Recommended Camera Stabilization Equipment for Sony FS100

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Budgieboots

Well-known member
Hello everyone,

I've been using and enjoying my Sony FS100 for a few months now, and I do a lot of wedding work with it.

I am looking to invest in one of those steadicam/glidecam camera stabilization rigs, and I was wondering if any of you have any recommendations or positive experiences with particular pieces of equipment?
I'm not sure how much I'm looking to spend at the moment, but I'm looking for something that will definitely give professional results.

Like to me, this looks like it would do the trick:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/494659-REG/Steadicam_PILOT_AA_Pilot_AA_Camera_Stabilization_System.html

But I wonder if there are better options out there.
 
I just made this video with the Steadicam Pilot:

I have the 16mm lens on. Took the handle off, had the shotgun mounted for ref sound and was flying it poor mans low mode (upside down). I think it worked nicely.
Unless you're going to fly anything heavier, I wouldn't recommend going bigger. The FS100 is light and I ended up putting a little counterweight on it as well.

Also, if you go for the Pilot, have it modified to use the Sony batteries, then you only need one brand and they last quite a while. During the video above, that took 16 hours to shoot, I went through 4 NP-F970s and 1 NP-f770.
 
I use a glide cam 4000 pro, i love it, ive heard great things about the newer version too, the hd4000. Obviously a much more hand held option then what you're looking at though.
 
Kraut69 said:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?268064-New-video-made-with-fs100-skiing

Watch this video made with the glidecam hd4000. I'm getting one, it has a 10lb limit, much more than my Merlin. Also you can adapt the "low cost" Merlin vest to the HD4000 (cheaper than the glidecam vest)_.
Click to expand...

I have the HD4000 and am looking for a vest
option. There seems to be a really cheap vest
and then a couple thousand dollar 'Merlin' vest.

Which one will suffice and if it's the cheaper of
the two are there downsides?
 
I'm thinking the Merlin vest/arm is about $1500.

He is a video on how to do the conversion for mounting the HD4000.

http://cheesycam.com/steadicam-merlin-vest-to-glidecam-hd4000-diy-adapter/
 
legrevedotcom said:
I just made this video with the Steadicam Pilot:

I have the 16mm lens on. Took the handle off, had the shotgun mounted for ref sound and was flying it poor mans low mode (upside down). I think it worked nicely.
Unless you're going to fly anything heavier, I wouldn't recommend going bigger. The FS100 is light and I ended up putting a little counterweight on it as well.

Also, if you go for the Pilot, have it modified to use the Sony batteries, then you only need one brand and they last quite a while. During the video above, that took 16 hours to shoot, I went through 4 NP-F970s and 1 NP-f770.
Click to expand...

Damn that was fantastic. Did you use the Sony 16mm on all those shots. I wasn't paying attention to the lenses used because I was was captivated by the sheer force of that vid. great job.

The pilot is a great stabilizer and if you want it cheaper one way to go is to get the Glidecam Hd4000 and the steadicam merlin arm and vest which I believe is the same as the pilot arm and vest except for the mounting pin. Berkeysystems sells a glidecam pin if you go this route.
 
Well... all the moving shots were pretty much the 16mm. The tripod shots were shot with the Canon 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8L II IS USM. I think I stepped the Canons down to 5.6 with the stop down button on my 5D before detaching them from the camera and putting them on the Sony.
 
legrevedotcom said:
Well... all the moving shots were pretty much the 16mm. The tripod shots were shot with the Canon 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8L II IS USM. I think I stepped the Canons down to 5.6 with the stop down button on my 5D before detaching them from the camera and putting them on the Sony.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Stunning look, well planned and shot work. I have one more question. The projector used for the faces and the lettering of KATO , what did you use.

And not to derail this thread regarding the blackbird. I've never used it but have heard good things about it. I have a merlin and a glidecam that i use with the arm and vest. Without a arm and vest 7lbs. can get wearying even for a bodybuider. If you plan shorter shots that won't fatigue you I think the blackbird will be fine.
 
The projector was a Sony something... just a standard one, hooked up to a computer via HDMI. Low tech wins... :)

On topic... I have to mention now that I posted that video that I have to suggest that if you get into the Pilot that you try to find the money for a decent monitor as well. The stock monitor that comes with the Pilot is absolute rubbish... "Fortunately" mine had suffered a blow (which kills the liquid crystals) so we had to borrow a TVLogic monitor and for inside work on Steadicam it was awesome.
My favorite though that I want to save up for next is the Marshall 651STX HDMI. So far it's the most sun light resilient monitor I've seen. You can pretty much work with it outside without a sunscreen obstructing your view.
 
Budgieboots said:
Hello everyone,

.., and I do a lot of wedding work with it..
Click to expand...

You need to decide - Handheld or Vest

Vests tend to lead to better footage and a less tiring experiene for the operator - but getting in/out of a vest is not a fast thing to do so unless your wedding shoot is multicam with a dedicated steadicam operator a vest system may not be practical.

The vest system the Steadicam Pilot is a very good option,

Your link however went to the AA battery version - I promise AA battery power is an utter pain - you must get a Vlock powered version

The non vest options.
The Blackbird is a very fine stabilizer with the hand correctly placed under the CofM to keep the stress on the operator low(er)
The Blackbird is also not that robust and needs reasonably careful treatment

Glidcam are more robust but the offset handle makes for a much more tiring experience for the operator

S
 
legrevedotcom said:
The stock monitor that comes with the Pilot is absolute rubbish... "Fortunately" mine had suffered a blow (which kills the liquid crystals) so we had to borrow a TVLogic monitor and for inside work on Steadicam it was awesome.
My favorite though that I want to save up for next is the Marshall 651STX HDMI. So far it's the most sun light resilient monitor I've seen. You can pretty much work with it outside without a sunscreen obstructing your view.
Click to expand...

Shooting outdoors is a challenge - at least with the FS100 one can use the onboard monitor at a push if the main monitor is catching the light

On upgrading the monitor I bought a Transvideo monitor, It is proper transflective and very bright.. big drawback - it cost nearly as much as the Pilot !
 
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