Hi, I’m thinking of buying a V8.

I can only order the rig off the web, and it would be impractical to go to the shop for a demo.

I’m trying to establish the build quality of the system.

I’ve searched the net for pictures and I’ve seen the back mounted vest pictures that were previously posted.

Does anyone have any other close up pictures of their rigs? If not, could anyone take some?

I’m especially interested in piccys of the arm.

Please help.

I've got a picture of my wife using ours:

http://homepage.mac.com/gnattress/PhotoAlbum6.html

Graeme

Thanks Graeme.

Keep them coming ppl :)

Richard,
I was in your position recently, looking for a rig. I had
tried a handheld stabilizer, but it didn't work out.
I went with the Magiqcam. I'm suppose to receive it
in about a week and I'll relay my first impressions.
One thing that's nice about the Magiqcam versus
the Glidecam is that the pitch of the arm is adjustible.
This is a new update for the Magiqcam. I had seen
a used Magiqcam on ebay but I wanted
to be able to adjust the angle of the arm from the
body.

So Dave, which model did you go for I or the IIa? So they finally went and did the change. I guess Charles P. meeting with them did the trick ;) How does it look, do you have a photo?

OMG!!!!

I just visited the Magiqcam site and saw the demo video they have put together.
In my opinion, the results were absolutely awful. There was so much bounce in the picture and I feel that a good camera operator could attain the same results freehand.

At first i thought that they were going to do a before and after shot.

I’ve shot better things with my Glidecam 2000.

I know that’s not a nice thing to say, and it may just be the skill of the operator, but it's definitely put me off that idea.

If you don’t believe me, check out the demo for yourself.

www.Magiqcam.com

And very poorly produced too! I think I did better than that running around the garden for the first time with the V8! And the web movie is just awful. Then again, the glidecam demo video is pretty atrocious too!

Graeme

Graeme, I'm glad you agree. Although I'm sure it would be hard not to.

I have no idea why they would promote their product with such a bad video. It really looked like it was shot freehand.
I think I’m sticking with the Glidecam V8 choice. After all I’m getting some amazing pictures with my GC2000, so hopefully the v8 won’t disappoint.

Where did you see the Glidecam v8 demo video?

I’m still looking for pictures ppl :)

I ordered the video through the post. I was also lucky enough that my local distributor could get the gear in for us to see and try before buying. The only thing I don't really like about the V8 is that you have to drill a hole to feed the video cable down the centre of the support to the monitor, and I don't like the battery for the monitor - the monitor is also very basic. The arm itself seems very well engineered, if basic looking, and there are enough ways to tweak it to set it up for a wide range of cameras, but be prepared to spend a couple of weekends getting it working right - it's not plug and play.

Graeme

Graeme, are there any chances of you taking some other pictures of the rig?

It's good to hear your opinions on the build quality.

Do you feel that the results you are getting are of a high standard?

Do you feel that the rig was worth the extra money, compared to the GC200?

Do you have any more pros and cons?

Thanks for staying with this post. :)

What type of pictures would you like to see? I can look through my library and see if there are any better ones for you?

I think the results we're getting are pretty good - limited so far by the amount of practice we can put in on the rig.

Graeme

Close ups of the arm would be good, pictures of the vest and gimbal.

Anything, I've only really seen the official photos produced by Glidecam.

I don't think the demo was that bad. No way you
could do that freehand. I'm easy to please, though,
as my freehand work is terrible. My petite girlfriend
is two to three times more steady than I am.

Charles, I went with the IIa because it seems that
arm will give more range than the I model. I haven't
received it yet. Should be getting it in about a week.

So, Richard, if you were doing well with the GC2000,
why are you looking for a rig?

To be honest, I'm a bit of a poser. lol

I'd just like a full rig to practice with.

I'm a budding Steadicam operator and this summers work money needs to be spent on something.

I just like the idea of having a full rig, even if the results produced are not that much better than what I get from the GC2000.

