Wonderlan Ares vs Glidecam HD vs Blackbird - correct stabilizer/steadicam

C

craigbuckley

Active member
I am trying to find the best bang for my buck steadicam/stabilizer....

I have the lightweight gh2 with slr magic 12mm and soon to be voigtlander 25mm (or slr magic 25mm) and I need a better stabilizer than the $150 one I bought off ebay. It works great but I always get my footsteps and movement in the shot.


I have read through this forum and other's extensively. I just finished reading this good thread ,

http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/57/steadicam-solution-for-gh2/p5

But I couldnt find an answer and wanted to start up another discussion because I know others are curious too.

Is it worth it spend the more money on the blackbird or glidecam? Or will the wonderland do? ( I would love to not have to use a vest...)
 
You don't need an arm and vest for the GH2. The blackbird is very easy to setup and works really well. But if you want to go that route, I'm thinking of selling my steadicam arm blackbird combo. I have a RED camera so I haven't used this setup in a while. PM me if you want the details.
 
+1 for the Blackbird.

But.. footsteps in shot really that is not the fault of the device as no handheld has any infulence on updown movement.. and actually I find it can be harder to hide footsteps with an arm so you might just spend time with what you have.
 
I'm going to look more into the blackbird... can you post some footage with the lightweight gh2? I have a slr magic 12mm and its got some decent weight.... Any other inputs on steadicam combo for gh2? Any wonderlan users out there?
 
I've used the Glidecam HD1000 for about a year and I really like it. I also bought the arm brace (overpriced, but I needed it for a rush gig) and it really helped out for long takes. I was using the Olympus 9-18mm as my Glidecam lens but I've since moved to the SLR Magic 12mm. It's a nice combo.

Here's an example of a completely off the cuff run-through with the Glidecam and Olympus lens. Not my finest work, but a good example of something unrehearsed and random.

 
Thats some good footage right there... I'm really trying to decide between one of the glidecam HD's or the blackbird.. I also haven't heard much about the Wonderlan with a gh2.

Do you think the HD 1000 is the best for the gh2? Or would the HD 2000 be a better route? I will probaly use SLR magic 12mm and maybe a monitor...
 
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I guess it depends on the monitor weight and anything else you might want to add. For the combo of GH2 and SLR Magic 12mm, I use 6 counter balance weights on the bottom of the HD1000 (it comes with 8). For most of my setups I prefer to go minimal so the only thing I might add is a Rode VMP, which weighs nothing. This version of the Glidecam is rated to support about 3 lbs max. I find it to work well for my needs since I have to do really long walk and talks, and even a little bit of weight becomes cumbersome quickly (that's where the arm brace really helps out).

You may want to check out some of the tests and research at Cheesycam.com. The guy constantly tries different setups across all sorts of brands and models. You will likely find some helpful info there, and maybe some savings on cost.
 
I have the wondland Ares, I found it to be the best bang for the buck, very well built, I LOVE the spring in the handle, I have run a full sprint with it, and it smoothes out wonderfully. It's build is all metal (alum) I had a merlin before it, and I think the wondland is much much better on every level of performance, build, adjustments, and usability. I do know many love the black bird, so it might be worth looking into it as well.

Let me say this, If your using a heavy or large rig, of course glidecam, steadycam style with arm and vest is gonna be your best bet. but for dslr, their a pain compared to the wondlan,merlin, blckbird handheld rigs. Just my opinion.
 
Has anyone out there used a wonderlan and ALSO a blackbird or glidecam? Meaning, any out there that has used multiple (cheap) steadicams? And opinion on which is the best? I am thinking the Wonderlan because of price and also portability/weight, but I heard about swaying from the Wonderlan and I didnt know if the black bird is worth the $100 more.

I have back problems (only 30 years old!) so I'm looking for one that won't hurt my back so much.
 
I'm an idiot. Yes. I meant wondlan.. and that was the stabilizer I have been looking at but I understand when you say its not in the same class as the blackbird...

Is there a lightweight steadicam out there that people recommend? How heavy is the blackbird compared to others like the glidecam?My options are:


Wondlan Ares - $365
Glidecam HD2000- $465
Blackbird- $400
 
Because the blackbird is larger you need to add less weight at the bottom to make it balance.. so its lighter.

Your rig balances.. (roughly) when

----------
Camera X Distance from the gimbal = Bottom Mass X distance from gimbal
----------
So a rig with the bottom mass twice the distance (much lower) is 2/3 of the mass or suchlike of a smaller rig..

Now stability (inertia) = ((CXD)+(MXD)) Squared

So the larger arc brings not only a lowering in mass but a hugh increase in inertia (stability) - hence the rig is in a different class.




S
 
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I recommend you the blackbird. I used it on an industrial video last month and on a docu/fiction last week. Clients are astonished when they see how stable and fluid shots are.
Clearly, your arm will get tired after an hour, so plan some time to rest between shots.
Nobody sees steps in my videos but I had to "learn to walk" again when flying a camera :)
I use it with a d800 either with or without battery grip.
Will post a couple of shots if I get permission from clients
 
Thought I'd ask, but has anyone ever had any experience with the Glide Gear DNA 5050 or the 1000? They look basically like a clone of the Glidecam HD 2000 and 1000 respectively but a lot cheaper.
 
I'm going to go with the blackbird i think, but do you think the gh2 is too lightweight for the blackbird? My lenses aren't super heavy, i have an slr magic 12mm.
 
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