Varizoom Flowpod and DV Sportster Review

Head's up about the tri-arm coment.. It's been tried...it doesn't work.

With a multi-section arm, the key is to keep the arm sections 'syncornized' - paralel - so they they are at the top, middle and bottom of their ranges at the same time. With a 3rd arm sectoin there is no way to syncronize the 2 end sections because of the isolation of the middle section.

- Mikko
 
Read the whole thread and Pookies info as well, but I already have a Glidecam 2000 I have well balanced to my camera. I was watching some video of the Glidecam Smooth Shooter and it looks like it's arm is much better articulated than that of the varizoom DV shooter, and looks like it can bend up and down. What is the comparison on these 2 units when used with a Glidecam 2000? I like my Glidecam, but it is pretty heavy with DVX2100 on it, and my arm starts shaking pretty quickly just because it gets so tired! I am interested in getting a body mounted brace for my Glidecam, which of the two is better. I like the affordability of the DV Shooter, and don't really have $1500 to spend, but if it is really superior in movement it is probably worth the extra $750. Any opinions?
 
I would PM Pookie or Mikko with your question (unless they happen upon this post). In general, from my conversations asking the same exact question, I have heard that the Smoothshooter is a superior product, but as to whether it is worth the additional funding, that's something I'd ask Pookie.
 
From what I have gleaned:

for up and down stairs and RUNNING over all kinds of terrian = smoothshooter

a much more portable light weight rig that's as smooth as smooth shooter for walking / nearly running (really fast walking) = dvsportster

both are top notch - they were just designed with different end users and price points in mind
 
Hey Guys,
Truth is that all of the less expensive rigs or half-rigs are still toys. Ebay has used Steadicams of older Glidecam that would be a much better choice then a handheld with a vest and baby arm.

Steadicam Op is a fine art of skill & machine. They are both important. Save up for a real rig & save yourself much disappointment & frustration.

Steve

PS. But boy that red head is cute !!
 
Just chiming in to echo prezorg here. On a recent shoot of a TV pilot, I convinced the director it would be useful to have a stabiliser for some shots, so we rented out a Glidecam 4000. I got a day or so to practice before we flew out to shoot, and my results were... not stellar. Still much smoother than handheld, aside from the times when I would make a basic mistake and bump everything out of whack.

However, by the next day, I had it down to handle the basics. So much so that the director decided we would simply shoot the entire show that way. The result was that after 4 or 5 more days of mostly continuous shooting, I had it pretty much under control, enough that I could start taking on some more interesting and complex moves. My arms hurt pretty bad after the first day or two but I got used to it (and also used the BodyPod whenever possible). I just yesterday shot a 4-minute backwards tracking shot using the same system. The shot involved going up and down stairs, following characters into and out of frame, moving both parallel and perpendicular to the action, doing aperture changes at 2 points, and occasionally jogging backwards at high speed. We did 8 takes and 3 of them were totally perfect as far as camera was concerned. So yes, there's a learning curve, but once you start to get it, it levels out pretty quickly. Of course, this is just a beginner's perspective with a 6-7lb system.

Not having used the FlowPod, I can say that it looks a bit better designed for the user experience than the Glidecam. The Glidecam is pretty fickle and it can take a frustratingly long time to get everything balanced. AFAIK, there is no easy way to do a Low Mode, although I'm sure you could rig one up. On the other hand, the FlowPod doesn't look like it has any real method of left-right balancing? That seems like a serious oversight. I find myself needing to do some regular adjustments to my balance arrangement whenever I shoot with LCD folded out vs. folded in, LCD hood mounted vs. not, headphones jacked, shotgun mic mounted, mattebox mounted... I would be extremely worried about the versatility of the system in that regard.

Essentially, if I was just looking at the systems side by side, I'd rather put the $600 into the Glidecam (and recently have) than what looks like a better-designed but much more limited product.
 
FlowPod balancing left to right?

FlowPod balancing left to right?

Doug,

The FlowPod has and X and Y axis adjustment. That covers left, right, fore and aft adjustment for balance. It is sensitive too. If you balance the unit with the lcd monitor closed on your camera it will lean over to that side when you open it.

If it has a gimbal it must have a 2 axis adjustment for balance.

I have to take a look at the title you mentioned on the FlowPod page.

Thanks,

Tom



www.VariZoom.com

dougspice said:
Just chiming in to echo prezorg here. On a recent shoot of a TV pilot, I convinced the director it would be useful to have a stabiliser for some shots, so we rented out a Glidecam 4000. I got a day or so to practice before we flew out to shoot, and my results were... not stellar. Still much smoother than handheld, aside from the times when I would make a basic mistake and bump everything out of whack.

However, by the next day, I had it down to handle the basics. So much so that the director decided we would simply shoot the entire show that way. The result was that after 4 or 5 more days of mostly continuous shooting, I had it pretty much under control, enough that I could start taking on some more interesting and complex moves. My arms hurt pretty bad after the first day or two but I got used to it (and also used the BodyPod whenever possible). I just yesterday shot a 4-minute backwards tracking shot using the same system. The shot involved going up and down stairs, following characters into and out of frame, moving both parallel and perpendicular to the action, doing aperture changes at 2 points, and occasionally jogging backwards at high speed. We did 8 takes and 3 of them were totally perfect as far as camera was concerned. So yes, there's a learning curve, but once you start to get it, it levels out pretty quickly. Of course, this is just a beginner's perspective with a 6-7lb system.

Not having used the FlowPod, I can say that it looks a bit better designed for the user experience than the Glidecam. The Glidecam is pretty fickle and it can take a frustratingly long time to get everything balanced. AFAIK, there is no easy way to do a Low Mode, although I'm sure you could rig one up. On the other hand, the FlowPod doesn't look like it has any real method of left-right balancing? That seems like a serious oversight. I find myself needing to do some regular adjustments to my balance arrangement whenever I shoot with LCD folded out vs. folded in, LCD hood mounted vs. not, headphones jacked, shotgun mic mounted, mattebox mounted... I would be extremely worried about the versatility of the system in that regard.

Essentially, if I was just looking at the systems side by side, I'd rather put the $600 into the Glidecam (and recently have) than what looks like a better-designed but much more limited product.
Click to expand...
 
dougspice - the Varizoom does allow left-right balancing (I doubt that any rig could function without it); there are a pair of locking knobs under the camera mount that when loosened allow the camera stage to slide left-and-right, much as the side-mounted knobs allow the plate to travel forwards-and-backwards.

Not micrometer knobs, or even close to it, but, well, it works.

FWIW I find that I can readjust the balance very rapidly to account for camera-mounted extras, mic cables, etcetera...I think that after a while using it, you just sort of 'develop a feel.'
 
We already had a Glidecam so we added the DV Sportster (to take the pressure off the arm and back). It worked out great.
 
FlowPod

FlowPod

This product looks great, it has good reviews by professionals, but then there is the disclaimer "save your money" Those who write that don't say why. If this isn't worth the money what would be better? I will be shooting in the Amazon, a larger rig is totally out of the question. And perhaps a monopod is sufficient ... but then which would be the best monopod?

Thank you

Jarred Land said:
Click here for the article:

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/VZflowpod/
Click to expand...
 
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