Jump to content

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


Adam Eden

Recommended Posts

  • Premium Members

I have previously owned a cheap $2500 'rig' many years ago and it was honestly quite terrible. I am getting back into the filming side of things after about 10 years away and came across said topic on REDuser. Initially keen on the most expensive model on offer but the timings weren't exactly there. Plus, I generally prefer to buy something that will have less problems and complications surrounding its use.

So I removed my interest from the group buy and as of tomorrow, should have the second of three pieces to make my first real (albeit still entry-level) rig. It should hopefully consist of a Glidecam Gold vest and arm (leaving me a world of upgrading after finding my feet) with a Steadicam IIIa sled, all for about $8k.

 

The price is a lot more than I initially thought of spending, though only remembered just how much I enjoyed 'operating' my very first crappy stabilizer. So on the bright side, the group purchase has helped me to take the steps needed to get a better kick-start into the real world of flying and I am very thankful for that opportunity.

 

Something you can never buy is experience or skill, so a percentage of users will just give up and some will upgrade to real equipment. Guess it will even itself out over time?

Anyway, good to be aboard and hope to be learning for many years to come :)

The work this industry provides astounds me everytime I watch a movie, it's always the Steadicam shots I look for most. Thanks for the great images and the countless hours of information to be absorbed through this forum.

See you out there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

and there are also kickstarter marvels: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/86612749/the-supraflux-video-camera-stabilizer

 

"A revolutionary new way to film: The Brake

The Brake gives you complete control of turns by locking one axis ( :blink:) of the stabilizer at the touch of a button. The other 2 axes remain free-floating continuing to stabilize the camera."

 

lol!

 

incredibly they already raised over $ 50000!!

 

:o

Edited by Evrim KAYA
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

and there are also kickstarter marvels: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/86612749/the-supraflux-video-camera-stabilizer

 

"A revolutionary new way to film: The Brake

The Brake gives you complete control of turns by locking one axis ( :blink:) of the stabilizer at the touch of a button. The other 2 axes remain free-floating continuing to stabilize the camera."

 

lol!

 

incredibly they already raised over $ 50000!!

 

:o

So, it's a Glidecam with a gyro?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

No one idea is stupid -depends on the application. On Robocop we had a custom remote head on a steadicam. To assist in fighting the inertia produced by the head we had a special gimbal designed with built in brake for the pan axis.

 

However, in this instance (kickstarter) it is silly.

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

No one idea is stupid -depends on the application. On Robocop we had a custom remote head on a steadicam. To assist in fighting the inertia produced by the head we had a special gimbal designed with built in brake for the pan axis.

 

However, in this instance (kickstarter) it is silly.

I heard about this setup; can't wait to see BTS of it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Premium Members

 

"producers dont care as long as its cheap and looks "OK"..."

 

 

that is the sad new reality for most of us. We have the tools and skills to turn the ordinary into the amazing and producers/DP/Directors would rather save a couple $100 an accept ordinary or even below ordinary work.
Edited by Travis Hays
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

The latest entry: the Wondlan LeopardIV comes bundled with a remote focus control and motor. For the price of a low cost remote focus you a get rig that will carry a 33 pound camera thrown in for free. $2,780 and free shipping from China.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wondlan-6-15kg-Load-Wireless-Steadicam-Steadycam-Camera-Video-Stabilizer-/111047973804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19daf99bac

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...