So what's up with Steadicam?

[VGurcu]

There were rumors about a new lower end Merlin like stabilizer on the horizon, any news?
I thought they might have at least designed something specific for DSLRs, nothing???

 

[mikkowilson]

Check out www.steadicam.com

2 new rigs at NAB, One is the Steadicam Zephyr, a rig between the Flyer and the Archer.
And of more excitement is the Steadicam Tango ... basically a "jib" attachment that basically turns a Steadicam into a fully (mechanically) stabilized remote-head jib.

Imagine combining PoleCam and Steadicam.

Very cool; lots of new techniques to learn, but LOADS of shot possibilities!

- Mikko

 

[boo]

Mikko, any info on pricing and avail on the smoothee?

 

[Contact_Therapy]

If there are any video clips of the Zephyr & Tango in action, please post them up.

Thx. :thumbsup:

 

[Tom Wills]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PARryQ7X4ws

The Tango in action. I don't know if they have a Zephyr prototype out yet - the pictures I've seen are all renders.

 

[Contact_Therapy]

Here's another clip from FresHDV.com:

http://www.freshdv.com/2010/04/freshdv-nab10-steadicam-jvc.html

 

[VGurcu]

2 new rigs at NAB, One is the Steadicam Zephyr, a rig between the Flyer and the Archer.
And of more excitement is the Steadicam Tango ...

Thanks Mikko, saw those 2 in their website, although Tango seems quite revolutionary 'accidents' written all over it if people try adopting it to event videography.
So Merlin replacement was a false prediction then...

 

[mikkowilson]

No reason to replace the Merlin.


Yeah, the Tango requires a HUGE amount of situational awareness, and a lot of new operating skills.

It's new to everybody; Including the guy who made it (and of course invented Steadicam), Garrett Brown:

- Mikko

 

[boo]

steadicam smoothee info mikko? thanks...

 

[mikkowilson]

I briefly tired the Steadicam Smoothee, seems decent - super simple to set up (pre-balanced for the certain cameras it's made for). But not as compact, and no where near as versatile as the Merlin - whole different class.

I'll ask about availability today.

- Mikko

 

[ryan brown]

Any price estimations on the Zephyr? any other products from them over the next couple of days, or can we safely say these two are the new products from Tiffen/Steadicam?

 

[boo]

thanks mikko. i'm actually looking at the smoothee for my iphone. theres also www.isteadyshot.com but communication sucks which probably reflects their customer service so i would rather go with the smoothee. waiting on pricing and availability. much appreciation mikko!

 

[Derek_Videomaker]

The Tango is legit!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LouziOQD9Rg

 

[jamesc]

I flew the Zephyr for a bit yesterday. Very well constructed and really great to fly. Can hold a payload of 20lbs and I was also told it will be the first to be Tango compatible. I was also told that the price estimates may either put it on par or slightly above the Flyer, though the people on the floor were mostly Steadicam operators and not employees, so I'm not sure.

http://www.tiffen.com/steadicam_zephyr.html

The Tango looked awesome. While I was flying the Zephyr, the Tango guy started flew circles around me, haha. Most of the operators I talked to who flew it really enjoyed the possibilities it offered.