M516 runner rig (similar to steadicam)

[filmania]

Hi all, I'm a newbie for this forum. I have recently got a stabilizer system called M516 runner kit. It's like steadicam but it's a more affordable system. It comes with the arm and the body vest (or more like body straping system). The kit is from a custom metal shop in California and it was design by a group of film equipment gurus. I try out one and it was pretty nice, the image was very stable and smooth even when you are walking in fast pace. Well, check it out on this link http://search.ebay.com/m516 and see for yourself! I think they started out making their own film equipment becasue they could afford to get their own. I guess people around them want the stuff that they were building so they are selling the custom film equipments at a limited quanities. Oh yeah, I contacted the main guy for this M516 kit before I bought the kit and he's email is paperisdelicious@yahoo.com see ya!!! :) :) :D

[paul magee]

Looks like your out $ 900 bucks. This thing looks like a pile of junk and the sample demo proves it. If you bought that after seeing the sample on Ebay then you have not been doing any research on Steadicam type products.

 

But then again you joined today, you did not sign your post and you're pimping this product here and in the Arms discussion list. Makes a person think what your intent is.

 

Paul Magee

Philadelphia, PA

[Matt Burton]

Omg ! i remember a post made about this rig befor.

 

You cant expect anybody to think that you havn't used motion stablising in the running shot ! Look where he is holding the post in the video ? That thing must be all over the place. And you want people to send you money based on a promo vid that is lying through its teeth ?

 

what a joke.

Dont send these people any money unless you have had a live demo and are satisfied that the rig wont fall apart a day after you get it.

 

Matt.

Video Producer planet-mu records ltd

 

UK (secret location) :ph34r:

[Nicholas M. Chopp]

Gee, I wonder if filmania IS the person selling this complete and utter pile. Take it somewhere else.

 

Oh, and gotta love how he has the camera aligned to the sled. <raises eyebrow> And his XL1S weights an amazing 26 pounds. Could've sworn the XL series clocked in about 6 and a half pounds...

[filmania]

Wow, I didn't realize I got some response so quick already. But I didn't realize there are so many mean ppl around :( Hey, the 26 lbs XL1S was not shown in that demo video, 26 lbs is a "fully loaded" xl1s (with LCD monitor, shoulder rest better aftermarket mic etc.). The standard XL is what most people would be using, so the video was done in that way which is the most common setup. I contacted other owners who bought the rig and they said the rig is fine. True it's not like a $3000 - $4000 glidecam stabilizer but it serves the function of stablizing the image during motion while shooting. It's like trying to compare a Mercedes Benz and a Honda. Both can take you from point A to B but one cost more than the other. Still a lot of people buy Hondas because it is affordable. Oh well, I wanted to share something that might be useful that's all. I guess I'm such as a newbie that no one like newbies giving recommandation to a product anyways.

[Mikko Wilson]

Filmania:

I do belive that the critisisim expressed here is at the rig, and how it is marketed.

In the video and pics it is set up wrong, and beeing operated by someone who looks like they've bearly ever even looked at a picture of another operator (just the adds on this forum, they show the correct set up)

 

And the marketing style is preaty slimy. Which understandblay a lot of people arn't happy about here in the world of prosessionals.

 

Not sure you want to assosciate yourself too heavily with these guys too publicly as they seem to have rather a bad name.

 

 

- Mikko.

[Nicholas M. Chopp]

Wow, I didn't realize I got some response so quick already.  But I didn't realize there are so many mean ppl around  :(  Hey, the 26 lbs XL1S was not shown in that demo video, 26 lbs is a "fully loaded" xl1s (with LCD monitor, shoulder rest better aftermarket mic etc.).  The standard XL is what most people would be using, so the video was done in that way which is the most common setup.  I contacted other owners who bought the rig and they said the rig is fine.  True it's not like a $3000 - $4000 glidecam stabilizer but it serves the function of stablizing the image during motion while shooting.  It's like trying to compare a Mercedes Benz and a Honda.  Both can take you from point A to B but one cost more than the other.  Still a lot of people buy Hondas because it is affordable.  Oh well, I wanted to share something that might be useful that's all.  I guess I'm such as a newbie that no one like newbies giving recommandation to a product anyways.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Heh. Well, this provided me with my entertainment for the morning. Critical thinking doesn't seem to be Filmania's strong point - if he's a newbie just supporting this wonderful new product, how does he know all this about the demo video, etc.? I shot the seller of the "support system" an e-mail on eBay last night, here's my e-mail.

