Steadicam Rig for HVX+M2

Endless_Static_Sea

Endless_Static_Sea

Active member
I'm looking into buying some kind of steadicam rig for my HVX and M2 (when it finally comes) I know that an actual "Steadicam" is out of my price range, but was looking at the Glidecam V-16/20. I also saw that Varizoom had some simmilar products, but I'm not sure if theie products are reliable. I need something that will support the HVX, M2, lenses, and a mattebox. I'm looking to spend $3,000-$5,000. Any thoughts would be great, thanks.
 
Add a grand and get the Flyer for $6000. Hands down the best bet on your budget. No other rigs in your price range come close.


Run a search, rigs for this setup have been discussed before.

- Mikko
 
I'm not sure if it'll support the weight, but the Glidecam 4000 Pro with the Glidecam Smooth Shooter works great. Under $2000.
IMO, the Steadicam is overrated, but I've never used one, so that's just MO.
 
Eh, my bad. Yeah, it's closer to $7k. (where did I get 6 from?)

Still worth it.


Can Scanner,
don't call it over-rated if you have no experience with it. There's a reason it costs more.

- Mikko
 
Endless_Static_Sea said:
I'm looking into buying some kind of steadicam rig for my HVX and M2 (when it finally comes) I know that an actual "Steadicam" is out of my price range, but was looking at the Glidecam V-16/20. I also saw that Varizoom had some simmilar products, but I'm not sure if theie products are reliable. I need something that will support the HVX, M2, lenses, and a mattebox. I'm looking to spend $3,000-$5,000. Any thoughts would be great, thanks.
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I'd like to recommend that you invest in a workshop before buying any stabilzer. You might find that, given the amount of time it will take to gain reasonable proficiency, you might hire an operator for your productions. I am not trying to be negative -- it's just that some people spend money on what "seemed like a good idea at the time" and end up re-marketing their "barely used" equipment at a loss . . . do yourself a favor -- TAKE THE WORKSHOP.

Steadicam isn't just a "strap it on and go" kinda thing. I agree with Mikko re: the Flyer being worth the extra money. I had one of the other brands before purchasing my Flyer and despite the significant difference in price, it is very much worth it.

Best.
 
... Check out www.steadicamworkshops.com for a list of Steadicam workshops geared specifically to the Flyer.

They hold them regularly in LA for example. - I know that Peter Just scheduled another for mid December, should be up on his site very soon.
I'll also give my recomendation of Peter Abraham as a great Steadicam teacher.

- Mikko
 
dregenthal, what did you use before the Flyer? Mikko, have you used the Smooth Shooter? Why does the Flyer cost so much more? I have a hard time believing that something worth $7000 could really be that much better than something worth $2000 that does the job perfectly.

And considering the Flyer is $2000 over what he's looking to spend, it might not be worth it. A workshop is definitely a good idea though. But how much is a workshop? I bought the Glidecam Smooth Shooter for my DVX, and with a few days practice, I was running all over the place getting silky smooth footage. It doesn't come with a monitor or extra battery system, but there's plenty of room in your budget for those extras. Although, if it can't hold the weight of the HVX, m2, lenses, and a mattebox, then we're back to square one...
:)
 
Yes I have used the SS.

The SS and the Flyer have been compared many times here on user, lots of detailed info behind the Search box.

But here's the short version (again...)
The Flyer is a Steadicam system. The SS is an imitation that aims for the same thing at a lower cost.
Without going into quality, the features of the Flyer are far above and beyond the SS.
The SS has a one section arm, it can boom about a foot. The Flyer has a 2 section arm, meaning that it can boom 30 inches, and can take compex movment such as stairs or running. It is in fact impossible to get the lens even up to eye height with the SS! Flyer can go well above the operator's head.
Flyer has a socket block so that you can trim teh rig's float point to you, the SS isnt' adjustbale, so you have to compensate for it - sometimes painfully.
Flyer carries over 15lb - that's enough for not only DV, but light boradcast cameras too. People have flown DVCAM, DVCPRO, DigiBeta, and other 2/3" cameras on Flyers, as well as 16 and 35mm film!
Flyer can do low mode - SS can't.
Ther Flyer's arm is tools free and iso-elastic. SS isn't
SS doesn't have a monitor, for any serious work you need one, so remember to ad that and a bettery system to the price of your SS. - Oh yeah, and if you want to use a 35mm adapter, you will need a follow focus to control the lens. That FF needs power - the Flyer has a power outlet built into the stage.
The SS (CG4k) uses a series of thumbscrews that you open to slide plates to balance. The Flyer has simple trim kobs.
Flyer uses a dovetail plate, SS will need a seperate quick release.


