SteadyTracker Extreme

Mind if I weigh in?

While I can't say spending the money on a FigRig looks wise, I have to say that I was kind of charmed by the demo video Figgis shot. I recently sat down and made a list of parts for making a homemade FigRig of sorts. I guess my NoBudget background just kind of clicked with the idea of getting those tight little in your face shots. It's certainly not what I'd use for steady shots, but it could be a fun tool to play with now and then.
 
Envision said:
I'm sure you can get better stabilization out of the glidecam packages, but I do have a Steady Tracker Extreme, and for the price, it's a pretty handy tool.
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Agreed. I have a SteadyTracker Extreme and really like it for the reasons you mention. Steadicam shots, simple jib shots, ground shots...it's useful in a variety of situations.
 
Sean Michael said:
Agreed. I have a SteadyTracker Extreme and really like it for the reasons you mention. Steadicam shots, simple jib shots, ground shots...it's useful in a variety of situations.
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I too have a SteadyTracker and I am quite happy with it. It's by no means a Steadicam, but it's definitely smoother than handheld.
 
Envision said:
I've seen the fig rig, and think it's a joke.
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Just to balance that a bit, the FigRig is a genius tool - as long as you don't think it'll do a steadicam's job. I've owned a SteadyTracker Extreme (only one in the UK to do so, as far as I know) and it was OK to a degree. On the upside REALLY easy and quick to set up and use, on the down, it kills your arm and I could never eliminate a slight lateral twist every time I took a step.

The FigRig is way, way more useable. Don't be fooled by that simplistic 'steering wheel' reaction so many folk have had to this. You get it in your hands for a few minutes with your favourite cam and you'll be thinking "Doh! - why didn't I invent this"? Mike Figgis ain't no fool. But you have to try this thing to 'get' it. No, it isn't a Steadicam, but simply by shifting the contact points away from the camera the frame massively reduces hand and arm shake delivered to the camera - you can get very smooth shots. The cool thing about it is that you can get all the moves - up, down, around, rack, track - and when your arms get tired just tuck it in to your body firmly and it's ROCK SOLID. I can get fluid head pans twisting from my hip like this.

OK that's enough. Just thought a cleverly simple bit of kit was being misrepresented - that's all! Try it for yourself ...
 
Like anything, the SteadyTracker Extreme takes practice. Also, the more you use it, the more your arm muscles will develop. I can probably hold the thing for up to 5 minutes straight now while shooting, though there's almost never call do have a shot for that long with it.

I saw the footage from the FigRig, and wasn't impressed with it, that's why the comment ... especially for the price. If I was paying that kind of dough, then I'd want a set up that had a gimble, etc. at the very least.

I also think the SteadyTracker Extreme has more functionality and is more versatile, however it's just an opinion and I've never used a FigRig before ... just my guess from looking at the set up.
 
Sure, Envision. But I've used both. The thing is if you're looking at the footage for smoothness - no, the FigRig doesn't cut it in comparison to a gimballed device. BUT, you get it in your hands and you realise you can do MASSES of things you couldn't before. It's a device for the user - not so much for the viewer - if you see what I mean. It allows you to get creative in a very simple and straightforward way. It's very different and very good value, once you understand its purpose.

FYI: I purchased the FigRig in preference to a Glidecam. I tried both. For MY shooting needs, simplicity and convenience won out. I'm not saying it's better - just for some circumstances it's worth a very serious look.
 
From the feedback I have read on these boards it seems as if the steadytracker is easier to set up and slightly more versitile than the glidecam. But, in the hands of a skilled user the glidecam will produce more stable shots. Am I right in my assessment?

I have never used a steadicam before and am thinking of purchasing either the glidecam or the steadytracker. I have read how many other users have been frustrated with the setup time for the glidecam; while others couldn't get smooth shots. As a beginner...... do you think that the sound decision would be to go with the steadytracker or the glidecam.

I guess my question is..... is there really a huge difference in terms of the smoothness of the shots in the steadytracker as opposed to the glidecam?
 
jkc123 said:
I guess my question is..... is there really a huge difference in terms of the smoothness of the shots in the steadytracker as opposed to the glidecam?
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I can't speak about the Glidecam because I haven't seen or used it. I bought a Steadytracker last year and have just bought a Steadicam Jr. To me the difference is huge. I was dissapointed with the Steaditracker even after some practise. I think that anything with a gimble system will give you much smoother shots than the 'tripod with weights' system.

Last year I was in your position, Steadytracker or Glidecam? I made the wrong choice and went with the Steadytracker.
 
I will second this, Gimble only. Not even "semi gimbles" e.g. Flow pod and such.

The " Good for the money" term used a lot here to justify "bad" products is all wrong when using a top level camera.
 
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