7D Kit Dilemma - Desperately need advice/opinions!

J

Jean Dantes

Well-known member
Guys, I would really love your opinions on my following dilemma.

I’ve had my heart set on buying a 7D by December for some months now.

This is what my shopping list looks like right now:

CAMERA
Canon 7D – $1770.00AUD

LENS
Sigma 30mm F1.4 – $445.00AUD

EXTRA BATTERY
Canon LP-E6 Battery - $65.00AUD

SHOULDER MOUNT STABLISER
Redrock Micro eyeSpy Balance DSLR 2.0 Rig - $810.00USD

EXTERNAL AUDIO RECORDER
Zoom H4N - $319.00USD

FOLLOW FOCUS
D|Focus Version 2 + Lens Gear + Marking Disc - $160.00USD

LCD HOOD
LCDVF ViewFinder - $159.00USD

MEMORY CARD
????? – still yet to pick one

TRIPOD
????? – still yet to pick one


Anyways, long-story-short: the amazing 7D videos of one Brandon Moza (http://www.vimeo.com/user1696981) have thrown a spanner in the works. For those that don’t know what I’m talking about, look here:

http://www.vimeo.com/7886413

http://www.vimeo.com/7764570

http://www.vimeo.com/7405872

Brandon’s setup consists of a Canon 7D + Canon 17-55mm 2.8IS Lens + Glidecam HD-2000.

My main dilemma is this: should I take the $810.00USD that I’m spending on the Redrock Micro eyeSpy Balance DSLR 2.0 Rig and spend it on a Glidecam HD-2000 ($470USD) + Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Lens ($670AUD) (this is the Tamron equivalent to the Canon lens Brandon is using, the only difference, other than the obvious of it not being a Canon lens, is that it isn’t a full-frame lens – the Canon 17-55mm 2.8IS lens sells for $1105AUD down here in Oz).

And if I really need a shoulder-rig, would you guys say this from Cavision is “good enough”:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/531903-REG/Cavision_RS1580S_SPE_RS1580S_SPE_Shoulder_Pad_with.html

(It lacks the counter-balance of the Redrock rig though: http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/it.A/id.923/.f)


And final question: I was really surprised by how well Brandon’s f2.8 lens performed in low-light (here: http://www.vimeo.com/7886413). Would it be a “waste of money” somewhat for me to purchase both the Tamron 17mm-50mm f2.8 and Sigma 30mm f1.4?

I would truly appreciate any opinions! I really need help deciding what to do here. Every dollar I have counts and I’m blowing every dollar I have left on this setup!

Thanks in advance to any replies, much appreciated :)
 
I don't think I'm qualified to suggest any lenses, but I would like to add, if you're getting the glidecam, don't forget a pair of skates and some lessons/membership to a skating rink!
 
Calomile said:
I don't think I'm qualified to suggest any lenses, but I would like to add, if you're getting the glidecam, don't forget a pair of skates and some lessons/membership to a skating rink!
Click to expand...

Hehe, that's what I thought. But you can see in this video that he only used skates (from the looks of it) in the opening shot, the rest looks like no skates:

http://www.vimeo.com/7886413

There are also scenes in this one where he doesn't use skates:

http://www.vimeo.com/7405872

I am more than prepared to spend hours, weeks, or even months, learning how to use the Glidecam HD-2000 if need be.
 
The skates seem to be used on longer "tracking" shots, to get rid of any extra motion that might be transferred to the camera via walking. As you say, a bit impractical to use skates on grass or in confined areas :P

Another thing you might want to consider (since you seem very interested in exploring motion with your camera) is an IndieSlider type system. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=145701 I know that's probably just fueling the fire and adding more (expensive) ideas but you might decide that it's more appropriate for you.

As you say, you'll be spending a while learning to use any type of Steady/Glide cam system, as it's something that can look pretty dodgy if it isn't done properly. My personal opinion would be not to jump straight into the deep end of handheld systems and instead invest in a decent tripod & fluid head. I think there is more utility in that than there is handheld.
 