If all you want to do is medium-wide walking shots with a DV camera, the SS will do. If you want to actually have the freedom of moment of handheld with fully adjustable stabilization, then you will need the Flyer.


The Flyer workshops linked above are $500

- Mikko
 
honestly, I appreciate giving me the heads up, but I know that I would use the hell out of the Steadicam, so it wouldn't be a waste of money. A workshop would be a great way to finalize my decision in buying one, so thanks for that suggestion. I was looking into buying a MSE dolly, but for the price, I figured a Steadicam system is a better bang for my buck (considering buying the dolly, the centipedes, and the track). You get more versatility, and operating a Steadicam is a great ability to have. Thank you for all of your posts, they are greatly appreciated.
 
Endless_Static_Sea said:
[...] I know that I would use the hell out of the Steadicam [...]
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Yeah, take a workshop and then get the best possible rig you can afford. It's the only way if you are serious.

- Mikko
 
Can Scanner said:
dregenthal, what did you use before the Flyer? Mikko, have you used the Smooth Shooter? Why does the Flyer cost so much more? I have a hard time believing that something worth $7000 could really be that much better than something worth $2000 that does the job perfectly.
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I think Mikko already answered the second part of your question. Suffice it to say (as I am not in the habit of giving bad press to anyone's product) that what I owned previous to moving up to the Flyer was a fairly popular (and widely discussed) stabilizer. If, in my opinion, as you are already a skilled operator "running all over the place getting silky smooth footage", were you to have the opportunity to use the Flyer, properly balanced, you would become a believer in a short period of time.

And considering the Flyer is $2000 over what he's looking to spend, it might not be worth it. A workshop is definitely a good idea though. But how much is a workshop? I bought the Glidecam Smooth Shooter for my DVX, and with a few days practice, I was running all over the place getting silky smooth footage. It doesn't come with a monitor or extra battery system, but there's plenty of room in your budget for those extras. Although, if it can't hold the weight of the HVX, m2, lenses, and a mattebox, then we're back to square one...
:)
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Well I have to disagree. My comment was basically a suggestion that he (as many of us are, is on a tight budget) not spend any money before investigating further. It's a fair statement to say that Steadicam is not for everyone -- I have known people that spent the money and sold their equipment at a loss after finding it wasn't for them either because they were not able to devote the time to practice--or needed to go out and shoot something before they were ready, ending up with mixed results.

Peter Abraham runs a program specifically geared towards the Flyer--and, I think, many people recognize that Peter is a good guy, and experienced Master Steadicam Operator as well as consumate professional. I was fortunate enough to attend a Fall Steadicam Operators workshop "near" Philadelphia which ran from a Sunday afternoon through the following Friday afternoon at a cost which exceeds what the original poster has budgeted for his stabilizer. We had one day that went 14 hours and the rest (except for the first afternoon) all ran 10 to 12. They fed us (quite well I might add) all three meals each day, and at that price we got a lot of instruction, plenty of time in the rigs, stepped off cranes, rode quads and other vehicles, and did the sky-cam thing. About the only thing that wasn't experienced was a helicopter, which is recommended against (too many other safer solutions).

We got the benefit of Mr. Jerry Holway, Garrett Brown, and a top flite staff. No stone was left unturned. Was it worth the money--oh yeah, I've been thinking about going again. Did we leave there as Steadicam Operators, "running all over the place getting silky smooth footage?" Not on your life -- but we left with a wealth of knowledge delivered by the guys that actually shoot the footage you are looking at in the theater and prime time TV, and I've been practicing ever since.

Although, if it can't hold the weight of the HVX, m2, lenses, and a mattebox, then we're back to square one...
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exactly (unless he elects to put up the money while shooting wedding videos so he can purchase the right tool for the job the first time out).
 
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Nice post Dregenthal!
I totally agree with all you said, I too am waiting for the opertunety to attend another workshop.


What year did you take your workshop?


- Mikko ... SOA class of Fall '04
 
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yeah, I'm am the kind of person that would rather wait a little longer, save up a little more money and buy the better rig, rather than buy the decent one and then end up upgrading to the better one down the road (and have two on my hands). I might sell my FX1 to get the rest of the money I need.
 
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