You guys are KILLING me.

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
All right-

I am swiftly trying to build a little arsenal of equipment for an upcoming gig and am down to matteboxes and steady devices. I am close to pulling the trigger on a mattebox. It's the steady device debate that is KILLING me. I know they are difficult to use. I know they take A LOT of practice. I am okay with this.

I would like to use it to, obviously, emulate dolly-like shots but spend under $500.00. But, I keep reading about Glidecam 2000. No wait, Glidecam 4000. Arm braces. Body pods. SteadyTracker Extreme. Steadicam Jr. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!

These are the two glaring points that I can't help but consider: Getting one that WON'T kill my forearm. And getting one that can support the DVX with a potentially loaded mattebox.

And yes, I have done a search, believe me. I was going crazy with all the info. I just wanted to start fresh so I can pinpoint what I was looking for: my arm intact, and one that meets weight requirements.

Thanks everyone-

I'll be patiently waiting for responses-
Rick
 
If you can't decide from specs and DVXuser posts alone, why don't you hire some of them for small projects and try them out yourself - there's no substitute for personally checking them out to see if they meet your requirements.

If you're near a dealer, you could even take your camera in and ask if you can try them out in the shop before buying.
 
BTW, you won't emulate dolly like shots without PLENTY of experience, and probably not without a more expensive model (the spring arm is not only to relieve your forearm of the weight, but it actually smooths your step movements. I never got excellent results of jr, or glidecam types, wihtout the arm and vest. But I don't operate, that was with hired operators, so maybe it means that the bad operators can't afford the good ones...

But the good news, is you can build a dolly for way less than that!
 
I used a SteadyTracker Extreme when making my recent zombie movie ("Arsenic & Old Chili"). While no doubt my technique could be better, I was really pleased with the results.
 
Sean Micheal-

Is it murder on the forearm? Is there a long learning curve? Is there a model number you could advise me to look at?

Thanks so much.
Rick
 
I'll preface my comments with the disclaimer that I'm relatively inexperienced with these things. I own a SteadyTracker Extreme, but haven't tried its competitors. Maybe someone else can chime in with regard to alternatives.

Here's the model I have:

ProMax SteadyTracker Extreme

I don't find it to be hard on the forearm. It's pretty light. The unit only weighs four pounds.

There are no vests or any other support. It's plenty comfortable to hold for individual shots and even extended periods of time, but probably not for all-day documentary type of work. For that purpose, I'd use the DVRigPro.

I found it very easy to use, although I'm sure with practice my technique will improve.

Overall I'm very pleased with the SteadyTracker. It appears to be constructed of quality materials, and performs as promised. After using it on the zombie movie, I felt it was money well spent. :thumbsup:
 
Here's the deal

Without a vest any Stabilizer is going to hurt your arm. Go grab a 10 LB weight and hold it at chest high and see how long bedore your forearm starts hurting; now start walking around and moving it from side to side and bending your knees....

Murder on the forearm? My arms aren't exactly 'Weeny arm's' and it get's 'old' after a bit. If you have it in you "Get a vest"

Rowe Cinedolly is a great deal (and investment for adding instant production value. All you need is a shank of plywood from Home Depot and your good to go. Anyone who doesn't use a Dolly I emplore you to 'Run out right now and get/build one" Rowe's dolly is worth every penny.
 
I'm with John. I bought a set of the Rowe Cinedolly wheels and couldn't be happier. Excellent quality and a breeze to set up. Depending on how heavy you are, the 24 set may even be overkill. You might have to go to a lumber yard to find the 1" ply. My local Home Depot only carried 1" birch and it was way pricey.
 
yes, i am definitely going to either order a set of wheels ASAP or put it on my Xmas list. My girlfriend keeps asking for a list. Nows the time to give it.
 
rlm7189 said:
Taubkin-
I am about as handy as Gilligan. I was looking at the Dolly Wheel kits that IAMLOSER is selling. What do you think?

http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=31735&highlight=iamloser+dolly

I'm thinking about skipping the whole steadicam for now and just picking up the 24 wheel set.

Rick
Click to expand...

Iamloser dolly kit seems to be a good investment and value, and he is obviously an honest guy. I never used it though. What I was trying to point out, is that if you want a dolly, you want a dolly. If you want a stabilizer,you want a stabilizer. One will not substitute the other, they do different kinds of movements. And while I'm at it, the vest and arm support are not just to reduce fatigue, they actually smooth out the movement a whole lot more! The difference is clearly seen in the footage, unless you are working with a wizzard steadicam op (I know a few!).

Good luck!
 
rlm7189 said:
Hey all-

What about this body harness WITH the Glidecam 2000/4000? Will this eliminate fatigue? For what it does, it seems reasonably priced.
Click to expand...
That device doesn't necessarily do what you want. That's the BodyPod. That device isn't for assisting in steadying moving shots; it's more for giving you a place to rest the camera when you're tired, but when you want to shoot some more you have to pull the GlideCam off of it and use it handheld again.

So it's not really for shooting, it's for resting between shots.

The thing that is designed for the 2000/4000 that is supposed to really eliminate all arm fatigue, and is designed for getting moving shots, is the Smooth Shooter vest/arm system. But that's a bit pricier (about $1500 IIRC).
 
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