Stabilizer for EX1 for trekking/hiking documentary

slimjimmed

slimjimmed

Well-known member
I've looked around without any definitive suggestions.

I need a stabilizer for a documentary I am working on. Alot of operating will be done shooting kids as they are hiking.

I need:

1)something that is available now
2)something that I don't have to worry about slipping a disc
3)something that will give me relatively smooth footage

Is that vague enough? :)

Most are dayhikes, but we will have one 4 day camping excursion that we will be led by a trekking team on a moderate to difficult hikes.

What is the lowest-cost solution for the ex1 for this sort of operation?

Anybody been hiking with the EX1? Any suggestions? Thanks.
 
I'm in the same boat and I only have one oar, so I'm going in circles. Apparently not too many people use handheld stabilizers (no vest/arm system) with the EX1. The weight seems to at the top end (or beyond) for the current handheld stabilizers (Merlin, etc.). There needs to be something in between the Merlins and the Pilots. I want the Italian Sanda thingy (not available yet though), but I may end up getting a Glidecam 4000 with the really light (cheap) shoulder harness thing.
 
What shoulder harness thing?

The production team got the glidecam 4000, but I didn't think i could use it since the weight would be too much on the back for extended periods of time? So there is a harness piece too? hmmmm.

Also, is the Pilot the cheapest vest/arm solution?
 
I got a glidecam pro 4000. Not having fun with it. It is just so hard to balance the camera because the way it (glidecam) has been designed (constructed).
 
I have done a bit of run and gun hiking shooting sometime ago and on my opinion nothing will be practical enough.
Probably this is not what you expect to hear but you should consider to work handheld, a monopod and a very light tripod for some long end shots.
 
What shoulder harness thing?
Click to expand...

They call it their Body-Pod, it's just a quick, light version of their much more stable and heavy vest/harness system. It probably helps a little but it's not very substantial.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/112217-REG/Glidecam_BODY_POD_Body_Pod.html

The production team got the glidecam 4000, but I didn't think i could use it since the weight would be too much on the back for extended periods of time? So there is a harness piece too? hmmmm.
Click to expand...

Probably any footage from a handheld stabilizer would be limited to a couple/few minute segments at a time due to the weight and holding it out in front of you. That's all I want it for is for some cool trail shots, or fields of wildflowers, for a minute or two at a time.

Here's the full harness system for the Glidecam 4000. Apparently the model does not come with the unit:

http://www.glidecam.com/product-smooth-shooter.php
 
I bought one of those body pod systems about three years ago, and they are a POS. You would be better off with a monopod, because you cannot shoot steady with it when you are walking. This spring we bought a Stedicam Flyer and a shoulder mount on Ebay for a shoot. The Flyer is great obviously, but the shoulder mount has honestly been the best equipment purchase I have made in 5 years. The mount is $95 with shipping and works great with the EX1 (make sure you buy the extra weight pack) When you mount the EX1 to it, the camera is perfectly balanced on your shoulder, it reminds me of shooting with a full size camera without the extra weight. - I do not get any kickbacks from the seller, but I have emailed him a thank you for the excellent product.

The product is well made and has a great shoulder pad. I added a quick release to mine so I can go from tripod to shoulder mount in seconds. I use it for walk and talks and general shooting - much more than the Flyer.

Hope this helps

Here is a link to the item:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Shoulder-suppor...ryZ23780QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
interesting carl.

I have to admit that the mount wouldn't look too promising if i saw it without a recommendation.

So how much does the counterwerights weigh? You use it with the ex1? it doesn't say it supports the ex1 on the link.
 
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I do not know the exact weight of the counter weights, since they are basically just steel rectangles attached to the back. I bet they weight around 7 or 8 pounds. These stick out over the back of your shoulder. I can rest the EX1 on my shoulder with it, and the camera is effectively weightless. This is with a shotgun mount, camera light, and quick release plate.

I admit the mount does not look too impressive. I had looked for something similar to the larger mounts for B&H which have the pistol grips. After talking to other shooters, I decided to not go that route. When shooting, I am always using two hands, so it does not make since for me to sacrifice one hand to hold a grip. I know there are more expensive mounts that have lens controls on the grips, but what is the point. Mounts like this one do it a lot cheaper and in my opinion better. I was using this mount in a restaurant kitchen we were shooting in, and there is now way I would have been able to get the shots otherwise. Also, another nice thing about it, that I forgot to mention, is that it has a handle on the middle of the mount that you can use to hold the whole rig in front of you for some nice quick run-and-gun stabilized low angle shots.

Long story short, I am very happy with it. It may not be for everyone, but it has made my life a lot easier.

Also, my POS comment may be viewed as harsh, but that specific rig really is ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. Trust me, I have used dozens of rigs and the only rig worst than the steadytracker is that one. It looks like it "should" work in the picture, but in practice it is useless.

My 2 cents
 
Thanks for the recommendation and warning about the body pod. I knew the body pod looked iffy, but I was thinking of using it more to give my arms a quick rest in between handhelds.

That shoulder thing looks good... but I'm still wanting the floating look of a steadicam more than anything.
 
