Cheap Steadicam for a DSLR

[Rush Jopson]

Hey guys, newbie here just wondering if anyone can recommend a cheap Steadicam for use exclusively with DSLRs. Doesnt have to be fancy, or take heavy cameras. Theres a LOT of stabilizers for DSLR cameras out there and its very confusing which one to get...advice please!

[Matthew Fleischmann]

I would recommend something like a Steadicam FlyerLE, I am currently selling one and will link you to the post. The great thing about the FlyerLE is that it ranges from 5-20 pounds so you have a full range to grow into. The Steadicam Flyer in my opinion is better than getting something like the JR or the Merlin because it is a true steadicam in that it has an arm and vest which adds for increased ease in stabilization as well as makes it easier on yourself because your not holding the rig in just your arm for long periods of time. I would also recommend something like this because you have the option to attach a remote focus system such as a preston or a bartech. Feel free to ask me any questions regarding steadicam.

 

http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=15086&st=0&p=71170&fromsearch=1entry71170

 

 

-Matt

 

 

[Stephen Wymer]

Check out this post that I dug up in the archives. Merlin

[Rush Jopson]

I would recommend something like a Steadicam FlyerLE

 

Hahah I wish! Man that looks sweet, that is a REAL steadicam...unfortunately for me im looking for a cheap (I know, I know, that IS cheap for a real steadicam) job as im just gettting into it. 5 and a half grand in US dollars is over 7k in NZ currency so just a tad outside of my budget ;) Thanks for the link though mate, I would love to get a pro rig like that but am going to have to start out amateur unfortunately.

 

 

Check out this post that I dug up in the archives. Merlin

 

Ive heard good things about these marlins, I assume theyre a good brand? Once again though many of them look pretty pricey, I guess im dreaming if I want to find an okay stabilizer under $500 USD?

[Rush Jopson]

Something like this maybe?

 

http://www.balvanzenterprises.com/SpecterStabilizer.html

 

Looks pretty good...and yes I realize this is a "steadicam like" stabilizer and not a proper steadicam, but I am just starting out and poor lol so cant afford hardcore rigs

 

any thoughts on mini stabilizers like these guys?

[Bryan Fowler]

Hi Rush,

 

Here's another way of thinking about it:

 

How long do you plan on practicing with the stabilizer, and how long will you own it?

 

If you want to open the box and run to a shoot with it, it doesn't' really matter what you get. Pick one and start shooting. You'll probably get similar results from most of them. (i'm generalizing)

 

If you want to practice with it, grow and get better, then a Merlin / Pilot / Scout / Flyer is the way to go.

 

NONE of them, regardless of the brand or how much you paid for them will get you awesome footage out of the box.

And the more you use them the more you'll notice the things that you paid for, or didn't pay for.

 

You get what you pay for, so decide what you want to do with it.

 

Hope that helps

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Where is Leigh Wanstead when you need him, He's from NZ isn't he......

[Afton Grant]

Ive heard good things about these marlins, I assume theyre a good brand?

 

Heard about the marlins huh? Yeah, they're a great brand. A little smelly, but stable as hell.

 

Dude, I think you might've just come through the wrong door. This is a forum of serious, working, professional operators. We're more than happy to give advice to the new crowd, but like any industry, a certain level of respect is expected. When you come in here, asking for advice, laugh at it and then suggest we comment on a piece of equipment with which none of us are familiar that costs less than one of our batteries.... well, it's a little insulting.

 

Not to mention your post over in the other forum about Garrett's name.

 

You obviously have a knowledge of this equipment that is limited at best, coupled with an attitude that is not exactly a good fit. My sincere advice to you would be to sign off. Take a couple months and read the mountains of knowledge available here on this forum alone. Pick up Jerry's (sorry bro, you'll have to look that one up) book. Educate yourself. Humble yourself. Then maybe slowly come back and ease into the conversations.

 

Or, just buy your Balvanz sled, operate your DSLR's the way you can best figure out, and enjoy your work! Not a bad option.

