Handheld Steadicam Suggestions

wrxguy

wrxguy

Member
Hello everyone,

In about a month I am going to be shooting a large concert and doing alot of back stage filming, on stage filming, and shooting around the crowd and such. It is a 4 day shoot and I want to shoot alot of it using a handheld steadicam rig.
I would like to get some of you guys' opinions on different handheld steadicam rigs.
I am leaning right now twords the "Steadicam - Merlin" rig for a few reasons, specifically the size and weight would seem to work very nicely in tighter areas and to carry around all day. I was also thinking about the VariZoom Ultra Light and the Glidecam 2000 Pro. So please give me your suggestions and personal experiances.

Thanks for your time and help!
 
What sort of cam are you using?

I recently had a 5 hour concert shoot. I shot the whole thing with a Multirig which arrived that day. With no practice all my footage was high quality...it's pretty close to having a tripod attached to your body (but a lot more comfortable :)). 5 hours almost non stop shooting.

I abandoned the idea of using my Merlin (basic model). As good as the footage would've looked, I would only have 5-10 minutes of usable footage before my arm got tired (I use a HVX). And with the Merlin, when the pressure is on, there's no guarantee I would nail my shots, and no guarantee I wouldn't have to readjust the balance before the next shot. If you're thinking of using a vest system, that might be a different story. I'd love to get my hands on the vest for the Merlin.
 
oh sorry! haha I am shooting on a DVX100B, and I don't necesarily have the cash for a vest system right now. Basically I am working for the guy who is hosting the show, so I will be shooting some show footage but not ALL of the show if that makes sense. There will be alot of random shots, stuff in bars, stuff around the venue, etc.

So any advice, links, or anything else would be greatly appreciated!
 
If you're interested, there's a review of the Multirig Pro in the Articles section and a link to the website...

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=93215

I ended up getting the Pro along with the belt...essential for my long shoot. Like I said, I couldn't be happier with the results (especially at that price point).

If you use a Merlin your moving shots would certainly look nicer (the floating cam look), as would your jib like moves, but for stationary tilting and to a lesser extent panning, the Multirig will give you more control. And your arm won't feel like it's going drop off with the Multirig. With little practice you can guarantee acceptable shots with the MR, not so with the Merlin.

For the random nature of your shooting the Merlin might work, just be sure to have plenty of practice time beforehand (plenty!). I'd still personally go with a mounted setup like the MR (maybe spiderbrace would suit?) Have you done a search on the Merlin? There's plenty of info on this site and dvinfo.net from people that know a lot more than me.
 
Thanks for that link! I really like the Multi-Rig, that seems like one of the leading contenders, I am suprised I didn't come across it before when I was doing my research. But from what I have seen on the review and on their site the Multi-Rig seems like it would be the best bet, it seems to fit my needs as far as portability, functionality, and versitility.

But I would also like to hear any other recomendations and reviews from anyone before I go and drop around $500 on a full rig.

So once again thanks for your help StMad I really appreciate it!

So if anyone else has any suggestions please let me know :)

I'm going to fish around the site more for other posts that can possibly help
 
StMad said:
What sort of cam are you using?

when the pressure is on, there's no guarantee I would nail my shots, and no guarantee I wouldn't have to readjust the balance before the next shot. If you're thinking of using a vest system, that might be a different story. I'd love to get my hands on the vest for the Merlin.
Click to expand...

I second that. I have only had my merlin for a few weeks but I have practiced pretty much every day and all I can say is - it can look great but -

1/ It requires practice
2/ It is not an all round long shoot solution if its handheld.

I have used a fig rig for 4-5 hours and I would favour that over the merlin especially if you had little practice time as its more obvious to use.

You won't get same kind of steadicam shots for sure but will get you half way and watchable walking shots - you can use fig rig for 5-10 minutes and know where you are with it.

I think a monopod and fig rig is prob what I would go for ( with a spiderbrace if needed) - then if I had the chance to grab some smooth merlin shots then yes for sure that would be a bonus - but like StMad says would not rely on it - Merlin requires practice and patience and tires the arms - but when you nail it - sure it looks great :-)

But I suggest if there is no practice time fig rig might be safer bet combined with a monopod and/or a spiderbrace.


*From what I can see of multirig http://www.dvmultirig.com/ it may cover some of the same ground as fig rig and spiderbrace in one - but have not used so can't comment.
 
We've been using the DV Rig Pro, the big brother of the Multirig, for about 3 years, in all sorts of settings from live parties, where we have to move around a lot, to settings where we might otherwise use a tripod.

We have two DV Rigs and even a couple months ago when we had a new videographer who had never used one, it took him only minutes to get comfortable with it.

There are sometimes used DVRigs here on dvxuser and personally, I like the stability that the countoured shoulder pad and counterweight they provide, but I'm betting that the DVRig would do a great job for you.
 
I would advise against the glidecam 2000. Its a good rig if you are shooting on/off for a film. But if it is fairly nonstop, documentary style shooting with long takes, unless you get a body support system your arm will get very tired. The rigs talked about above seem more suited to your needs.

Good Luck
 
My daughter at my daughter school used a monopod with a small leather pouch (nail pouch from lowes) attached to his belt. He put the monopod in the pouch ajusted it for the proper height and he went to town. I use the same thing now and its great. The whole thing cost me about $130.
 
Nasser said:
My Merlin order is pending , any competitor within same price rang $800 ?
Click to expand...

I did this research recently.

I bought a poor mans steadicam for $60.00 to try it out and no surprise - it was not great :-)

Also tried the fig rig (which I quite like but does not produce steadicam style flying footage if that is what you want)

Then after reading a ton of stuff on the pros and cons of the glidecam 2000/ 4000 and the varizoom flowpod dv sportster kit I picked the merlin.

It takes more pratice than I hoped it would - but when it works, it works good.

If I had a vest/ arm to take the strain of the dvx it would be perfect.
 
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