steadicam

wahrez

wahrez

Well-known member
Hey

I'm looking to get a steady shot on a project without being too steady and was wondering what products you use that are cheap around £500 ($1000)?

I've looked at the Steadicam Jr (max 4lbs weight)...giving that the dvx is 4.4lbs does that mean it would be less stable?

What about the glidecam make?

Any opinions would be greatly received!!!!
 
Re: steadicam

I've been researching steadicams/rigs for the dvx100 myself, and what I can gather is that while working with something like the Steadicam JR is indeed possible, it's usually more of a pain than it's worth. A monopod with a weight attached to the bottom is almost a better solution. It mostly depends on the stuff you want steady (walking shot following the subject, panning around something, steady-nonmoving handheld shot, etc.).

I've heard nothing but good feedback about the Glidecam stabilizers (the 2000 is about the same price as Steadicam JR), and you have the option of connecting them to a vest. For the $1000 price range, it's pretty much your best bet.

Hope this helps out. Also, when you do decide on something, give some feedback about it, I'd be interested.
 
Re: steadicam

The DVRigPro isn't more practical than a Glidecam? Have you ever worn either rig for more than an hour. I'll take the DVRigPro over the glidecam any day. You might not get rock-steady shots, but they're pretty damn solid.

Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com
 
Re: steadicam

the dvrig and  a gimbaled stabilizer are 2 differnt things for 2 differnt purposes. a dvrig cannot do what a gimbaled stabilizer can, and visa versa. they are reall y to be used for differnt situations independent from one another. just as i wouldnt try to use a tripod for an underwater housing and visa versa.

both products stabilize, but they both do it in drastically different ways.. a gimbal being way more adanced, and designed for rock steady stabilized movement of the oporator to perform all sorts of specialzed "floating camera moves". and the dvrig is just designed to reduce operator fatigue and steady shots during normal operation . i wouldnt use one for the others job unless i had to.  because using a handheld or vested steadycam certainly doesnt reduce fatigue for long periods of time. and the dvrig would be a sore loss at trying to perform most steadycam moves.

..that said , I do think the DVRig pro rocks for what its for.. its a good product.
 
Re: steadicam

[quote author=jchenier link=board=Events;num=1103140074;start=0#4 date=12/17/04 at 10:12:29]The DVRigPro isn't more practical than a Glidecam? Have you ever worn either rig for more than an hour. I'll take the DVRigPro over the glidecam any day. You might not get rock-steady shots, but they're pretty damn solid.

Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com[/quote]



Two entirely different products, for two entirely different purposes.

You can't compare them against each other, so, NO, the DVRigPro isn't more practical than a Glidecam.

And, btw, I've flown Steadicam for the past 15 years, so yes, I have you ever worn either rig for more than an hour, including a DVRigPro.
 
Re: steadicam

Hey, Pookie, I'm not questioning your background. I wish I'd been using a steadicam for the past 15 years. My comment was directed at the practicality of a glidecam vs. a dvrigpro. I understand the difference between the two, gimbal vs. shoulder brace. You stated that a dvrigpro wasn't as practical as a glidecam and I disagree. While a glidecam will give you a hellova lot steadier shot, I would argue that it's more cumbersome than the dvrigpro. I'm not saying the dvrigpro is better, and I do understand they are apples and oranges, I just feel that the dvrigpro offers a more practical range for use. My opinion.
 
Re: steadicam

No problem jchenier.

I wasn't implying a DVRigPro was less practical than a Glidecam, neither is more or less practical than the other.

As they're not intended to perform the same function, you can't have a "winner" between these two.

Slightly confusing, but, they both perform their intended uses admireably, which are, both, different.
 
Re: steadicam

Having played with a steadicam jr with a dvx100a on-board i instantly got the feeling that the gimball was a "special piece of kit". I played with it for ten minutes and immediately saw the potential, so I decided to buy one!

I was getting reasonably solid movement at full zoom and was able to operate really fast-pans.

I'm gonna test it tomorrow and then shoot in the evening and see what I get!!!!

As soon as I can I'll post a file somewhere!
 
Re: steadicam

depending on how much extra time you have on your hands, there is always the option to build your own device. check out:
homebuiltstabilizers.com there are some pretty interesting rigs there... all home-made!
 
Re: steadicam

Look under the section on hardware. These topics (i.e., Glidecam issues, DVRigPro, and comparisons) are dealt with extensively.
 
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