 

<<How does your XL1S weigh 26 pounds? The XL1S weighs only 6 lbs, WITH battery. Why are you using a Glidecam sled, as opposed to maching one yourself?>>

 

Now, here's the REALLY funny part. He forgot to cut out the part from his other equally brilliant assosciate, Derek Wong.

 

<<--- Derek Wong <dhwongbb@gmail.com> wrote:

This is one of the Jerk from Steadicamforum.com, please give him a good explanation then.>>

 

Then, his (Arthur To) response to me.

<<did you knwo the xl1s was upgradable? you can add stuff to it, its a very customizable camera.

 

you can add more than a battery..... for example you can add a ma200 (a shoulder pad), and u can add anton bouer batteries, and P+S techniks, and matte boxes,

follow focuses, lcd monitors.... the list goes on

 

THATS how you get to 26 lbs.

 

if you dont want obvious answers, dont ask obvious questions.>>

 

I feel so dumb. Shot down by a skilled by a "film equipment guru". I think I'm going to look into these new Anton Bouer batteries. And I do have to wonder, what kind of a drop time do you get on that rig with a 26 pound XL1S? With the counterweights provided by the Glidecam 4000, I would think it would have to be somewhere in the NEGATIVE range...

 

Oh, and Arthur\Derek\Whoever You Are - dishonest marketing will always come back to bite you in the ass. Consider cleaning up your act and trying to go legit. You'll get a lot more respect, and a lot less attitude from the professionals who see through the bull.

 

...Both can take you from point A to B but one cost more than the other.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think I'd more compare it to either spending at least a few grand on a Honda - or $900 on a used Yugo from a questionable dealer; it might work, but it most likely, just won't.

[Kareem La Vaullee]

The best picture of that very nice Mr Derek Wong is probably this one :

 

That's what I call style in Operating and superb equipment Engineering...

[Nicholas M. Chopp]

The best picture of that very nice Mr Derek Wong is probably this one :

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Damn. And all this time I've been holding it wrong. I wish someone would've told me.

 

On the other hand, I don't think I'll ever make fun of a VariZoom or Glidecam advertisement again...

[Richard James Lewis]

Hey guys. This is my first post. Thought I would let you know that the seller was trying to flog people at DVinfo.net the same pile of junk.

If you wish to read his opinions and my in-depth thoughts on his system and his approach to selling them, please visit the link below.

 

Click here

 

 

Edit: I?ve just checked this guy out, the person saying that he has just bought this thing, IS the same person who is selling them. Their profiles both match exactly.

 

Mr filmania is the guy who builds and sells these bits of crap. How cheeky is this guy!?

 

I can't believe he?s trying to peddle this on a website full of pro operators.

 

 

-Richard Lewis

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Hey, the 26 lbs XL1S was not shown in that demo video, 26 lbs is a "fully loaded" xl1s (with LCD monitor, shoulder rest better aftermarket mic etc.).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Let me get this straight... A Plastic DV camera with a 2.6lbs Anton Bauer Battery weighs as much as my Panavision Lightweight????

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

 

Man I needed that, that's damn funny

[Charles Papert]

Xl1s in full-on studio mode with Mini35, Cooke S4, 4x5 Chrosziel mattebox, follow focus, onboard monitor, Anton Bauer mod to Mini35 and handheld rig could clock in somewhere around 20-22 lbs. Not sure what kind of shooting would call for that setup with an onboard shotgun mike, but anything is possible. In Steadicam mode, assuming one has replaced the studio follow focus with a wireless system, removed the handheld shoulder mount, onboard monitor etc. and is using the rig's battery to power everything, you would be down around 15 lbs. I generally liken it to an SR3 if one is making a film camera weight comparison.

 

 

p.s. Eric, Woodland Hills called, they'd like "your" LW back...!

[Charles Papert]

I should point out that I'm not an emoticon user--those little yellow guys make me want to throw the computer out the window--but IF I was, I would have slapped a few at the end of that last post--i.e. "just taking the piss, no harm no foul" etc.

 

carry on, chaps.

[Martin Newstead]

I see the poor bloke isnt getting any more bids for this thing, mind you one look at the video and the fact it looks like a medieval torture device would satisfy anyones curiosity.

 

Sorry to be bitchy

[Marc Abernathy]

this thread should be classified as SPAM!