GH5 A light but effective steadycam for GH5?

filmguy123 said:
Electronic gimbal won't break immediately, I have taken mine all over the world. BUT they are definitely more fragile especially in rough conditions.

A steadicam is a piece of metal. It's super robust. Safe to bring most anywhere. The blackbird actually folds down quite small, you can remove the bottom bar and re-attach easily for travel. Blackbird cannot be used inverted, Glidecam can be. But is not as easy to balance and learn as blackbird.

However, steadicam or blackbird both take time to learn, and even longer to master. Gimbal can be learned very quickly, better to be ready to use quickly and without much practice.

For both, you must learn and master proper balancing. Many people do not.
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While I agree a gimbal is waaaaaaaaaay more fragile than a steadicam, even a steadicam needs to be looked after. You get grit or sand into the bearings and it will be bad news for you.
 
FoxAdriano said:
Every electronic gimbal frightens me for 2 reasons: 1) It isn't so robust that can break in the place where I usually go (bush, rainforest, etc). Probably even the humidity can't make it work well. 2) I can't use a smartphone to manage it when I will be in those places. It seems Zhiyun Crane plus has the button on the handle to start and stop the video for GH5. Is it right?

Out of curiosity: Zhiyun-Tech Crane Plus is a new model or there is also an old model?
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You don't need cellular reception to use a smartphone with a gimbal, all you need is for the smartphone to be charged up (which is no more difficult than keep your gimbal or camera charged up!).



FoxAdriano said:
I can't do it with my smartphone because I always shoot where there is no electricity to charge batteries.
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Ohhhhh....... then how are you ever going to charge your camera batteries??? Ditto a gimbal

FoxAdriano said:
But I will buy some batteries for gimbal. Are they hard to find online?
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How long are you going to be away from power at a time? If more than a couple of days, maybe four, then you really really need to have some way of charging your batteries up while out in the field rather than just lugging more and more batteries along.
 
FoxAdriano said:
I have Zhiyun-Tech Crane Plus for 2 days and I have just decided to sell it. I don't like it. ;)
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Yesterday I picked up a Steadicam Solo. I tried it out yesterday afternoon. It’s nice. It balances nicely and also doubles as a monopod - clever. No batteries! They don’t produce them anymore so you need to find a used one.
 
IronFilm said:
How long are you going to be away from power at a time? If more than a couple of days, maybe four, then you really really need to have some way of charging your batteries up while out in the field rather than just lugging more and more batteries along.
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I will be without electricity for more than 10 days but I have 20 batteries for my GH5.
 
Bern Caughey said:
Gimbals are not for everyone, & wonder what you don’t like?
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1) it's heavy and I can't use it in the places where I go. I always sleep in a tent. The sun pulverizes the brain and consumes energy.
2) I saw it very delicate and fragile.
3) When I clicked on the "Mode" button, I did not know what option I could get because there is no small display.
4) I have a GH5 with a Leica 12-60mm + ND variable filter + hood and many times the lens clashed against the crane's arms.
I have just sold it.
 
I just looked at the stuff you shoot- I would keep it simple the GH5 with the 12-60 is probably a very good combo maybe add a fast manual prime like the Voigtlander 17.5mm f0.95 or a 25mm f0.95.
I wouldn't drag a gimbal into that kind of location maybe something like this:

http://www.promediagear.com/VRH21-VIDEO-CAGE-W-PBX3-UNIVERSAL-ARCA-PLATE_p_226.html

its all an area swiss plate that goes on a tripod (which I wold leave behind as well)


FoxAdriano said:
1) it's heavy and I can't use it in the places where I go. I always sleep in a tent. The sun pulverizes the brain and consumes energy.
2) I saw it very delicate and fragile.
3) When I clicked on the "Mode" button, I did not know what option I could get because there is no small display.
4) I have a GH5 with a Leica 12-60mm + ND variable filter + hood and many times the lens clashed against the crane's arms.
I have just sold it.
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icarusfilm said:
I just looked at the stuff you shoot- I would keep it simple the GH5 with the 12-60 is probably a very good combo maybe add a fast manual prime like the Voigtlander 17.5mm f0.95 or a 25mm f0.95.
I wouldn't drag a gimbal into that kind of location maybe something like this:

http://www.promediagear.com/VRH21-VIDEO-CAGE-W-PBX3-UNIVERSAL-ARCA-PLATE_p_226.html

its all an area swiss plate that goes on a tripod (which I wold leave behind as well)
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I'm sorry for my inexperience but how can you grab that gadget with two hands and to shoot in fhe fluid way? May be it is better: https://vary-i.com/ even if more expensive.
 
It adds a lot of stability I use it sometimes with the gh5s which doesn't have IBIS in very low light situations with a non stabilized prime when a using a gimbal isn't possible.
combined with the IBIS and the OIS it should get you very fluid results. Its cheap sturdy and doesn't require any "care"
 
icarusfilm said:
I also use these:
https://www.amazon.com/G-Cup-EVF-Eyecup-Panasonic-GH5s/dp/B0721Z18HV
combined with:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/444671-REG/Blue_Star_20133_Blue_Star_20133_Large.html

that eyecup stabilizes the whole thing further by getting a better point of contact with your face, the eyecushion stops fogging.

