[WTB] Stabilizer

HotConductor

HotConductor

Well-known member
I'm in the market for a steadycam, glidecam, whatever you want to call your stabilizer. I am looking for something affordable but would be willing to spring for something with a harness/body-mount.

Thank you in advance!
 
try the indislider. it's cheap. or glidecam or kessler pocket dolly. they're more expensive.
 
I apologize... I need to clarify. The shots I need to make involve movement within a crowd, at concerts, ballrooms, running down hallways, so forth...

You can't run down a hallway with the indislider, or am I looking at the wrong item? The indislider looks like a sliding mechanism, not a stabilizing system.

Any opinions on the SteadiShot 5500 Pro? That is more or less what I'm looking for but I'm very weary of the price. Price is way too good to be true. Real company? Good product? Suitable competitor to Glidecam?
 
you will need at least two segments on the ''Stabilizer'' in order to make fluid and steady shoot.
 
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Yes, way too good to be true. Look on ebay, that is basically the same thing that is sold direct from India as a "Flycam". No monitor (bad). One segment arm (bad). No battery system down below (bad, why carry dead weight?) From many reports on this forum and others, poorly engineered, poorly designed, poorly assembles.

Cheapest fairly legitimate Steadicam knockoffs include the Indicam and some of the Glidecam models. You'll have to do your own research.

It's generally agreed that, at the "low end", Tiffen makes by far the best-performing rigs. If you need an arm and vest system, look into a used Pilot (maybe $2000), or a used Flyer ($4500-5500), or used Flyer LE ($7000?). But understand that, no matter what stabilizer you get, you will have to invest in a training DVD or workshop, plus practice diligently for weeks or months before getting any good with it. Details like adjusting your vest properly, balancing the sled, adjusting the arm, etc. are important and not learnable by trial-and-error.

A guitar does not play itself.

A crappy rig will only hold you back, because it will fight you every step of the way. You'll always wonder whether a problem is with you or with the rig.

My advice: decide how heavy of a camera you want to fly, and save up until you can buy a legit rig (I strongly recommend Tiffen, they are head and shoulders above the others).

Good luck with your search!
 
Seriously, thank you. I really appreciate the feedback and ballparks in terms of price and brand. I am not in the market for a poorly manufactured piece of junk that as you put 'will be fighting me' the whole way. I would rather use my poor-man's steadycam when needed and save up for the real deal.

My budget (realistically) is right at $1800 currently. Will keep looking or waiting. Thank you again!
 
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