Everyone can see an example of my work later this month when I finally post a music video that I shot using the GC2000 and the GL2.

I really do think that the demo video was awful, I definitely could have done it freehand. ;)

Dave, please let us know your thoughts about the magiqcam, and if you wouldn't mind some photos would be great!

Thanks!

Great to see you on this side of the forum Johan.
...and don't forget to take a pic of their arm pitch mechanism.

I still want piccys of the V8 :)

Hey Richard, I Taylor moore has V-8. Here is a link to his website where you can ask him for more pics. http://www.moorefilms.com/production.htm

Thanks Charles, I’ve sent him an email and I hope to hear soon.

But in the meantime, pictures form anyone else would b gr8:)

Take a look at these.

http://home.mindspring.com/~ricks-pics/revampedglidecamv8/

I modified our V8 a bit after actually using it.

First, the provided monitor is absolutely useless in bright light, especially sunlight. I replaced it with a Color TFT LCD monitor.

Second, I ran the video cable through the post, bringing it out through a drilled hole, up near the camera.

Third, I attached a Canon battery adapter to the sled that powers the new monitor and also acts as part of the ballast. This configuration also help in battery changes since you do not have to manhandle the monitor to remove and attach the battery.

Fourth, I added a remote zoom/camera controler from Studio 1. http://www.studio1productions.com/dzc1.htm

This facilitates starting and stopping the camera as well as adjusting your zoom setting by being close to your control hand so that your hand does not have to "travel" as far from from the rig while setting up you shot.

Fifth, I added a small line level as a reference.

Hope this helps, RB.

Thanks Rick

Rick, what brand monitor did you get?

Rick, I was looking at your pic of the zoom controller and would like to mention that your deesion to put it there might not have been a good move.

Before I explain why let me ask, how are your shots coming out now that you have placed the the zoom control where you have it now?

Now, the reason I said it might not have been a good move, it will impart some disturbance or motion to the rig when you try to handle the zoom control during operation. A good place for such a gadget would be on the gimbal where your right hand controls the gimbal. This way you will not impart any kind of outside interference that will disturb the balance of the rig.

The using of the left hand should be to lightly control the rig with a slight touch of the operating hand, in your case the left hand just at the gimbal or undernearth it. Seeing that your zoom contoller is a little more further away from the gimbal it mgiht just lend to it some interference.

I have a Varizoom controler. How far away
from the gimbal should it be placed?
And if I understand, it should be operated
with the right hand, correct?

Charles,

Yeah, I'd say it would be pretty much impossible, except for the one little thing you didn't know about me...I have 3 arms!!! :)

Seriously,

I absolutely DO NOT use the controller during the shot. It is strictly used for starting and stopping the camera and for making last minute tweaks to the zoom setting while blocking the shot...before rolling.

I found that it was easier to maintain framing by having less travel time to the pause/record button on the camera as well as not having to impart extra pressure on the camera itself while the rig was not supported by my left hand. It also made it possible to adjust the zoom without having to reach around and having to hunt for the rocker depending on which way the camera is oriented.

Dave,

I don't remember offhand. I'll check in the morning when I get to the office and re-post.

RB

Ohhh. I thought you were using the controler
*while* you were shooting.

"I have a Varizoom controler. How far away
from the gimbal should it be placed?
And if I understand, it should be operated
with the right hand, correct?"


Dave, The optimum place would be on the gimbal handle itself. This is perfect because it is right where your hand is suppose to be. Your operatiing hand is just there to position or guide the sled but I guess you knew that already.


Rick, I undestand. I thought you were operating it at the same time you were operating the rig. Thanks for clearing things up.

Dave,

The monitor is 5 1/2 inches and is made by DELVCAM.

http://www.tecnec.com/products/pages/delv-pro56.html

The model number is DELV-PRO56 .

RB

Rick,

I really like the idea to use BP-9xx series to power the monitor! Where did you found this Canon battery adapter? I would really like to put one on my stabilizer.