Basson or SteadiCam II

[paul magee]

Paul, dosen't take much to confuse you does it ?

 

Dr. Steve Karr

BirdBoy Pictures co.

Detroit

 

 

And sarcasm and spelling seem to elude you, Doctor Steve. I don't care what you fly

that's a decision everyone has to make based on their market and pocket book

but I do appreciate civil discourse on this board.

 

Best of luck

 

Paul Magee

Philadelphia, Pa

[mattmarek]

ant, the helmet is actually the monitor of some russian steadicam i had to operate in moscow 2 years back. quite dangerous for stairs :o small black and white tube in the top, that you would see by looking at the mirror strip that was out in front. good memories there. :D

[RobVanGelder]

I think it shows your attitude towards others to turn a technical quality question into something personal.....

Not that I care, many people like my work and I know it is not dolly-like, but the framing and timing is appreciated!

 

Anyway, you have missed the point completely: You are comparing a system that was invented so many years ago, with the technology available back then: LCD didn't exist, electronics and computers and such were almost not usable for this kind of construction, Many of the mechanical/metal constructions that we take for granted right now had yet to be invented! Still they managed to make something that worked and changed the history of film making

Then you ask about something that just copies some designs and does it badly, cheaply too, but in 2005/6!

with all the available technology today they manage to make something really shitty, where you have to put in a similar amount of mony as it's original price to make it workable!

 

i can make a Steadicam out of wood and scraps too, it will work, to a certain level, but i would not call it professional equipment and i would certainly not advertise it as such, like these guys do.

 

But I do make my own equipment, as everybody here on this forum knows, it's good enough for me, I share it with others and everybody can pick it up or discard it.

 

I am happy to help others with their wrong choice of equipment, like some people that called me a few months ago here in Bangkok, saying that they have so much problems with another construction of one of those cheap copy cats (they advertise here too....). I teached them some tricks here, in a park, so they can work better with it.

 

But than again at the same time I will strongly reply to anybody who will ask about opinions on low-quality equipment. I can firmly base my opinions, you can't!

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

I wish this thread would have taken a different direction.

 

Steve

 

 

I would suggest in the future if you want threads to take a "Different" direction that you not come here swinging.

 

Your insults are not appreciated. Rob is a pro and has demonstrated that he is. You, your just someone that insult's members of this forum.

 

I notice that you only insulted Rob's reel. Tell you what you can insult all you want when you post up work, pro quality work that is superior to those that you are insulting.

 

Oh, my reel is in the link in my sig. Have a nice day

[BirdBoy]

Eric and everyone,

I started this tread to gather some information on early CP?s in reference to my Over Zealous purchase of the Basson. I admit it was un-researched and impulsive.

 

But to have all the ego based bashing of $3600 system ?kinda makes me laugh, Do you laugh or belittle the guy with an old BMW just because you have a new SL500? ( I have the AMG, just for you guys without Ultras) No, we talk gas and tires & wax. That?s all I was interested in. What I found was a club of guys that hang their egos on a heap of steal.

 

I speedskate. I didn?t start with $4000 skates. I started with $300 skates that ended up hurting my feet. But I did my laps. Very often passing up 45 year old guys with $4000 skates. So gear is not always the answer.

 

Eric I did watch your reel after checking your profile, after reading your overtly non-creative abortion crack. ( Jesus, abortion? Have you ever witnessed an abortion? ) Your reel was solid & professional. I packed the info away.

 

So I waited for more responses. Rob responded. I checked his profile after his ?Take me serious? comment. I can do those same shots with my Basson, Sorry. But I listen.

 

Then Mikko chimes in?

 

If you read my first post I was simply looking for info. on a rig I will never see first hand. That?s it.

 

Just a thought,

 

Steve

[Thomas English]

The Wag wagging your refering to on Rob s reel shows a complete lack of experience on your part in real life steadicam shots.

