best steadicam for DVX/M2?

[krish]

Hi, I want to use a steadicam or some kind of camera stablizing equipment with my DVX and M2 35mm adapter. Is there one particular model which will be better suited for this rig with M2 etc.?

I am planning to shoot a music video and wanted to do lot of handheld stuff.

Would appreciate any help.

-Kris

[mikkowilson]

Originally Posted by krish

I am planning to shoot a music video and wanted to do lot of handheld stuff.

It is worth noting that Steadicam is not handheld. They are very very different.

If you do want to use Steadicam, then you might want to re-consider using a 35mm with it. This has been discussed a lot recently - you should be able to find those conversations with a search.

One of the notable complications of using a 35mm adapter on Steadicam is the need for a remote focus system - these cost upwards of $4000. I'd recomend a BFD (www.bartechengineering.com) and a M-one motor. These can also be rented.

Depending on the lenses and other acessories you want to use, the Steadicam Flyer is probabaly the best choice. If you don't use a 35mm adapter you can use as light a rig as the Steadicam Merlin.


Also note that Steadicam operation is a skill that takes a long time (years) to get good at. I would highly recomend a workshop to teach you the basics to get started. Even then be prepared for some serious practice before you can start making good Steadicam shots (and it will never be like handheld). Untill you get good it will be smooth, but out of control and all over the place.

The best bet for specific Steadicam use is to hire a professional operator with his/her equipment to do the necesarry shots. The results will be better, far more realiable, and belive it or not, but much cheaper too.

- Mikko

[krish]

Mikko, thanks a bunch for the reply. It is very informative.

Ok so as I understand it steadicam is a fairly expensive product and would require years of practice or atleast a few intensive training courses before you can use it. The use of anything else like Merlin would not be helpful becuase it will not allow me to pull focus while using it.

Is there an inexpensive alternative for a remote follow focus like the one from redrock that can be used with Merlin and remote device?

I woud definitely look into the possibility of hiring a pro but in the long run it would make sense if i could figure out some of these issues especially with a combo of M2 + DVX or HVX.

Cheers,

-Kris

[PaPa]

you can also go with the glidecam 2000 pro

a bit heavier, half the cost, takes longer to setup and get used to how it works. But all in all, similar results will be achieved with both the merlin and glidecam in the end of the day.

[mikkowilson]

Originally Posted by krish

Is there an inexpensive alternative for a remote follow focus like the one from redrock that can be used with Merlin and remote device?

Yes there is. It's the BFD and it costs a little under $4k with a motor.

The truth is that when you step up to 35mm lenses, you also step into the requirements of 35mm lenses. $4k is cheap when it comes to remote FF for 35mm lenses. - note that aditional channels for Iris (required for prety much anything outside) and zoom (if you need it) will cost the same again.

Pulling focus with 35mm lenses is very dificult, and especially so with Steadicam - it's much harder than the Steadicam operating - and to be done reliably the gear costs quite a bit.

You can't use any mechanical FF with a Steadicam beacuse it would break the isolation of the gimble and make the rig prety much useless.

If you can't afford a remote FF kit for 35mm, then the next step down is to leave the adapter off the Steadicam shots and either use the nice deep DoF of a 1/3" with a large F-stop. Or - if you have a DVX100B - you can lessen your DoF with the DVX and use a wired focus remote for the DVX; like the FOXI or one of the VZ controlers.

Remeber that there is no way you'll be able to fly a 35mm adapter (+ lens + remote FF) on any handheld stabilizer, it just weighs too much.

Unfortunatly those are your options.

- Mikko

[ge.diego]

Hi Kris,

i was in the same situation as you were. I am flying my HVR-Z1E with the M2 adapter with the Frédéric Savard's FSPRO SM1 stabilizer. It is under $2300 and it works great. It can take cameras up to 20 pounds, just what we need to fly with the M2 adapter attached. Speak with him, i asked him millions of questions before deciding and he is very responsive.

And regarding the remote focus control, Mikko is right, the least expensive option by now is the Bartech. I couldn't afford it too and i had the idea to modify
the Varizoom EFC to work with the Redrock's 32 pitch lens gear assembly. I did it and it works, but unfortunately it is very uncomfortable to operate because you have to attach the control to the grip that holds the gimbal, and it's so big... It is very uncomfortable.

So i decided to start building an inexpensive remote prototype based on a servo digital motor. Here you can have all the info on the project.
http://remotefollowfocus.googlepages.com/

If it succeeds, we will have an inexpensive alternative to fly with the 35mm adapters, i think a lot of people like us need it and cannot afford to spend the same amount on the camera than on the focus system...

Regards,

Diego Galvez

[ge.diego]

Hi all,

some updates on the Remote Follow Focus project.

We are finishing the remote follow focus prototype testing and we would like to have your opinion to set up the final packages, what interests you the most?

Please, answer here:
http://foveas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5

Diego Galvez
http://remotefollowfocus.googlepages.com/