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The Gadget Show


benedictspence

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Hey all you UK people,

 

Just had a call from my Dad (yes, I know). According to him there is a prog on in an hours time (19.15) on Channel 5 here in the UK where a presenter will test "the £20,000 Steadicam". Dunno what this is all about- but worth a look, no??

 

Ben

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Hi Ben,

 

Looks interesting, I've just seen the top of the programme and they're looking at the inbuilt electronic steady shot function in camcorders, and one of the presenters has built his own steadicam- style stabiliser. Should be interesting to see how the thing works....(if it works)

 

Edit: I was impressed - very well researched feature, they gave a brief history of Steadicam, showed their operator at work with his Master Series, doing a walk and talk presenter piece to camera, and had him stood next to the presenter with close-ups of the various areas, i.e. gimbal, arm, and an explanation of how it works. Impressive!

 

There was also a good field test of the 'steady shot' function in the Sony HDV HandyCam

Edited by Jason Torbitt
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Hey Jason!

 

It was a nice little explanation- should have taped it to bring along on shoots when people ask THAT question!

 

Little unsure if it's entirely accurate to say a Steadicam costs £20,000- even second hand masters fetch a little more than that on occasion... Oh and while i'm picking- I noticed a bit of shoulder peaking in on the Steadicam shot up that hill- looked like a tricky shot granted.... :)

 

Nice to see Steadicam getting a bit of press! Bring on the day the AR gets on on 'Tomorrows World'!

 

Bennit

 

Sorry should say Ben not Bennit at the end of my post- although bennit is a pretty cool name...

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Yeah, I thought about taping it beforehand, but thought it wouldn't be worth it, typical!

 

The shot they did up the hill looked like it had been chosen carefully to show off the Steadicam in all its glory, did look a bit tricky with a few switches involved, steep climb and narrow path.

 

Didn't know the operator myself, Mike was his first name. It was a Master Series and looked in pretty good condition, no apparent modifications though, may have been a rental sled? I'm sure someone will know.

 

£20,000 also got me guessing, it is a sort of average second hand price.

 

Great to see our humble craft getting exposure, as you say Ben. And they even spelled 'Steadicam' correctly on the graphic. Job well done.

 

P.S. Those motor rods will be in use next week Joe :D

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Didn't know the operator myself, Mike was his first name. It was a Master Series and looked in pretty good condition, no apparent modifications though, may have been a rental sled? I'm sure someone will know.

 

Could the operator be Mike Scott? He's down in London and I'm fairly familiar with his stuff - I missed the show, but have sources so may be able to lay my hands on a copy of the show ... will let you know ;)

 

Jase

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Hi All

 

The operator was Mike Caine, the Master may have been one of ours but not sure - if it was they took the stickers off. Really not very sure about the homebuild, the result that they showed (level aaargh!!) was a good indication of it's performance.

 

Re the 20,000.00 pounds, thats is virtually enough for a Clipper 2 with G-50 or an Archer complete with batteries and focus so it is not unrealistic. Both could fly the broadcast camera they were using.

 

Robin Thwaites

OpTex

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