Hi dear friends,

I'm about to sell my Sony DCR-VX2000 and Steadicam JR Lite. Now, I'm going to buy a Sony HDR-FX1 and I wonder which stabilizer I should choose for this camcorder.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

(I searched but found nothing about this issue. Hope this hadn't been discussed before.)

Did you not like your Stedicam JR with ur vx2000?

I like it Ainslie but I need higher resolutions and better images so I decided to go on with High Definition. Steadicam JR Lite is able to carry camcorders up to 4 pounds and FX1 is heavier. I need to find another - inexpensive - stabilizer for this 4.5 lbs camcorder.

Thanks for your interest.

The Steadicam Merlin might be the answer - I've yet to test it, but I'm hoping to do so soon. It'll certainly take the weight of the FX1 / Z1.

Robin

I was meaning the acually steadicam and not the camera as the steadicam JR should work with the FX1, just a bit of tweaking and balancing. If you liked the Steadicam with your VX2000 then why get another stabilaliser for your FX1? You could go for the Merlin which is spec'd for the FX1's weight but that is quite a different design so if you could try it out first then that would be ideal. The Glidecam 2/4000? Even try doing an ebay search.


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I use the Steadicam Merlin with the FX1 and it's just great.

Thanks again for your suggestions. Steadicam Merlin seems to be the best choice but it costs $800 while Glidecam 4000 Pro is $390.

Is there anybody who used Glidecam 4000 Pro with an FX1?

(By the way, I found another product;
http://camera-shop.ca/camshop/flycam-with-body-steadycam-steadicam-stablizer-p-62.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/Schwebestativ-flycam-steady-pod-Glidecam-Steadicam_W0QQitemZ7598876763QQcategoryZ21165QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This also seems to be good, especially with the body pod.

Ozan, I'm using the Steadicam jr. with the FX-1 and (with the xtra pd150 weight kit you probably already have), it seems to work O.K. I took off the plastic hood and used the light battery (4.4 lbs.), and it handles well. The stick with the counterweight, which is what the GC basically is, would probably add even more weight than the jr. or the Merlin, and the FX-1 is heavy enough 1 handed. OTOH, you could use the GC4000 you could then upgrade down the line to the shoulder harness, spring arm rig.

I've had great luck with the 4000--was warned the 2000 would be too flimsy with extra batteries/lenses. Plus you can always upgrad to the Smooth Shooter vest and mechanical arm (which I also did). Get the Glidecam 4000 you won't be sorry (just make sure you have someone strong enough to hole it:O)

It's nice to hear this Betsy and thanks Eric. When compared to Merlin, Glidecam 4000 with a body pod seems to be better for the price/performance rate. Using the stabilizer with a body pod must be very useful. (I wish I had chance to try.)

It's $560 at B&H. Looks great.

Did a 15 min straight shoot with the FX1 & Merlin no probs. Sure, I did have to swap hands (while filming) at one stage to get the blood flowing, but the Merlin works so well that when you watch the footage you can't tell when I did the hand swap (and shaking the hand while using the Merlin with the other.)

Merlin, could you please leave me alone! You're too expensive :)

Down under we pay $1500