SteadyTracker Xtreme: opinions please!!

S

Styves

Member
I'm looking to buy a SteadyTracker Xtreme, dvshop.ca sells it for 429$ CAD + Shipping + GST.

I have a really tight personnal budget for my rig, so I sure cannot afford the glidecam pro 4000 or v8...

Anyone ever used the SteadyTracker Xtreme ? Is it "usable", (with a dvx100a of course), I mean, I'm affraid of the setup time (balancing) and the total weight... I'm not Mr. Universe and I would like to be able to shoot some wedding ceremonies or music shows/clip with that, without having to rest every 5 minutes... any comments ?

Thanks !
 
Re: SteadyTracker Xtreme: opinions please!!

I havent seen this in person but it looks like it doesnt have a gimbal at the center of gravity like the other two rigs you mentioned. Without that you can forget about doing any perfectly smooth running shots. Walking shots will look better than handheld with a rig like the Steady Tracker but once again its all about that gimbal. Your shots will only slightly improve with this thing. If you plan on using your cameras built in flip out monitor AND your sure you cant afford to buy a Flow Pod or Glide Cam then your better off getting a mono pod for weddings. You can walk around and get shots as smooth as if you bought that Steady Tracker and if you walk around with it fully extended you'll be able to rest your arm any time you want (even in the middle of shooting) by simple slowly lower the mono pod until it touches the ground. The SteadyTracker is one part away from being TRUELY useful.

Either save your money and go with a mono pod or get full pro results with a Flow Pod, etc.

-Brett Erskine
 
Re: SteadyTracker Xtreme: opinions please!!

thanks a lot for the informations...I'm gonna check for the flowpod probably, and I'll start with a monopod for now I guess...
 
Re: SteadyTracker Xtreme: opinions please!!

styves,

actually the steadytracker has somewhat of a gimbal. it is a combination of your wrist and a padded handle which adjusts up and down from the fusal lodge bar and locked w/ a thumb screw. this allows for an easier quicker setup. once balanced from from front to back, side to side, and top to bottom, you can get some really smooth motion. you can grip it w/ a closed fist, use both hands to grip, or you can cup it w/ your thumb and index finger into a "V" shape to get the smoothest motion. though it can get heavy so you may have to stop after 5 minutes or so...or you can switch hands...if you're in the area, i'd probably test it out or ask them what their return policy is...
 
Re: SteadyTracker Xtreme: opinions please!!

I own the steady tracker and on my first day with it, I followed someone running down 3 flights of stairs and it was pretty damn smooth. When I showed it to friends, I said nothing about using it and everyone asked how the hell I shot that so smoothly.

It is somewhat heavy though. I shot my brother's wedding reception with it and I could only last 10-12 minutes at a time. If I have any real gripe, the base of it is a little big and I tend to hit it with my knee during certain maneuvers (I'm still learning it, however).

It also sets up super-fast, though I wish it could use my Bogen camera plate.
 
Re: SteadyTracker Xtreme: opinions please!!

Thanks everyone for your replies, really useful infos you gave me!

BTW, since a couple of weeks, I'm addicted to this forum :) Nice infos, nice people !!
 
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