 

I could not hold a frame that well running on uneven terrain in DonJuan. I could not reframe so nicely in those conditions. Many an operator could not. I reckon my reel looks O.K. but I ask Rob often for advice and have asked him numerous times for training when I am in thailand. I consider him an exceptional operator with an awful lot to teach me.

 

I take deep offence to your thread and attitude. I don t care as to the subject matter, I started out on a cheap as anything Hollywood Lite GT and made my money from there to buy/build a rig I love. I don t care who makes the components so long as they are of high quality and come with support.

 

And I certainly don t care how big a coked up DoP you might be. What I do care for is some manners.

[Gordon Li-Ron]

Hey Rob,

 

 

Very nice reel. In the end....ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS and your reel proves that!

 

 

 

 

I was curious how you modded you masters series with a tilt stage? Was that you or did you send out?

 

 

thanks

 

Gordon

[Johanwindfeld]

Hey There... (( I dont like when you "guys" talk bad about products or about pepole of the buisness))

 

I have tryed many systems, from the basson, glidecam, baerbel, steadicam, progear, Pro.

 

I have sold my basson steadi, and got my self a ProGear system, that works and "looks" like the pro, as many of you guys know.. :lol: maby some copy there.. B)

 

Anyway.. answer to your question!

 

I have owned the Basson, the largest/big bodel, and I used 2000 USD to upgrade it, and many houers. then it was nice and black, lookt good and had a real batteri v-lock system, and basson does not have that from factory-and thats a problem when you need fresh batteries quick. Anyway i also had build in all the standart XLR/lemo build in, ( basson only have phono/jack from facktory) and I was ready to go.. Got the package in a nice peli case..

 

NOW that system is nice.. and good.. <_< to use at small independent dv films, small local commercials, or local cabel tv-stations. Great steadicam for that.. and good practice to lern how a steadicam is and how to use the steadi.

 

BUT :o I am working professional with broadcasting for very big tv stations in europe. and the basson was not good enough.. why- the steadi arm, is not smooth at all, but works. The vest is fine, The post is heavy, and big, But the problems is the arm and gimbal.. the gimbal is not smooth, and it is to unstabel. you cant make a zoom in picture steadi in the frame.. the arm and gimbal is too unstabel..

 

So... I used the basson as a steadi to lern the steadicam better, and took the workshop in maine. I was happy to have the basson, and sold it to a young man that was a beginner. So I got the big ProGear system and used the big money on that!! now I have no problems with anything, And I feel I can take any job that calls for me.. ( with the basson I diddent want to use it for the big jobs, so i rentet a steadicam instead, and left the basson at home)

 

:rolleyes: so my words to you is.. if you want to use a steadicam system for real and be in the professional league, you have top go with a used steadicam!!! But if you just want to play and make small jobs, and lern the steadi tecknic, then the besson is fine..

 

Regards, Johan Windfeld.. hope you can use this..

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Eric and everyone,

I started this tread to gather some information on early CP?s in reference to my Over Zealous purchase of the Basson. I admit it was un-researched and impulsive.

 

But to have all the ego based bashing of $3600 system ?kinda makes me laugh, Do you laugh or belittle the guy with an old BMW just because you have a new SL500? ( I have the AMG, just for you guys without Ultras) No, we talk gas and tires & wax. That?s all I was interested in. What I found was a club of guys that hang their egos on a heap of steal.

 

I speedskate. I didn?t start with $4000 skates. I started with $300 skates that ended up hurting my feet. But I did my laps. Very often passing up 45 year old guys with $4000 skates. So gear is not always the answer.

 

Eric I did watch your reel after checking your profile, after reading your overtly non-creative abortion crack. ( Jesus, abortion? Have you ever witnessed an abortion? ) Your reel was solid & professional. I packed the info away.

 

So I waited for more responses. Rob responded. I checked his profile after his ?Take me serious? comment. I can do those same shots with my Basson, Sorry. But I listen.

 

Then Mikko chimes in?

 

If you read my first post I was simply looking for info. on a rig I will never see first hand. That?s it.

