Flowpod $500 gimmick?

L

lacuna

Well-known member
Has anyone played with the the varizoom flowpod?

http://www.varizoom.com/pages/flowpod.php

I'm in the market for a stabiliser and a monopod and stumbled across this 2 in one unit on the web. Do you think this would fit the bill or does it look like one big compromise?

Love to hear from anyone who has used the flowpod - thanks!
 
Re: Flowpod $500 gimmick?

Don't know if its a gimmick but it sure is expensive. Looks like it could use more counter weight too, but maybe not. I'd rather have something that turns with me without having to grab on to it.
 
Re: Flowpod $500 gimmick?

A firend has it and I tried without much sucess, I couldn't get it so stable. But a cameraman that operates professional steadys tried it and walking very smoothly recorded some nice shots. He only said about too much weight in his hand.

Glidecam with the weights in the base looks more stable, but not sure since I never tried the glidecam.

Ulisses
 
Re: Flowpod $500 gimmick?

Long time owner. I've tried a lot of steadicams out there - $200 to $5,000 and they all have their advantages. I can tell you that if live events are your thing but hate being tied down by a tripod and handheld is just a bit too shaky when walking then the FLOPOD is it! Its pricey if you think of it as a monopod but when you realise how much freedom it gives you its worth every penny. Balancing it with the mono pod fully extended means that you can use it as a steadicam and in the middle of shooting something slowly lower it a few inches until it gently touches the ground. Now its working like a mono pod and it was never shaky at any time. Perfectly smooth and seemless move. Use this method to give your arm a rest at any moment. Its also very small and goes pretty much unnoticed compaired to a full body rig. Now the flopod isnt perfect though. I had to swap out a few parts to make it work better for me. For example I didnt care for the locking screws or the balancing system. It was hard to change accurately and quickly and if you bumped it or put it in your bag the balancing plate would get knocked out of balance. I added a Velbon "macro slider" for tool-less/instant balancing and a quick release plate on top so I could switch to using my tripod in seconds without changing base plates. Its also the best tool when on vacation and you want to take quality moving video. I highly recomend it over anything else I've seen for these reasons. If compact, fast paced, multi purpose shooting its your style get it. You wont be sorry.
 
Re: Flowpod $500 gimmick?

Hey, thanks you guys for taking the time to reply.

Brett, that was very useful - I appreciate your comments. :)
 
Re: Flowpod $500 gimmick?

hey brett . . . I have had one for some time now and try and use it every now and again . . . would you mind walking me through a how to balance the darn thing! I am sure it works and I see its potential, in some brief instances when testing. I sometimes say to myself that it may take a great deal of practice to make it work, but I keep swithching round the wieghts, extending the mono, balanceing rebalancing and have given up a few times. I am not sure if a correctly balanced flo should swing or just stand still at 45 deg (both are extremes I am aware) when you are on the clamped holding thingie, or should you use the thumb in motion. I wish I could get some experienced tips . . . . Thanks.
 
Re: Flowpod $500 gimmick?

I bought mine at B&H for around $400. I'm considering getting the low flow mode as well for another $80. This is the most versatile accessory for my DVX100a. Aside from being a monopod and stabilizer, I found another use for it...by getting a flag carrier, you can mount your flowpod (monopod mode) into it and you now have a skypod. great for weddings and parade when crowds are in front of you.
 
Re: Flowpod $500 gimmick?

I've had the Flowpod for awhile now, and my only beef was with the loose thumbscrews (easy to lose), but as mentioned above I think a quick release plate would take it to the next level.  (I haven't bought the quick release yet, but will in the near future).  The balance issue in steady mode is the next thing to consider.  If you get it just right it's still a little too heavy for lengthy shots, but for quick shots it works really well.  Either that or pump up you gurly maan!!!
 
Flowpod balancing, etc.

Flowpod balancing, etc.

Just got a FlowPod. Seems pretty cool but I've been having a bit of difficulty getting it to balance. The camera seemed to always lean a bit to the left side. I probably need a bit more practice with it too. But I think addtional weight to counterbalance would help.

My DVX100A has the anamorphic lens, 5000mAh battery, LCD engaged and a tape in. Anybody know what the total weight of that is? I think it might be a wee bit over what the FlowPod can handle with its supplied accessories. I suspect I may need addtional weight rings to help counterbalance.

To aid in the balancing. I plan on investing in a double-axis slider and also a quick release plate. Anybody have any recommendations on these? I mean brands, models and places to buy.

Thanks,

-DC-
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top