Flycam Stabalizers with DSLRs

Apparently the main difference between the glidecam 2kpro and hd2k is the balencing. Supposedly the hd-2k is a lot easier to balance and micro-adjust, both from the point of the weights on the bottom and the mounting plate thing, the stage is it?, at the top.
 
The 5000 is good except the lock at the bottom of the pole which MAY eventually brake.
But if you're careful when tightening it will last long.

Everything else is just fine on the Flycam 5000 but the 2000 HD is easier to adjust thanks to the trim screws.
 
Yeah it's tough to know what to go with, I've not used one before so am tossing up the Merlin vs Glidecam HD-2000.

The Merlin is smaller and lighter, which would be great for travelling, but does seem very difficult to get and keep balanced, whereas the Glidecam, whilst heavier, seems something you can setup quicker and theoretically can be modded, like Dafung Dennis's wings etc.

Frankly I don't know which to go for at the moment!

The flycam seems like a cheap knock off to me, whilst it can probably do the job, and is a lot cheaper, does it stack up quality wise? Personally I ruled it out b/c I feel it won't have the quick setup of the glidecam, nor the lightweight of the merlin, and for me it's a decisions between those two main factors.
 
one thing that i dont think has been mentioned is that on the Merlin there is no way to "direct" it with your left hand since there is no center post to handle. where on the Glidecam or Flycam styled rig your extra hand can lightly direct pans or aiming down or up. i cant imagine not using my left hand for some directions.

ive never used the Merlin but i did use an Ardimis (probably not spelled correctly) once that was based off of the Merlin with only a handle and nothing else. the unit was pretty cool but wasnt near as expressive as the eventual Glidecam 2000 Pro that i bought.

i dont use the Glidecam anymore since i bought the Pilot but i will say that my only really big gripe with the 2000 Pro was the lack of adjustment tweaking once camera was mounted on the top platform that the new 2000 HD now has.

the Glidecam is built like a tank as well as the Smooth Shooter vest and arm. my kid now has the system. i will eventually upgrade him to the "HD" version.

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
david_p said:
one thing that i dont think has been mentioned is that on the Merlin there is no way to "direct" it with your left hand since there is no center post to handle. where on the Glidecam or Flycam styled rig your extra hand can lightly direct pans or aiming down or up. i cant imagine not using my left hand for some directions.
Click to expand...

Not true. There is a guide ring on top of the handle to "direct" it. You can even do it with the same hand if you get good at it.
 
Ruzo said:
Not true. There is a guide ring on top of the handle to "direct" it. You can even do it with the same hand if you get good at it.
Click to expand...

i wasnt aware of that and thanks for clearing that up for me. like i said ive never used the Merlin. on the Ardimis...? i dont recall an option like that but its been about 5 years since i used it so maybe it was there as well?

im assuming the immediate area right below the platform is what you are talking about then right?

how effective is that to use?

if you have used a Glidecam type stablalizer, how do you think the "control" of direction compares between the Merlin design vs the Glidecam design?

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
here is some footage from tokyo auto salon 2010 this past weekend. It is my first time ever trying to use it, so work with me. It was easy to control, but i have to get used to walking with it, smoothen my steps out, and get a vest as well.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later.
I AGREE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_ZkCd_BjeA
 
I have the Flycam 3000 and it is awesome. Once you get i t balanced just put some marks on it and use a quick connect. Don't take advise from those who purchased it and post bad results because they thought it would magically balance itself and pull smooth shots out of the box with no practice at all. I'm not saying that about people here, it's just I see a lot of Youtube videos with people who don't balance or even hold it correctly.
 
I had the flycam 5000 since last summer. so it's just under a year's time. The flycam's gimbals are very hard to work with. I have been trying to balance the flycam 5000 since last summer and I was able to balance it only for short periods of time.

Anytime I transport it in a car, ie taking it to a shoot, the balance would be off again. In addition, just over time, the balance seems to go off. Because there is no precision adjustments, anytime I change any equipment, eg lens, mattebox, filter, I would have to spend a lot of time trying to balance the rig again.

I still have not been able to achieve dynamic balance. I am starting to suspect that with a not precision made gimbal, dynamic balance would be very difficult to ever get.

That said, For merely artistic shots where you do not have to maintain good horizontal, flycam is fine.

Personally if I could do it again I would start off with a glidecam for a much better gimbal.
 
I bought the Flycam 5000 back in 2006 and was very disappointed with the build quality. The plastic pipe connector that held the two central column pieces broke while I was setting it up. Also the plastic on some of the thumbscrews was so brittle it just came off the moment I tried to make adjustments - I gave up on it and got myself a Glidecam V8 System and later a Glidecam 2000 Pro. For the last 2 years I've stuck to using my Glidecam 2000 Pro and I gotta say, it cops lots of bumps and drops, survives interstate air travel (bubble wrapped), I've only ever rebalanced it twice and the thing is rock solid!

I'm considering getting a second Glidecam HD2000 to fly my Panasonic HMC152, but have been reading that the Flycam 3000 design today has improved. Are there any experienced Glidecam people out there who have bought the Flycam and can say its worth getting or is the current build crap also?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top