ImageWest Steadishot (steadicam)? Any opinions?

It's a direct knock-off of a Glidecam 4000. Which is a nock-off of the real Steadicam.

Those things are all over e-bay as a much safer deal than through this site (you are protected through e-bay)

I personally don't like the guy/sales policy behind the system and other gear they make on e-bay. But then again, if you want a cheap budget stabilizer, this is cheaper than the exact same glidecam (and in GC's words "It's just like [the other], but cheaper). Interprit as you wish.


But do keep in mind that though I'm sure the rig has no trouble withstanding the weight of 12lb, there is NO WAY that ANYONE can carry that amount of weight for more than a couple of seconds in the way that these are held. A realistic limit for this rig would be around 6lbs of camera absolout max, the system itself weighs a lot.
Notice there are no photos of anyone actually operating that XL2 (about 8lb). It takes the guy both hands to even hold it in the one shot.

The body pack is a joke - it won't stabilize as it's a ridged arm that transfers all the operator's bumps right to the sled.
Also the way it goes behind the neck is VERY DANGEROUS. Quite literally ready to break - or seriously injure - your neck. Not to mention look what it's dooing to the operator's back in that photo. Ouch! Stay away, no shot is worth the risk.


If you have a light camera and you want a basic stabilizer on a budget that you can use for short periods, get on e-bay and buy the sled only. If you want more, then look into a higher end rig.

What's your realistic budget for this? What camera are you hoping to fly? What type of shooting? And why do you want a stabilizer?

- Mikko
 
i agree, i bought one over a year ago ( actually a glidecam4000 pro ) and havent used it much. flying with it is really difficult due to weight even with the arm brace. i heard the merlin with extra weight attached to the counter-weight will work with the hvx, but dont know.
 
Ok, just took the time to read their sales text on that page. What the heck, I'll give it (the text) my reveiw...

(My comments in blue)
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Amazingly Smooth Flying Shots Every Time
Yet costing hundreds less than similar models:
Only $249 or $299, including Body Pack!

Image West has broken the $300.00 mark on this amazing camera support unit complete with body mount kit by offering a savings of over $1,000.00 from competitve pricing. Glidecam's identical unit (4000 Pro) is $499, plus $189 for their bodypod. Far from $1k off. How they did it was rather than include a bulky torso pack, the Flycam 5000 features a much lighter and easier to wear shoulder strap (see illustration below). It is the body pack that provides the support, And passes all the shocks from the operator's body. rather than the arms of the operator.

You will immediately see all the advantages of this incredible camera stabilization unit that has been designed specifically for all video cameras weighing up to 12 pounds. That, of course, includes all of the pro-sumer and now many of the fully professional There are no real professional cameras that weight under 12lb. models that are on the market today.


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It takes both hands just to hold the system? How are you suposed to fly it?


What is nice is that most all of the weight is fully supported from the shoulder, rather than the arms, in the case of units that have no body support. This allows for hours of comfortable operation without the fatigue associated with other models on the market. Your neck and back will be sore in no time. The straps arn't ergonomic and play hell on your posture.

The big problem with torso mounts (that also eliminate arm fatigue by virtue of a bulky torso pack) is that in addition to being very expensive, they become extremely uncomfortable after a very short time. This is a total lie. A good Steadicam vest is very comfterble, even during long days with many hours in a heavy rig. I've done a 19hour day in a Flyer with no pain, and there are operators who operate 40lb film cameras all day, every day as thier job. And they are perfectly comferble. Unless you are of a slender build (that went away 20 years ago for me), the torso units become very constraining around the lower chest and abdomen. Again a lie. I know operators of many different body types, larger and smaller, taller and shorter, and they are all equaly comfterble in Steadicam vests for hours at a time.

Imagine being in a straight jacket for a couple of hours while shooting a major event where there are no breaks without missing much of the action. That is what many videographers report as a major problem with the torso mounted units. I have never heard this from anyone using proper equipment properly. Not to mention the huge expense, usually starting at very close to $1,500.00 for others on the market.

The SteadiShot Flycam 5000, combines the best of both worlds. The flexibility of a non body mounted unit for comfort and ease of use with the support and more fluid shots of true body mounted unit. This system does not have an articulating support arm, the body pod is ridged, it's not one bit fluid but totally solid and will tranfer every step. Virtually all of the weight is transitioned to the chest This sytem is not built to place any weight on the chest. and shoulders ...which should never support any of the weight. where the human body is designed to naturally perform most of our work functions, thus not as prone to stress after using the Flycam 5000 even for very long periods of time.

It all comes together within 10 minutes of deployment. First mount the camera to the mount. Hold the SteadiShot with the handle at the gimble gyro style head. You will immediately notice the difference in "feel", suddenly the camera is far less prone to "jittery" movements when it is othewise in even the steadiest of hands. Next, balance the camera so that the shaft (as illustrated) is perfectly perpendicular to the ground. This is accomplished by fully sliding mounting brackets found where you mount the camera to the SteadiShot. Once this is done for a particular type of camera you need never have to do it again. Not true. This system does not have a quick realease meachnism. Unless you buy one, you will have to re-balance the stage every time you take it apart to remove or mount the camera.

