AnthonyI Posted April 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 I'd love to get a bigger rig Charles. Unfortunately I just cant handle the price tag as of now. But I think you are right; should I really buy a rig that limits me to what I'm able achieve. This is why im asking advice from people with much more experience. I've gotten some great advice and I appreciate it a lot. How did you start out. Were you able to get the rig you wanted or did you have to settle on something else in the beginning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Osvaldo Silvera SOC Posted April 7, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 When Charles started out Steadicams were made of wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members James Davis Posted April 7, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 (edited) Starve yourself, move into a crappy low rent accomodation for 6 months, put some money aside for savings, maybe go in with another operator or someone looking else who is starting out in steadicam but who is really keen? You do whatever it takes....second hand Archer 1's are a great option. They are reasonably priced second hand rigs for the weight range that they can handle (25-30lb payloads no problem),especially if you get one with the G50 arm. That was/is my first rig I purchased, and still own, it's done me proud so far and you see a fair few other operators on here use them too, probably because they represent really good value for what you get. Ok it's not a PRO, XCS, PRO/XCS combo rig, and yes it has its limits in terms of weight range. No way are you going to get a full feature film style set-up on it with a crapload of accessories etc.... but you can get a reasonable size Red build on it, more than adequate for ENG style cameras etc etc. My two pence....as someone who went through the same dilemma, a little earlier in my steadicam career, I love my Archer 1, it's great for what it is, and I think it is still one of the best value second hand options out there. Edited April 7, 2011 by James Davis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Haris Pallas Posted June 8, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Nice rig you have ("had" if you have sold it..) there dear Charls...I wish I was economically able to purchase it as I am looking to sell my SK2 and go to the next big rig level.. Anyway...just watching your pics I became more optimistic about it! Thanks.. - Haris - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Haris Pallas Posted June 8, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Hallo dear Antony,(you are Greek right??) I am a Thessaloniki based cinematographer and steadicam operator and I am only in the business for 5 years now...not exactly new but with a lot of projects on my back for my time. I started out almost accidently and I realised from the first few days that I can't do any good work depending on the Glidecam 4000 that a production company owned and put me into this game. So I bought a same crapy Glidecam 4000 from a coleague and did a tone of patents to make it "function" a little bit...And I worked with it for 1,5 years with a very decent group of clients,small productions as you might imagine Thessaloniki... I sold it and I searched many months until I found the smalest of the big and real steadicam league of rigs.So I bought a Steadicam SK2 at a very good price and in an exelant condition. And then I realised what a steadicam was all about...I also did some improvements (dead weights for DSLR cameras,new screws...) and ordered an extra bigger arm that made it possible to exceed the 4-10Kg load capacity (upgrade it to 4-20Kg!!), ordered some accessories (raincovers,extra bateries,wireless transmiter/receiver bundle,BNC adaptors,cables...)... And now that I am doing good I am selling again the SK2 + the second extra arm at a very competitive price so as to buy an even bigger rig...And I know I will find a lucky guy to sell it to...of course the prices fall from the re-sell but there are a LOT of burgains out there and you only thing you need to do some internet research! What I am trying to say is that a steadicamer MUST HAVE his own rig,not only for the availability but also for the flexibility and familiarity(I don't know if this word really exists!!!...) of what you have and how ready your equipment is...VERY VERY crusial element for you and for the trust of your potential clients!!! So nice that I found a "patriotaki" in here...keep in touch for anything you need man.. - Haris - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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