Best current (affordable) steadicam for the 5D?

commanderspike

commanderspike

Carbonite Member
I've been using a B-Hague Mini Motion for my GH1, but the 5D's too heavy for it.

Any ideas for alternatives for under £200?
 
I've got a U-Flycam, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it. It does help, but it's not very easy to balance, and the build quality is suspect. From my research, it seems that there aren't really any satisfactory options below the merlin or blackbird. Some of the glidecam models seem decent, but they're heavy and not much of a savings compared to the merlin and blackbird.
 
Iv got a steadicam jr out on loan right now. It's the precursor to the Merlin. My hv20 was a little too light for it. I'll try my 7d on it as son as i get it back. I'd just be concerned with it being front-heavy, but it should work
 
We put a 5D on a FigRig this week and have been THRILLED with the results. In fact, we've scrapped plans for the Steadicam and dolly. I'd used it before with my DVX and EX1 but something as light as the 5D seems ideal.
 
I've got the blackbird a steadytracker exteme and a steadytracker ultralite because I'm quite unstable. The blackbird is smoother but takes more time to balance so I'd recommend it for film work. The steadytrackers are really quick to balance so more suited to run and gun, they're not as smooth but that's a good thing because sometimes you want a bit of camera movement without the rolling shutter. There's also no gimble on the steadytrackers so you can grab the lens and pull focus.
 
>That looks suspiciously like the manfrotto steadipod which I have some experience with.

Don't think it is. This is a steady cam setup. I will get one soon to check out.
 
Just tried attaching (a lot of) extra weights to my tiny B-Hague Mini Motion and it works fine with the 5D!

In fact, I like it better than my Glidecam 3000 Pro.

Not bad for £69.

Example footage to follow tomorrow.
 
>Just tried attaching (a lot of) extra weights to my tiny B-Hague Mini Motion and it works fine with the 5D!

Pleasse also post some pics. Where did you get the extra weight?

Uwe
 
ustein said:
>That looks suspiciously like the manfrotto steadipod which I have some experience with.

Don't think it is. This is a steady cam setup. I will get one soon to check out.
Click to expand...

It is not in any way shape or form a "steadicam" setup and is of limited use, IMO, and in my experience.
 
ustein said:
>Just tried attaching (a lot of) extra weights to my tiny B-Hague Mini Motion and it works fine with the 5D!

Pleasse also post some pics. Where did you get the extra weight?

Uwe
Click to expand...

Ironically, from a Glidecam 3000 Pro I just bought :grin: and which I'll now probably not need.

The Hague is designed for smaller DV cams, but with a bit of extra balancing weights on the bottom instead of the stock ones which are tiny and light, it can work with the 5D Mark II which is a much heavier camera than the GH1.

See, it works!



The Mini Motion is only available on eBay UK it seems, but they ship world wide. Remember, it will not work out of the box. You need to find some suitably compact weights to attach to the bolt on the bottom and you cannot stack them too high as the bolt isn't very long.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hague-Mini-Mo...odsSupports?hash=item588370b658#ht_2230wt_941
 
Thanks, that helped a lot.

Could you let me know the weight of you custom weight? This way I could copy it.

Uwe
 
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commanderspike said:
Just tried attaching (a lot of) extra weights to my tiny B-Hague Mini Motion and it works fine with the 5D!

In fact, I like it better than my Glidecam 3000 Pro.

Not bad for £69.

Example footage to follow tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Oh man. Be CAREFUL. I tried that and my Hague eventually started to bend under the weight of the 5d with lens. I definitely do NOT recommend it. Plus, it's not a stable setup at all compared with my Glidecam HD2000.

Does it work with the Hague? Yes. Would I recommend it? Absolutely not.
 
ustein said:
>That looks suspiciously like the manfrotto steadipod which I have some experience with.

Don't think it is. This is a steady cam setup. I will get one soon to check out.
Click to expand...
No. That's a hand-held inertial stabilizer based on some of the principles behind the real Steadicam. It is not a Steadicam.



Also, folks; The Steadicam Merlin is a generation newer than the Steadicam JR, you can't really compare the 2 on the same playing field.


And be wary of trying to find the very cheapest you can to support your expensive cameras. Remember that these are expensive cameras & accessories; why put them on the flimsiest knockoff you can find? It's like spending $5000 on a video camera, and then putting it on a $50 Velbon tripod from Walmart. What's the point?

- Mikko
 
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