Hi you proffessionals!

[Daniel Ghita]

Please, help an undecided operartor...... I am.

I'm interested to buy a camera stabilizer for a camera weighing 23-25 pounds, but unfortunately I'm undecided wich Brand it is good, compromise quality-price.

What I sow :- Hollywood Lite- Running Rig(good price) I dont no about the quality?

-Glide Cam V-20 (good price) ....quality?

- Basson steady, (looks a little strange)???

I don't have so much money ,that whay i need a good one and a cheeper one.

I used long time ago a Stedicam Provid for a tv short film,it was very good, but for me it's expensive now.

Thank you guys, and sorry about that!

Kind regards,

Daniel

[RobVanGelder]

Daniel,

 

This kind of questions has been covered many times in the forum, every year. Your best choice is to go back in the achives, search for the different brands and look at the reactions and messages.

At the end it mostly comes down to this: A GOOD SYSTEM IS NOT (repeat NOT) CHEAP!!!!!

So if a Provid is too much for you, what do you think you can expect for less.....?

 

But please search the second hand market, sometimes there are great bargains to find.

 

Rob van Gelder, Bangkok, Thailand

[Daniel Ghita]

Thanks, Rob!

I know the Steadicam brand. its a good one,HD, Provid or SK, but sometimes for all of us the money are a real problem.That whay, for start the better choose is to buy a compromise(quality-price).I'm an old camera operator, but a young steadicam operator.

Thanks again!

 

Kind regards,Daniel Ghita

[Ruben Sluijter]

but sometimes for all of us the money are a real problem.That whay, for start the better choose is to buy a compromise(quality-price).

While I certainly agree that money is always an issue and how you choose to spend it is completely up to you, I would like to warn you of the risks of going for a cheap system.

While it may be cheap in the short run, it is also very likely to give you more problems in the long run.

I'd always advise you to spend the extra money as it will save you both problems and money in the long run.

The more expensive systems also tend to have a better resale value compared to the lower end brands.

As for the brands you mentioned, well what can I say.

The Hollywoodlite, don't know much about this one but I strongly doubt it is capable of easily flying heavier cameras.

Glidecam is getting better but I don't know how well it will stand up when compared to higher range models (i.e. Steadicam, PRO, MK-V, Sachtler, whatever)

Basson Steady....avoid it like hell if you're going for the 25 lbs. and higher range, I would not consider using this one at all unless it's for a punchline.

 

At the end of the day it's your call, I'd recommend at the very least to try all the systems out with the type of camera you'll be flying and see if it's good enough for you.

If at all possible, try them out in production and don't be easily satisfied...it's a lot of money, even for the lesser known brands and you have the right/obligiation to be extremely critical.

I wouldn't let money be the deciding factor, especially if you're making a career of this.

When in doubt, don't do it...save more money and get a better rig, you'll thank yourself later.

Finally, don't forget about the second-hand market.

There's a lot of great, inexpensive, used rigs out there!

 

Peace, Ruben "Accept no substitute...." Sluijter