C100: Looking for a stabilizer for the C100

Michael Thames said:

I did have some problems with the Zacuto extension, it seemed to not be communicating with the C100, of course I never thought to test it at home before setting out, so I was in a bit of a panic dealing with this issue. It was a very tense situation filming there as some rude lady told me I was being obnoxious filming there regardless that the musicians had made arrangements with the owner and asked permission for me to film. Its rough filming live events I found out..... ha! The Helix held up well, but went into convulsions if I stretched her too far, no big deal just set her down on a table and she recovered. In the end very happy with the performance of the Helix it did exactly as I had wanted.
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The plugs for the grip and grip extension can be rather finicky and sometimes need to be pushed in farther than expected or rotated. Zacuto will also replace the plug if it isn't working.
 
Well documented that the plug needs to fully inserted into the Zacuto/C100. I sold my Zacuto for a Wooden grip relocator. Socket on the Wooden has never given me trouble and is more positive than even the socket on the C100. Zacuto doesn't even provide a ratcheting knob with their unit. I called them on this and they said they would dispatch one ASAP to me. Never got it.
 
Good to know! Yea I haven't tested the Zacuto again, but it seems like a Peice of Sh*t, a $300 POS. I was jiggling the cables and working the nipple pretty hard. I got it to do something after a minute or two. I don't even know is it possible to adjust the ISO without the grip?
 
All the buttons are user confugurable. You can re-assign the 13 & 14 for example, with iris + and iris -. This is what I do when I work without the grip
 
I have used the snot out of my Zacuto grip relocater shooting all over the world with nary a problem. I love it. Sorry to hear yours isn't working well.
 
Well that's good to hear but there are reports (including my own experience) of the socket not accepting a solid connection with the Canon grip plug. My other complaint is the provided bracket, with the ENG version, needs to be on the rod very tight if used as an extension. There is not much surface area to those clamps (too narrow a design) as compared to say a SMALLRIG 15mm rosette clamp. Very little confidence in this when momentarily one-handing the rig, by the grip, to either zoom or hit a button on the left side of the cam.
 
control4userguy said:
Well that's good to hear but there are reports (including my own experience) of the socket not accepting a solid connection with the Canon grip plug. My other complaint is the provided bracket, with the ENG version, needs to be on the rod very tight if used as an extension. There is not much surface area to those clamps (too narrow a design) as compared to say a SMALLRIG 15mm rosette clamp. Very little confidence in this when momentarily one-handing the rig, by the grip, to either zoom or hit a button on the left side of the cam.
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Yes, I agree. My franken rig is long and I have a 3lb lead counterweight at the back. I also use a left side separate hand grip and only lift the camera by holding both sides grips. The Zacuto would never be able to hold the weight and leverage of my rig by itself no matter how tightened to the rod it was. I would not one hand the rig ever, I adapt and just do things like that in different ways. It works for me, I am used to it. Typically my rig is shoulder mounted and I have right hand on Zacuto grip and left hand alternates between zoom ring, DPAF button and left hand grip. It's not elegant but it works without too much trouble and I shoot a lot of handheld run and gun stuff on TV and film sets. Far from ideal but I do the best I can with the tools I have.
 
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I tried screwing around with it again today, and must confess I got it to work. Perhaps under the pressure and being disoriented I couldn't relate properly. However it doesn't seem to respond the same and the read out of the ISO is different than with the grip as normal. there is a siding scale now, instead of the old display of just numbers. Now as Im writing this Im thinking I sent the camera to Canon for the DPAF up grade a few weeks ago. Maybe Canon updated it and somehow it changed the ISO readout on the LCD?

So anyway I take back all the unkind things I said about the Zacuto...... for now.
 
puredrifting said:
... The Zacuto would never be able to hold the weight and leverage of my rig by itself no matter how tightened to the rod it was. I would not one hand the rig ... Typically my rig is shoulder mounted and I have right hand on Zacuto grip and left hand alternates between zoom ring, DPAF button and left hand grip. It's not elegant... I shoot a lot of handheld run and gun ...
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Well, you misunderstood me. Certainly, I would never to try hoist a loaded shoulder rig by just one handle. I too handle a battery and a 2 pounder off the back. You say "it's not elegant" and "far from ideal" Why? Unless one shoots full-auto (who does that?) you have to pretty much use your lefty. Until last month, I too shot 100% R&G in very tight quarters with crappy or off-color lighting. I don't think I ever gave it a second of thought how "professional" I look or don't look. Get the job done and get it done well. My clients don't give a rip about brand names, they want product to specification, done on-time.

OP, I never said the Zacuto didn't work, it's just not precise in electrical connection and the mount is toy-like. Until You've had a ARRI HGA-1 or a Wooden relocator set on the rails, you haven't treated yourself to something better. BTW, how's that gimbal working for you?
 
Hey guys,

Not sure if you've heard, but Letus just released new encoder updates for their Helix Junior and Standard. This past weekend I've had the brief pleasure to test a C100 on the new Junior and a C300II on the Standard and the motor upgrade makes an astonishing difference. You can bump it, tilt or pan in any extreme angle at any speed, grab the camera to realign the horizon, and the motors keep purring along without a whimper. It makes the Jr/C100 pairing a solid workhorse even in tough conditions (think small spaces like cars, in live music crowds where you get bumped, following someone along extensively for a doc...).

Eventually there will be some reviews or videos, but in the meantime they're discounting the upgrade for previous Helix users, I think $300 off for anyone who's bought one in the last two months. You do have to send it in, and it's still $700-800 with the discount for the upgrade if you already have one (less if you're buying a new one), but I think it'll pay off fairly quickly.

