My first stabilizing system, some advice?

C

Crake

New member
i haven't used the search function yet for this particular topic because i don't exactly know what i should be searching for

i bought a dvx100b recently and i want something for smooth dollying without setting tracks or being pushed in a wheel chair

i'm not digging the idea of holding the single system alone, but a brace or a body-pod looks really promising

i'm willing to spend around 700-800 dollars

if someone could point the way to a previous post on this topic that would be a lot of help or list a few of my best options and i'll go from there

i understand they take time getting use to so the sooner the better i say and i honestly don't really know how these things work
 
I'm looking at buying the Glidecam 2000...They also have the body vest...Just Youtube Glidecam 2000 or 4000 :)
 
while a dolly will stabilize your camera, generally speaking dollying and stabilizing are understood to be two different things.
Sounds like you are interested in a hand held stabilizer and vest system. Do yourself a favor and spring for the Steadicam Merlin. You can easily find one used in mint condition for $700. The Glidecams can be very frustrating to balance. The thing I like about my Merlin is that I can go back and forth between tripod and Merlin and rebalance in about 10 seconds. It has an adapter plate that allows you to switch. I bought an Indicam dual arm/vest and adapted it to my Merlin. It works well but I paid way too much money for it. You can get a Glidecam DV Sportster for half the money although it only has a single arm. You might also consider posting for a used DV Sportster in the Marketplace.
for additional info, try searching "DV Sportster" and/or "Merlin" to get a better idea of what is out there and what people think.
 
gco,

i checked the steadicam merlin and i'm super impressed, its capabilities are exactly what i want for my dvx100

i understand it takes getting use to and there is a certain amount of finess involved, but i'm definitely willing to put in the time and effort to achieve those results

bhphoto has it for 800, but i'll check for used ones around the area

just a few tech questions, what do you mean you have to balance it every so often? and will the steadicam itself without the arm and vest work well with the weight of the dvx?
 
Crake said:
gco,
i checked the steadicam merlin and i'm super impressed, its capabilities are exactly what i want for my dvx100
i understand it takes getting use to and there is a certain amount of finess involved, but i'm definitely willing to put in the time and effort to achieve those results
bhphoto has it for 800, but i'll check for used ones around the area
just a few tech questions, what do you mean you have to balance it every so often? and will the steadicam itself without the arm and vest work well with the weight of the dvx?
Click to expand...
The Steadicam Merlin blows doors on the competition. Search Glidecam and Merlin (separately) and see what people have to say about them based on their experience. If you are willing to put time in, you have got it made. If you read the owners manual and use the on line cookbook you will be very happy. This unit is not difficult to balance provided you take the time to understand what is explained in the owners manual. You just need to think about what you are reading. Once you understand what it is that you are trying to accomplish, you can easily balance and get on to the important stuff like practicing using it!!!.
What I meant by rebalancing was that if you use the tripod adapter plate and go from tripod to Merlin, you will need to adjust the stage rollers a bit just to get it perfect. No big deal, just a few tweaks and you are off. (You may also find the need to tweak it if the temp warms up or cools off.) The glidecams have no stage rollers so are much more time consuming and cumbersome to adjust. A lot of people complain about this. They also do not have any adapter plates that allow you to switch from tripod to stabilizer although you could use a bogen quick mount.
The Merlin without the vest/arm is great. You do not have to be superman although you will benefit from practicing with it. The vest/arm is not necessary but it does enable you to go for much longer periods of time without getting tired. The DVX is perfect at about 4.5 lbs. If you run with an on board shotgun like I do, that runs it up around 5 lbs. and you will need to use all the mid weights on the bottom spar. Just use the cookbook settings (# of mid weights that is) for the HVX and you are good to go.
Again, watch the MarketPlace. You should be able to get one brand spankin new for $700.
I paid $725 for mine (used) quite a while ago and it hurt like hell. So far, I have never once regretted it.
 
man, i'm getting so excited just thinking about the possiblities and the shots i could compose with this bad boy

anyway one last thing, if you were to use an xlr cord would that really hinder the capabilities this system or any stabilizing system for that matter? it sounds like a really retarded question but i have to ask it
 
Actually, that is a very good question. Using an XLR cord is no problem as long as the cord is short and from cam to on-board mic. Now, if anything crosses the gimbal (i.e. cord, strap, wire, etc.) from the stabilizer to your support hand/arm/body, that is a no-no and will defeat the isolation between your support hand and the platform. Think of it this way: the spar position, weights, stage rollers and handle "z" position adjustment establish the state of dynamic balance. The gimbal establishes isolation between you and your dynamically balanced camera. So nothing crosses that gimbal-- nothing beside the very light touches of your left thumb and forefinger for directional control that is.
Keep in mind that using an on board mic will affect the dynamic balance. I get good results using a hot shoe mount. That way the mic stays centered over the camera instead of acting like a counter weight off to the side. Also, if there is any breeze, a softie on the mic acts like a sail. Just use a foam windscreen instead. You will sacrifice some wind/noise protection on the other hand you will regain some control in a mild breeze.

One thing that really proves the engineering behind this unit is that when balanced, you can hold the camera pointed in a direction and walk 180 degrees or more around it and it will still stay pointed in the same direction---amazing!. It just wants to stay where you point it.
 
gco,

you've been an awesome help! i'm going to do some last day research on this thing before i make my decision tomorrow, i'll keep you updated on what happens
 
Thanks Crake.
I'm just a beginner here but I figure that I have taken so much from this site that I should give a little back if I am able to. You just happened to ask about something I recently figured out.
regards,
:beer:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top