Suggestions please

[Radomir Carapic]

Hello everybody!

 

I have decided to buy steadicam ( probably a Pilot VL) , I have Sony Z-1 and I will have (hopefully ) Sony EX-3.

Mostly, I am doing Weddings, some documentaries and I will start soon with some commercials. I have done some search on the internet, but I am not sure which of steadicams is best for work that I described.

Also, it will be more than helpfull to get some tips about learning how to use rig,

Regards,

Rad :rolleyes:

[Dave Gish]

Hi Radomir,

 

Yes, the Pilot will support the Z1 and EX3. I wrote a detailed post on the Pilot here.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=115235

This should answer a lot of your questions about the Pilot.

 

Given that the EX3 uses 12V, the Pilot VL option makes sense for you.

 

The only issue is if you want to add big accessories. The Pilot handles up to 10 pounds. This includes the camera, camera accessories, and additional screw-on weights. The EX3 weighs 7.6 pounds. For smooth pans, you'll want to add 1.2 pounds of weights at the bottom. That leaves only 1.2 pounds for wires and accessories. If you want to add a hard drive or 35mm lens adapter, the Pilot won't work.

 

I use a really light video transmitter (0.2 pounds with cables) so other people can see the shot. For run and gun type stuff, I use a light on-camera shotgun - Rode NTG1, SM3 shock mount, and Dead Cat furry windscreen (around 0.7 pounds with cable). When working with a sound crew, I sometimes use a Sennheiser G100 wireless receiver (0.6 pounds with cable) to get sound to the camera. So my accessories are less than 1 pound in any configuration.

 

If you want to use heavier accessories, you could buy the Steadicam Flyer-LE, but that's about twice the price of the Pilot. If you're on a budget, you may consider the EX1 with the Pilot. The EX1 weighs only 5.3 pounds, so that would allow more accessories.

 

On the other hand, if you want to be really pro, you could use Panasonic HVX-200 with a 35mm lens adapter. This will give you the ability to get a really shallow depth of field, for feature film like results. The lens adapter option would include various 35mm prime and/or zoom lenses, a matte box, french flag, support rods, etc. In this case, you would definitely need the Flyer-LE to handle the weight. Also note that this ends up making the camera really long - like around 2 feet - so working in narrow stairs or hallways becomes more problematic.

Edited July 12, 2008 by Dave Gish

[Fabrizio Sciarra SOC ACO]

Hello everybody!

 

I have decided to buy steadicam ( probably a Pilot VL) , I have Sony Z-1 and I will have (hopefully ) Sony EX-3.

Mostly, I am doing Weddings, some documentaries and I will start soon with some commercials. I have done some search on the internet, but I am not sure which of steadicams is best for work that I described.

Also, it will be more than helpfull to get some tips about learning how to use rig,

Regards,

Rad :rolleyes:

 

Hey Radomir, my 2 cent:

apply for a workshop before to spend your money in something you don't know. Also you could realize that steadicam is not for you. After the workshop you'll have the basic knowledge to decide what will fit your needs and how to use it and practise with it. That's the way we all started, think about

good luck

Edited July 13, 2008 by Fabrizio Sciarra

[Dave Gish]

Excellent review of Steadicam Pilot here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camsupport/...dicampilot1.php

[Radomir Carapic]

Thanks, Dave and Fabrizio, very helpful thoughts, I will definitely consider your suggestions, unfortunately there is no any workshop in my area (Toronto) right now, but I will try to find one in closest location.

Dave, review that you mentioned is wonderful, with very clear explanation on almost anything about Pilot,

Thanks, again, Radomir :rolleyes: