Steadicam vs. Glidecam vs. Actioncam

[Guest (O_o)]

Is there a considerable difference between Steadicam, Glidecam, and Action cam. Would you recommened using one over the other? I do not own a rig myself, but I am somewhat familiar with the Steadicam Ultra Cine as I have the opportunity every tuesday and thursday to suit up and operate. (Yay!!! SCAD!!!) I await your replies. :D

[Mikko Wilson]

As Eric pointed out, first things first: We use our real names around here. So close down your curent account, and create a NEW ACCOUNT, with your REAL NAME as your username, not a couple of O's. I logged in, saw your username and though "great, another kid who found a new forum to 'hang' out at".

 

Then take some time to read throguh the forum, it is well categorized, it wont' take you long. If you are really dilligant you can read the entire curent forum in about 4 hours, and a few more hours and you can get throguh most of the archives in a couple more hours. That's a HUGE wealth of information.

Don't have 4 hours? the use the SEARCH tool, that's why it's there.

 

As your other topic hopes, no one will "give" you anything in this business, or life in general for the most part, you will have to do a bit of legwork yourself to get started. No one is going to just serve you the information for free. Many operators here get paid hundereds of dollars an hour (these are normally the best and can give you the best advice), so for them to spend time here answering questions shouldn't be taken lightly. Make your questions worth our time and we will answer them.

 

Now as for your question: which is better? well guess what.. it's been asked MANY times before. So READ through, I'd sugest the Newbies and General sections (in that order) you will find what you want to know much faster than waiting for a reply.

 

If you do have any questions, then ask youself first: where can you find the answer, then ask the forum (with the search tool) and only if you can't FIND your answer, then post it up, because if it's something that hasn't been asked others may also need the information and it'll be adding to the forum, not cluttering it up.

 

No apologies for this rant, it's nothing personal (how could it be, we don't know who you are). We are actually quite friendly here if you take a moment to introduce yourself to us.

 

- Mikko

[Gregg Ritchie]

Hello to every1!

 

I am currently doing my dissertation about the Steadicam and I have come across some systems developed off the back of this stabilisation tool.

 

I was wondering if anybody could give me their views on each system? Which they prefer and why? Which system has the best engineering? Which is easier to use? Does the GlideCam produce shots as smooth as the Steadicam? Is the Glidecam dying out compared to the Steadicam? Is the Glidecam system only used in Europe as it cannot compete with the Steadicam? etc...

 

I want to be able to answer questions like "How come you never hear of a smooth continuous shot from a big feature film referred to as a 'Glidecam Shot'?" Is this due to the Steadicam just being better? Or just better known as a stabilisation system?

 

Also if any1 knows of any other clone systems that claim to be "The most advanced, way of the future, etc.", or just other systems that try to rival Steadicam please let me know e.g. FloatCam Pro. Any opinions or technical comparisons, info, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm not trying to stir up any bad feelings here, I just need to get a well rounded view to produce a good critique.

 

Feel free to post here or PM me at any time!

 

Cheers

[JobScholtze]

I wouldnt go there :P

And what about other systems? Pro-Mk-v-Sachtler-Baerbel-etcetc?

 

-edit- nah, i dont go there -edit-

[Charles Papert]

Without going into much detail, the term "Steadicam", while specifically referring to a product made by Tiffen and licensed from Garrett Brown, is used generically in the way you are describing. There are many high-end stabilizer manufacturers and often operators will be flying a rig that is composed of several manufacturer's components. Although Glidecam has introduced systems that are capable of flying the type of cameras that are used for feature filmmaking, there aren't many out there being used for that purpose--they are better known in the video (broadcast down to DV) world.

 

As far as comparing the major manufacturers of high end gear, obviously that will be a matter of opinion depending on which operator you talk to (and as Job indicated, it's a bit of a tired issue, like going onto a car enthusiast forum and asking "which is the best one to drive?")

 

Many of these opinions have been expressed in this forum over the years, so I would recommend spending the time to plow through the archives.

[JobScholtze]

Well put Charles,

 

Now i know why the sell your t-shirts on Ebay. Your a wise man :P

[Marc Abernathy]

please dont ask this question on this forum. there is not enough storage space on the web to compare any system to another system. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE USE THE SEARCH AND READ THE ARCHIVES!!!! this site has a largest amount of infromation on the Steadicam (the brand name and the skill) so think of it as a 24/7 online library. this thread should be deleted.

[TJ Williams]

This is a very strange question for you to ask.... disertation .... graduate degree .... research

yet you don't do a forum search....... What college is this anyway???????? and what kind of a subject is this for graduate research which starts with such a goofy question.... who the hades is the head of your comittee????

After you drop out of this nowhere school for inability, maybe you can become a steadicam op.... :P :P :P :P :huh: :huh: <_< <_<

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

This topic is now locked seeing that it's leading down a bad road

[Gregg Ritchie]

To all this may concern... I apologise for the last topic i posted as some may think it stupid.

I have been going through the archives long before posting the question and found many a great discussion on such things.

 

My reasons for posting this question was not beacuse I had no idea and I'm from a "Nowhere School" (thankyou for the very helpful reply TJ Williams, I'll be sure to ask you for help in future), it was purely beacuse I wanted up-to-date opinions for my critique.

 

Anyway I see I may have brewed up bad feeling, or somehow inadvertently opened old wounds, so I again apologise.

 

Thankyou to all who gave me a straight answer, advice, and/or help.

 

I will be sure to check the archives from now on before asking anything.

[Erik Brul]

To all this may concern... I apologise for the last topic i posted as some may think it stupid.

I have been going through the archives long before posting the question and found many a great discussion on such things.

 

My reasons for posting this question was not beacuse I had no idea and I'm from a "Nowhere School" (thankyou for the very helpful reply TJ Williams, I'll be sure to ask you for help in future), it was purely beacuse I wanted up-to-date opinions for my critique.

 

Anyway I see I may have brewed up bad feeling, or somehow inadvertently opened old wounds, so I again apologise.

 

Thankyou to all who gave me a straight answer, advice, and/or help.

 

I will be sure to check the archives from now on before asking anything.

 

No problem at all Gregg.. consider myself still as a newbie, everyone can still learn from eachother. But like Eric (i think) already mentioned, you are also welcome to visit Steadiforum which is also like this forum a lovely place to visit, read.. read more and ask some question to pro's, less pro's.. newbies and what so ever !

 

Bye, Erik