Steadywonder vs Hague MMC

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xhridhar

Active member
I am thinking of buying a steadicam to use with my GH-1. I have shortlisted Hague MMC and Steadywonder.. I see a lot of comments & appreciations about the Hague one but nothing at all about Steadywonder even though their website claims that it has been around for over 12 years. I am puzzled about this lack of reviews on what their website claims as a very popular product.

Steadywonder is also much more expensive one but is it worth the extra price compared to the Hague one?

Would much appreciate your advice on this..

cheers
 
i use the hague and i disagree with Testser13's conclusion , it certainly is not bad.. however for the GH1 with kit lens its close or beyond its weight limit unless you add additional weights . I do not own a GH1 , but imo it works very well on heavier cameras within its limit .

some examples...

http://vimeo.com/7474810
(featuring possibly the most beautiful GH1 user in the world!!)


http://www.vimeo.com/10960108 with canon 550

just seach vimeo for examples , but for its price i think its good value.
 
I've just bought a Hague. I've had it 24 hours now and am very satisfied though not overjoyed with it. My settings to get it balanced best are as follows : 7 x large weights and 1 x small. This is with the kit 14-140mm lens. With the screen folded out to the left, I only needed to twist the weight balance slightly outto the side. I've seen elsewhere on the web someone saying he uses 8 x large weights- I found that a touch too heavy as it started to swing slightly when I moved.

From what I understand, it will take me a while to learn how to use the stabiliser. So imperfections I'm finding today are just as likely my bad technique as the equipment Nevertheless, for £75 including delivery I can't complain.
 
I made my own for about £10. Works like a Merlin! Seriously (I can put footage up)... DIY is the way to go if price is an issue, and if you are handy.
 
Had the hague - it works but it's built TERRIBLY. The handle pops out of the cheap plastic gimbal - nothing you'd want to put your camera on. Cockney engineering at it's worst.

If you're tight on cash, get the Balvanz (just google that word, it will show up)

Otherwise I'd recommend a Glidecam HD 1000
 
I suggest to buy indian FlyCam Nano instead of Balvanz.
As later is almost impossible to set up (I have one :-) ).
Plus it use simple skate wheel with bearings on one axis only (Nono uses bearings on all three axes). This result in a lot of unwanted play.
 
Matthew, would love to see footage using your DIY version of the Merlin. Would you mind sharing the plans for the rig? Thanks!
 
The hague works fine with lightweight camcorders, like the canon hv20-hv40.
For my t2i and the heavy 15-85 lens I have bought this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Steadicam-Gizmo-Incredible-Price-For-Worldwide_W0QQitemZ220695723454QQcategoryZ3319QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D220652421534%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4897791875462114820
I cannot say that I recommend it. It has been sitting on a shelf ever since, haven't ever managed to mount the camera. Because the camera is front heavy with the lens, the focusing ring touches the base plate. I really don't know if I can mount the camera correctly and then balance this thing.
And the seller hasn't provided a tutorial video for a dslr yet (he was supposed to do so a couple of months ago. He told me it is easy to use with dslrs).
 
Buy macro focusing rails on ebay (about $18-20).
It'll solve both problems instantly (one because of the raised position and other bacause of available adjustment).
 
Good idea. Thanks, these will be helpful for macro shooting with my Kiron Lester Dine too :)
I suppose you are refering to 2-way adjustment (back-front). And I suppose the left-right should be controlled by the weights position?
Thanks.
 
I suggest to get 2 of them with small quick release (called QR-01). And ask seller to replace it to QR-02 for small additional payment (or leave QR-01).
This things are build quite good. Very sturdy. And if you'll need to get 2D adjustment you just mount one on top of the other. :-)
 
Is there anything like flycam nano for my 550D ?
With lens , it weights more than 1 kilo , about 1.2 kgr... nano is only for 700grams.
 
toxotis70 said:
Is there anything like flycam nano for my 550D ?
With lens , it weights more than 1 kilo , about 1.2 kgr... nano is only for 700grams.
Click to expand...

It is not 700gr. :-)
Stabiliser is simple mechanical system.
You try to make m1*l1 to be approximately equal to m2*l2.
m1=camera mass
l1 = length of rod towards camera
m2 = weight mass
l2 = length of rod towards additional weight.

So, you either make l2 larger for beefier camera.
Or add weights.

So, you could mount 5kg camera on Nano.
And it'll work. In weird way.
If all fixing screws made by indians will work :-)

If you plan to use camera on handheld steadicam I suggest to use something like GF1+14mm pancake.
Small, light and wide.
You couldn't hold Flycam 4000 or 6000 for prolonged periods.
 
Why then, in their ebay site, tell that its only for little cameras up to 700 gr ... will it work with my 550D and a wide prime (sigma 20 mm ) ?
 
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