The Orbitor

[Illya Friedman]

So at NAB I tried out the PAG Orbitor w/a Z1U for about 15-20 minutes.

http://www.pagusa.com/orbitor.htm#

More comfortable then the DV rig, with what essentially reproduces the feeling of low-end 3-axis fluid head. Although I never tried out the 3rd axis.

I thought it worked great, within a few minutes I was reproducing shots as smooth as a full size camcorder, without any body strain. The fluid head made cheating pans and tilts in body movement a piece of cake. And I found myself having a lot of fun figuring out new ways to shoot the NAB attendees who wondered up while I had it strapped on. The hands free support (there's a spring hidden inside) was also quite impressive. My only complaint is the hand grips aren't adjustable, I would have liked them slightly wider apart. Still it's a pretty minor complaint.

I'm writing an article for Back Stage West and I'm looking to interview an Orbitor owner for the column. If you have one or know someone who does, please have them send me a PM as soon as possible.

I.

 

[Drew599]

I just got one of these and I really like it. The DV rig looks nice but the Orbitor gives you more options to move the camera around. Plus with that head you can get the camera around corners before you have enough room to make it. Makes things a little faster in that respect. You can also be walking or running forward and have the camera aiming to your left or right. I'll try and post some footage of it soon.

 

[Lenilenapi]

I tried this at NAB and liked it more than any of the other similar rigs. It was still just too much hardware for shooting handheld to me. I like to be flexible and all of these big rigs seem confining. I'm experimenting right now with a simple monopod that goes between 20" and 5'3" . Stuff one end in a fanny pack at my waist and put the camera on top with a little ball head on the monopod. Its not bad and its way simple. For an interview pull out the monopod and extend to the ground.