Which "Steadicam" would be best for gh1?

Futchibon

Futchibon

Well-known member
Hi,

I'm looking for a steadicam for my gh1; there are a lot on the market and the prices vary quite a bit.

Leaning towards the Glidecam HD 1000 at this stage, but welcome feedback from you all!

THANKS
 
The Glidecam HD series are, IMO, the best steadycams available for DSLRs at the moment. The Glidecam "Pro" models are tedious for balancing, whereas the HD series are quick and easy.

Important point: I would rate the Glidecam HD series above the pricier Merlin, since the gimbal handle is FAR more flexible and allows for panning and tilting much better than the Merlin.

Cheaper steadycams like the Hague....you get what you pay for.
 
+100 for Glidecam HD 2000... I have already ordered one.
And very easy to use with GH1, coz with 14-45mm lens, it weights hardly 600 grams.

And yep, Merlin S***s anyway! :kali:
 
I have the HD4000 for my 150 and soon the AF100, but I'm thinking of picking up the 1000 for the GH2. I would be flying it with the 20mm or equivilent... I wouldn't ever think to really fly with a large or heavy zoom as it defeats most of the purposes of using a stabilizer. I really do love the HD4000... very easy to setup and use and the build quality is pretty awesome
 
exttreem said:
+100 for Glidecam HD 2000... I have already ordered one.
And very easy to use with GH1, coz with 14-45mm lens, it weights hardly 600 grams.

And yep, Merlin S***s anyway! :kali:
Click to expand...
How is the HD 2000 for shooting low-angled shots? Is it possible to mount the DSLR at the bottom, instead of the top?
 
Here's a good tutorial for balancing Glidecams. They use the HD 4000, but it's the same principle for all:

 
For doing really low-angle shots I totally recommend that super cheap 40 dollar stabilizer. I forgot the website and or name but I bought it thinking it might do in a pinch for normal level shots and it totally doesn't.. stinks actually. But for low-angle shots it looks amazingly good cause of the counter weight and being able to just skim over the ground. I used it for some golfball rolling shots on a putting green and it was incredibly awesome looking and it only cost me 40 bucks. The low mo mode fo the HD cameras is like 250 bucks so if you need that then go for it.. but I really was super impressed by the cheap one...
 
Blackout said:
vimeo is up and looks pretty good, and original file is downloadable

Click to expand...

geez, i was more impressed with the use of such challenging lighting with good results in that video. sorry...back to topic.

the first "steadicam" shot in that video looked really wobbly, but with such chaotic lighting (good thing), it worked. thanks Blackout.
 
Blackout,
I saw the thread on sturdy cam and you going through the process of acquiring and adjusting one. So....
Do you like it and is the learning curve reasonably reasonable? Your sequence looks great and some of the ones on
youtube are amazing (the riding the horse one is particularly good)

thanks

Blackout said:
Sturdycam follow shot:

The embed looks like crap.... here's the link that looks a lot better
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1623018707488&oid=51395027759

And youtube for full 1080p stream:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYNvtiBlxAI&hd=1

Vimeo uploading now
http://www.vimeo.com/17766186

Also, this is impressive:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSkFUHHljtE&list=PL1788A4A906F4A0E8&index=12
Click to expand...
 
As I said I do likt it a lot. The wobble in the begining is because I switched from the kit lens to the 20mm lumix pancake for the low light... and just kinda rushed it... with the 2nd follow shot I had it balanced fairly well. The guy who sells them also has been VERY hepful and will help you set it up over skype... which I haven't even had the time to do yet. I got it balanced 98% with the kit lens... still finding it tricky with the 20mm.

that, and basic practice with it, but I am definately happy with it. it works, and it's cheap.
 
Chris Light said:
geez, i was more impressed with the use of such challenging lighting with good results in that video. sorry...back to topic.

the first "steadicam" shot in that video looked really wobbly, but with such chaotic lighting (good thing), it worked. thanks Blackout.
Click to expand...

The lighting was a real challenge as it was dark as hell and I only had the kit or the 20mm pancake so it was pancake all the way, iso 1350.. a lot of post color correction, and my secret - cheap LED mini flashlights from home depo with gels on them.

For instance, the slo mo shot at about 30 second in looks like club lights are hitting them, they are not, it is me spinning around 3 little mini LED flashlights.
 
Blackout said:
The wobble in the begining is because I switched from the kit lens to the 20mm lumix pancake for the low light... and just kinda rushed it... with the 2nd follow shot I had it balanced fairly well. The guy who sells them also has been VERY hepful and will help you set it up over skype... which I haven't even had the time to do yet. I got it balanced 98% with the kit lens... still finding it tricky with the 20mm.
.
Click to expand...

You know the pancake lens become a 40mm which is not the best lens to be used with a stabilizer for different reasons: focus issues, reduced motion (if you walk fast it seems you just walk, if you run it seems you just walk fast) and above all it doesn't help steadiness: a wide angle minimizes all kind of swaying, a medium lens shows them, a telephoto amplifies them...
Using a medium lens obliges operator to be really good (after a perfect balance):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR1ousp0MkY

with telephotos operator has to be really really good (also with some yoga experience:) (again after a more than perfect balance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t2ecQWStNQ
 
I would like you to post up some lenses that you recommend or even the exact ones you used in your tests. I need to buy a perfect wide prime for your sturdycam and also I lost the little (tightener) piece at the joint.. if you could mail me a few more of those and just some extra parts in general as backups I would be a happy Blackout!

For anyone else here though who is wondering about it. It really does work rather well as you can se from the shots where I did nail the balance right such when I follow the lead girl through the club - it works really well and can be an extremely effective tool for getting a lot of interesting shots.
 
Blackout said:
The lighting was a real challenge as it was dark as hell and I only had the kit or the 20mm pancake so it was pancake all the way, iso 1350.. a lot of post color correction, and my secret - cheap LED mini flashlights from home depo with gels on them.

For instance, the slo mo shot at about 30 second in looks like club lights are hitting them, they are not, it is me spinning around 3 little mini LED flashlights.
Click to expand...

ha! awesome workaround!
 
Blackout said:
I would like you to post up some lenses that you recommend or even the exact ones you used in your tests. I need to buy a perfect wide prime for your sturdycam and also I lost the little (tightener) piece at the joint.. if you could mail me a few more of those and just some extra parts in general as backups I would be a happy Blackout!

For anyone else here though who is wondering about it. It really does work rather well as you can se from the shots where I did nail the balance right such when I follow the lead girl through the club - it works really well and can be an extremely effective tool for getting a lot of interesting shots.
Click to expand...


Hey Blackout, I already sent those spare parts to you! I talked to that guy and he said the the lenses I used in that footage is a 14-140mm included in the kit
 
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