which system for beginner

[Barry Colmer]

Hi

I've just joined and hoping to buy a stabilizer system soon. The trouble is I've read a lot while researching and the more I learn, the more it worries me that I really have no idea what I should be

buying. A lot of people seem to put down the glidecam equipment, in favour of tiffen gear. I could probably stretch to a pilot as a first rig, but as I said ,I really have no idea and am just going by comments from forums. I suppose the pilot will hold value better than other brands, but at $5000 aus (about $4500usd), I really want to be sure it's the right unit. My other option is a second hand flyer unit, or glidecam x10 with 4000 sled.

I run a Canon XL1S (about 7Lbs) but I would like to be able to mount heavier cameras as well.

If anyone could give me some insight into this with any info, ideas, comparisons or anything else for that matter I would be eternally grateful. I would be using the unit for the odd paying gig, weddings music clips etc, but mainly for my own short films and fun.

Any help would be great!

Baz

[Nicholas Davidoff]

Hi

I've just joined and hoping to buy a stabilizer system soon. The trouble is I've read a lot while researching and the more I learn, the more it worries me that I really have no idea what I should be

buying. A lot of people seem to put down the glidecam equipment, in favour of tiffen gear. I could probably stretch to a pilot as a first rig, but as I said ,I really have no idea and am just going by comments from forums. I suppose the pilot will hold value better than other brands, but at $5000 aus (about $4500usd), I really want to be sure it's the right unit. My other option is a second hand flyer unit, or glidecam x10 with 4000 sled.

I run a Canon XL1S (about 7Lbs) but I would like to be able to mount heavier cameras as well.

If anyone could give me some insight into this with any info, ideas, comparisons or anything else for that matter I would be eternally grateful. I would be using the unit for the odd paying gig, weddings music clips etc, but mainly for my own short films and fun.

Any help would be great!

Baz

 

Dear Baz,

 

Your question pops up about once a month on this forum. This question has been asked and answered dozens of times over. All of your answers are already in the archives, they simply require some searching and reading on your part. Research the entire newbies section, you will find all your answers.

 

Good luck

[James Puli]

Hey Baz. Have a scout around the forums. Theres a heep of information on this exact topic.

 

More specific to your situation here in Australia. Speak to Phil Balsdon. He runs weekend workshops in the Flyer and Pilots similar to the ones that Peter Abrahams runs in the USA.

 

His website is www.steadi-onfilms.com.au

 

I happen to know there is a second hand Flyer for sale in Sydney at the moment, unless its been sold recently. There may also be one for sale in Melbourne as well. Both at around the $5000 aud mark.

 

In my opinion, if your not sure on what cameras you are going to use, I'd go for a Flyer as your not as weight restricted as you are with a Pilot. Though both are great rigs.

 

Of all the "other" brands of Rigs, from my experience the newer Glidecams are some of the better ones. However with the range and quality of equipment coming from Tiffen, teamed up with the support and expertise of the crew behind the scenes (Garrett, Jerry designing all the rigs etc), I would be hard pressed to even look at any of the other brands of rigs. This topic has been pretty well covered in other threads here as well.

 

But the usual response to someone in your sitiation would be do the workshop, see if its for you, then make a better educated decision after having experienced the whole process for yourself.

 

Hope this helps.

 

James Puli

Sydney Australia

[Dave Gish]

OK, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the Pilot and Flyer are the best in their respective weight class, hands down.

 

At the very low end, for handheld stabilizers, the CMR Blackbird is giving Steadiam some real competition.

 

And then at the high end, for feature films, PRO GPI, MK-V, and others are giving Steadicam real competition.

 

But from 5-19 pounds, there's really no competition. Yes, there are cheaper rigs out there, but nothiong compares in quality. You're not just paying for the name.

 

Hope this helps.

[Mike Germond SOC]

I agree with Dave, and I think the biggest difference between competitors in that weight class is manufacturing tolerances. When you're dealing with the physics of a Steadicam, there's no substitute for precision..