XA35 and gimbal setup at DVinfo.net

Geoff Swartz · November 13th, 2015, 05:01 PM

In the past I have used a canon HV20 and a 5d Mark II with a steadicam setup. I've never gotten the type of steady footage I wanted so I was looking at the 3 axis gimbal systems. I'm also going to be replacing my cameras and was thinking of the XA35 camcorder. But from the reading I've done, it sounds like the gimbal systems are meant for a DSLR like the 5D. Would they also work with a camcorder like the XA35?

I was looking at one like this one, but I wondered if there are ones you would recommend that are already set up with motors and controls, but more economical? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1120249-REG/nebula_fpne50001_5000pro_3_axis_brushls_gimbal.html
Thanks!

Noa Put · November 13th, 2015, 05:08 PM

The length of the camera is most important, most 3 axis gimbals have limited space between the part where you mount the camera and the backside of the sled which holds the camera, if you want to be sure it's best to measure the distance from the tripod screwhole of the camera to the backside of the camera, incl battery because that most likely will stick out as well and ask the supplier if their stabilizer has the space to fit and mount the camera.

Geoff Swartz · November 13th, 2015, 05:26 PM

Thank you. I was just watching a video comparing a glidecam setup with the gimbal. After watching that, seeing the footage of both and learning more about the pros and cons, I'm rethinking what I originally was leaning toward. The glidecam with the body support seems to provide really nice results. However, the body support system is around $1800. Do you know of a comparable setup to the glidecam with body support system? Thanks.

Jo Ouwejan · November 15th, 2015, 07:23 AM

I have a XA20 and I made my own 3 gimball steadycam.
Have a look at the thread, where I presented the results for the first time here.
Drawings (dwg's) available, dims in mm's.

Geoff Swartz · November 15th, 2015, 07:53 AM

Is this the thread you're referring to? http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/stabiliz...steadycam.html

If so, do you have another page detailing what you made? Thanks.

Noa Put · November 15th, 2015, 08:32 AM

If you want really steady footage and since you don't have good experience with a regular steadicam I wouldn't venture in building one yourself, what is your max budget for a steadicam?

Geoff Swartz · November 15th, 2015, 03:22 PM

Around $3-400 if possible.

Jo Ouwejan · November 16th, 2015, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff Swartz

Is this the thread you're referring to? http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/stabiliz...steadycam.html

If so, do you have another page detailing what you made? Thanks.

It is the right thread, indeed. Sorry for the missing link.
In the next few days I will compose a video showing the details.
By the way, the thing cost me a little over €120.

Noa Put · November 16th, 2015, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff Swartz

Around $3-400 if possible.

Is that 300 to 400 or 3400?

Geoff Swartz · November 16th, 2015, 06:57 AM

Sorry, $300-$400.

Geoff Swartz · November 16th, 2015, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo Ouwejan

It is the right thread, indeed. Sorry for the missing link.
In the next few days I will compose a video showing the details.
By the way, the thing cost me a little over €120.

Great, thanks!

Noa Put · November 16th, 2015, 07:24 AM

In that case there is no 3 axis gimbal out there that would be suitable for a XA35, also, you said earlier that you are not happy about your steadicam use in the past which is why you where looking at gimbals yet now you are considering to build a steadicam yourself? :) What will that change?

Jo Ouwejan · November 16th, 2015, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noa Put

In that case there is no 3 axis gimbal out there that would be suitable for a XA35

As I stated before, I made one for my XA20, which is not much different than the XA35.
I copied the design of an existing gimball, so your statement does not fit reallity, I think. But the original design will cost you about €700.
This is a link to the original design:

Noa Put · November 16th, 2015, 07:41 AM

Yes, but Geoff said he was not happy with a steadicam setup before and was looking at 3 axis gimbals, that's why I asked what he will be gaining by building a steadicam himself? Unless we are talking about ordering parts of a motorized 3 axis gimbal and putting it together yourself?

Geoff Swartz · November 16th, 2015, 07:16 PM

I was originally looking at the 3 axis gimbal because it seems to be easier to handle, having two handles and the footage I had seen seemed smoother. However, when I watched a comparison of the glidecam to another 3 axis gimbal, the glidecam actually seemed pretty good. Then when they showed the body support harnass, that made it look like handling it would be even easier... which was why I was leaning back toward a steadicam setup. But it sounds like there isn't a good option in my price range, so I guess I'll just have to practice a bit more with my current steadicam setup and hope to get it steadier. Thanks for the input.

November 13th, 2015, 05:01 PM	#1
Geoff Swartz New Boot Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 13	XA35 and gimbal setup In the past I have used a canon HV20 and a 5d Mark II with a steadicam setup. I've never gotten the type of steady footage I wanted so I was looking at the 3 axis gimbal systems. I'm also going to be replacing my cameras and was thinking of the XA35 camcorder. But from the reading I've done, it sounds like the gimbal systems are meant for a DSLR like the 5D. Would they also work with a camcorder like the XA35? I was looking at one like this one, but I wondered if there are ones you would recommend that are already set up with motors and controls, but more economical? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1120249-REG/nebula_fpne50001_5000pro_3_axis_brushls_gimbal.html Thanks!

November 13th, 2015, 05:08 PM	#2
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: XA35 and gimbal setup The length of the camera is most important, most 3 axis gimbals have limited space between the part where you mount the camera and the backside of the sled which holds the camera, if you want to be sure it's best to measure the distance from the tripod screwhole of the camera to the backside of the camera, incl battery because that most likely will stick out as well and ask the supplier if their stabilizer has the space to fit and mount the camera.

November 13th, 2015, 05:26 PM	#3
Geoff Swartz New Boot Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 13	Re: XA35 and gimbal setup Thank you. I was just watching a video comparing a glidecam setup with the gimbal. After watching that, seeing the footage of both and learning more about the pros and cons, I'm rethinking what I originally was leaning toward. The glidecam with the body support seems to provide really nice results. However, the body support system is around $1800. Do you know of a comparable setup to the glidecam with body support system? Thanks.

November 15th, 2015, 07:23 AM	#4
Jo Ouwejan Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Veenendaal, Holland Posts: 225	Re: XA35 and gimbal setup I have a XA20 and I made my own 3 gimball steadycam. Have a look at the thread, where I presented the results for the first time here. Drawings (dwg's) available, dims in mm's.

November 15th, 2015, 07:53 AM	#5
Geoff Swartz New Boot Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 13	Re: XA35 and gimbal setup Is this the thread you're referring to? http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/stabiliz...steadycam.html If so, do you have another page detailing what you made? Thanks.

November 15th, 2015, 08:32 AM	#6
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: XA35 and gimbal setup If you want really steady footage and since you don't have good experience with a regular steadicam I wouldn't venture in building one yourself, what is your max budget for a steadicam?

November 15th, 2015, 03:22 PM	#7
Geoff Swartz New Boot Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 13	Re: XA35 and gimbal setup Around $3-400 if possible.

November 16th, 2015, 06:57 AM	#10
Geoff Swartz New Boot Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 13	Re: XA35 and gimbal setup Sorry, $300-$400.

November 16th, 2015, 07:24 AM	#12
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: XA35 and gimbal setup In that case there is no 3 axis gimbal out there that would be suitable for a XA35, also, you said earlier that you are not happy about your steadicam use in the past which is why you where looking at gimbals yet now you are considering to build a steadicam yourself? :) What will that change?

November 16th, 2015, 07:41 AM	#14
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: XA35 and gimbal setup Yes, but Geoff said he was not happy with a steadicam setup before and was looking at 3 axis gimbals, that's why I asked what he will be gaining by building a steadicam himself? Unless we are talking about ordering parts of a motorized 3 axis gimbal and putting it together yourself?

November 16th, 2015, 07:16 PM	#15
Geoff Swartz New Boot Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 13	Re: XA35 and gimbal setup I was originally looking at the 3 axis gimbal because it seems to be easier to handle, having two handles and the footage I had seen seemed smoother. However, when I watched a comparison of the glidecam to another 3 axis gimbal, the glidecam actually seemed pretty good. Then when they showed the body support harnass, that made it look like handling it would be even easier... which was why I was leaning back toward a steadicam setup. But it sounds like there isn't a good option in my price range, so I guess I'll just have to practice a bit more with my current steadicam setup and hope to get it steadier. Thanks for the input.

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