Brett_Mullen Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 I'm getting pretty serious about investing money in a nice Steadicam rig for hire/rental. What are your thoughts from Steadicam Archer 2 vs the swiss Action CAM RebelPro? Archer 2 is roughly $26,000 while the Action Cam is $20,000. Has anyone had experience with both? If so what are the advantages to either? I was also looking at the Zephyr and saving the extra money for wireless follow focus and monitor but I am just concerned that if I am going to eventually market myself as a Steadicam Op that the Zephyr may not do the trick. Your thoughts? Thanks Everyone, Any direction would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted March 29, 2012 Moderators Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 Brett, I'd also check out some used rigs. For example, look at these two: http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=15604 http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=15510&st=0&p=73532&hl=+pro%20+lite&fromsearch=1entry73532 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Baltz Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 would also be interested to hear some feedback about the actioncam products... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarrett Morgan Posted April 4, 2012 Report Share Posted April 4, 2012 I actually was able to take a look at a friend's actioncam yesterday. Although I do not own a nice rig myself, I have quite a bit of experience with rigs as an AC and as a lurker on the forums. My take was this: It looks like it could do the job, but doesn't seem nearly as refined as any of the Steadicam/PRO/MK-V products. for instance, there are no connectors on the top and bottom, merely a huge post to drop wires through... The arm seemed to be fairly nice, though it bottomed out very hard. action-wise it seemed nice. the bottom of the sled is based around just 19mm rods and everything slides on there. I can see it being a fairly nice rig with some modifications, but, if I were to buy new at that price range, I wouldn't even consider it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Joshua Gitersonke Posted April 28, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 28, 2012 Hey There, I have an ActionCam. I like it a lot. The arm will nicely hold 77lbs. The boom range of the arm is 37 inches. I don't know what other arms are rated at but for the most part I think the arm can sustain pretty much anything you throw at it. I dont think that it bottoms out roughly like someone had commented. its quite the opposite. The arm is very smooth. It doesn't quite have the hydraulic feel of the Pro arm, but its also almost 10 grand less. Everything is very well machined. All the parts are well thought out. The fact that there are no electronics in the sled aside from a power box or two if you choose to put them on, could be a problem, I guess... But it never has been for me. It has a 12/24 volt battery plate. you can add a third battery plate to run 12 volt electronics. it has Dtaps and the power boxes contain 3 additional 2 pin lemo power outputs. I actually like the fact that the post is open to whatever you want to throw down it. I had to use an hdmi set up once and it was quite easy to put the long hdmi cable through the post. it took ten minutes. Really easy. If you kink a cable or want to upgrade to the next generation billion bit bnc cable you don't have to send your sled anywhere... The only draw back I see is the fact that sometimes the bottom of the sled is too light, since there isn't a bottom box full of electronics. But I have a couple of solid steel 12" 19mm rods. I take the carbon ones out and put the steel ones in problem sovled. But wait a second I said too light. I don't really see this as a problem. Do you want weight you can't take off? Or weight you can easily put on when you need it? The Back mounted vest is super comfortable once you get it adjusted to your body type. Yes thats right you can be fat, skinny, or in between and still be pretty comfy in the vest. It's also rated for 100 lbs. The one thing I don't like about a back mounted vest... Going through skinny doorways... But a Klassen is just as wide as the Action Products vest. A lot of people here on steadicamforum seem to prefer a front mounted vest. I'm really happy with the back mounted vest though. I would love to be able to switch it out for flying through skinny doorways though. I tried to put my arm on a tiffen vest once. the post size was different though it didn't work. I think I would have to have something machined to fit. Thats a con. All in all for the amount of money, I think I can fly any camera with no problems. Im happy and comfy. I"m positive Pro, Tiffen, XCS, and the others have very nice options. I love the pro arm.... I don't know that I love it 10,000 dollars more though? Maybe... Cheers, Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Joshua Gitersonke Posted April 28, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 28, 2012 Oh a couple more things. I would pass on the Swit monitor that comes with the package. It's not bright enough for outdoors, not even close. As well as, The Gimbal has rubber o-rings on it. In the beginning i wasn't sure if I liked this... After many cold cold mornings not having to put my hand on cold metal I appreciate the o-rings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max volokh Posted April 28, 2012 Report Share Posted April 28, 2012 I use my Actioncam for almost 4 years in Russia It is worth every cent I put in it. I'm agree with Joshua. Just want to add the notes of the ability of any upgrade. You can use the RebelPro, and upgrade it to RebelElit with minimum money wasting. You can't compare it with Archer, reasonable to compare it with Ultra and PRO, Klassen but it is the HiEnd, not the Archer segment. The quality is the best. My 2 cents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Joshua Gitersonke Posted May 6, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Hey Max, have you gotten a different rig? Or your still using it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max volokh Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Yes, I still using my Actioncam and have no plan to change it You may see the photos in my Facebook account http://www.facebook.com/max.volokh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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