Not sure what "upgrades" to get: 35 MM or Glidecam?

PeeDee

PeeDee

Member
Hey everyone,

I need some advice here pertaining to basically accessories to get for my DVX. I recently graduated college, had a nominated documentary film screened at the Director's Guild Theater in New York, and will be working on a follow up in the coming months. Now I have this little nest egg saved up from over the past year and with my recent graduation my family has put in some money for me as both a gift and to help get my off the ground so to speak.

I've been researching and looking over pricing for two items: a Glidecam Smooth Shooter with the 4000 Pro or a 35 MM Adapter (either the M2 or possibly the SG Pro). Both are in a price range that is reasonable to me.


Of course though it is a matter of personal preference and right now I have no idea which one is worth the full investment. With the Glidecam it will take time to learn it on my own, if I don't take the crash course offered in Massachusetts. With the 35 MM adapter, I will need lenses, follow focus, etc...

From anyone's personal experiences with either one or the other, what would you think is the way to go?

I'll have more details posted along this thread but I'd figure I start off with just the basic info here.

Thanks!
 
Not even close IMO - get the 35mm adapter. You can use it on every shot and you won't need to practice for hours to become good with it.
 
need a bit more information PeeDee.

Because if you are more into documentary style filmmaking, i would definitely argue to get the glidecam.

go to youtube.com search jdubsky, and check out my prague shorts ( visited prague last year, and brought my glidecam 2000 pro with the dvx100b and the arm brace )

it is astounding how practical this thing is. The flexibility and the production value it gives your every shot is amazing. being able to boom with it is also a great tool.
 
Yeah... more info. Are we talking just for a documentary? if so, I'd say neither, and invest my money in other gear like AUDIO.

What type of doc? outdoor or indoor? interviews? etc...

-brown
 
Well the documentary is just one thing that I'm doing basically on my own. I wrapped up a feature about kids training to become wrestlers. The second would probably be based around the idea of "story", the gimmicks and what it takes to run a show.

However, on my freelance front, I'm working with a sketch comedy troupe, shooting both shows and sketches for their website; the first shoot is within a week but wouldn't require a 35mm or any special camera moves, in fact it's more fitting the documentary style work of say a Christopher Guest film.

I love shooting hand held and have a Cavision Rig and I'm intrigued about the idea of doing such smooth shooting with a glidecam, especially new styles I want to try.

It's all about preference and I wish I could say I have one set idea, but I'll see something that will change my mind.

I'll have more details on the sketch stuff
 
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Hehe I know....I just keep getting different opinions from friends and colleagues, which I all respect but this is something I know that I will be satisfied with. I'm leaning towards the glidecam right now. Man...I should have made a poll :)
 
pcascio said:
Not even close IMO - get the 35mm adapter. You can use it on every shot and you won't need to practice for hours to become good with it.
Click to expand...


I beg to differ.... IT takes quite abit of skill to get good results with one. it aint just slapping it on. you have to light for it, adjust, etc...


PD, Dude i was where you were, 2 years ago. Use your nest egg and get the FLEXIBLE tool that can make you money in the long run. Everyone has a 35 adapter, but not everyone is a good Glidecam/steadi cam opertor. For Docs, sketches, and short films, the Glidecam will get you work. MAKE SURE you advertise that.

If yo uhave your heart set on a 35 adapter, the SGpro is imo a better option. but to each their own.
 
TimurCivan said:
I beg to differ.... IT takes quite abit of skill to get good results with one. it aint just slapping it on. you have to light for it, adjust, etc...
Click to expand...

I second this as well. You must plan a lot more when staging any shot with an adapter. If you do it right the images will look amazing. If you don't get the focus right it will look amateurish.
I have both (adapter & glidecam). I bought the adapter first since I have no notions of being a certified glidecam/steadicam operator. The glidecam is sweet for dynamic shots where a static angle would be just bland. The adapter gives you that shallow focus. Think about quality of the image versus camera movement. Which one is more important to you right now?
Jgastelb
 
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I suggest the M2. Its the best investment i've ever made. It does take alot of getting used to, especially if your going to do any hand held stuff. Glide cam is great to, but there are cheaper ways to get the same effect. You can't
"truly " fudge depth of field. that just my 2 cents.
 
Hey sorry, been away for the last few days on a few jobs, which means more money to set aside. To answer some questons:

I don't own any professional sound equipment aside from a shotgun mic, fishpole, and XLR cables. If I was to get a DAT recorder it would be a rental.

Things have changed and the 35MM Adpater might serve me better since I will have access to an HVX through a contact/family friend. With the remainder of my cash, I'm looking to expand my RAM and hard drives for my G5.
 
Wayne Kinney said:
And if you ever get an SGpro AND a glide cam, your rig will look something like this:

http://www.lostlegends.de/gfx/_pics/steadycam.mov

Im sure you will make the right choose for you...
Click to expand...

I always wondered about this. how do you use adaptor with any steadicam? don't you have to adjust the focus everytime you move? like in that video, the steadicam guy is moving back and forward and not even touching the focus ring.. wouldn't the woman, the subject, be in and out of focus? unless they're intentional...
 
hey, peewee

I got m2 adapter (indie bundle) and three lenses for sale if you intersting pm me..
I got in march of 07 did some test shot and haven't touch since
 
wonderedby said:
I always wondered about this. how do you use adaptor with any steadicam? don't you have to adjust the focus everytime you move? like in that video, the steadicam guy is moving back and forward and not even touching the focus ring.. wouldn't the woman, the subject, be in and out of focus? unless they're intentional...
Click to expand...
Anyone?
 
that should be adequate as far as sound is concerned. a dat would be nice. as far as rubix's question i believe there are focus pullers using remote focuses to keep the subject's in focus.
 
Wayne Kinney said:
And if you ever get an SGpro AND a glide cam, your rig will look something like this:

http://www.lostlegends.de/gfx/_pics/steadycam.mov

Im sure you will make the right choose for you...
Click to expand...


Is that you Wayne?
If so; you really need to evaluate & improve your posture before you seriously hurt your back. :eek:


---

I see a ZOE on that rig - but I fail to see how it would provide for any mroe control than Start/Stop. Once you use an adapter to mount an aditional "replacement" lens, you need to control that lens - and that normally means external focus, zoom, and iris -motors & controlers. Basic wireless FF with a motor runs around $4k new - per channel. - so $12k if you want full FIZ.

...Yes, the subject in the video is probabaly goign in-and-out of focus as the operator moves.


- Mikko
 
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