hasselblad
Well-known member
Is there a good alternative for the Steadicam flyer or Zephyr systems? Have you used Glidecam x-22? Comparable?
I want to fly a Canon 5d with lens.
I want to fly a Canon 5d with lens.
Alternative for Steadicam flyer or Zephyr?
- Thread starter hasselblad
- Start date
Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
And how will you pull focus?
morgan_moore
Major Contributor
the cheaper Pilot will do a DSLR
G
Guest
Guest
Haha, would you fly a 5d without a lens? Cheesy joke, i know.
Yeah, the cheaper pilot looks good for dslr.
The merlin will give you more boom range, but less control.
I've played around with the glidecam xr-1000, and I say stay away from it, as it was difficult to align the camera because as you tighten the screws the position shifts. Though I imagine with practice, you could begin to predict the shift and get some good results.
If you have a remote follow focus, maybe the pilot is the best option.
Though as long as you are not doing extremely long takes, or take after take, for more dynamic moves, I am sure a handheld like the Merlin or some of the glidecam options, could still accommodate some short light rods and a motor. 5d is pretty light. That is if money is super tight. just my opinion.
Sad that the x22 changed the sled style. The v25, while not as user friendly, had more configuration options. The x22 arm is better on the boom, supposedly. I have never used one, but don't doubt it.
I own a v25, and Glidecam has been great with customer service. I am selling my v25 and a Bartech+Heden if you want to PM me.
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hasselblad
Well-known member
Thanks so much! I will look into the merlin as well! It would be great for weddings where space is tight...
G
Guest
Guest
No problem. Have fun. =)
G
Guest
Guest
Skill!
Cheesycam did a short video on some options in Arm/Vests and claim to have found a good one for like $800:
Wieldy Dual ISO Arm Vest Video Stabilizer.
Wieldy Dual ISO Arm Vest Video Stabilizer.
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G
Guest
Guest
cool. The basic steadicam design is not too complicated. Almost anything with precision fluid gimbals will get you 80% of the way there. Though be careful about those really cheap $50 merlin knock offs. The gimbal was so bad, it defeated the purpose of even trying to be a steadicam.
Andrew Stone
Veteran
If it is a 5D without much gak, you could use a Pilot. If you want to read up on comparisons between Glidecam and a Flyer simply use Google. Lots of threads over the years on Steadicam & Stabilizer forums. Frankly, I think you should stick with a Flyer. I assume money is the issue so a Zephyr wouldn't be in the cards. You can pick up a good used Flyer for 4 grand or less. The Flyer arm is one of the best out there in any weight range for it's isoelasticity, the vest for it is good as well and the gimble is as smooth as silk.
A Preston. Natch! Seriously, Matt has an excellent point. Even with a wide angle lens on a full frame VDSLR, you are going to have difficulty nailing focus. Almost impossible actually unless you have someone riding shotgun pulling focus.
Given your apparent price sensitivity, you aren't going to like the price of wireless follow focus units which start around $3500 for a used single channel system, like an analogue Bartech and an M1 motor.