GH2 Stabilizer

A

Austin Whitelaw

Member
I'm looking for a good stabilizer for my GH2. I've seen the Steadicam Merlin and Glidecam HD series, but the Merlin is expensive and the Glidecam is cheaper but still seems like a little much..I'm on a tight budget. If I were to get the Glidecam I would probably get the HD 1000, seems like the best model for GH2.
 
What do you want to shoot ?

Are you after the "ghostly" camera floating on glass look, or something with a little bit of movement that looks like a human shot it ?
 
Well I do like the effect the Steadicam Merlin gives, and the Glidecam seems to do similar, but not as much. But really any stabilizer will probably work fine, I'd just like one that's not too expensive.
 
One thing is certain, a steadicam purchase will not make you a steadicam operator. What works is practice. Steadicam operators get results irrespective of what rig they use - even with a camera alone.Now, back to your question: which stabilizer for the GH2? Well, the stuff you will find yourself needing is whatever allows you to see the monitor while shooting, tilt the camera before a take and during a take and panning a camera during a take.I'd say, once you work through what kind of shots you need (Sports, dance, talent running through a car park, etc), practice these with camera alone. Then , make yourself the cheapest (aka the $14 Steadicam) and start building your arm muscles. Operators can only work for a couple of minutes at a time. You'll need about 10 cumulative hours to get the strength and technique straight, so that's a lot of shooting.You stand a good chance of getting it right while shooting moving targets, (ie people). If you wanted to shoot paintings in an art gallery, invest in a dolly.When you do produce good footage, others will ask you what kind of steadicam you used - and you'll laugh -possibly all the way to the bank, because steadicam operators can earn good money.
 
ernie_dvx said:
I am using flycam nano with my GH1.. see my signature vimeo for sample videos (ok, I still need to practice more), for the price, I am happy with it.

Latest video here: http://vimeo.com/26769531
Click to expand...

Very good footage for smeone with little practice. But I can see you struggling with the severe understeer imposed by the gimbal.
The $14 steadicam inventor and engineer, Johnny Chung Lee, says,

"gimbals are just two axis hinges that eliminate any control over pitch and roll, place a tremendous amount of stress on the wrist, and produce pendulum effects when you move (from not being at the center of gravity). A gimbal is not critical to the existence of a stabilizer and I personally dislike them. A handle with ball joint IS NOTHING like the hinge systems used in professional rigs. They are gross immitations that do more harm than good becauase they are doing it wrong".
 
I use the Glidecam 2000 Pro. I have a tough time balancing it perfectly with the tiny GH2, but it works for what I need it for. My last vid has a ton of glidecam shots... almost anything with 'big' camera motion is Glidecam.

If I were to do it again I would seriously look at the Merlin (although it's twice the price) and if not the Merlin I wuold definitely get the 2000 HD as opposed to the 2000 Pro due to easier balancing.

 
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