Thanks for the opinion Calomile :)

I will definitely invest in a decent tripod and fluid head - I've been trying to pick one for a while now.

I've also been thinking of building a ZaZa slider too. I even got Igus Australia's contact info today to give them a call.

Any other opinions on my dilemma? :)
 
Are you shooting more cinematic pieces or more run and gun freeform improv kinda stuff? That will determine where you invest.

A. For a more action/improv look then you prob will do a lot of shoulder mount and walking shots, and I'd recommend getting a REAL support system and a VS or IS optical stabilization lens. For the 7d you really need two hands free to focus and aim etc, so I 'd recommend a system where the full weight of the camera is transferred to a belt or chest harness via a rod/arm support. The IS/VC is a MUST as it eliminates all the minor shaky twitches that look horrible.

B. If you are doing more cinimatic/planned shots, then you will be dollying, panning etc more and your money is better spent on getting a set of cheaper(or maybe not?!), non IS/VC prime lenses (I like sigma primes), as these will give a more pleasing/shallow depth of field, bokeh, contrast, and better overall image quality for interior/low light shots. Then the money you save on shouldermount can be spent on a good head like the Vinten pro6hdv for ~$460 which is just barely adequate. I wish I had invested $1500 or so in a cartoni or satchler head though, with adjustable counterbalance to get better quality drag, my shots would be much less jerky. Most 3 stage tripods with a floor or center spreader will work ok. I have a cheap $200 tripod off ebay with a 75mm bowl that is more solid than a $4500 cartoni tripod!!

Bare minimum tripod I would ever use is the Tiffen provista 75b for $175. I don't like the manfrotto 501 head but I heard the 503 is better.

I'm currently saving to get an entry level satchler though, It's got the most solid and useful drag I've used. It lets you pan at X degrees a sec, and any more than that if you jerk it it resists like a mofo. All other heads I've used even the cartonis adn Vinten will introduce a big jerk or you vary your pan force ( easy to do when dollying while panning)

If anyone has a recommendation for a ~$500 head that pans very well I am all ears.
 
Hmm, as great as the glidecam may be, the restrictions of using a DLSR on one of these things means constructing your shot so that you never need to shift focus. Where as the redrock gear will be much more useful for practical shooting.

So i would say go for the redrock gear, and then when you got a little more to spend, tryout the glidecam.
 
Hey guys, first let me thank everyone that took the time to reply and share their opinions :)


john - I wish to create both cinematic imagery and run and gun. I will be using this mainly for music-videos and short-films, so I guess I am more cinematic than run and gun.

Can you link me to a support system that you recommend?

Since I am coming from an ENG camera background, perhaps it's best I do stick to a shoulder-mounted system for now? If I had the funds, I'd get both! :)

The Tamron lens I mentioned above does have IS (but Tamron calls it "VC" (Vibration Compensation). I hope it perfroms as well as Canon's IS?

Is IS/VC really that important? Does it help with rolling-shutter/skew?

What IS/VC primes are there on the market? I had my heart set on the Sigma 30mm F1.4, dunno if it has IS/VC though...

Also, thanks for the hanfdul of tripods you recommended, I will definitely look into them! :)



PaPa - according to the author of the videos I linked in my first post, when using the 7D + Glidecam, this is what he does: "As for focusing I simply hold the shutter half way to set focus on my subject and make sure to keep the exact same distance between the lens and the subject if i move. I haven't tried focusing while moving with the glidecam; I don't think that's really possible without some sort of external control. If there is going to be a lot of changes between the distance of the subject and the lens i'll close the aperture to reduce depth of field."

Dunno how long that kind of skill takes to perfect though...

How long did it take you to get the hang of the Glidecam?

Since I am coming from an ENG camera background, I am leaning once again towards the Redrock Micro gear...



Martti - that setup looks really cool, but I have never seen anyone use it before. Do you have any footage that was filmed with that rig? Have you used it personally? If so, how did you find it?

Thanks again everyone, much appreciated! :)
 
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