Anyone tried this steadicam?

Car3o said:
Sucks if you don't like it you can't return it.
Click to expand...

A no returns policy alone is enough to stay clear of any product.

If the manufacturer won't stand behind their product, should you?

- Mikko
 
Hey, Mikko, you're the authority when it comes to these matters. Is there any system like the DV Sportster around for 700$? BH has a kit DV Sportster+VZ-Ultralite for 999$ plus shipping.

Another question, do you think the DV Sportster+VZ-Ultralite combo can handle a Canon A with a 35mm adapter and a heavy lens?
 
just from a purely technical standpoint (and without testing it) I can extrapolate the following:

the stabilizer itself looks OK. It's a copy of the GlideCam and I can't see how it wouldn't work the same way. it looks a bit thin and rickety tho. but that's what you get

the articulating arm has two issues: 1. the joint between the bottom and the top part looks very badly placed and I can see an operator getting in trouble if he/she wants to move the joint from left to right while shooting. it's too rigid. 2. the arm is short and too high. you'll bang your arms on it all the time

the vest will kill your belly and your back. as far as I can tell it's just a sling around your neck (really bad) and a belt around your waist. as a result all the stress will be placed on your neck and the rig will put huge pressure on your belly. looks uncomfortable. Notice how when the full rig is on with the camera the arm seems to "lean" forward? that's because the vest is of inferior quality. proper steadicam/glidecam vests are like hard armour for a reason. and they have proper back support etc.

All this being said I have not tested this rig and it might be good for the price. I would probably buy it somewhere else where I could return it if it turns out to be crap tho :o)

mor10
 
I too have been thinking about one of these...let me know if you buy one, I'd like a tester. Of course I already have a glidecam, so I could also be a tester...I'll be gone soon but when I get back I'm gonna check this thread, see whats up.
 
Hey Meta4, how is the glidecam working for you? what camera do you use it with? do you have the 2000 or the 4000? For around 700$ you could use it with the dv sportster.
 
The value of Steadicam, and these systems.

The value of Steadicam, and these systems.

Ok guys (&gals), you should realize that something that does what a Steadicam does for under $10grand is a steal (Which makes the Flyer an exceptionaly good deal!). The big rigs used to make feature films cost as much as $66,000 - without accessories.
Dooing it properly for under $5 grand is almost impossible.
Hoping for a vest supported system that has the smooth performance for delicate and Precise Steadicam operating for under $1000 is a pipe dream.

If you are willing to accept compromises, then you can spend less.

Read my review of the Varizoom stabilizers here: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=65344&page=2
All their rigs are basically the same with small differences. For example the Sporster is the is the same as the Aviator vest & arm, except it only has one sprung section on the arm. Most of my observations can be applied to any Varizoom rig.


Ok, so what about this guy who makes a knockoff of the varizoom (Originally a knockoff of the Steadicam)?
I haven't used his gear, so I can't comment in depth. But I will say that the build quality looks ok, but hard to say online really. Given that the 'original' Varizoom design isn't under patent (beacuse it's allready a imtation), there is no reason that this guy can't make an identical system.
Tha beeing said, when first I saw this system on e-bay a few monthes back, I was in deed curious about the vest that we never see the back of.
He sent me a picture:
ComfortArmVestBack.jpg

The good news is that it doesn't just go behind the neck, the bad news is that there is no padding to distribute the load at all. Far from a Comfortable vest!

The Sled of course is a direct rip of the Glidecam 4000 (which again is a copy of the Steadicam). Again, I can't speak for performance. But *if* the gimble is ok, there is no reason that it shouldn't work.

Mor10 is correct that the arm's design & mounting point prevent the sled from moving across the operator's body (same problem with the Varizoom rigs). So doing a switch (cahnging shootign direction during a shot) is basically impossible.

Will it "work" (stabilize [to a dgree] a basic walking shot)? It should.
Will be alow you to get paticularly creative with great performance? Lets just say it's like saying a Canon ZR60 is teh same as teh DVX - they both shoot DV, right?
Will it be comfterble. Well the vest & arm *will* hold the weight, but it will play hell on yoru back, and I can't say that you could safly go any longer than just using the sled handheld.
I'm a profesional operator who depends on having a good back, I wouldn't risk mine to that vest for a shoot.
Would I use it? No.

- Mikko
 
Thanks for all the in depth info, Mikko. Very very insightful. I understand that from a profesional steadicam operator's point of view you simply MUST have the best. But for the day to day shooter who cannot afford big expensive equipment I think (I THINK!) it's probably better to work with a dv sportster kit than to do a 8 hour shoot holding the camera on his hand. I never used ANY stabilizers, so this is all conjecture, hence the post here at dvxuser. Another thing I wanted to ask you is about the Steadicam Merlin. I went to your website and I saw you use one. Now, this is something that costs only a bit less than the dv sportster kit. From my point of view, from just looking at both devices, I would think the DV sportster would be a better option (once again I must repeat that I know nothing of this matter). What do you say? I'm looking into options to stabilize a Canon A1 with a 35mm adapter (with NO rod support). What are my options here?
 
mikkowilson said:
If you are willing to accept compromises, then you can spend less.
Click to expand...
That's what it all boils down to.


If you want to dicuss the Merlin in more depth, start a new, or continue an old seperate thread.

However I'll very shortly answer your question:
Sportster = vest mounted rig, therefore more features. (You don't have to hold it). But done economically to keep a low price.
Merlin = handheld rig, less "features", however it does what it does at a much higher quality and precision.

The Merlin is a GREAT handheld rig. The Sportster is a usable full rig.
Almost a "Quality vs Quantity" thing really.

The type (handheld or with vest) of rig you decide on depens on your shot needs (how long, what type, how critical, etc..), your budget, and what is available to buy. Remember to also consider why you want Steadicam type shots in the first place. Every shot needs motivation.

- Mikko
 
If you're not trying to be a full-time steadicam operator check out and see if the Magiqcam from Animagique is still around. Their website is, but I don't see much on the product.

it's no steadicam and I'm sure that comment will come along in this thread, but if you need something that works well, is fairly comfortable and is affordable it's a great way to go.

I'm a indie filmmaker, which means that I do a lot of different things on a set so I'm no stedi-pro, but the price and function are good enough to keep it and own it if I need it.
 
Magiqam was a decent rig, but their prodcution slipped. A lot of peopel payed their money (around $2k) and never recived anything. Or if they did, it took MONTHES to hear or recive anything.

Stay clear of it. Seriously.

Ind!cam is a decent rig. And Terry is a very nice guy. Good way to go if you are on a tight budget. Nice and portable too.

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
Magiqam was a decent rig, but their prodcution slipped. A lot of peopel payed their money (around $2k) and never recived anything. Or if they did, it took MONTHES to hear or recive anything.

Stay clear of it. Seriously.

Ind!cam is a decent rig. And Terry is a very nice guy. Good way to go if you are on a tight budget. Nice and portable too.

- Mikko
Click to expand...


Wow. That explains a lot Mikko. Thanks.

Really too bad. It took about 4 weeks to get mine, which I knew was going to happen and then when I broke a strap they had it fixed within a weeks time.

Then again i bought mine probably two years ago. Sad to hear, because mine is pretty nice all and all.

ALSO: I forgot in my last post to mention that if you have a bit of budget and don't want to be a professional, just hire a pro and do it the way it should be done. :)
 
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