Any cool new steady cam gear at NAB at indie prices?

G

Gillvane

Veteran
Anyone see any new steady cam gear for DSLRs, like something that would work with the Black Magic camera?

I've seen lots of coverage of new gear like this:

http://vimeo.com/40868773

But so far haven't run across any new and inexpensive for a basic steady cam.
 
Gillvane said:
Anyone see any new steady cam gear for DSLRs, like something that would work with the Black Magic camera?

I've seen lots of coverage of new gear like this:

http://vimeo.com/40868773

But so far haven't run across any new and inexpensive for a basic steady cam.
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I don't know how cheap you want to go but I've been a Merlin owner for 4 years now and absolutely love it EXCEPT that it's hard as %$#@ to set up. The only thing that's cheaper and holds a candle to it is the Blackbird. If I was buying again I might seriously consider the Blackbird since it's almost half the price and sets up a little easier. It is bigger and not as compact in tight spaces though. There's always a trade off.

I know in this day & age everyone wants quality gear for next to nothing but $470 for a good stabilizer is a freaking steal. Heck, $800 for all my Merlin has done for me over the years might be the best investment in gear I've ever made.
 
Honestly, I didn't see anything new at NAB in the budget-steadicam range. I think the Merlin and Blackbird are still going to be your best bets.
 
Well, what are the opinions regarding the "CineZip: A slider upside down"?

What subset of total needs of steadiness is this likely to be able to address, excluding run and gun ? (i.e. "Excuse me while I climb these two poles to set up my slider").

I suppose if you were a telephone lineman in a former life, this might be easy going.

The vimeo shows a DLSR. Will it take a 5 lb AC160?

How will clients relate to this ? Would they wierd out on you or say, what the heck, it's new technology.
 
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I am really hard pressed to think of what question the Cinezip answers when used in a manually operated mode as seen in that NAB footage. Unlike a standard slider (or a good stabilizer), which should provide a very smooth and controlled move, this will produce images that look roughly like handheld without the footsteps. However you are limited to a specific path and height.

Where I could see this being useful would be in an overhead situation like the point to point cable systems in use at the Extreme Games etc.; with a wide lens pointing down, this could be a good tool.

The two major things that separate this from the pro cable systems are remote pan and tilt and a stabilized platform. So again: limited use, and an effect that only approximates what it is trying to emulate.

As a point of comparison, a Merlin or Blackbird in the right hands can duplicate the look of the most expensive bodymount stabilizer with little to no compromise. It takes plenty of practice and talent to do so, but the hardware is capable. I'm sure someone will come up with some interesting shots with the CineZip but I think it's more of a wow factor than a clever design.
 
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