ProVid 2 worth saving, or should I move on to a different rig?

[Conor McGrath]

Hi all,

So recently I decided to buy an old ProVid 2 system. It was $1000 and I figured it would probably be enough to get me up and going, maybe get a few spots on some student films to build my reel and a bit of a network.

I knew it needed some love, but I'm starting to realize that the arm is in pretty rough condition and will likely need to be serviced. The sled needs complete new wiring as well, as the original bottom stage was removed and replaced with a dummy one. No power or SDI. It ain't hard to get that into a functional place, though it may be pretty jank, but the arm is where my ability to repair ends. One of the segments is considerably stronger than the other. I also struggle to have enough weight for it. Even with a fully built V-Raptor and 3 of my biggest 150wh batteries (2 on the sled one on the camera) my stronger segment wont level out and rises all the way up, and the weaker one levels out at about a third the way up from minimum. I know I could get some weight plates, but the sled really should be in the weight range with everything I had on it. It probably weighed about 25lbs.

Overall it feels pretty stiff compared to any modern arm. Not to mention it uses whatever the old system of mounting to the vest is, something like a pintle and gudgeon?

So I suppose I have a few options here: 

1. Try to find someone who stills knows anything about a 30 year old ProVid arm and cough up some cash (this seems like the dumbest one)

2. Just buy a new arm and a socket block for my vest, maybe an A30 to start, and drop another 1-2k on this antiquated kit

3. Buy a completely different rig

I've been finding a lot of decent deals that I feel I'd be able to finance in the used market. Most notably some of the older Sachtler/Arri Artemis 1 rigs. I know the Sachtler rigs don't get a whole lot of play here in the US but they seem like very well built, capable rigs that could get my feet off the ground and help me land some serious gigs. They seem to be a considerably cheaper option than getting an M2 or GPI kit, not to mention the option of trying some Trinity work down the line.

Or I suppose I could prioritize taking the class before anything else. I find it hard to prioritize this though as the price of the class could buy me a good portion of a kit. I know inevitably I will want to make it through the class and get certified, but it seems ridiculous to drop this much money on a class just to not be able to pursue it afterwards.

I've already put in a good number of hours on a friend's Steadicam Pilot, helping out on some smaller music video and student film projects. I feel I have a decent foundation, though definitely a long way to go. These were some of my favorite days, and the projects that demand a steadicam seem to be the most fun ones to work on in my opinion. I really just need to make it make sense for me. 

So if you were in my shoes, starting from practically zero, what would you do? 

[Kevin Kisling]

Hi Conor,

It feels like you've made up your mind for option 3, which in the long run would probably be the best option, but also the most costly. I'd work with what you got access to right now and continue to save for a big rig. By putting more money into your current rig, you might not see the return of investment on it when/if you try to sell it. There are plenty of rigs for sale right now, and I'm sure you could start piecing together a great used one. 

Best of luck!