jimbovision Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 I am a newbee steadi operatior. (that cant spel) the companey I work for has one glide cam for HD and one holleywood light GT for sdanderd DV. plus a few difrent "rented" systems. I am looking to buy my own rig (i get paid about the rate of a PA for steady cam work) so I dont have a lot of cash so a real stadicam is out of my leag for right now. and I dont reley like the glide cam. I was looking at the magi cam and was wondering waht other pepols opinin was. ( I know about the basson already) of course it will suck next to aney thing made buy staedicam but I just need a starter rig to save some cash to get the real thing. has aney one used a magi cam?? aprently it is used on "exstream home makeover" you can see from the show waht the shoots look like and that the color dose not match the tripod shots but heay its not a real rig... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Afton Grant Posted September 6, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Howdy Jimbo, I can't comment on the MagiqCam specifically, but I do know for low budget, DV stuff, Glidecam does make a good system for its price - don't rule them out. If you read past posts in the Newbies section, you'll see this question pop up a few times. Basically, the answer is to get what you need and can afford. All the systems perform the same basic function and operate under the same basic principles. This means, in the hands of a capable operator, any shot on any system can look great. Other guys here can probably testify to specifics regarding brands. I have heard Basson systems are prone to failure, but that may have been one or two isolated incidents. Also, the rig itself should have nothing to do with the color being recorded by the camera. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted September 6, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 :blink: Apply a spelling-check on anything you write..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard James Lewis Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 :( I thought he was taking the piss... Have a look at the new Glidecam v25. Rick “spelling extra carefully” Lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Steele Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 You might want to check out the new glidecam V25, I just recieved the first production model of the arm and vest this week as the sled isn't ready yet. It really is a high quality system. I'm sure there have been a few posts about the V25, here's a picture of the new arm. It's great, very smooth, easy to hold through the boom range, can't say how impressed I am with it. http://www.steeleworksproductions.com/V25/V25arm1.jpg John. :blink: Apply a spelling-check on anything you write..... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbovision Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 hate to say it.. that was spell checked. thats waht hapens when you are serverly disgraphic. to tell you the truth I used the glide cam v 16 .. it was an old system with the wiring ziped tied to the out side of the post. huug must inconvinent. the thing that bugs me about them the moust it the "staking disc" and the stage. (the old one is 4 hex bolts and a gentil "taping" to balence the dame thing) it did hold the wehgt of a sony hd cam with mate box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbovision Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 ohh opps yea I was refuring to the color becus they swith camras Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erik Brul Posted September 22, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 ohh opps yea I was refuring to the color becus they swith camras <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Jimbo, I have the Magiqcam Rig now for about 1 year. Works fine. Ok, I also have some moments were I was sort of limited to do the shots with this Rig. But I think it performs well for the price. I even think that the Glidecam V16 and the Magiqcam IIA are simular in the results. The only difference is that with the Magiqcam you have a dual action arm were the Glidecam has 1 spring arm. About three weeks ago I even managed to place a Thomson HD Viper camera on this Rig. It was balanced well, just removed the viewfinder. The only problem was the multicore cable which was replaced with 2 coax cables. Even then it was not easy to control the Rig. But within the right Triax cable you can easy handle the Thomson Broadcast camera's on it or Pasasonic 900 series etc etc.. I Thinking about to sell the Rig... want to upgrade to the V25 or the Flyer. It now sells for about 1650 dollars. I have paid 2650 dollars, this was the lowmode option.. extra weights and ofcourse a monitor + battery set ! So for about 1250 dollars I will let it go ! Rgds, Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDiMasi Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 I have a new MagiqCam IIa system and so far am very impressed by it. I am rather new to flying, so take this for what's it worth. I built a really nice handheld stabilizer that produced some impressive results, but since I use a Canon XL1s with a matte box and filters with a 7" LCD, it was very difficult to operate for more than about ten minutes. I am a big guy, but even with a forearm brace, it was too much weight to hold steady. I finally nailed down a major job I'd been working on for a long time with about a weeks notice. As stated by MagiqCam, it takes five weeks since they are built to order. I emailed them to see if they could help, and they called right back saying they were able to send one out a couple of days before my shoot. I was impressed while talking to them (Kelly and John Gardner) and appreciated the customer service and willingness to help me out. They spent a good deal of time with me on the phone answering questions and discussing the system. They clearly understood the needs of an independent and I appreciated their desire to develop and offer a quality alternative to the astronomically priced systems. I have never flown a true Steadicam, but I must say I was so impressed when I opened the case. Every component was wrapped in its own drawstring bag and very well put together. Having built my first stabilzer, I was blown away by the quality and thought put in to each piece of the system. It looks and feels very solid. More importantly than how it looks - it works wonderfully. Once I figured out the dynamic