Steadicams

[Christopher Bishop]

Hello, I'm new to the board and somewhat new to DV. I have a film I plan to shoot next year using an XL2 and it features a few tracking shots. Does anyone know where I can get my hands on a good steadicam? What is the steadicam shown in the expandable section of the CanonDV website?

CB

[Rob Lohman]

For a good steadicam there is more to know than just that you
want a good one. Keep in mind that tracking shots (depending
on the exact type of the shot) can usually be done with a
(homebuild) dolly as well which is much cheaper.

But if the shot is more complicated or you do not have enough
room a steadicam might be needed indeed. What would be your
budget for such a device? A good/usable steadicam for DV work
will cost you at least around $2000, unless you have ways to
build one yourself (ie, have engineering skills and time).

[Charles Papert]

Christopher:

The Steadicam shown on the Canon site is, as far as I can tell from the brief flash (so to speak) shown, the Tiffen Steadicam Flyer. This is the top-end unit for this weight class, and it will set you back about $6500. As Rob pointed out, there are a number of units in the $2000 range that will also support the XL2.

[Alex Cano]

Check out www.glidecam.com

I believe their V-8 model works with the XL2 weight class (the model is carrying an XL1). It runs $2,400. I just saw a used one on ebay, seemed to be in good shape from a reputable seller (a production company) selling for $1,650.00

[James Emory]

Hey Charles. Where is the Flyer pictured on the Canon site?

[Charles Papert]

James:

Here's the address of the page, it's in the first two shots of the Flash intro. It's pretty darn quick, but what tipped me off was the dual-section arm which proves it wasn't a Steadicam Mini, and the top stage seen in the first shot is almost surely a Steadicam product.

[Cosmin Rotaru]

Here are the pics:
http://w1.226.telia.com/~u22607422/XL2onFlyerStage.jpg
http://w1.226.telia.com/~u22607422/XL2onFlyerFull.jpg

Judging by the dual section arm, is the flyer, indeed.

Say Charles, any other differnece between the mini and flyer, other than the arm?

[James Emory]

Thanks Charles and Cosmin. For some reason the Flash animation won't load for me. It doesn't even ask for a download upgrade. I have not been able to load this for a while. It always says 1 item remaining in the bottom left of my screen and there's a big blank area in the top left where I presume this is supposed to be.

[Charles Papert]

Cosmin:

A few other differences: the vest has been upgraded, and the LCD monitor is brand new. It's actually really impressive, very bright in sunlight and good off-axis viewing. Probably a few other tweaks in the sled that I didn't notice. Mostly it's that luscious arm.

[Cosmin Rotaru]

Yes the arm looks lovely! :). By the sharp angle between the spring and the shell, and the off axis adjustment (the spring adjustment screw looks sloped, rather than straight up) it follows the PRO arm concept, I think... Really nice and simple! I like it!

If it performs like GB advertised it (I've read the flyer .pdf) I must say it is also a cheap product (coming from "steadicam"). It should well deserve its price.

[Charles Papert]

Cosmin:

It performs astonishingly well. It feels like a miniature version of the PRO arm. Silky,"invisible" tracking throughout its range. Hope you get a chance to audition it.

[Terry Thompson]

I was fortunate enough to try out the Flyer and Mini as well as most of the camera stabilizers I could find at the last NAB. The Flyer is a big improvement over the Mini! It's the top of it's class in the lighter camera systems. I wish my system had many of the finer attributes of the Flyer's engineering (although it's still good).
There are a lot of good stabilizers out there and for a lot less $ which might fit the bill so do your homework.

[Cosmin Rotaru]

"Hope you get a chance to audition it."

Yea! Next time they show it in Romania, I'll be there! :)