Cheers,
Slavik
 
I have used DJI Ronin both M and the bigger version on the c100 and whatever camera can fits. Yes your limited and transport is the PITA! Also use the one hand gimbal like EC1, again limited. I have used and modified glidecam product for many years now, once you learned it, it is very easy to balance any camera as long as your arm can handle it :).

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Here's a quick screengrab from the weekend's shoot, me on the C300II and Helix Standard. I really like shooting in cars with the Helix Jr/Standard because it's positioned high enough that I don't have to hoist my arms up to the ceiling to get a profile shot.

helix-and-c300II-in-car.jpg
 
How is the Letus for tracking shots (where you're walking with it)? It seems most footage I see from it is not as smooth as a Movi for those types of shots, but maybe I haven't looked at enough footage. It has a smaller footprint, is easier to keep at eye level as you said, and can be used with just one axis on a Steadicam.

The new Movi Pro looks nice. Would you still choose the Letus over that?
 
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Here is a quick and dirty video I made with the Letus Jr. One thing I noticed is if you push this thing too much it goes into convulsions. The encoders are supposed to take care of that problem I guess.

For my needs I think less movement is better. I envision this as a movable tripod, not just walking around and doing whatever comes to mind. On some other footage too quick a movement then comes the nasty rolling shutter issues. Ive never worked with one of the stabilizers before so from here on out less movement is the key.

Also not real crazy about the 10-18 lens at 10mm it gives a fisheye look, and I hate any fisheye look..... ha! Think I'll try my 50mm 1.4 next time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3lc6ZcbWcQ
 
The problem for me for what its worth (not being a professional) but, on the other hand I could be I guess, cause I shot some footage in a restaurant and walking around shooting a live performance is no different. The Letus seems far less imposing than a glidcam set up. You can shoot with the letus and set it down have dinner and pick it up real quick and shoot some more.
 
Looking at the Letus Jr, it seems CRYING OUT for a C100/C300 mod to attach the grip on the right handle, no? How great would that be? You cold toggle AF and change aperture on the fly.
 
drummondb said:
Looking at the Letus Jr, it seems CRYING OUT for a C100/C300 mod to attach the grip on the right handle, no? How great would that be? You cold toggle AF and change aperture on the fly.
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That would be awesome!

Eric, the difference you might have seen with Movi footage vs Helix footage is the Movi typically has a heavier rig on it, whereas many Helix Jr. users have a small camera on it. So the up and down motion of walking or running is less visible with a heavy rig, just by the nature of weight alone. But comparing gimbals without other variables, the Helix does as fine job as any other. To me the advantage is you can use the compact Helix Jr. with a C100 or similarly sized DSLR - for many people their A cam - rather than have to choose between a small gimbal with a B cam, or putting the C100 on a heavy Ronin or Movi M10/15.

The Movi Pro does finally have the option to balance without a stand, so it's attractive for commercial work. But it's still a beast for the docu-style work that you and I do. For me I like to have as small a footprint as possible, so I can shoot anywhere (like inside a small car), but use my A cams (C100/C300). And then being able to pack it away quickly to the size of a a couple laptops has been great for traveling. I've taken the Jr. everywhere the past 1.5 years, over 70,000 air miles flown across the country and to Alaska, and it's been really nice to have gimbal shots on all those shoots without feeling like I'm adding another thing. I think Phil Bloom brought one for the second season of Wonder List - it would be interesting to see how much gimbaling he did versus season 1 when he had the Movi along.

Michael, I'm sorry you feel ripped off. There's always the risk when buying anything, of an updated version coming out soon. I bought the C300 mark II a few weeks before the $4000 rebate, which felt especially harsh because I hadn't actually taken it out of the box until a few days before the rebate announcement. I'm still paying the monthly lease, and currently that's still going toward the rebate difference. But I love the camera and don't regret buying it when I did, knowing there's always a chance of an update or discount on the horizon.

Letus is offering a $300 discount for upgrades if you just bought the Helix a couple months ago, so it would be $700 plus the wait for the upgrade. So it's still not cheap. But, they do basically have to take it apart rebuild the Helix with the updated motors, so it's more time consuming than assembling a new one on the factory line, which explains the difference in price for a new Helix with encoders update.

Anyway, you have the Helix Jr now and don't need to worry about updating it if you don't want. Having tried the new encoder motors, I may update my Jr. early next year, whenever I have a few weeks between work, but in the meantime it's still working great and I'm using it on every shoot.

BTW your video is great. I love the 10-18 gimbal shots, but agree that the distortion is not for everybody. Maybe try it at 18mm, or as you said, a 35mm lens. Minimal movement during musical performances is the way to go - ever slight movements to give interest to the shot but not take away from the performance.

Cheers,
Slavik
 
Slavin, congrats on your new C300 mkII! Maybe someday I'll get one too! My wife is the only thing stopping me, she thinks I have enough cameras now...... ha!

Yea, I guess for my purposes the Helix without the decoders is fine, I don't need to run down the street with the thing, and I've realized less movement is the key! It would be nice if these companies offered an on the cusp upgrade.
 
Yeah, free upgrades would be sweet, like a standardized wiggle room of 2-3 months after buying something, to ease anyone's anxiety of buying something potentially before an update.

The C300II has a really great image, but nothing comes close to the pure simplicity and joy of using a C100. I think when the C100mkIII or C200 comes out - whatever it ends up being - we may switch back to the smaller form factor. But in the meantime, the C300II will be our money maker. :-)

Michael Thames said:
Slavin, congrats on your new C300 mkII! Maybe someday I'll get one too! My wife is the only thing stopping me, she thinks I have enough cameras now...... ha!

Yea, I guess for my purposes the Helix without the decoders is fine, I don't need to run down the street with the thing, and I've realized less movement is the key! It would be nice if these companies offered an on the cusp upgrade.
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