Question about handheld stabilizers

Chris Light

Chris Light

Veteran
hey all, i have a Canon XH-A1 and i'm looking into getting a Glidecam2000 or 4000 to get slightly smoother shots. my budget won't allow more than this, so please, no suggestions for better products....my question is this:

would it be wiser to run close to maximum weight on the 2000, or towards the minimum of the 4000? max for 2000 is 6 lbs, range on 4000 is 4-10lbs...A1 weight about 5lbs.

i will not be adding anything to my cam except for possibly a shotgun mic (would only camera-mount in a pinch).

just wondering how i can get the best performance...i have a very steady hand and my tolerance for bearing weight is pretty high, even though i'm a skinny dude. (been a drummer all my life), but i still desire "better-than-handheld" results.

any advice would go a long way for me. thanks!!

Chris
www.vimeo.com/chrislight
 
You might be surprised at how quickly you'll tire while running these rigs hand-held. That having been said, the 2000 will be less bulk and weight as long as you're running hand-held. OF course, the 4000 allows for more expansion in the future.

But I would start saving now for a vest. It's the only way to distribute the weight of a Glidecam without tiring your forearm. The forearm brace they make doesn't really do all that much.
 
Stabilizer Weight Limits vs Camera Weight

Stabilizer Weight Limits vs Camera Weight

thanks for the response, but my question was not about overall weight concerns or being able to shoot for long periods, but more about the logic of riding the max weight capacity of one stabilizer (Glidecam2000) as opposed to being at the minimum of the next model up(Glidecam4000) as it pertains to the performance and results of said stabilizers... does it make more sense to mount a 5lb camera to a stabilizer that is rated for up to 6lbs, or with a stabilizer that is rated 4-10lbs? let's just assume that i will not be adding any accessories to my XH-A1.... is there a rule of thumb with these? Thanks for any insight.

Chris
 
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Okay, I'll try this again. The camera's bare weight is 4.5 lbs, according to Canon. Do you have an extended-life battery? How much does it weigh? And the mic, mount, and cable? Every tiny speck of dust counts.

I have a 4000 with my DVX-100A, and I find that it's easier to balance when I'm well above the minimum weight handling. And these things are tricky when it comes to balancing. You have to balance the rig while the camera has every little accessory on it: cables, cable ties, battery, even the tape. The smallest addition can and will throw the balance off. So take all that into account, and see where you are with tape, camera, battery, mic, mic shock-mount, and cable, etc. as total weight.

If everything you have together still doesn't push the max load of the 2000, there you go. If it hits at or just under the max, you might be better off with the 4000.
 
Personally I would go with option C....just don't buy a stabilizer.

If you really want some Stabilizer shots then just put that money aside and keep saving....and in the mean time do it low-core by attaching the camera to the middle of a board and having two people run with it....or build your own $15 Stabilizer like many others have done. But trust me, just say no.

You may believe you can operate the system hand held, but the truth hurts....and it hurts alot...physically. I've drummed as well, and trust me it's nothing compared to holding 10-15+ pounds out in front of you for a few hours of filming...much less a shooting day.

At the very least save and buy the absolute bargain basement system that includes a vest and articulating arm. The cheapest of the cheap can be found around $600-700 on E-bay, and the stuff I would suggest on the bargain basement would be a system with a dual articulating arm...that'll go around $1300-1400.

I have trouble operating my Steadicam SK2 for too long, and it has a nice vest, arm and sled....I couldn't even imagine attempting to shoot for more than 10-20 minutes total within a day with a hand held stabilizer...and I mean taking large breaks in between.

If you must continue down this path though, at the very very very least get an arm brace to help you support the weight, and be sure to get a system that can be later upgraded with a vest and articulating arm.

And last but not least, DO NOT PUSH YOURSELF. You can do some serious damage if you attempt to shoot with a handheld stabilizer, and start feeling some discomfort and just push through it...rest, relax, have a soda, and pick it back up later.

Now about weight, and I'm only speaking from a stabilization standpoint, not at all from physical limitations. You're better off with the most weight you can get on the sled. The more weight the more stable the shots will be. There is also an ability to push the weight on the bottom area as far out as possible while still being dynamically balanced, this will increase the stability as well.

As for choosing Stabilizers based on their weight capabilities...always have some headroom. If you buy a rig only based on your current weight and without some fudge factor in their, you will always end up exceeding it's limitations. Never ever ever buy the lowest model possible, unless your're flying an insanely small lightweight camera like say a Still camera with the ability to record video, or a 1 lb. or less flash based camcorder.
 
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Nick, thank you very much for taking the time! you told me exactly what i was looking to find out....you're absolutely right, and i will hold out for something other than the "just-to-get-by" model...i appreciate your input greatly. I may just go the route of an IndiSlider or similar product because i think that's all the fluid movement i would need for now...i'm just talkiing about seconds of movement per shot, not nature walks...

thanks again!

Chris
 
Your welcome Skinny, and you may want to read this thread:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=162458

I gave a more in depth look at what you should buy, read, do, etc. if your thinking about entering the world of Steadicam.

It's a WONDERFUL art, Steadicam, and I'm very glad I purchased mine...it's addictive to, lol...

The Indislider looks VERY COOL. I will point out to any Low-Core(what I call low/no-cost solutions with high quality results) folks out there that you can pull this off with plactic wrap, boards, and vasoline...or skip the plastic wrap and use plastic board or similar thing...not as controllable, or portable as the Indislider though :)
 
yeah, i actually was keeping an eye on that thread...i didn't make the connection til now that i'm talking to the same guy...well cool man, i'm thrilled that you are taking a great amount of your time to respond to potential Steadicam users like myself, and i've decided to take more time and educate myself before i start running around with these things. although trying them out would be great, it's not an option for me at this point. i can't believe i live in San Diego, and none of the rental houses here will rent them.

This thread regarding inexpensive alternatives to the IndiSlider i was talking about has piqued my interest, and i will probably be purchasing one. Check it out! http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=145701

Chris
 
A very interesting thread. It actually gave me a few ideas on how to build alternative rail systems for steadicam use...I suppose for all cameras...for Matte box, FF, etc. etc.

I never thought of using a one piece rail system, it makes me quite curious.
 
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