Andrew Stone

When I was at the SOA workshop last year, I saw Mr. Fawcett running around with an Archer2 prototype for the first time. Pretty remarkable unit. It DOES have the ability to do a long post so you can scrape the ground or get up really high. The portability of the Archer2 is one of its big selling points, so if you think you are going to be doing a lot of doc work or taking a lot of airplanes and don't have the budget for extra baggage then this is the unit to grab. The Clipper does feel like a bigger rig but the difference is not as big as you might expect.

If you go to plastic buckles (like the Flyer) watch out for buckle squeak. Easily fixed with some duct tape. You don't want to find out after a shoot that your vest was creaking like mad if they were taking sound on the set.

Hi Leo, Probably aren't many people here that can answer your question directly but what you say raises a few questions and common suggestions to people starting out. First is (and it will help you with your decision making) is to take a course in operating a Steadicam. There are 2 day ones and 5/6 day ones. The shorter ones are more often than not ones geared towards using Flyers and small/mid-sized rigs. The longer courses use rigs that are intended to be used on "the set" or heavier camera setups. You will have a chance to talk to instructors and students who can answer a lot of your questions including the dozens of questions you haven't asked yet. You ought to know what size of camera package you are going to be flying. Simply stating HD and/or 16mm isn't enough info. Flyers can fly MOST of these kind of setups but with film gear you have lenses, rail systems, follow focus units, other wireless devices, etc. $8000 isn't going to get you a new Flyer with batteries, charger, vest, case, etc. Glidecam I can't speak to that. You can get used Flyers (not the LE) used for around $6,000 last time I checked but there usually aren't too many for sale. A used Flyer can hoist about 18 to 20 lbs (occasionally more on some units) before they top out. If you are going to be working on film do not overlook a follow focus. Unlikely you are going to be able to shoot "wide" all the time. If you want more Glidecam specific comments in short order, I would look at the other stabilizer forum sites. There is at least one I have seen that has a lot of Glidecam users that will be able to help you out. -Andrew

Mike can you either post up or PM/email me Terry West's contact info. Thanks! -Andrew

If you get the Sennheiser G2 system and you plan on utilizing a phantom powered boom mic, you have 2 options. One is to buy a "self-powered" phantom mic or the other is to pop for the SKP-2000 wireless transmitter that works with the G2 system. Expensive but good. -Andrew

If you are running a Letus or a similar 35mm adapter that may be your problem...but not necessarily. The Flyer is difficult to achieve dynamic balance with as the batteries on the lower spar only swing up and down on a "that" pivot point. The adapter (assuming it is something like a Letus) could be throwing the side to side balance off. The gyro effect of a Letus could make it list in a weird way if the weight isn't evenly distributed on each side of the camera. If you haven't got the HVX to balance properly, I would first strip off all the excess stuff, try to get it balanced with good drop time and all that and then incrementally add your accessories to see where the problem gets introduced. -Andrew

One other thing to try (if you haven't already) with the SDI port is to convert the signal to STD DEF in the menus and like it mentions in the aforementioned linked thread: make sure "iLink" is turned OFF. You will get a better signal out of the SDI port. I have tried it both ways (composite and downconverted SDI) and SDI wins. -Andrew

Bud, If you want I can encode the material into several resolutions for web viewing and/or download. Give me a shout at 604-788-6777 or we converse via email... andrew@electricstone.com I effectively have unlimited bandwidth on my website so I can post it as well, if required. All for a good cause... -Andrew

I am with you on that one. I picked up a used Flyer recently and the lower spar needs to be replaced with a rails system of some sort. Thinking a D-box with proper HD-SDI BNC connectors at both top and bottom stage along with a staggered rail mount device something like MK-V's V2 lite rig as seen here... http://www.mk-v.com/?cat=170

Which stabilizers appeared to have this problem?

Marianne's comments aside about the Marshall monitors, this monitor will be had for around 2 grand (from the usual suspects) with increased pixel count (over the Marshall monitor I referenced) looks like great value in that price range.

Curious to know which Marshall monitors were tested. It was mentioned that they foul up if put in extreme temperature environments but people seemed to be impressed by the visibility & the cost/benefit ratio. Here are the monitors I am familar with: http://www.lcdracks.com/monitors/v-lcd84sb-afhd.html http://www.lcdracks.com/monitors/vr70phdsdi.html Were either of these ones on the shootout list?