The eye cup pressed against your face the hand jitters insulated from the camera body by the handles all together makes a huge difference.
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Could you tell me about Bluestar Round Large Microfiber Eyecushion please? I don't understand how I can use it. Where do I have to apply it precisely? And what precise function does it have?

I'd like a lot to buy also G-Cup EVF Eyecup but it seems incredible, I can't find it in Europe. What a pity!
I need them in 13-4 days. Thanks for some info.
 
You can get it on eBay:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/173434802873

The eyecushion goes on top of the eyecup



FoxAdriano said:
Could you tell me about Bluestar Round Large Microfiber Eyecushion please? I don't understand how I can use it. Where do I have to apply it precisely? And what precise function does it have?

I'd like a lot to buy also G-Cup EVF Eyecup but it seems incredible, I can't find it in Europe. What a pity!
I need them in 13-4 days. Thanks for some info.
Click to expand...
 
the Eyecushion is really a godsend when shooting in hot humid environments it stops sweat from poring into you viewfinder, it lets air through and prevents fogging and its generally more pleasant on the skin than rubber or plastic. I would grab a few and get an extra G-cup as a backup- I guarantee you once you try it you won't want to shoot without it.

QUOTE=FoxAdriano;1986762424]Could you tell me about Bluestar Round Large Microfiber Eyecushion please? I don't understand how I can use it. Where do I have to apply it precisely? And what precise function does it have?

I'd like a lot to buy also G-Cup EVF Eyecup but it seems incredible, I can't find it in Europe. What a pity!
I need them in 13-4 days. Thanks for some info.[/QUOTE]
 
FoxAdriano said:
I'm thinking to buy it: https://vary-i.com/ But I will make another post because I'd like to know more info about it.
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I use to use Varavon’s “EX Loupe for the GH3”. Liked it enough that I even owned a backup.

https://youtu.be/hU_nHD0OUrw

The Varavon wasn’t as well built as the VARY-i, but because of the way it broke down, took up considerably less space in a bag/backpack. Even though the LCD’s pixels were clearly visible when using the loupe it did facilitate better manual focus, & the ability to swivel was great. Also loved that it required no batteries, & didn’t suffer HDMI lag.

It’s great that the VARY-i has a built-in Shutter to protect the LCD from getting burnt by Sunlight focused onto it by the Loupe, & if you buy one be sure to use this feature often as it only takes a couple of seconds of exposure to do real damage.

The downsides of the Varavon, & the VARY-i, was the bulk when built, & the inability to plug-in headphones when the loupe was swiveled upwards. Also the mic had to have a right-angle plug, & even then, might have restricted some of the tilt, but I could be remembering this wrong. And, of course, the HDMI plug was inaccessible.

The Varavon was only on the market for a very short time, which I found odd, & doesn’ fit the GH5, so it’s good to see VARY-i now fills that roll. If the VARI-i fit my Movcam cage I’d likely buy one today, but I need a cage for my 5” monitor, & the one VARY-i offers is too bulky for my needs.

I’ve met with Panasonic a couple of times to discuss features for future cameras & my number one request was always for an EVF that could swivel upwards.
 
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Bern Caughey said:
I use to use Varavon’s “EX Loupe for the GH3”. Liked it enough that I even owned a backup.

https://youtu.be/hU_nHD0OUrw

The Varavon wasn’t as well built as the VARY-i, but because of the way it broke down, took up considerably less space in a bag/backpack. Even though the LCD’s pixels were clearly visible when using the loupe it did facilitate better manual focus, & the ability to swivel was great. Also loved that it required no batteries, & didn’t suffer HDMI lag.

It’s great that the VARY-i has a built-in Shutter to protect the LCD from getting burnt by Sunlight focused onto it by the Loupe, & if you buy one be sure to use this feature often as it only takes a couple of seconds of exposure to do real damage.

The downsides of the Varavon, & the VARY-i, was the bulk when built, & the inability to plug-in headphones when the loupe was swiveled upwards. Also the mic had to have a right-angle plug, & even then, might have restricted some of the tilt, but I could be remembering this wrong. And, of course, the HDMI plug was inaccessible.

The Varavon was only on the market for a very short time, which I found odd, & doesn’ fit the GH5, so it’s good to see VARY-i now fills that roll. If the VARI-i fit my Movcam cage I’d likely buy one today, but I need a cage for my 5” monitor, & the one VARY-i offers is too bulky for my needs.

I’ve met with Panasonic a couple of times to discuss features for future cameras & my number one request was always for an EVF that could swivel upwards.
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In my opinion VARY-i is a good option for my GH5 but what it baffles me is that it is very little known. Every guy recommends not to use it. Even in Euope it is impossible to find it. Nobody uses it and I'm thinking: why do I have to buy it? ;)
I don't know if I will buy it because I don't like to see an almost blurred LCD screen. But maybe there is no choise. ;) I will think about it.
 
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