John Steele

Hey Guys, I’m currently using a C200 on a Ronin-S and I’m seriously considering the steadimate-s. I want the A30 version as I’d like the zephyr vest and I also like the idea of having some growth and flexibility in using an arm with a higher payload range than the A-15. My question though is that my Ronin-S with C200 probably comes in around 9.5lbs before any counterweights are added. Not sure where it would be with counterweights but would the A-30 be able to handle that at it’s lower end? Thanks guys. John

Hi Carl, The V16 sled does have side to side adjustment on the top stage, there's two screws one at the rear for fore/aft and one at the side for side to side. You are right though the V16 has it's challenges with fine tuning but with time you get better at dealing with them and as a starter rig it works, I used one for years. Daniel, I would say though that if you want to purchase something a Glidecam V25 would be a good option and something you should definately look at along with flyer/older steadicams etc. John.

Congratulations Howard :D When he gets to school all the other kids will be so jealous of his toys :D John.

Respectfully, no. In inverting the sled for a quickie low-mode (without remounting the camera on a low-mode bracket), there is no need to electronically flip the monitor. That the image will need to flipped in post because the camera is recording uside down is clear. Try it! If you want to see the image right side up then you need to flip it on your monitor. Otherwise the image will be upside-down. I'm not sure why you think this wouldn't be true. The camera is upside-down, obvously the image will be too. Yeah, but in this scenario the monitor will also be upside down, If you have an upside down camera and upside down monitor looking at the image it will appear to be the right way up, correct? John.

Steadicam steadicam steadicam. Il have to keep trying. I can't write good. I would love to take a workshop in florida but I dont think there are going to be any workshops anytime soon. unless I find a personal trainer I think im on my own. Kyle, you would not be dissaopinted with the V25, the flyer gets so many recommendations because it's a "Steadicam" whereas glidecam mainly takes a bit of a bashing based on it's older products. Personally I think the V25 is a better rig and many people agree, with your camera weight at 13lbs there's not a lot of room for growth, Miko Wilson once did a test and had the flyer arm maxed out at 26lbs combined camera and sled weight, that's 14lbs less than the V25. There have been a few discussions about the two rigs so a search would be a good idea if you've not already done so, there is also a lot of into regarding the V25/Flyer over at www.steadiforum.com link to Mikko's test http://www.steadicamforum.com/forums/index...wtopic=2636&hl= John.

lol, I need to pay more attention, I read your first post as "a minimum 1 day shoot" need to stop skimming over posts, DOH! John.

David, what S16 camera will you be using? Only reason I ask is that I was flying an Arri SR2 this past weekend on the V25 and with camera, focus receiver, focus motor I'm pretty sure it was over 15lb. Just concerned it might end up over the weight limit of the flyer. Just something to be aware of. Sent you a PM by the way :D John.

NO GUSTAVO! NO NO NO NO.......... A ESE HIJODEPUTA HAY QUE PARTIRLE EL CULO. SI QUERES DECIME DONDE SE LE PUEDE ESCRIBIR A ESTE CABRON Y LE HACEMOS UNA BUENA COLOMBIANADA. POR QUE NO TE FUISTE CON EL BARTEC? YO CAMBIE MI PRESTON POR UN BARTEC Y CONOSCO POR LO MANOS 4 O 5 OPERADORES QUE TAMBIEN HICIERON EL MISMO CAMBIO. Guys, if possible for those of use who can only speak english can we keep everything in English please. :D John.

Tom, the only reason we got into the flyer v V25 debate is because Matt was concerned that he was perhaps not making the right decision in upgrading to a V25, people with experience of both rigs were just trying to reassure him that his choice was a good one. Forums are pretty useless if debates on which equipment is best is frowned upon. There is no bickering going on, evey posting I have made in this thread has been based on personal experience and at the end of the day is my opinion. I would also advise you that if you do decide to buy a rig, try out the V25, you say you love the flyer arm well you may love the V25 arm once you try it too. John.

