Which stabilizers hurt your back?

M

MonkLife

Member
I'm looking for a stabilzer that costs less than $2000. I've read some good posts about the Magiqcam and Glidecam. Are they both hard on the lower back?

I've heard that inexpensive stabilizers are basically worthless. True? I know that technique is extremely important, but I'm wondering if the Glidecams listed under $400 are a waste of money.

How long can you shoot with them?

Has anyone tried the Marztech? Several people made fun of its appearance on an older thread, but it looked like it might work. I'm interested to hear how it performs.

Thanks,

Monk
 
Re: Which stabilizers hurt your back?

I personally went with the dvrig pro for stabalization. It is a shoulder mount system that acts as a stabalizer as well. I have worn this thing for about 7-1/2 straight on one shoot without the slightest bit of pain. Once it is balanced right, you barely know it's there (except for the fact that it's sitting right in front of your face) but besides that. Plus, as a stabalizer it works great. It may not be quite as nice as a $2000 Glidecam, but it's only $585 if you go through EVS online and are a DVX memeber.
 
Re: Which stabilizers hurt your back?

[quote author=MonkLife link=board=Links;num=1084336676;start=0#0 date=05/11/04 at 21:37:55]I've heard that inexpensive stabilizers are basically worthless.  True?  I know that technique is extremely important, but I'm wondering if the Glidecams listed under $400 are a waste of money.[/quote]

No more a waste of money than a handheld screwdriver is. A screwdriver drives screws. A handheld stabilizer stabilizes shots.

Using either for 10 minutes solid will be excruciatingly painful.

If you've got a big job, get the right tool for the job. And there's a reason that full-fledged Steadicam sleds go for... what, $30,000 or so?

So again, it all depends on what job you're doing. If you're wanting to do a show where you follow someone around all day, and want the camera smooth and stabilized, then a handheld stabilizer would be a terrible choice. If you want to shoot 4-hour wedding receptions with smooth gliding video, a handheld stabilizer would be an awful choice. If you're doing a production that calls for an occasional 15-second sweeping smooth take, the handheld stabilizer will do just fine, whereas an $8000 Glidecam vest system would be overkill.
 
Re: Which stabilizers hurt your back?

If you can wait a week or so I can give you an answer on the glidecam.
We set one up last week and didn't really take the time to fully balance it. After shooting I did the whole balancing ordeal so when I shoot with it this weekend I'll know better.
I did get a tightness right in the center of my lower back, but again, don't go on that yet.
It helps to fill out the crew with a cute girl or two to give you a back rub after you unstrap from the rig. ;D ;D
One heads up, that padded harness made me sweat like a pig, so if you're in a professional setting make sure to bring a fresh shirt and deodorant!
 
Re: Which stabilizers hurt your back?

I have the glidecam 4000... it's pretty smooth, but a forearm pain after a few minutes. Granted that's loaded with rods, mattebox, followfocus, etc on top of the dvx. I have the bodypod with it (basiclly just straps and a mount) that will take the weight off your arms. It helps a bit.
 
Re: Which stabilizers hurt your back?

I have the Glidecam V8 setup that I modified for backmount. I have used in mostly in run and gun type shooting...did 2x45 minute sets; sweat alot but back was fine.
To do the mod for backmount was like $250 cdn

I highly recommend making the V8 back mounted.
www.moorefilms.com/backmount.htm
 
Re: Which stabilizers hurt your back?

Hey Kai,

I have that same setup. The Glidecam 4K w/bodypod and the wrist support thingy... not the mattebox, follow focus, etc.... yet.

We can be dueling stabilized DVX's on our shoot. ;D ::)
 
Re: Which stabilizers hurt your back?

Thanks for the responses. Reidwriter, I'll be interested to hear how everything goes next week with the Glidecam.
 
Re: Which stabilizers hurt your back?

Didn't shoot this weekend. Spent the whole time in much needed production meetings.

Will def be shooting next weekend, if you can wait till then...
 
Re: Which stabilizers hurt your back?

I'm still interested to hear how it goes.

I've also read that dual arm systems work better than those with a single arm. Can anyone verify this information?
 
Re: Which stabilizers hurt your back?

Monk, all full mounted rig will make you feel the strain on your lower back regardless the make of it. It's not the gear itself but the weight of the system when fully loaded.

Your lower back tends to feel this pain because it is simply not use to the pressure of this kind of weight.
You will have to get use to it by building up your lower back muscles through simple workouts.

Of course there are back-mounted vest which helps relieve most of this pain and lets the operator fly the system much longer than front mounted vest but you can still feel the weight, just not as much. :)
 
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