Stabilizer Question
 

Stabilizers have been talked about all over the forum, but I haven't found a thread that fits my needs.

Flowpod, SteadyCamJr, Glide 2000...

I hear things about only being able to hold these things steady for last than three minutes without expensive attachments. Well for wedding use, I'd think you'd only need a couple minutes, but you'd also need to get the camera back in action.

I could envision wanting to use a stabilizer for bridal prep and some dance shots at the reception.

I shoot using two cameras, so one camera can roll continuously while I keep mine rolling but change lenses and attachements and then just edit out the shots of the floor and ceiling while moving to the other camera.

I'm currently using one base camera on a tripod and carrying the other around on a Steady-Stick for the entire reception and the bridal preps and guest interviews at the church.

I'm really leaning toward a Flowpod, since it sounds like I can get hurt my arms for a couple minutes and then rest on the mono-pod and then do it again when my strength comes back. It doesn't sound like you could use the other systems like that. I can just see my self at the reception with a hand held stabilzer getting tired and then taking a lot of time to put the cam back on my Steadi-Stick and missing things and then not being able to switch back to floating at quick notice.

Does a Flowpod sound like the right thing for what I want to use it for?

I'd be using a VX2100 with a Beachtech and a Rode Video Mic and probably a light as well. So I think we're talking slightly less than 5 pounds. I'm also wondering if those extra camera attachments pose any known problems as far as balance is concerned.

Thanks,
Scott

Scott,

I bought the flowpod for this exact reason. I was using the SteadyTracker, which is a little like the Glidecam, but not as good, IMO, but I wanted the ability to plant and shoot something steady at a moment's notice, but also be able to pick up and shoot a moving shot when needed as well. The flowpod does this very well. It is a bit heavier than my SteadyTracker, but before, I'd have to change to a tripod and miss things. Now I don't. However, you should know, even with the monopod, when you're zoomed out, it's still hard to keep the shot totally steady. But when it's not zoomed out, it's fine.

With that being said, I'm in the process of getting out of the wedding business to focus on shorts and such (for which I'm going to buy a vest stablizer unit). So I'm looking to sell my flowpod. I just bought it in April and only used it a few times. It comes with the low mode kit, balancing weights, and a nice carrying case. Here's the link (it's near the bottom):

http://varizoom.com/stabilizersindex.html

Those things retail for $640+. I'll sell you mine for $500 + shipping. Drop me an email if you're interested: jeffcottrone at yahoo.com