Cheapest steadicam usable for Canon C300?

[Guest jedders]

Hi, I'm researching about different steadicams that would be able to work with a Canon c300 with a Samyang 14mm lens. I only plan on using it for maybe 5 fairly quick shots max in my short film so I can't afford to blow the money on renting the best steadicam out there when it's not gonna be used that much. I own a Steadicam Merlin which is okay but I don't think it would be able to handle the weight of the C300. Although I haven't tested it.

 

Can anyone tell me what would be the most low budget Steadicam usable with a Canon c300? Do you know if a Glidecam 4000 would work with it? Or maybe a similarly priced Steadicam unit?

 

Is the Steadicam Pilot the cheapest option for me?

Edited November 16, 2013 by jedders

[John Stout]

This could be an option for you:

 

http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=19075&hl=

[Alan Rencher]

I believe this is the cheapest stabilizer: http://goo.gl/gqI6t

[Louis Puli SOC]

I would be looking an hiring a local operator how may own a Flyer and can give you a student rate for the day .

Lover your post Alan .

Good luck

[Victor Lazaro]

Look for an operator with his own rig. Some of us are ok with student rates. Renting a rig when you have never operated before does not makes much sense.

[Mark Schlicher]

How good do you want the shots to look?

 

In the hands of an inexperienced operator, shots with the Glidecam or Pilot will look the same...bad. So...if you don't care that your shots will be bad, then buy the cheapest rig...a Glidecam or a cheap Chinese knockoff. It won't matter.

 

If you care about having a rig that you can actually learn (eventually...it won't happen overnight or in a week), then buy a Pilot. Your shots will still look bad in this movie but at least you will have something that you can grow into if you apply yourself. The knockoffs are like a guitar that can't be tuned...it will never sound good no matter how hard you practice.

 

If you care about your shots looking good, then find a Steadicam operator who offers student rates and/or has a lightweight rig.

 

Would you rather spend $2000 and end up with bad shots and a piece of equipment you will probably sell at a loss, or spend a fraction of that to hire someone who offers a student rate and can deliver shots that make your film look good?

[Guest jedders]

Hey, thanks for the replies. Just to clarify I'm not looking to buy a steadicam I only want to rent one for the shoot.

 

I own a Merlin so I do have some experience operating, but I obviously wouldn't dare call myself an experienced operator.

 

What I want from the steadicam shots is a running pov shot and to film a little jogging scene similar to the one in Shame.

 

I dunno if just using a track/dolly might be a safer and cheaper option?

[Alan Rencher]

I think the only way to find it what's cheapest to rent is to call those who rent them out in your area. Not all markets are the same, but you should take some of the advice given. Find an up and comer in your area, and see if they are looking for experience.

[Mark Schlicher]

well okay. If you're wanting to rent, most rental houses and individuals do not "dry hire" stabilizers (rent without an operator.) Those that do, usually try to make sure they are renting to someone who is at least minimally qualified. Call around, maybe you can find one who will rent it. Hopefully it will be in good condition. Then try it out with the C300.

 

If you operate a Merlin handheld, that's a different skillset than any system with vest and arm. WIthout a fair amount of practice you are unlikely to have even minimal success. Hire an operator or rethink the shot for dolly or handheld.

 

Track/dolly requires qualified grips to set up, level, and operate the dolly, unless you are talking about a simple platform dolly that runs on PVC pipe.

 

Cheapest option that you might be able to rent is an Easyrig. It's not really a stabilizer per se, but it may be stable enough for running POV/jogging shots, and will be much easier to use.

 

Really, you should be talking to your local rental houses and testing out their stuff. That's where your answers will be found.

[Lars Erik]

Hello Jedders, welcome to the forum.

 

First things first; if you plan on posting any more on this forum, please change your forum name to your real name. We use real names here.

 

I have never used the Merlin much, but just a quick look says it's weight capabilities are 2.27 kg. The C300 weighs in at 1.45 kg (EF), and the Samyang lens weigs in at 522g. Which puts you in at 1.97 kg. I'm guessing no extras. So maybe you should try it on the Merlin?

 

By the off-chance that the Merlin don't take your set-up, and you need to rent anything that has a vest and arm, I'd listen to the other ops and rent a operator who'll give you a student discount. It's done all the time and everywhere, even here in Norway. I've done it myself several times. Usually I charge for the petrol and a little extra. If you rent a system with arm and vest, and you have no experience with this, the chance of you being disappointed with your shots are high. In addition to that, you have wasted time picking up the rig, and delivering it back to the rental house. That sucks.

 

Whatever you decide. I wish you good luck and fly safe!

 

PS! Alan, that site is a joke right? Tell me you made that site? Please.

[Alan Rencher]

Lars, as far as I know, the site is not a joke, and I certainly didn't make it. But I will say that it's now my go-to for linking for any "cheapest" questions I see from here on out. Hey, nobody ever specifies a quality level when they ask for the cheapest, so who's to judge?