You are now ready to start taking the most incredible smooth "flying" shots you have ever experienced. Start on fairly level ground, perhaps following a moving subject (like someone walking) til you get the hang of it. Feel the gyroscopic This system has no gyros in it. (Neither does a Steadicam normally) motion (similar to action of the Tyler Mounts Tyler mounts are complety differnet to this system.used for aviation and car to car chase work) of the stabalizing unit. It is totally professional all the way and compares instantly to those models selling for upwards of $3,000.00. I could compare this unit to an actual professional unit, that do cost well over the mentioned $3k, but it would not be preaty for this unit.

A little more experience and you will find youself tracking subjects running up and down staircases NEVER RUN ON STARIS with any stabilizer, you are asking for an accident. with totally fluid motion and absolulutely no jitter all from a solution starting at less than $250.00 (not including body pack). You will be totally amazed when you review your footage on even the largest of playback monitors.
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Stedi1.jpg
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Leaning like that will hurt your back. That strap brings a serious risk of neck injury. And you'd think they could get a modle to at least hold the rig properly - up near the gimble.



Now about the body pack that is also included. First it is far less confining that the typical torso units but accomplishes the exact same end. It does not properly distribute the load over the body, and it offers no stabilisation due to a lack of any articulation in the arm as allready discussed. So no, not the same thing at all. It transfers most all the weight of the camera and stabilizer from your arms to the chest and shoulders. I allready commented on this above. This allows for hours of virtually uninterruped operation without the fatigue Again, it would hurt your neck and back. that would be otherwise be encountered. It is easy and lightweight to wear and a breeze to put on and take off (unlike torso models). I can put on my old design vest in about 10 secconds. The newer ones are even faster. I can be out of it in about 3 if i'm in a real hurry. - Or in under a seccond in an emergancy with the emergency realease found in many proper vests.

I could go on for five more pages explaining how it works and all of the benefits, Funny, I coudl go on too... but here is a much better option. Try the SteadiShot Flycam 5000 for 30 days totally risk free. I'll even pay for shipping it to any US destination FREE if you decide to return it for any reason whatsoever. All I ask is that you pay the return postage, as I have no way of controlling my costs on that. Sound Fair? Fair enough I guess.

One more provision. If, as I know, you try this product and love it, please write or call me and let me know so that I can include your feedback in future ad material (I will use an initial only last name if that is an issue for you). You're under no obligation to do this, but it is very helpful in marketing and most importantly, developing a superior product Superior to what? How? line that meets or exceeds the expectations of my valued customers. The unit carries a full one year warranty and I do the replacement right here (you don't have to deal with the factory, unless you want to). I like to take care of the customer!

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Ok, interesting sale pitch.
But prety much based on peoples - and I'm very sure also the manufacture's and seller's - ignorance over other, proper, systems.

Take some time to fully educate yourself on the principles behind any product, and try as many as possible before you buy. By making an informed descision, you can avoid stuff like this that preys on ignorance and misinformation.

- Mikko
 
jake stutheit said:
i agree, i bought one over a year ago ( actually a glidecam4000 pro ) and havent used it much. flying with it is really difficult due to weight even with the arm brace. i heard the merlin with extra weight attached to the counter-weight will work with the hvx, but dont know.
Click to expand...

Yes the HVX flies very well on the Merlin, even without any extra counterweight. The Flyer is a better choice though as the HVX is a pretty heavy camera to handhold, let alone hand-fly, very long.

- Mikko
 
i was looking into purchasing a glidecam 4000 from a user here on the boards, Mikko, are you saying this will be a bad purchase? i shoot with a dvx and would use the stabilizer for movies. (haha)
 
I just responeded to a PM from Kyle with this same question. However as he asked here on the board too, I'll publish answer here for the benefit of all:

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Kyle,
regarding the Glidecam Vs that review I did yesterday [In this thread]: The Glidecam's bodypod is better in the way that the straps are a little better, they actually go down over yrou back. That beeing said, it's still only going to work as a stabilizer in handheld mode.

I presume you are flying the DVX or HVX. The GC4K will work fine with either.
I would recomend the Merlin as a btter system, and the Flyer again far above that, but that's out of your range it sounds like.

I (you) do have to ask why you want a stabilizer.
The fest was announced yesterday, it's preaty early on to know what shots are going to be shot how.
My point: A Steadicam is a specialist tool for paticular shots. Getting one becuse "it would look cool in my movie" is kinda the wrong approach to it's use. Just as an actor or actress always should have very specific motivation to do anything on screen, so shoudl a camera have very specific motivation for any movement, just as motivation shoudl even dictate what shots are used.

Consider carefully why and what you need a stabilizer for, then see what your realistic budget is. That GC4K for $350 is a ok deal for a rig to get you started if you need it.

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I'll add that Dusterdoo's comment is almost right on.
Though, unless there is an experienced operator allready on the crew. A Operator is hired (with his/her gear ranted with them) to perform most Steadicam shots in production.

- Mikko
 
I have a merlin and I DO use it often for things I do. For cinematic shots a lot less, but its great to have when I do want to run a steadicam shot (that adds value to the scene). I can operate it quite comfotably for awhile, but even so it is taxing. But being the lightest unit out there certainly helps there.
 
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