Another stabilizer/monitor question!

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danieln

New member
Hey Im looking to buy a camera stabilizer. Everyone here seems to say the Glidecam and Flyer for best....How much is a Flyer exactly??? If I cant afford that...can a glidecam hold accessories? What kind of monitor would be good to use on a glidecam or just in general??

Does anyone recommend any other accessories to get professional looking stuff from this camera. I already use a light kit and Polarizer so i dont need those, would a matte box be worht anything for the price? I also heard the 35mm slr adapter was no good and I should rent a cine lens adapter and lenses?
 
Howdy,

The answers to your questions are all dependent on what it is you want to do. What do you want to shoot? What do you want to be hired for? How much money do you have?

Regarding the stabilizers, they vary greatly. If you're quite serious about it, the Flyer is the best low-end rig, by far. The simplicity and construction are simply unbeatable. The base rig with necessary accessories (batteries, etc) is around $7 - $8k. If you're just looking for a tool to play around with, that will smooth out your shots, check out the Steadicam Merlin. It's well under $1k and produces amazing results for such a simple device.

Different rigs (Glidecams and all) can hold different amounts of accessories. Again, it all depends on which you get and what you need. If you've got money to blow, get whatever you like. If you're on a budget, however, you really need to think about what you need.

Let me know if you've got more specific questions.

Best of luck.
 
What camera do you use? And what do you want to do with it? Also is it going to be used in the context of a hobby, or is it for paying jobs?

You should do a search as many people have asked the same question the past 2-3 weeks. As always you get what you pay for, a $400 glidcam isn't going to give you the same results as a 7k Flyer...
 
I just picked up the Glidecam 2000 after initially wanting the Merlin. Both are pretty good, but in terms of budget, the merlin is 2-3 times as expensive. It has more polish and is generally considered easier to use, but if you're like me, the extra $500 could go toward something else. The glidecam causes wrist strain, while the Merlin is much better in this regard. Search for this topic...I have one not too far down.
 
Alternative_3 said:
I just picked up the Glidecam 2000 after initially wanting the Merlin. Both are pretty good, but in terms of budget, the merlin is 2-3 times as expensive. It has more polish and is generally considered easier to use, but if you're like me, the extra $500 could go toward something else. The glidecam causes wrist strain, while the Merlin is much better in this regard. Search for this topic...I have one not too far down.
Click to expand...

Good for you, glad it worked out. Let us know how it goes...
 
Hey, thanks for your reply. Basically I want to use this to do tracking shots and dolly shots, like sideways tracking, and follow shots. Nothing crazy, no running really. I do get paid to film events and make short videos, but not enough to get the flyer. The items I want to rig up to it are like a monitor and a mic.
 
SomewhereinLA said:
Good for you, glad it worked out. Let us know how it goes...
Click to expand...

Yep, I appreciate all of the advice. The glidecam just came in today and I just started trying to balance it about an hour ago. So far, I'm having a hard time with the vertical. But I'll be practicing all weekend.
 
Hi

I like to know if anyone can tell me how glidecam 2000 & Merlin fair as far as achieving a dolly style shots? I want to use my DVX100b + Battery and a wireless MIC to shoot some cross , follwshots and sideways ... lidek dolly style shots?

1 - Can I acheive good result using Merlin or Gildecam?
2 - I have read the threads a.. but I still not sure what is the best option for
me.
3 - With a battery and wireless mic and battery on dvx100b ..
Which system handles the weight better and produces best result?

4 - Is there a demo of the Glidecam anywhere? I saw few on Merlin ..


Before you answer ,, I cannot afford the $7000 rigs .. so my choices are limted to Merling and Glidecam 2000.
 
The right tool for "dolly shots" is, well, a dolly.

Stabilizers are so much more and designed for much more advanced situations.

Good results can be achived with both Merlin and the Glidecam.

The Merlin is by far the lightest and most comfterble (handheld) system to operate. The Glidecam weighs much much more and will strain your wirst. Personally for me that alone is a deal killer.

The "right rig for me" is a combination of shooting needs (what camera, what type of shots, how long shots, rest opertuneties, accessories needed), budget, and personal perefance (how impoertant if operating comfort? Will I use the rig often?, etc..).

- Mikko
 
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