I know that I'm nowhere near the level of you professionals here, but I would like to say that all of this bickering really is unnecessary. Different rigs are good for different operators at different times with different cameras. Trying to say that one rig is "better" than another or that one rig doesn't stack up to others in its pricerange is just the way it may be in your eyes and in your situation. I know that if I were purchasing a Flyer or a V25 right now, I'd go for the Flyer, because most of the time I'll be flying 12lb ENG cameras and MiniDVs, and if I ever need a bigger rig, I can always find one to rent, plus I love the Flyer arm. Maybe that's not where others are, but that's my stand, so in my eyes, in my situation, the Flyer is better. Does that mean that everybody out there needs to go out and buy one? No! Of course not! The V25 is a great rig, and Glidecam should be commended for stepping away from the older V-Series rigs. It's just not right to claim that one rig is better or that one rig is worth more, when it really is up to the buyer to decide what their needs are, where they are in terms of gear and money, and what they can afford to get. Brand-bashing, labeling rigs "better", and overall disrespect for the idea that the choice of which rig to buy and own is very personal seems to me like a waste. All of these rigs (the V25, the Flyer, and all the rest) are good rigs, and we all should know that. Beyond that it's the operator's choice. Now to go back to my passtime, watching and soaking up information. :D Tom please correct me if I'm wrong but the last time you posted regarding the flyer and V25 you hadn't flown either rig, is this still the case? I'm basing my opinions on experience of both rigs, if someone asks which one I think is better I will tell them. John.

Hi Alec, I'll try and answer as many of your V25 questions as I can. In terms of performance in my opinion it performs better than a flyer I have flown both and I much prefered the V25 so it's not just a weight range thing, and everyone goes on about how well the flyer performs so hopefully this may give an indication of how well the V25 performs. Yes the V25 is currently one step down from the gold, but it has been said by many who have flown both and from glidecam themselves that the V25 is very much a lightweight gold system in terms of build and performance. What gauge wiring is up the post? I'm afraid I don't know that one Is it a two stage post? Yes it is, no tools required to extend the post Does it flex? Post or topstage or plates? No flexing that I've experienced, seems totally solid. How does one adjust the socket block on the arm? The socket block has fore/aft and side to side adjustment, adjusted using screws on the socketblock. How is the Gimbal? The Gimbal is very smooth, not tools adjustment, no stiction that I can detect, I can point the camera in one direction and walk 360 round the rig without touching the post and the camera stays pointing in the direction I left it. Can you pan flat? Yes In terms of service and how long to take apart the arm, I don't know, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough. I hope this helps, and at no time did anyone say that the flyer was not a good rig, because it is, it's a great rig in fact, but in this price range where the flyer and V25 both reside the V25 in my opinion and in the opinion of many others is better. Any more questions and I'll do my best to answer. John.

Are you saying I should stay away from the v25 Tom ? I haven't actually flown one yet but i'm thinking it would be a better option than a rusty old efp thats going to need instant upgrades I won't be able to afford ? The v25 seems to be built on a scaled down gold platform, for the money it looks to be a winner. I need some help here. Matt, perhaps Thomas hasn't flown a V25 yet but rest assured it's a great performer, it might have been good for glidecam to call it something other than a V series 'cause it seems to be getting clumped together with the V16/V20 and it's light years away from those rigs. You are correct in saying it's a scaled down Gold so they should have maybe called it the "Gold Lite" or something like that. I'm sure Job who owns both rigs will comment on how great a performer it is. John.

Excellent, just a reminder that the price of the V25 goes to $10k on the 1st May, so get in quick :D John.

Nick, to get back on topic how are you getting on with your decision? John.

