dvx 100a and steady cam jr at DVinfo.net

Terry Lyons · March 18th, 2004, 09:59 AM

Is the 4.4+ pound dvx to heavy for the steady cam jr which is rated for 2 to 4 lb cameras?

Dave Largent · March 18th, 2004, 05:32 PM

Yes!

Bryan Roberts · March 18th, 2004, 10:08 PM

Go for Glidecam 2000 Pro if you're in the market for the lower priced mini dv steadicams.... it can easily support the dvx100a - I have this combo and it works well, it's just tough on the shoulders.. :)

Terry Lyons · March 19th, 2004, 02:05 PM

Thanks Gents!

Dave Largent · March 19th, 2004, 02:24 PM

Terry,
Some have a lot of trouble balancing the Glidecam.
And look again at the photo of it. Note the offset
handle. That is going to create wrist fatigue.
This is one thing that's nice about the JR: no
offset.
If I were you I would take a look at the
Hollywood Lite models before going with the
Glidecam.

Terry Lyons · March 21st, 2004, 10:12 AM

Thanks Dave I really wish the dvx would work on my jr so I don't have to buy another one. It's always something

Dave Largent · March 21st, 2004, 11:08 AM

You have a JR already? Have you tried putting the
DVX on it? I did read of a fellow who tried
using a DVX on a JR and that the JR broke
off at the handle and the cam
crashed to the ground. Steadicam company told
him they take no responsibility
because the DVX exceeded the
weight limit.

Terry Lyons · March 21st, 2004, 11:46 AM

Yes I do and I have been using a Canon A1 Digital ( which is really analog ) anyway I am trying to decide between the dvx and 170. The dvx is 4.4# and the 170 is 3.3#. I really like the JR so even though it looks like I will be heading towards the 170 I was really trying to justify the dvx to have the progressive scan. I dont know what you shoot but do you think it is worth buying another stabilizer to handle the weight of the dvx just to have the pano. Thanks again Dave TL

Dave Largent · March 21st, 2004, 12:15 PM

I had the JR and liked it, too.
Hi8, huh? I have a Hi8 that just went out.
Sony TR101.
My girlfriend really liked that camera, moreso than
the number of minidvs we have sitting around.
Took some nice-looking footage, in some ways
better than DV.
Terry, what you want to do with your cam
would determine which is the best for you.
So what do you want to do? Indie film? Events?
Nature? Family get-togethers?
Just so you know (and some may differ in their
opinion on this, but I have to pass along my
opinion): the PD is too heavy for the JR.

Terry Lyons · March 21st, 2004, 03:24 PM

Well the things I shoot so far are the kids snowboarding while I lead or follow with the jr., sporting events, fire line action weddings etc. usually the things I shoot so far I like to move with the action. The things I would like to do in the future are comercials, training videos, etc. The style I do now lends itself to use the jr. so hearing that the pd might be too heavy is a heart breaker. The last thing I had on it was a gl1(as my A1 has developed jerky video) but I think it is only 2.7#, but it worked fine. Do you think the pd will break it or just be too top heavy?

Dave Largent · March 21st, 2004, 03:49 PM

Sounds like you'd be best off with a PD.
For one, the rapid auto focus would come in
handy for the action stuff, and for steadicam
work, and for weddings.

You can read about my experience with the JR here.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=18341

Terry Lyons · March 21st, 2004, 06:11 PM

Dave that was a terrible story about the jr. I sure hope that doesn't happen to me. Im guessing that the 20 deg. tilt put the gimbal too far back caused the latch to give. You know when skiing the rig takes a lot of G's in turns and stops. Thanks for the imput and the opinion of going with the pd. I sure appreciate the help. TL

March 18th, 2004, 09:59 AM	#1
Terry Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alta Sierra Posts: 182	dvx 100a and steady cam jr Is the 4.4+ pound dvx to heavy for the steady cam jr which is rated for 2 to 4 lb cameras? __________________ TAG

March 19th, 2004, 02:05 PM	#4
Terry Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alta Sierra Posts: 182	Thanks Gents! __________________ TAG

March 21st, 2004, 10:12 AM	#6
Terry Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alta Sierra Posts: 182	Thanks Dave I really wish the dvx would work on my jr so I don't have to buy another one. It's always something __________________ TAG

March 21st, 2004, 11:46 AM	#8
Terry Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alta Sierra Posts: 182	Yes I do and I have been using a Canon A1 Digital ( which is really analog ) anyway I am trying to decide between the dvx and 170. The dvx is 4.4# and the 170 is 3.3#. I really like the JR so even though it looks like I will be heading towards the 170 I was really trying to justify the dvx to have the progressive scan. I dont know what you shoot but do you think it is worth buying another stabilizer to handle the weight of the dvx just to have the pano. Thanks again Dave TL __________________ TAG

March 21st, 2004, 03:24 PM	#10
Terry Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alta Sierra Posts: 182	Well the things I shoot so far are the kids snowboarding while I lead or follow with the jr., sporting events, fire line action weddings etc. usually the things I shoot so far I like to move with the action. The things I would like to do in the future are comercials, training videos, etc. The style I do now lends itself to use the jr. so hearing that the pd might be too heavy is a heart breaker. The last thing I had on it was a gl1(as my A1 has developed jerky video) but I think it is only 2.7#, but it worked fine. Do you think the pd will break it or just be too top heavy? __________________ TAG

March 18th, 2004, 05:32 PM	#2
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Yes!

March 18th, 2004, 10:08 PM	#3
Bryan Roberts Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 436	Go for Glidecam 2000 Pro if you're in the market for the lower priced mini dv steadicams.... it can easily support the dvx100a - I have this combo and it works well, it's just tough on the shoulders.. :)

March 19th, 2004, 02:24 PM	#5
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Terry, Some have a lot of trouble balancing the Glidecam. And look again at the photo of it. Note the offset handle. That is going to create wrist fatigue. This is one thing that's nice about the JR: no offset. If I were you I would take a look at the Hollywood Lite models before going with the Glidecam.

March 21st, 2004, 11:08 AM	#7
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	You have a JR already? Have you tried putting the DVX on it? I did read of a fellow who tried using a DVX on a JR and that the JR broke off at the handle and the cam crashed to the ground. Steadicam company told him they take no responsibility because the DVX exceeded the weight limit.

March 21st, 2004, 12:15 PM	#9
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	I had the JR and liked it, too. Hi8, huh? I have a Hi8 that just went out. Sony TR101. My girlfriend really liked that camera, moreso than the number of minidvs we have sitting around. Took some nice-looking footage, in some ways better than DV. Terry, what you want to do with your cam would determine which is the best for you. So what do you want to do? Indie film? Events? Nature? Family get-togethers? Just so you know (and some may differ in their opinion on this, but I have to pass along my opinion): the PD is too heavy for the JR.

March 21st, 2004, 03:49 PM	#11
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Sounds like you'd be best off with a PD. For one, the rapid auto focus would come in handy for the action stuff, and for steadicam work, and for weddings. You can read about my experience with the JR here. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=18341

March 21st, 2004, 06:11 PM	#12
Terry Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alta Sierra Posts: 182	Dave that was a terrible story about the jr. I sure hope that doesn't happen to me. Im guessing that the 20 deg. tilt put the gimbal too far back caused the latch to give. You know when skiing the rig takes a lot of G's in turns and stops. Thanks for the imput and the opinion of going with the pd. I sure appreciate the help. TL __________________ TAG