Chinese Knock off steadicam's are starting to piss me off

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

 

How would you feel after spending $35k+ for an Epic and accessories and then have a knockoff Red camera come out for about $850? But hey, even if it's not quite as good as the RED, it can get the shots.

There is an 850USD RED alternative. It's called a DSLR.

And it's a better camera than that red POS

[Chris Poynton]

Perhaps a protocol can be suggested on RedUser (or a pinned thread in this forum) for newbie owners of low-budget stabilisers to be mindful when discussing their services ... Does one list "Steadicam Operator" on their business card or "camera stabiliser owner - Red compatible"? When pushed it could expand into "I am starting out as a steadicam operator and I own a low-budget rig" which sort of covers the bases and raises a few humble flags for further discussion with an intelligent hirer. It is always a case of "hirer beware". Worth raising with the purchasers on RedUser, if they wish to lay good groundwork for co-operation with professional operator colleagues down the track.

 

The reality is that "steadicam" is used widely and loosely as a generic cross-brand term for arm/vest stabilisers . I have never seen a feature credit reading "GPI-PRO / XCS Operator". And strictly speaking, even a Merlin owner can call themselves a "Steadicam operator". Ouch?

[David Kellermann]

"Nobody (or at least I hope so) will call himself a steadicam operator, just because he purchased this rig."

 

I cant believe you even had the audacity to post that... I cant imagine there is a person here that would believe it.

I guarantee as soon as guys use it, many of these guys will list "steadicam operator" on there resume.

 

I guess the key to this misunderstanding is in your last sentence. "as soon as guys use it, many of these guys will list "steadicam operator" on there resume." I think it's perfectly fine to take credit, if you're doing the work. If it's good or bad, that's something completely different. My point was that by not having any good work on the resume to show, owning any kind of steadicam is useless and does not entitles you to call yourself a steadicam op. Of course, the same applies to camera owners calling themselves cinematographers.

 

Anyway, I didn't posted here in the first place to insult you nor to get insulted myself. I wanted to clear up the intention of this group buy and ask for advice and if some of your members are willing to host paid workshops.

 

But obviously, a normal conversation isn't possible in this thread. It's quite a pity since otherwise your forum seems to work quite well, I might even say similar to REDuser.net :)

[Alan Rencher]

I wanted to clear up the intention of this group buy and ask for advice and if some of your members are willing to host paid workshops.

Don't feel like you need to get our approval to buy cheap crap from China.

 

If you are looking for workshops, there are already a bunch of workshops out there: Tiffen, SOA, etc. Robert Starling is a supporter of this forum, and he has classes that he offers. I don't know if anyone will be willing to have you bring those cheap knockoffs to a class (why would you want to?) http://stabilizerworkshops.com/

 

The funny thing is, a proper workshop will cost more than the rig itself. I doubt anyone who was part of the group buy would be willing to take on that kind of investment.

Edited March 7, 2013 by Alan Rencher

[Dmitry Burenok]

Wow such a badass conversation here :) Pretty fun.

btw here is my example of using stabilizer rig (creepy and cheap, made in USA)

Edited March 8, 2013 by Dmitry Burenok

[Dmitry Burenok]

Edited March 8, 2013 by Dmitry Burenok

[Dmitry Burenok]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=505064476217973&set=vb.100001432761581&type=2&theater

 

wasn't really easy to balance but I'm getting there :)

Edited March 9, 2013 by Dmitry Burenok

[brett.mayfield]

Edited March 16, 2013 by brett.mayfield

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

 

 

So much fail in that photo

[Afton Grant]

So much fail in that photo

 

I'd chalk it up as a win since they've apparently worked out a way to get power to the camera and video from it without any batteries or cables at all.

[Daniel Stilling DFF]

Reduser.net (and by extension, Red users) is a cesspool.

Just beware of blanket statements like that. I own 3 RED packages, and they are working out very well for my business. Let us keep some civility...

[Alan Rencher]

It may be a generalization, but you know what I'm talking about.

[Adam Eden]

Hey guys i started this thread and it wasn't suppose to turn into a RED bashing. I personally own an Epic M and i would rather fly that with my Arri LWZ2 14.5-45mm short zoom for 10 hours than any other camera due to its light weight and form factor.

 

WIth the combination of the Arri zoom and the Epic the weight distribution is perfect and really simple to balance.

[TerryWest]

I had a conversation with the Woodlan people. I find it distressing that the Chinese are intending to flood the market with cheap crap. What is next cheap Chinese operators to use them? Another industry being sold out to the Chinese.

They got extremely upset with me for my views. They called me a racist. Ouch!

If I and the other techies won't repair them, which I fully refuse to do, then they are going to be quite useless. If you don't buy them, they won't find a willing market!

It is up to us to protect our industry!

[Evrim KAYA]

What is next cheap Chinese operators to use them?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=768h3Tz4Qik :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ps: I fully support Mr. West’s opinions about sub-par knok-off equipment and sub-par operators working below market value no matter where they are from.