Stabilizing equipment

G

govindaBLU

Member
Why hasnt there been anyone who builds and sells camera stabilizing equipment, like the people doing the 35adapters(letus35, sg35)?

Are there patents issues or something? Cause I would really like to buy some.
 
There's always the $14 steadicam that anyone (even with 10 thumbs) should be able to make? I have actually begun looking into making a stabilizer, trying to take a different approach. But I am in no way near putting a product out there (I'm still working on the skater dolly as you can see in another thread). Besides the $14 steadicams (and the like) - I think the main issue is that it is a fairly tough to make a really good product and it involves many different parts (some rather complex) that need careful drawing, planning and machining.

Tony
 
govindaBLU said:
do you think there are patent/ and legal issues to building these?
Click to expand...

If you replicate a Steadycam Merlin, and sell it. - Yes, that's an issue. But it's ok to make on for your self. - There are tons of ways to make steadycams. I was thinking about making one, just having a lot of troubble finding the cool parts.
 
Plus it's a lot easier to sell/ship the adapter than it would the stabaliser...

I guess one route would be to sell the "hardest" to build parts...and plans to get the rest...
 
Well lets see...
First off, it's "Steadicam" with an 'I' not a 'Y'. They are the original one and the 'correct' spelling. The name is also trademaked, so you know anythgin else is a copy of some form.

And there are TONS of people making Steadicam knockoffs at every level. From that $14 handle that calles itself a "steadycam" up to pro companies competing with Steadicam at their level with real profesional products.

They arn't easy to built yourself, but if that's what you fancy, check out www.homebuiltstabilizers.com they are THE resource for homebuilding camera support equipment. They also have their own forum full of helpfull people.

If you want 'comercial' (and I use that term loosly) rigs, that's people who are makgin them to sell, start on e-bay and search for 'Steaedicam' and 'Steadycam' (as half the people either don't know the spelling or don't use it because of the trademak) that place is full of all sorts of weird stuff. Buy at your own risk.

Or then get on google with the same search.

There's rigs that somehow call themselves Steadicams or are based on the same idea... (in a loose order of worst to best)
That $14 "thing", and other stange contrapsions that prety much totally miss the idea of balance and whatnot...
Taking your own tripod and holding it at the balance point.
The Steadytracker, and other non gimbled rigs.
The low end and 'small shop' gimbled rigs... Magiqam, Ind!cam, this sort of stuff sold by homebuilders - some work supprizingly well.
Glidecam, Varizoom, Sachtler, ABC, Basson, and the other comercial consumer level knockoffs - the "handycams" of the stabilizer world.
Then there's the pro arena with the good gear, but that's thousands of dollars and up, including names like Pro-Gpi, MK-V, Rig Engineering, and of course the original Steadicam (who also make the best rigs, like the Merlin, for small cameras).

Then there's all the other rigs that work to improve handheld shooting, but don't go for the Steadicam idea of actual gliding shots: A different purpose of rig all together, but also calling themselves stabilizers (as they are): The Fig-Rig, DV-rig, Pag Orbiter, etc...

There's definatly a LOT of options out there. With, as normall, a lot of over-marketed crap in the mix.


- Mikko ... What "E"?
 
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