Nick don't be fooled by thinking the only option is "Steadicam" if that were the case then we wouldn't have such wonderful products from companies like MK-V or GPI Pro just to name a couple, steadicam is NOT always better. The flyer and V25 arm's performance is very difficult to differentiate, they are both very good, the V25 sled is a big improvement over the flyer sled, it's got 3 video ports and 4 12v power ports all wired through the post, a telescoping post and stronger contsruction, gimbal is very smooth and it's all no tools adjustments. Being able to fly the extra 10lbs is actually a big deal, the V25 will handle a lot of cameras that would work out just too heavy for the flyer, so having the extra capacity will give you more work opportunities. Again don't think that just because it has "steadicam" written on it automatically makes it the best, the V25 is probably the best performance/price ratio rig available at the moment. There is absolutely no comparison between the 2000 pro and the V25 that's like comparing a yugo to a ferrari, the 2000 pro is a $300 handheld rig and the V25 is an $8000(until 1st May when it becomes a $10000) rig. The customer support I've had from glidecam is better than any other company I've ever had dealings with and I'm sure there are a number of glidecam customers that would agree with me on that. Just check out the V25 and speak to Glidecam before you make any decisions you'll thank me for it. :D John.

I would second eric's recommendation of the glidecam V25, of all the rigs discussed in this thread the V25 is the best choice, it's got a great arm, great sled, takes a 25lb camera and is great value for money. At the moment there's a special introductory price of $7995 on the V25 but that will go up to $9995 on the 1st May, even at the more expensive price it's still the best choice IMHO. John.

Hi David, just curious, have you checked out the glidecam V25? John.

Afton, that's f'ing awesome, this will be a great resource. I hope you don't mind but I've posted a link to your site over at the steadiforum too. Nice one John.

I've been visiting the steadicam forum for about 4 years now, not posted that much but learned a lot, as more and more companies bring low cost stabilisers to the market it's obvious that chatter on forums like these will go up. What I think has been missing on here is a set of rules outlining what the forum is here for and who it is aimed at. Ok we've got the steadi newbies section but using the recent example of a question regarding low cost stabilisers there's nothing to suggest that these shouldn't be discussed in any of the general forum sections. For example General Discussion Post your new topic here if it doesn't apply to the other discussion forums. Operating Discuss operating techniques and situations. Sleds All types and brands. Arms All types and brands. Vests All types and brands. etc etc No wonder people of all levels and budgets post here, there's nothing to tell them otherwise, why wouldn't I ask a general question about 2 low cost stabilisers in the general section of the forum. If people are going to be torn a new one for posting on here then they should at least be breaking some kind of rule for it. I think with some serious thought everyone at every level could be accomodated on this board, it may require a little bit of effort though. Thats just my .2c John.

Huh?? Who is we? Tim Tyler started this forum and that's where the operators started to post. This site ran into a problem when it started having advertising and sponsorship, that's when the signal to noise ratio when thru the roof. No sadly most of the people that used to post don't, and I both understand and agree with their reason's for it. The "we" is the SOA. "WE" the SOA had its own forum on "OUR" (the SOA) own site. Are you seriously trying to come at me over my post here? I was simply stating that I don't think there is any need for 2 steadicam forums. I am not trying to take credit for anything to do with this forum, give me a break Eric. Now do you see why we have the steadiforum :D Before anyone takes offence, I'm just joking hence the smileys :D John.

Jason, The steadiforum is awesome, it's a friendly, welcoming and knowledgable community and I'm glad it's getting bigger and bigger :D John.

Hi Matt, I've been a glidecam customer for a few years so have went from a V8 to V16 to V25, I've also flown a flyer, in my opinion the V25 is the best rig I've flown, I think the arm is just as smooth as the flyer arm, the vest is comfortable with all the required arm angle adjustments and the sled is great. There's 2 12v power outs on the j-box at the top of the sled and 2 at the bottom with 3 video ports wired in too, the gimbal is very smooth and all adjustments are no tools. I think the flyer is a great rig but I just think the V25 is a step up. If you are passing through glasgow anytime then get in touch and come and give it a go. John.

Hi Matt, Sorry I missed your appeal the other week for a V25 in a hurry, I don't normally come into this part of the forum, i think mine might be the only one in the uk so far but I may be wrong, if you do want to try out the V25 before you buy and Glasgow isn't too far away for you let me know and perhaps we can sort something out. It really is a very impressive rig and it's great value for money. John.

The 15lb limit will be the max camera weight, that won't be total sled weight, the glidecam V25 I use has a max camera weight of 25lbs but a max sled weight of 40lbs. John.

lol, you need to get out more David, :D John.