The $40 Steadycam vs. Merlin

Hmm.....

James, if I could make suggestion. For a hardware store, pipe stabilizer, it's not bad. Market your product simply by focusing on your product and its good features. I would avoid comparing it to the other stabilizers out there because it's really an apples to oranges comparison. Let your product sit on its own and it'll find its own niche little market.
 
It's not my product man. I did not make this to help this guys business either.
The version I made is different from the one on the website. But someone asked
for a link to the site that gave me the idea.

I'm not selling my idea either. I will post video, then post a picture, then post
directions. and thats it.

This all started by me feeling that some of us are getting ripped off by some
of these companys who market their product as pro results, and easy to use.
That to me is Bull. The Glidescam is too heavy for a modest videographer.
 
Sorry about the mistake - it seemed as though the site was yours. Although if you chat with those folks, feel free to pass along my thoughts.

With the small exception of a couple companies to remain nameless around the world, I don't really feel as though any stabilizers could be considered rip-offs. Most I've come across are priced appropriately given their construction, performance and target market. It really is a get-what-you-pay-for kind of deal. This goes for the ones like yours all the way through the big rigs and beyond. If you decide to venture further into building your own rigs, the minute details that separate one from the other will begin to present themselves.

Best,
Afton
 
PaPa said:
Hello Devon, welcome to reality.
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?????
:huh:

Thanks?


PaPa said:
sigh. where is mikko.
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Yes, he is severely needed.

OP said:
And for those who are discrediting the DIY version, maybe you
didnt make it right, or don't know how to use it right. I don't know?
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Yes, I am very bad at screwing pipe and fittings together.


I assure you that all places marketing these DIY POS are applying some form of "Steadimove" in post to their example videos.
 
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I won't. I will walk up and down the steps right into a mirror.

But I'm starting to see Afton Grants pov, and maybe as I venture more into the DIY.
I will see what set's them apart from one another.
 
I've built one of the home depot ones, and I can tell you it's useless as far as I'm concerned. All it does is put the camera off balance and make it sway almost uncontrollable instead of shake.
 
My God people.... Read what I am typing.

I use a gimble like handle on my DIY rig. It adds a world of balance and smoothness to it.

I can't speak for the standard hardware version.
 
Could you post some footage so we can take a look at the quality of what the unit can produce?
 
Man am I eating my words now.
I went into low mode to shoot what was going to be a sick ass scene.
And the DIY steady cam broke, causing my camera to break the jog wheel.

So by trying to save $1000 I lost $4000.

My Merlin is by far better than the home made pvc one.
I still think the Glidescam 4000 is a joke.
 
Which one is easier to balance, the Merlin or the Glidecam Pro/Smooth shooter?

and why in this world of video do we need to balance them. Isn't there a no balance solution out there yet?
 
Hey, there you go. You're first bit of R&D!

Just kidding around, James. Very sorry to hear about your camera. Thanks for being so honest and sharing your story though. It's an excellent example that, when trying to save money, there are other costs to consider other than the immediate purchase costs.

Some of the cameras we put on our big rigs are $300,000+. Imagine if one of those fell to the ground?? Reliability is one reason why the gear that supports it is so expensive. If something fails, you could not only lose your gear, and someone else's gear, but you'll likely never be hired by the same people ever again. Nothing is more valuable than a good reputation.

All the best, James, getting back up and running.
 
James in HD said:
Looks very close to the Merlin gimble and is exactly like the Modosteady gimble. You can get them at The Home Depot for under $10.
This causes my system to be 100% balanced.
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I made one similar to the one you made but didn't use PVC for the main component, I used a monopod I had that has an adjustable head on it. I did use PVC for the side handle. I set it up so that the handle is easily removable so I can still use it as a monopod. Looking for something to use as a removable weight -- may use an ankle weight.

Could you tell me exactly what you used as a gimble? I like that idea and there's a Home Depot near by. Thanks.
 
It was a handle made for a compressor spray gun. It's to be used as a second handle
to keep a good grip when the pressure is on, and it moves in all directions.

Thank God I have insurance on all my equipment, I just settled today. I still lost
$500 due to the deductable, and that's enough to learn my lesson.

Thanks for all the feed back. I'm finding out how much I need it.
 
James in HD said:
It was a handle made for a compressor spray gun. It's to be used as a second handle to keep a good grip when the pressure is on, and it moves in all directions..
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Thanks, I'll go looking in the paint gun department. You don't happen to have a snap of your setup, pre-break, do you? Check your private messages.

Thank God I have insurance on all my equipment, I just settled today. I still lost $500 due to the deductable, and that's enough to learn my lesson.
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Ouch! How far and hard of a drop was it?
 
No I don't have a pic, but I still have the set up so I can take a pic.

Well I was going to go into low mode, I connected the camera, and as I went to
put it into low mode to test the feel of it, it just broke off on the end and down
went the camera, so it actually fell from about 4 feet. ShittY!
 
James in HD said:
No I don't have a pic, but I still have the set up so I can take a pic.
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I, and I'm sure others, would appreciate it. I went to HD yesterday and didn't see anything, so it would help to know exactly what I was looking for. Print out the picture and ask where I can find it. "Oh, that's in DIY Steadycam parts, isle 24." :smile:

Well I was going to go into low mode, I connected the camera, and as I went to
put it into low mode to test the feel of it, it just broke off on the end and down
went the camera, so it actually fell from about 4 feet. shi*tY!
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Dang! Serious bummer.
 
that sucks. my previous question still stands. :laugh:

which is more easier to balance, the merlin or the glidecam 4000 pro? why is the glidecam only $499 btw?
 
gosh darn it! the merlin has a weight limit plus i returned mine after 3 days of constant battle.
 
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