Best Stabilizer/Steadicam for FS100?

Answer is not easy and depends on many things . If you are not going to use arm and vest ,the best is merlin .It just let you fly longer . But do not forget if you use heavy lens it may be over 2 kg .So you do just a few short shots . Of course you can buy E16mm f2.8 witch is very wide and light .Anyway I recommend you arm+vest like steadycam pilot or something from glidecam or blackbird .
 
There is a ski video on this forum using a FS100 on the Glidecam 4000 Pro, that has sold me on that stabilizer. It has a heavier load capacity than the Merlin. You can use it on a Merlin vest with an adapter from B&H. I have a Merlin, I like it because you can get into tight spaces with it, but it doesn't have capacity for an FS100 with lots of add-ons.

There is a new Merlin out, be sure you don't buy someone's old stock.\

EDIT: the adapter is from Berkey Systems: http://www.berkeysystem.com/store/specialty-items/glidecam-to-steadicam-adapter/
 
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I'm sure those cool ski vids have more to do with having some crazy ski skills then the type of stabilizer used. Most people have enough diffculty skiing let alone operating a stabilized cam at the same time.
 
bimdas said:
I'm sure those cool ski vids have more to do with having some crazy ski skills then the type of stabilizer used. Most people have enough diffculty skiing let alone operating a stabilized cam at the same time.
Click to expand...

If anyone thinks they can deal with the force of the wind in this skiing situation with a Merlin, I would like to hear that endorsement of the Merlin.
 
Hi there,

How long can you go with the blackbird just handheld? I just bought a FS100 and have zero experience with a stabilizer. I also have some pain in my inner elbows and am wondering if the Merlin is the way to go since NO LOGO mentioned it's the least heavy. I can't afford to buy a vest and arm so my options are limited.

Are there other cheap options (under $500) to help with the weight of the stabilizers?

Thanks in advance.
 
I can't imagine filming for too long just handheld stabilizer... I did a whole day's worth of steadicamming with the Pilot and even with the vest and arm, I was exhausted at the end. Without the arm and vest I would have been bed ridden ;P
 
With the blackbird it is easier on my wrist since the point of balance is directly above the handle unlike the glidecam which is in front of the handle. Same as the merlin i believe so I can go a few minutes longer without feeling like I'm doing permanent damage to my wrist joint. About 15 minutes straight at one stage without putting it down. The only annoying thing about the blackbird is the lower bar is more likely to get caught on things or get bumped by my legs than the lower profile of the merlin.
 
You will eventually want to afford the vest and arm. You have three battles to fight without it: 1) dealing with the weight of the camera 2) dealing with moving the camera the way you want 3) dealing with all the other usual video issues.

With the vest you eliminate one battle, the weight, freeing up your muscles to make the camera move the way you want.

The vest and arm does limit your range of motion, of course.
 
Thanks all, I appreciate the advice. I'm going to try out a fig rig this weekend and if that doesn't feel/look right I'll probably go with the blackbird.
 
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