I'm thinking on new gear for my EX3.. just the camera with the std. lens and the AB-dionic (with AB plate on its back).... is the pilot the best option ? what about the models from glidecam ??

also... thinking on buying one kessler crane / jib.... so, any advice or recomendation from the experts would be greatly appreciated !!!


kind regards

I just took the 2-day Steadicam training in San Francisco. (great class by the way) I got to use both the Pilot and the Flyer. We ended up buying the Flyer as the Pilot is right on the edge of being to lightweight for the EX3. Especially if you add a matte box and/or wide angle adaptor.

We choose the Steadicam over a jib or dolly because of the small areas we normally shoot. Hospital rooms, offices, retail spaces, etc... Setting up a dolly or jib would be ridiculous in those tight areas. I like the fact that with a Steadicam, if you have enough room to walk, then you can pretty much shoot with the Steadicam.

The Flyer comes with a nice stand to make it quick/easy to switch from Steadicam to tripod. You'll need a quick release plate set up though. We went with the Sony VCT plate and I think it was a mistake. We're looking at replacing them with the smaller/cheaper Manfrotto RC-4 instead. But who knows, that might not be a good way to go either.

We also went with the HD-SDI monitor which is nice, but an expensive option.

My wife is a flyer operator with the EX3 and she feels that they are an ideal match. Tiffen's customer service is also second to none.