 

Just a thought,

 

Steve

 

Really steve, i don't think you get it, you pop up outta nowhere bash the Model 1, praise the Basson, claim to know all about it and then when you don't hear what you want to hear get pissy and TRY to play mines bigger than yours.

 

I too speed skated and when I did I sought out the advice of the "45 year old guys", that's why I was damn good at it. I drive a faster car than yours, I have a race car and set lap records with it (I should I used to race for a living and taught for schools such as "Skip barber Racing School") Like a few others here I am a pilot and I'm in the middle of purchasing a Columbia 400. I made more money last year on my investments than you "billed" out. Your experience are neither unique or special, good steadicam operators are type A personalities and over achievers.

 

Of Course I have a Professional and solid reel, it's what I do for a living, and because of that it gives me the knowledge and ability to call the Basson an Abortion.

 

In the future I might suggest that you read more, post less and keep your opinions and insults to yourself

[RobVanGelder]

Thanks for the support, guys!

 

:)

 

 

(now in Shanghai for a 3 days commercial, sh#t, its snowing and freezing, too big a change from Bangkok!!)

[BirdBoy]

Thanks for the support, guys!

 

:)

 

 

Big Hug ...

[markdeblok]

Hallo Birdyboy,

 

Now, I was about to comment on this Basson thing, but I think it is better not to share my knowledge.

So, the only advise I can give you is to buy it, buy two ! It is a great piece of work and it will be the absolute

right gear; for you. Have fun.

 

 

Mark de Blok NSC

 

you can only wish you had a proffesional experienced steadicam operator like Robvan Gelder you could Hug

[markdeblok]

This is what I picked up at the steadiforum, so you all know who this birdshit is, let's give him a big hug and he did not only insult Rob but me as well.

 

Mark de Blok NSC SOA

 

Hi Guys,

I'm really sorry if I over stepped good nature. As you know I own a Basson 925 with many Ant inspired Mods. I was just looking for some more input as to spend more on Mod'ing it or sell it (maybe) and get a ProVid or something. I just have a tough time with guys with "The Right Equipment" and big Elitists mouths who can't shoot.

 

That's really what It's ALL ABOUT right ? Pictures.

 

I've actually been hired from my reel alone, show up with my "Hollywood Lite" (really) and have directors laugh. The first take they usually shout up. I get the shot.

 

 

Sorry again to insult anyone other than Rob,

 

Signed,

Dr. Steve

[Jason Williams]

I run the Steadiforum, to get away from this exact problem, this forum is full of back-biting, bitching and general hatred to other more "junior" (I use that loosely) members, and yes I have respect for people like Mr Rob Van Gelder, I checked his reel and yeah it's cracking stuff.

 

I like seeing people on the Steadiforum, I like to think more of it as an "extended family" where everyone has the same interest, REGARDLESS of stablizer brand, that doesn't matter, if a member has a problem with a Basson gimbal we don't jump on them branding it shit, we offer advice and help where ever we can.

 

That's what a forum is, not a bitch fest,

 

Nuff said, if I offend anyone, ah well, I'm sorry but I decided to speak my mind, like it or lump it, I ain't fussed about checking in here every day, but I do as I enjoy reading the threads, except when it gets to this point, nit-picking and bitching.

 

Thanks for your time.

[Gordon Li-Ron]

Hello,

 

 

I Know that I'm a new member here and I only know so many of you from the SOA workshop but I just wanted to comment again on this BirdBoy user. Forget the other arguments about which rig is better, this guy is a real jerk. He acted like a total jerk in another post as well. Someone posted in the newbies section asking for tips before he went to a workshop. Birdboy just replied with "suckup". The original post was no where near sucking up. Regaurdless, Birdboy's response was very rude. I feel if people are intentionally disrespectful, then their user privileges should be taken away. This forum is supposed to help all of us whether we are veterans or newbies and this jerk is just instigating. I have such a hard time believing that a professional DP has such poor etiquette.

 

 

Gordon