Cheap SteadyCam System for DVX100a

skettalee

skettalee

Well-known member
Just like I mentioned before, im in the military and I need to find a place to buy a steadycam system. Something cheap, nothing all crazy or anything. But I need to have 3 seperate sources. Anyone know of a really good steadycam thats inexpensive that works great with the Panasonic DVX100a Camera that I can find 3 seperate places that sell it so I can print out those websites and try to get one? HELP!
 
Good lord, lol. I usually have the camera on record off the tripod for atleast 15 minutes at a time. Im a videographer in the military so I gotta document everything thats going on. Not a good one for me im guessing. Anyone else have an idea? As well as a good one, I need to find 3 seperate places that sell that same one too. Please help!
 
There are so many different camera stabilization devices available that it might help if you were to define an approximate budget ($100, $1,000 & $10,000 are all valid price points)?
 
Ok I found out a budget. They aren't stressing over here when I said they cost from 100 to 600 bucks. So how about what would the best steadycam for a dvx100a be that runs for $500 or less?

I was looking at this one :
http://www.steadicam.com/handheldmerlin.html

I would also love to get one that has some kind of tilt and pan controls along with zoom for under $500. Is that possible as well?
 
In that price range, the Merlin is a pretty decent performer. As for the "tilt and pan controls along with zoom..." that seems to be expecting a bit much.
 
Damn the Merlin is $800? That stuff is a rip off I tell you. Im sure it is made way cheaper than that.

Well I said I will be using it just to run around and shoot documentation of military things. Just the stuff that I need to be off the tripod like when on the flightline.

What would you guys suggest? Thats my main question.
 
Yes I shoot hand held all the time, is there a certain way to activate that on the DVX? Im probably looking closely at the Glidecam 4000 pro. Does anyone here have that and can say anything about it?
 
I have one

I have one

Well I have a Glidecam 4000 Pro and as is true with all stabilizers, the trick is practice, practice, practice. :thumbsup: The GC 4000 is highly balance sensitive, and even with the Manfrotto 577 quick release, has to be rebalanced to some extent every time the camera is mounted. :undecided I can manage two minutes hand held before the shakes become overpowering. I am getting the Varizoom vest for longer shooting time and probably will get the Flowpod in the near future for alternate stabilization. I don't think the Merlin has enough capacity for the DVX100A nor the Steadicam JR. :shocked:
 
skettalee said:
Yes I shoot hand held all the time, is there a certain way to activate that on the DVX?
Click to expand...

There is an OIS button on the panel where the LCD folds in. If OIS is on, you'll see a small hand icon on your display.
 
Get a DvRigPro. For shooting stable shots for more than a couple of minutes they're a great option. I NEVER go handheld anymore. With some practice you can get amazingly stable shots with it, but the best part is you can shoot with it for HOURS with minimal fatigue.

Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com
 
Steadytracker Xtreme. $299. Works like a charm....smooth as satin. www.promax.com I used the Ultralite first but it's too light for the DVX100. Threw some cash at the Xtreme and delighted with the results. Plus you have $201 left for beer.
 
jchenier said:
Get a DvRigPro. For shooting stable shots for more than a couple of minutes they're a great option. I NEVER go handheld anymore. With some practice you can get amazingly stable shots with it, but the best part is you can shoot with it for HOURS with minimal fatigue.

Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com
Click to expand...

yeah I was going to say this may be the way to go over a steadying device for event photography anyway...
 
True that a lot of this gear is a rip off. Cinema equipement is very often extremely overpriced. I am a key grip here in Montreal , when we need custom brackets and special stuff , we go to a professional welder that has no clue about the film industry. He looks at our little concept laughs and machines it in 15 minutes , charges us 50 $. If we do the same thing with welders and machinists "specialized in the film industry" we get the same results for 350 $ or more... So there ya go...
 
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