I've been using a marzpak (no longer made) for a number of years along with a monopod for this kind of shooting. They work well together. There is a similar over the head unit but ... I've forgotten the name. A lot of shooters in Europe seem to use them.
 
i think the Glidecam Smooth Shooter is a decent rig overall and it can definitely get the job done. the negatives for me though are more about the Glidecam itself. it is not a quick on and off setup. to get it balanced you have to set it down and pick it up many times to get it balanced and even more if you want to fine tune it and get it perfectly balanced. i wish it had some easy to change on the fly compensating "balance" knobs right on the head plate. when your rushed it can be quite annoying but when the Glidecam is balanced its a great rig for not a lot of money. it doesnt cost a lot of money so i suppose the lack of quickness it setting it up reflects in it low price tag.

i dont see any problem with the smooth shooter vest either. i find it comfortable and have never had any problems at all. with that said i havent used other vest types products. it seems now that there are other options that are similarly priced and even cheaper that do look good. if i was buying a new vest and stabalizer today i would consider other brands as well.

i plan to order a Multirig Pro tomorrow to bridge the gap between the Glidecam system and a tripod. i think if your going to hiking and walking most of the time a Glidecam or similar type of unit is the best way to get transparent footage. the Multirig Pro clips i have seen are still bumpy but still looks way better than handholding an HVX type size camera without it. i do agree with Carl in an upper post about the footage looking like it was shot with a much heavier over the shoulder camera which does handle the bumps much better.

to the original poster, i think you have to decide what style/type of footage do you want and could live with. i find it tough to zoom in very far with the glidecam so mostly i use the wider type shots and much of the time a wide angle adaptor. for any intimacy with your subjects...you will need to get very close. for me there is no substitute for a smooth floating non bumpy shot though, but honestly once i put on the vest and stabalizer i have to force myself to accept that i am limited to just what it does well....this is why the MultirigPro looks like it could be a good compromise.

good luck
david
www.davidprobst.com
 
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Carl,
I'm pretty intrigued by that little counterweight system.

Like you I have not liked any of the shoulder mount systems and I've just been using a monopod which is fine for most things, but the running and walking stuff on their video was interesting.

Can you really do moving shots like that well?

Have you compared it to a monopod?

Have you used it with an EX-1, and does it get heavy when holding out i front for walking or running shots?



Lenny Levy
 
One of several tools

One of several tools

Yes, I have used the mentioned mount almost exclusively with the EX1. With the added weight unit, the rig works and balances great. What sold me on the rig was that not only does it effectively make the camera a shoulder mount, it allows you to have two free hands to use on the camera. I much prefer the tactile feel of the lens barrel to trying to adjust focus with some hand-held knob. When I am shooting I use four supports: 1- a tripod for locked shots, 2 - monopod for run and gun, 3 - the shoulder mount for tight quarter shooting, and general tracking or eng style, 4- Steadicam Flyer for moving shots where I have 10 min. to set up the rig and need the ultra smooth look. Each support has a specific purpose, and they are work great as intended. You can get pretty smooth tracking shots from the shoulder mount. Is this $85 mount as smooth as the $7,000 Flyer - no obviously. However, 9 times out of 10 if we are shooting (mostly documentary), I will use the shoulder mount over the Flyer. I would rather capture something that has a slight movement to it, then miss the shot entirely while I tried to get the Flyer set-up.
 
Has anybody seen/used this Movcam thing? Never heard of it until someone mentioned it in another thread:
http://www.movcam.com/en-h-350-sys-1.htm

Has anyone tried the Steady Tracker Extreme?
http://www.steadytracker.com/steady10.html

What about the Varizoom Flow Pod?
http://www.varizoom.com/products/stabilizers/vzfp.html

I'm about ready to make some sort of purchase.

Also, for sure the consensus is the Merlin won't handle the EX1, even with the metal gimbal thing? I'm looking for the best way to get smooth flying 'handheld' footage and cost is not factor. I won't be using a vest/arm and I don't mind if it's heavy because it's just for specific, limited applications, even if I get 30 seconds at a time here and there.
 
Carl,
Well I thi9nk I'm going to give it a try.
Thanks for the advice.
BTW - what do you mean by "close quarter " shooting.

Lenny
 
Close quarters

Close quarters

There are a lot of times when I am shooting moving shots and there is not enough room for a steadicam. For example, sooting in a restaurant kitchen that is bustling, or in a crowded room, etc. Most of what I shoot is documentary, so I do not have the ability to block shots or scenes with talent. By using a shoulder rig, I get the best of both worlds: the shots are steady, and I can - walk, crouch, kneel, turn, and move to where I need to be quickly and without getting in the way of the action. The only time that the mentioned shoulder mount does not work well in my opinion is if you are doing a rinde-along in a car (as in COPS). The balance weights do stick out behind your shoulder about 4 inches, and it is hard to get back far enough to get a wide shot. I think it works better to just hand hold and lock your arms against a raised knee.

Good luck with the purchase. I love mine. It is a great tool for the price in my opinion. I highly recommend adding a quick release if you are going to be going from tripod to mount often. I have a cheap ($40) bogen quick-release on my EX1 that connects with all of my camera supports. I had to buy four of them, but it only takes 2 seconds to switch the camera around.
 
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