 

Best of luck to you.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Ive heard good things about these marlins, I assume theyre a good brand?

 

Heard about the marlins huh? Yeah, they're a great brand. A little smelly, but stable as hell.

 

Dude, I think you might've just come through the wrong door. This is a forum of serious, working, professional operators. We're more than happy to give advice to the new crowd, but like any industry, a certain level of respect is expected. When you come in here, asking for advice, laugh at it and then suggest we comment on a piece of equipment with which none of us are familiar that costs less than one of our batteries.... well, it's a little insulting.

 

Not to mention your post over in the other forum about Garrett's name.

 

You obviously have a knowledge of this equipment that is limited at best, coupled with an attitude that is not exactly a good fit. My sincere advice to you would be to sign off. Take a couple months and read the mountains of knowledge available here on this forum alone. Pick up Jerry's (sorry bro, you'll have to look that one up) book. Educate yourself. Humble yourself. Then maybe slowly come back and ease into the conversations.

 

Or, just buy your Balvanz sled, operate your DSLR's the way you can best figure out, and enjoy your work! Not a bad option.

 

Best of luck to you.

 

 

Afton,

 

You're saying what I'm thinking.

 

This guy REALLY started off the wrong way

[Louis Puli SOC]

Hey guys, newbie here just wondering if anyone can recommend a cheap Steadicam for use exclusively with DSLRs. Doesnt have to be fancy, or take heavy cameras. Theres a LOT of stabilizers for DSLR cameras out there and its very confusing which one to get...advice please!

 

How is this for cheap Rush . "I guess im dreaming if I want to find an okay stabilizer under $500 USD?"

good luck.

[James Davis]

There are lots of cheap crappy "Steadicam impersonators/camera stabilizer shaped objects" out there, but I doubt you will find anyone here recommending them because none of us use them.

A large portion of the operators here will have in excess of £20-30,000 that they have personally invested in equipment, many have sleds that are worth close to that on their own.

This doesn't even take into account workshops attended, all the time spent training in the beginning with the rig on, practicing switch moves, walking the line, going round corners, up and down stairs, tuning the equipment, then that initial period of your career when you have to go out and try and sell this new service that you are offering to existing or new clients to get your Steadicam career gathering momentum.

 

Then it takes time to develop the "on the job" experience before you can balance the rig quickly under pressure to keep the rest of the crew happy, it also takes time before you can really forget about just "keeping it steady" and concentrate on the more subtle stylistic elements of a shot.

 

This is what most (if not all) of the professional working operators on here have to go through to get where they are and to earn a living out of being a Steadicam Operator.

So maybe that should help you understand that when you come on here with the attitude of an angry teenager, like the world owes you a favour, why everyone here isn't falling over themselves to help you...

Heed Afton's advice, go do some reading and then come back when you've grown up a bit and have a better attitude.

[Alfeo Dixon SOC]

Hey guys, newbie here just wondering if anyone can recommend a cheap Steadicam for use exclusively with DSLRs. Doesnt have to be fancy, or take heavy cameras. Theres a LOT of stabilizers for DSLR cameras out there and its very confusing which one to get...advice please!

 

How is this for cheap Rush .

good luck.

You can thank the Aussie for that one....

[Louis Puli SOC]

You can thank the Aussie for that one....

Hi everyone .

Yes you can. I don't mind saying it as it is .

This guy wants something CHEAP well here it is.Yes it will work .If he wants to go any further he should take the advice of the great operators above as Bryan said

"You get what you pay for, so decide what you want to do with it."

Good luck

Louis Puli

[Joe Lawry]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/579907-REG/Glidecam_HD_2000_HD2000_Stabilizer_System.html

 

buy it. stop bothering the big guys. Find me on facebook if you've got more questions.

[David M. Aronson]

IMHO, the CMR Blackbird is really good and if you get a stripped down version, it comes out to a little under $500 USD. I've used one on a couple of smaller sets and it's really nice. It's also designed to be able to fit the merlin arm and vest if you ever decide to upgrade.