now you could be looking at those REAL expensive ones that are probly at most like 30,000 .... well those have like super extended arms and crap with all these special mechanical gears and stuff... If you can build a *GOOD* one for $1,200 then go for it , but your average person doesn't have the Time and Know how of building a Stabalizer... that is why they are expensive...
Take a look at this site... scroll to the bottom.... You can rent this for $95 bucks a day if your a student....
http://www.mopacmedia.com/rental/cameras.html
Also check out this site... It has some great steadicams for decent prices.. check out the SK-2... that is a nice steady cam for $8,000.....
http://www.steadicam.com/systems_pro_video.htm
But if your only shooting A couple of things I say its best just to buy the necissary equipment like the camera and any lens's or filters you might want and rent the stuff you will rarely use.. just wait till you need a steadicam shot and rent it for a few days... much cheaper than even making one yourself... and you dont have to put up with the hassle....
Well hope this helps...
You might want to check out:www.magigcam.com & homebuiltstabilizers.com - to get more info on this.
Guest
10-14-2003, 03:24 PM
I just placed an order for the DV Cadie. Looks good on paper, especially for only $200.00. You can check it out at DVCadie.com. I will let you know how it works out.
Can't get DV Cadie. where is it?
ClaytonF
10-15-2003, 10:57 AM
http://www.dvcaddie.com
24Peter
10-15-2003, 05:23 PM
re: DV Caddie - just don't breathe while you're using it. :-[ Note how it rests against the body right around (her) diaphram. I bought a $30 version from Sima and it's great as long as I don't breathe or move. The problem is the unit does not isolate the camera from the body so it's impossible to get really steady shots. I'll be curious to see your assessment.
Guest
10-16-2003, 09:00 PM
Well..I just received my DV Caddie today and just set it down to do this post. I have to say that it was money well spent. It really stabalizes the camera for those handeheld shots. The "float feature" is great. Combined with the pan and tilt, you're really able to get some pretty fluid movement with this thing. With regards to movement when you breath, I really did not notice anything. I guess it might be a problem if you are a real heavy breather. Also, with the float feature you can get good seperation from your body. Just wanted to let everyone know that I think for $200 it is a great buy.
I've made many of the "$14 steadycam" (http://www.student.virginia.edu/~fms-uva/steadycam/) by Jonny Lee. Here's the thing, it works on the same principles as the glidecam and other small stabilizers out there (as opposed to the rigs that use the operators body as support). Basically you've got a weight on the bottom to bring the weight of the camera to the center of your body. This works really well for stabilizing. I've done many running shots that look like dolly shots.
Unless you plan to use your stabilizer for larger cameras (ENG type,etc.), then I would recommend looking into this handy stabilizer. At any rate, you're only investing $14 if you do.
The $14.00 stabilizer is hand held with a weight attachment. After a bit your arms get tired and that's the point of having something on your shoulder or hip braced. I use a mono-pod with a tripod leg attachment that serves well in a crowd and gets some stabilizer action. As soon as I get a bit more money, it's the marzpack for me!
Andrew_Mclean
11-28-2003, 08:39 PM
Check out promax.com
DVStory
11-29-2003, 03:23 PM
I just got the DVCaddie as well and i am really liking it a lot. I do a bunch of quick handheld stuff and this little gadget is small, light, extremely easy to use, and very versatile. It can't take floating running shots, but for slower bending at the knee movements it's great. I love the ability to pan, tilt and use the floating movement - as RCE already noted, this allows you to get some really great shots. I added a tripod quick release and the mini rover grip to it. I makes it heavier, but I can still operate it easily and now i can go from DVCaddie, to steabilizer (modified monopod) to tripod, to pretty stable handheld (using the mini rover) very quickly. The one thing I would like to have on it is a more sturdy locking system. Since I added some weight to it, i have to crank a little harder on the levers to make sure it's locked off. But for the price, i am definitely a satisfied customer.
When i get more $$, i think i will look into the getting the DV RigPro from http://www.dvtec.tv.
-Anthony
Vancouver, Canada
dashwood
11-29-2003, 07:24 PM
I just started working with a Hollywood Lite GT and it seems to work well with the DVX. I'm preparing it to shoot a music video with it in a week, so I'll tell you then how it performs in the heat of battle.
http://www.hollywoodlite.com/GT_Seriesx.html
Andrew_Mclean
11-29-2003, 10:10 PM
Can someone recommend a steady cam for the Dvx100. Price limit 300 us dollars. I have checked out the steadytracker at www.promax.com but would hate to buy a lemon as I am low on money at the moment. Oh yes building one myself is a no no as lego is difficult for me. Please hurry on this one as we shoot in January.
Of course some kind member could build one for me and I pay.
Zoomforce
11-29-2003, 10:17 PM
As for handhelds, I use the Glidecam 2000 with the DVX and it seems to work very well.
J.R. Hudson
11-29-2003, 11:13 PM
A few of you mentioned the outrageous cost of these gadgets. A couple reasons they are so expensive other than being built by pro camera engineers is the basic laws of supply and demand. They are not a dime a dozen and able to be picked up at your local mall and the other reason is because they can.
I am a huge proponent of building these things on your own (see Zoom's pleather and pea's Cinesaddle or the ever popular skateboard wheel and pvc dolly).
Mad, if your build the perfect replica; let me know!!