balance, detuned the springs to fit my camera, and practiced my butt off, I am so pleased with the results. I shot for four hours today, and although tired, I'm not wiped out like I would have thought. I even operated from the tailgate of a Blazer this windy afternoon and achieved fantastic results. I'm sure a true Flyer is a more competent system, but for my budget and clientele, this thing simply rocks! The footage I showed to the client so completely knocked his socks off, I think I'll be getting a lot more work from them. Just to note: I do not work for MagiqCam and have no vested interest in the company. I am simply a very happy customer who has found a very cost effective way to increase my level of production value without having to take out a second mortgage. I have no idea how this stacks up against the Glidecam unit, but the value/dollar ratio is amazing. Let me know if you have questions I can answer. I?ve been lurking on this board for a while and would love to contribute. Steve I am a newbee steadi operatior. (that cant spel) the companey I work for has one glide cam for HD and one holleywood light GT for sdanderd DV. plus a few difrent "rented" systems. I am looking to buy my own rig (i get paid about the rate of a PA for steady cam work) so I dont have a lot of cash so a real stadicam is out of my leag for right now. and I dont reley like the glide cam. I was looking at the magi cam and was wondering waht other pepols opinin was. ( I know about the basson already) of course it will suck next to aney thing made buy staedicam but I just need a starter rig to save some cash to get the real thing. has aney one used a magi cam?? aprently it is used on "exstream home makeover" you can see from the show waht the shoots look like and that the color dose not match the tripod shots but heay its not a real rig... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Coady Marshall Posted October 10, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 Hey everybody, Has anybody heard about the new 2P magiqcam model ? It can support weight up to 20 pounds. Do you guys have any opinions on that ? By the way this is my first reply but I have been reading this forum for about a month now. Very informative. Thanks Coady Marshall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Tom Wills Posted October 11, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 11, 2005 I think that the 2P in theory should be good, with a socket block (finally... I was wondering when one of the less commercial companies would do it...), and a large weight capacity. I've heard nothing but good about their rigs, save for a few problems, but that can be expected with custom built rigs. This rig shouldn't be much different. (I'm not paid by Magiqcam, or anything else, I just like their product, and their customer service is pretty good, at least from my experience.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Coady Marshall Posted November 7, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Hey Everybody Has anyone one even recieved the Magiqam 2p. From everything I have read there seems to be a 3 to 4 month delay. I ordered one about 5 weeks ago, but no word yet , if you have any info or opinions it would be helpful thanks. :) Coady Marshall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P. Andrews Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 Hey Everybody Has anyone one even recieved the Magiqam 2p. From everything I have read there seems to be a 3 to 4 month delay. I ordered one about 5 weeks ago, but no word yet , if you have any info or opinions it would be helpful thanks. :) Coady Marshall Hi everyone, ATTENTION : I bought my magicam II on ebay but waited 5 MONTHS to get it ! though their add mentionned 5 weeks... Plus they never replied to my emails or phone call. Nevertheless, their product is good (only the center column is too short, have to customize it) - but what a lame customer service !!! I hope I'll never have a problem, if so I guess I'll have to fix it my myself. So it's up to you guys... A. H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Colin Donahue Posted December 11, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 11, 2005 has aney one used a magi cam?? aprently it is used on "exstream home makeover" you can see from the show waht the shoots look like and that the color dose not match the tripod shots but heay its not a real rig... Jimbovision, I am an operator on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I have never seen a magicam on the show. I have used a masters series, EFP and Archer. The other op, Eric Cochran, uses a masters. I am not familiar with the magicam. As far as the color not matching... the show is shot on the Sony XDCAM, but the steadicam shots are done the day after the house is revealed and often at a different time of day than the shots of the family looking at the house. This may be the reason the color is off a bit. They do a color correction in post, but aparently not a good enough ..... Colin Donahue has aney one used a magi cam?? aprently it is used on "exstream home makeover" you can see from the show waht the shoots look like and that the color dose not match the tripod shots but heay its not a real rig... I try this again Jimbovision, I am an operator on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I have never seen a magicam on the show. I have used a masters series, EFP and Archer. The other op, Eric Cochran, uses a masters. I am not familiar with the magicam. As far as the color not matching... the show is shot on the Sony XDCAM, but the steadicam shots are done the day after the house is revealed and often at a different time of day than the shots of the family looking at the house. This may be the reason the color is off a bit. They do a color correction in post, but aparently not a good enough ..... Colin Donahue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erik Brul Posted December 12, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 I have sold the Magiqcam.. to many limitations for several shots I wanted to achieve. Also only when you use at least 12 or even 16 lbs of weight.. the so called po-going is not present.. but with any setup below that weight.. it is not solid. A nice feature is the price and the some sort flight case you receive with the Rig.. On other words.. spent more money or rent a Rig.. Best, Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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