Flycam Nano, upside down?!

G

gshort

Active member
Just ordered my Flycam (to use with 600D). Can anyone confirm if I can fly it upside down? If I want to get close to the ground (and flip the image in post), am I able to? I think they used to make low kits for the Glidecams but I havent seen one for the Flycam. I assume I can just hold it the 'wrong' way up and get low to the ground?
 
I think what you are trying to acheive is counter-intuitive to the way a steadicam works.

These mount your camera on a free-standing gimbal, then place enough weight on the bottom to keep it perfectly balanced right-side up, and not rocking from side to side as you move. If you turn it upside down, it will just flip back over by design. In fact, part of the adjustment process is to turn it sideways and see how long it takes to rotate back to the proper position. If it goes too fast, you have too much weight on it.

Meanwhile, I think what you want to do is get a monopod. I've managed to get a few interesting on-the-floor shots following someone's feet using one of these- just hold the stick as steady as you can, and the weight of the camera upside down on the bottom actually helps create something similar to the flycam effect. Then flip in post.
 
Thats a very good point, I hadnt thouroughly thought through! I'll look into cheap monopods and give it a go. Thanks
 
gshort said:
Just ordered my Flycam (to use with 600D). Can anyone confirm if I can fly it upside down? If I want to get close to the ground (and flip the image in post), am I able to? I think they used to make low kits for the Glidecams but I havent seen one for the Flycam. I assume I can just hold it the 'wrong' way up and get low to the ground?
Click to expand...

There are a few different ways to get the low shots you want, and you actually already said how.
You "can" just flip the rig and shoot, it will work, but it isn't easy.
The best way for a handheld is to swap the sled etc top to bottom, that keeps the post properly oriented, and makes flying much easier.
Obviously you'll need to do a bit of work to make them swappable, but it isn't that hard.
You could probably find a low mode rig somewhere, but that would require quite a bit of adjusting to work on a Flycam as they are really meant for full rigs.
 
Monopod FTW!
I doubt you will be using tons of low ground shots, unless your doing some kinda "from" the animal/rodent/insect perspective.
Im guessing, mostly for just a different point of view for a few shots.

Well, anyhow, the Monopod is a simple way to go for most of your daily needs. I've seen them for as low as $9
 
daihard said:
Monopod FTW!
I doubt you will be using tons of low ground shots, unless your doing some kinda "from" the animal/rodent/insect perspective.
Im guessing, mostly for just a different point of view for a few shots.

Well, anyhow, the Monopod is a simple way to go for most of your daily needs. I've seen them for as low as $9
Click to expand...

Why buy a monopod when he can already use the Flycam?
 
I own the flycam nano, its not too easy to switch the camera plate with the base. As for the higher end models, from the looks of it, they dont look like they can be switched either.
Please correct me if im wrong, as I dont have experience with the other models.

The other...ill be it, more expensive, steady cams usually are switchable...but im perfectly happy with the performance of the Nano for small jobs with my GH2, that i suggest a cheap monopod instead of a spending another $100 on a better steady cam rig. (If you have the monies, then just get a better steady cam...)
 
I dont know the fly cam but in general with a stabilizer, you remove weight from the bottom or shorten the lenght of the bottom tube and the rig flips over and you are in 'Lo Mode'.. simple

S
 
morgan_moore said:
I dont know the fly cam but in general with a stabilizer, you remove weight from the bottom or shorten the lenght of the bottom tube and the rig flips over and you are in 'Lo Mode'.. simple

S
Click to expand...

You would think right...
The handel dosent have enough clearance from the camera plate.
U can hold the handel upside down as well... but you wont last to long with any type of weight on the stabilizer.
 
morgan_moore said:
I dont know the fly cam but in general with a stabilizer, you remove weight from the bottom or shorten the lenght of the bottom tube and the rig flips over and you are in 'Lo Mode'.. simple

S
Click to expand...

I don't follow how you could expect that to work in any form. The only thing you would have is an unwieldily camera hanging on a post with a badly positioned handle, no stabilization in any way.
 
I got my Nano yesterday and have been experimenting ever since. Simply flipping the rig upside down works to a point but is definitely not the definitive solution. Swapping the plate where the weights are and the camera end doesnt seem to be incredibly hard and will mean the handle clears everything as it should. Ill do some more in depth tests when I have some spare time from running around with it in its 'normal' state!
Im liking it so far but had no idea how hard it would be to fly smoothly, luckily Im pretty determined to get it right!
Thanks for all the replies
 
You will have to post your photos then.
You can remove the base and remove the cam plate. However, the reversal looks like it will take a bit more "invasive" to switch the extension rod on the other side...
I have no excuse other then lack of time, to dismantel my Nano... also, I built a roller (roller blade wheels, pre drilled steal plates used in doorways, and R/C oil dampend shocks) for my "low angle shots. Cost me about $40 bucks...
 
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