Low-cost Camera Stabilizer Systems

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indigofreewire

New member
Hi folks--

I'm in production on my senior thesis film. My DP has requested that I purchase a stedicam-like system. I've found two models that are (seemingly) comparable to the Glidecam 4000 Pro:

(1) Homecast Pro Camera Stabilizer - $179
http://cgi.ebay.com/HOMECAST-Pro-Camera-Stabilizer-Bogen-Monfrotto-Lowepro_W0QQitemZ7587550255QQcategoryZ3325QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(2) ProVideographer XL Series - $250
http://triphotography.net/purchase.htm

For both companies, their user feedback is good. I'm *really* not sure which one to go with. Are they comparable to the Glidecam 4000 Pro? Are they comparable to eachother, and so should I just go with the Homecast thanks to its lower price? It does seem to include one item that the ProVideographer does not: a neck strap to reduce fatigue.

Thanks for your input. We're putting DVXUSER.com in the credits.
 
I can't imagine using a neck strap to reduce fatigue... Don't let that be the deal breaker. Personally I would go w/ the glidecam, they are a legitimate name and make some solid equipment... But why ask us, what does your DP think?

I also can't help but wonder why your DP would want you to *buy* one of these things for a thesis film. Are you in an area where you can rent? Perhaps there is a DVXer nearby who can loan you one... I know (from my film school experience) that you could certainly spend the money elsewhere in your budget...

-j
 
The Glidecam 4000 Pro is almost twice as expensive -- and is getting close to being out of our budget.

We have extra $ in our budget because we no longer are transfering our 16mm to HiDef. We're incorporating SD from a DVX100 so HD is out the window. Please don't debate this aspect of our production; it's decided.

I appreciate your comment about spending the $ elsewhere and renting/borrowing. Unfortunately, I don't know of a DVXer in this area (I'm at Vassar College) and a stedicam system for under (or around) $200 is damm cheap. Since I'm funding 2/3 of the film, it may be possible for me to keep the device for future productions.

Any thoughts on the ProVideographer vs. Home Cast?

Thanks!
 
That first one says it ways about 6 pounds. Add another 5 for the DVX and you'd better have one hell of a strong DP unless this is just for very short shots.
 
I think they are both crap. I have a Glidecam 4000 pro that is heavy as hell with a DVX on it. The neck strap wont do any good because that defeats the steady aspect of the device. Either of these are just a step above the $14 steadycam that you can build (for about $20). Both of these are kind of crap units and I wouldn't spend half the money on either.

I would look into renting... Hell, for a solid deposit I would send you my Glidecam 4000, you just need to look at other options because these are both DIY rigs for sale and both will yield more problems then they will solve.
 
I actually ordered the DIY plans to build the Homecast (formerly Hocast) stabilizer a few years ago. Everyone is dead on here. Unless you are big enough to qualify for the Mr. Universe bodybuilding title, I'd save your dough. Heavy as hell. If you need to do it on the cheap, check out www.dvcamerarigs.com. His plans are pretty good. Still, as with any arm supported stabilizer, you better eat your Wheaties.
 
I completely agree. As an owner of a Glidecam I will say that I will not recommend it to anyone because of the weight associated with the unit.

I have said this before and I will say it again: I thought for months about what stabilizer to buy, spoke extensively with Pookie and Mikko, both of whom suggested the Merlin or the Flyer. I did not take their advice and got the Glidecam and it is heavy.

I wish I had taken their advice now.
 
I have used both the Steadicam Jnr and the Glidecam 4000.

In my opinion the DVX even at its lightest is too heavy for the Steadicam. The Glidecam provides excellent results but is too heavy on your wrist so that after a few minutes it becomes too hard to use and starts to wobble.

I recently purchased a Fig Rig from Manfrotto which gives amazing results in stablizing the shot and is so easy to use because you use both hands on the wheel and therefore have your wrists, elbows and shoulders all working to steady the device. I would highly recommend it.

I did get some pain across my shoudlers but that was after 90 minutes of continuous usage.
 
wahrez said:
I have used both the Steadicam Jnr and the Glidecam 4000.

In my opinion the DVX even at its lightest is too heavy for the Steadicam.
Click to expand...

As I have learnt these past few days, steadicam systems take practice and require you to have them set up perfectly, I am getting better at the set up each time (havent practiced using it yet at all, just want to be able to get perfect balance in an instant should something be changed on the camera). That said your comment feels like your unit was set up top heavy, the DVX works well on a merlin and I think the JR is probably about the same weight rating maybe a little more?
 
Started working with a Magiqcam IIa a few weeks ago, up from a Varizoom Flowpod/Sportster setup.

No comparison, at all, really, the Magiqcam makes the Varizoom look toylike. And I had been fairly happy with the results I got from the Flowpod.

Word of warning - DON'T try to operate a Magiqcam (or any dual-arm rig, I guess) the way you would work a Flowpod/Sportster. You can *hurt* yourself...
 
Started working with a Magiqcam IIa a few weeks ago, up from a Varizoom Flowpod/Sportster setup.

No comparison, at all, really, the Magiqcam makes the Varizoom look toylike. And I had been fairly happy with the results I got from the Flowpod.

Word of warning - DON'T try to operate a Magiqcam (or any dual-arm rig, I guess) the way you would work a Flowpod/Sportster. You can *hurt* yourself...
 
The strap is a bad idea as it defeats the purpose of stabilizing the image.
ProVideographer (http://www.triphotography.net) would be the closest you can
get to glidecam without the glidecam price with few nice features that are not in
the glidecam such as more adjustability of the vertical controls.
They got the XL model weigh less than 4Lb and the GL is much less.
 
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I bought the plans for the Homecast Pro Camera Stabilizer about 3 years ago.
Pics of it
Clip of it in action (this is about as smooth as it gets for the Homecast)

It worked great with my little GL-2, but now with the DVX and a 35mm adapter, that mojo is heavy. I still use it for steady shots that are short in durration. I made a wrist brace to distribute the load to the bicept and shoulders. It helps a little, but either way (like the good folks said above), whoever will be using it needs to have some good strength.

Too bad you don't have the time and $ to build this rig:

http://www.codydeegan.com/

I am getting ready to build it. The parts came in at around $350.

P.S. I would do whatever Mikko says :)
 
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