Hi!

I have a 60D that I usualy just take photos with, but I would like to make more movies. And I will need a steady cam to make the video smoother. Anyone have any ideas for one thats nice built and not to pricy? And do you have one, and whats the best about the one you have?

I use a blackbird, best investment I made, below some shots with a 550d and a samyang 14mm lens, no vest used, just the steadicam handheld.

https://vimeo.com/73320569

Wow. That looks amazing! :D

Noa, once you've done using the blackbird, where do you put it down ??? that's one thing that puts me off steadycams. Don't know how I would switch from steadycam to monopod / tripod.

Noa, once you've done using the blackbird, where do you put it down ??? that's one thing that puts me off steadycams. Don't know how I would switch from steadycam to monopod / tripod.

The Blackbird comes with a "kickstand" that lets you just set it down anywhere you wish, and it'll stay put. Very nice.

yeah, that restingstand is brilliant in it's simplicity, just flip it open and put the steadicam down, the horizontal bar at the bottom with the weights assures that it doesn't fall over. (the girl is an option)

http://www.camotionllc.com/images/blackbird_model_stand.jpg

Haha, good photograph.

Niiice! That's a brilliant feature.

I purchased a crappy £60 flycam stabilizer copy but it simply isn't good enough.

Where can some one in the UK buy the blackbird? and what are pre-owned prices on these?

If I recall right there was a dealer in the Netherlands but it was cheaper ordering it directly from CMR with custom duties, sendingcosts and tax included, not sure what the situation is now but I paid about what a Merlin would cost but I had the padded case and accessories (like the docking bracket etc) included, the steadicam only is not that expensive at all.

Before the blackbird I had a steadicam from India that I got as cheap second hand on ebay, it looked like a glidecam 2000 but was the biggest piece of crap ever with very poor design quality, couldn't get it to balance at all while I was able to do my first glide shots with the blackbird the first day I got it.

The blackbird also has a friction knob which applies friction onto the gimbal which is supposed to be blasphemy if you ask pro steadicam operators but it really helps smoothing your shots if you start to fly with it, I have not applied any friction over a year now because once you get the basics right you can do without. The added friction onto that gimbal is ok to help you out while flying but it can give unwanted movement if you hold the steady cam still, with no friction applied that is not the case.