Steadi-CAM question

Slimothy

Slimothy

Veteran
I was talking to a guy today and he was telling me that Steadicams use Gyroscopes. Where are they located? Tim.
 
That's true for the full blown steadicams. There's are reason they cost $45k. Don't confuse the Steadicam Jr. and Merlin with their "big brothers." These units are designed to compete with the Glidecam and low end of the market.

http://www.steadicam.com/index.html
 
where's you get $45,000 from? ... I guess that would get you a mid-sized one.

The Steadicam Ultra lists for $66,000 :shocked:

- Mikko
 
You're right of course. When I checked the price, it was actually the Ultra (Production Film) the lowest priced one $45,000. The Ultra Cine is $66,000 and the Ultra Elite was $56,500. That's a big chunk of change by anyone's standards. :shocked:

http://www.steadicam.com/index.html
 
and those costs still don't include gyro's. As mentioned before No Steadicam Model I know of has any Gyros as standard. They are always additions and only for certain shots. They can be noisy, the times I've used them are for MOS Shots mostly. You soon become the sound recordists worst enemy, when you mention gyro's.

The obvious exclusion to the rule is Howard Smiths Alien system. Haven't seen or flown the rig yet but am assuming it needs to use gyro's.

Hope that clears it up.

Rich
 
Gyros are food at a Coney Island ! Not gear on a Steadi. It is all about balance & PRATICE ! Beside the KenLab setup is another 12 - 15 lbs or so (without batts & inverted) ... Ask any steadi guy (myself included ) to add 10 LBS to his rig .... then Duck !

Get the Idea ...

Fine balance & Practice grasshopper ...

Steve
 
I was asked not to answer to this thread at first, by Tim as he was waiting for someone else response first on a bet.

As has allready been pointed out, nope, no Gyros in a Steadicam, only sometimes outside as an accesory. Check out that Ken-labs link for more on them.
Some operators have them as part of their kit, but they arn't used very often. Normally in windy or extreme conditions, such as some (but not most) vehical mounted shots.

That's money goes into all the other parts and engineerign involved. The tolerances alone make it a very expensive procedure. Gyros are 'cheap' compared to pro Steadicam!

Rich, FYI, there are't any gyros in the AR system that i knwo of.. I'm not sure how the control sensors work, I'm prety they are acceleromiters, but they *could* use small intrumental gyros, I guess. But I have heard no mention of them. I gave it a try at IBC this past year, it's a crazy peice of kit.

Man there are a lot of operators around here. Jim, Steve... (?) What kit do you guys fly?

- Mikko
 
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