Camera Stabilizer for a T3i

What setup do you plan to use it with? A bare t2i with the kit lens, or a 7D with a heavy f/2.8 zoom and mattebox?

For a bare-bones system the Glidecam HD-1000 will suffice but if you want to put more loaded kit on then the HD-2000 or Steadicam Merlin would be better. You can get the harness system seperately for either manufacturers products.
 
I received my flycam nano yesterday; it's the first stabilizer I've ever used, so I'll share some newbie comments, for even newer newbies might find them inresting:

* this thing is tiny!! plus, it's rated "low load" for a reason, get overboard and the bearings won't rotate properly
* and still, with the camera and the weights, it feels really heavy!! very, very glad I got the arm brace, but this thing is going to push me into getting in shape again (which is a good thing on itself, in fact this bit only may be worth the $150); I guess a vest would be even better
* it's also difficult to balance, by all means if you go glidecam get the HD version, with the nice screws for balance
* in my case, as I'm so tight on my budget, I think I'll use my macro rails as an aid in my search for balance, and use the tamron 17-50 or even the 550D kit lens instead of the tokina 11-16

the 550D kit lens is really light, and by f/11 is nearly as good as the tokina (astigmatism/coma/whatever has gone down, and diffraction is just starting to appear):
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...meraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=5
by f/8, it has more astigmatism/coma/whatever but also less chromatic aberration
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...meraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=4
at least for me, this is good enough: I just bought the flycam for a single shot in a short that I'm shooting in may, and this shot will be deep focus anyway (f/8, about 2.5m of DoF) because I have to follow some people running cross-country and I need them in focus
 
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I got a glidecam 1000HD over christmas for my t2i and its been amazing so far. It's still tricky to ballance sometimes, and operating it is almost an art form. But when it works, its perfect.

The kit lens works really well with it, when you put the aperture on about 11 as NormanBates said. It balances pretty easily and 18mm with IS gives you some buttery smooth gliding.
If you do go for a glidecam, get a quick release plate with it. It will save you endless amounts of time and hassle.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-manfrotto-323-rectangular-quick-release-plate/p11032
(this quick release isnt flat on the bottom but I wedged some card underneath so it sits well on the glidecam)

I use 4 out of the 8 provided weights for that setup (camera, 18-55mm kit lens, and quick release mount) and I've got it balanced quite well. If you did want to use heavier lens's really think about getting the 2000HD as it gives you alot more headroom.

As for attaching it to your body, i know you can get arm braces or even a chest brace if you really wanted. Never had any experience with either I'm afraid.

Hope this helps in some way.

Edit:
After reading the body pod description:

Since the support of the Body-pod is rigid and for the most part inflexible, it will not absorb and smooth out camera movements as well as a stabilizer which is being held in just your hands.
Click to expand...

this makes me more inclined to think you should just use an arm brace if necessary. Even if it is a bit more work...
 
The Bodypod is an amazing waste of money considering that it is only a "rest" for the rig, it's almost useless as anything else.
It's too bad that Glidecam likes to give the impression that you can actually use it with a rig on for moving shots.

Pass on the thing and use the money for something useful.
 
Pookie said:
The Bodypod is an amazing waste of money considering that it is only a "rest" for the rig, it's almost useless as anything else.
It's too bad that Glidecam likes to give the impression that you can actually use it with a rig on for moving shots.

Pass on the thing and use the money for something useful.
Click to expand...

What do you recommend?

I am looking for a rig that can be supported by my body.
 
Foster Kane said:
The cheaper the better.
Click to expand...

This will work against you.

Foster Kane said:
Can I also use this for a Cannon HF 200?

I have been told these are good for a Canon HF 200.

http://www.glidecam.com/product-hd-series.php
Click to expand...

You can use a Glidecam for either camera. The HF200 is small, and the T3i is light without any kind of accessories. If you go with a larger Glidecam, you may need to add weight up top in order to get a proper balance. This isn't hard to do, and if you plan to add any kind of rig to yout T3i (rails and mattebox, for example) then you'll want to get a larger model.

A note about these "hand held" stabilizers: you're really better off having a proper vest. These things get very tiresome, very fast, if operated purely by hand.

Foster Kane said:
I have been also looking at this accessory.

http://www.glidecam.com/product-body-pod.php
Click to expand...

This is the BodyPod that Pookie was talking about. Do not waste your money. It doesn't absorb movement of the torso, and can actually enhance movement. That makes for some pretty bouncy camera work... unless you're trained in "Riverdance" and can keep a stiff upper body.

You'll need to get a proper vest with articulated arm. I've not used the Flycam (Indian knock-off brand) vests, but when it comes to Glidecam's vest vs. other budget models, well... the VariZoom DV Sportster is a royal pain. It's got a single-articulated arm as opposed to double-articulated. Plus, the arm is center-mounted on the vest, as opposed to side-mounted. Do yourself a favor and find a vest with a double-articulated and side-mounted. When the arm is anchored to the side of the vest, it becomes almost an extension of the human arm and is much easier to control.
 
My advice is to look at the Wondlan Ares, It's an amazingly well built piece of gear, it takes all of about five minutes to set up the first time, then literally seconds once you mark where it needs to be for balance. I like it better than the merlin because it has a spring in the handle, which when running, it smoothes out beautifully.
 
C2V said:
This will work against you.



You can use a Glidecam for either camera. The HF200 is small, and the T3i is light without any kind of accessories. If you go with a larger Glidecam, you may need to add weight up top in order to get a proper balance. This isn't hard to do, and if you plan to add any kind of rig to yout T3i (rails and mattebox, for example) then you'll want to get a larger model.

A note about these "hand held" stabilizers: you're really better off having a proper vest. These things get very tiresome, very fast, if operated purely by hand.



This is the BodyPod that Pookie was talking about. Do not waste your money. It doesn't absorb movement of the torso, and can actually enhance movement. That makes for some pretty bouncy camera work... unless you're trained in "Riverdance" and can keep a stiff upper body.

You'll need to get a proper vest with articulated arm. I've not used the Flycam (Indian knock-off brand) vests, but when it comes to Glidecam's vest vs. other budget models, well... the VariZoom DV Sportster is a royal pain. It's got a single-articulated arm as opposed to double-articulated. Plus, the arm is center-mounted on the vest, as opposed to side-mounted. Do yourself a favor and find a vest with a double-articulated and side-mounted. When the arm is anchored to the side of the vest, it becomes almost an extension of the human arm and is much easier to control.
Click to expand...


I know that it will work against me. I tried out the $15 steadicam. It worked but it was real pain. I have seen footage of the body pod being used, so I guess it can be done. But like you said it is not perfect.

What do you recommend for a proper vest?
 
Foster Kane said:
Besides the Wondlan.

I think I will give the body pod a shot.

Wondlan is waaay out of my budget.
Click to expand...

Take the $189.00 you'll pay for the BodyPod and throw it out the window.

It'll work just as well, and you'll get instant gratification.


The BodyPod is not meant for steadying the shots no matter what you may have been told or read. It's nothing but a rest.
 
I may have said this before, but it does not hurt to say it again.

I just want to say thank you to everyone for their help.

I am a noob and I probably ask a lot of stupid questions. Instead of trolling me, you have
all been very patient with me and informative with my questions.
 
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