Steady Tracker and Lighter Cams at DVinfo.net

Glenn Gipson · November 10th, 2003, 04:33 PM

Ok, I’ve heard that devices like the Steady Tracker aren’t too great for prosumer cams, but how are they with cameras that are under 2 pounds? Would a lighter cam work well with a device like the Steady Tracker? I was looking to use the Optura Xi (1.6 lbs.) with a Steady Tracker, how does that sound?

Dean Harrington · November 13th, 2003, 04:16 PM

you get some practice time in you should fare well. I've found that with some work on the foot work and turns my mono-pod tracker smooths out. It's a bitch if you have to work on a shot for long duration but...can't be helped sometimes.
Obviously, light weight cams allow longer time on track...you still get tired. Good technique and practice helps a lot.

Boyd Ostroff · November 13th, 2003, 05:02 PM

I have a glidecam 2000 which I use with a Sony PDX-10 (~2 lbs, maybe less without the XLR box and mike). I think this makes good sense because the handheld stabilizers would be a real workout with a camera like a PD-150, and I can't even imagine using one with an XL-1s.

The only issue is that they are very tricky to balance. It took me literally hours to get this right, and you won't need very many of the included weights. It might be easier to fine tune the balance with more weights and a heavier camera. But the payoff will be that you can "keep it up" for much longer with a smaller cam. ;-)

Let's see if Charles Papert chimes in on this. When I was asking around here awhile ago he was not a fan of the SteadyTracker because it doesn't have a gimbal (IIRC).

Dave Largent · November 17th, 2003, 05:26 AM

They say the Flowpod is quicker/easier to balance than the other devices such as Steadicam JR. And it has a gimbal. Suppose to be solidly built.

Charles King · November 17th, 2003, 05:51 AM

"Let's see if Charles Papert chimes in on this. When I was asking around here awhile ago he was not a fan of the SteadyTracker because it doesn't have a gimbal"

Totally agree with him. You really need something with a true gimbal. There so still a lot unstability that still gets through which has strong influence on the sled while operating. You get better performance and funtional usage with a proper gimbal. Just my take. I'll let Charles take it from here...

Charles Papert · November 17th, 2003, 12:50 PM

Eh. You guys said it all already.

Stephen van Vuuren · December 2nd, 2003, 01:09 AM

Chiming in late here - I have a vintage, mint Optura Pi headed my way. I want a stabilizer but wondered what is the lightest gimbal model on the market?

Charles Papert · December 2nd, 2003, 10:19 AM

Hollywood Lite has a tiny little stabilizer with a "partial" gimbal. Check their website.

Stephen van Vuuren · December 2nd, 2003, 10:22 AM

Charles:

Thanks. I forgot about Hollywood Lite. I didn't realized they added to their product line.

November 10th, 2003, 04:33 PM	#1
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	Steady Tracker and Lighter Cams Ok, I’ve heard that devices like the Steady Tracker aren’t too great for prosumer cams, but how are they with cameras that are under 2 pounds? Would a lighter cam work well with a device like the Steady Tracker? I was looking to use the Optura Xi (1.6 lbs.) with a Steady Tracker, how does that sound?

November 13th, 2003, 04:16 PM	#2
Dean Harrington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 898	As long as.... you get some practice time in you should fare well. I've found that with some work on the foot work and turns my mono-pod tracker smooths out. It's a bitch if you have to work on a shot for long duration but...can't be helped sometimes. Obviously, light weight cams allow longer time on track...you still get tired. Good technique and practice helps a lot.

November 17th, 2003, 05:51 AM	#5
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	"Let's see if Charles Papert chimes in on this. When I was asking around here awhile ago he was not a fan of the SteadyTracker because it doesn't have a gimbal" Totally agree with him. You really need something with a true gimbal. There so still a lot unstability that still gets through which has strong influence on the sled while operating. You get better performance and funtional usage with a proper gimbal. Just my take. I'll let Charles take it from here... __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

November 17th, 2003, 12:50 PM	#6
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Eh. You guys said it all already. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

December 2nd, 2003, 01:09 AM	#7
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	Chiming in late here - I have a vintage, mint Optura Pi headed my way. I want a stabilizer but wondered what is the lightest gimbal model on the market? __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

November 13th, 2003, 05:02 PM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	I have a glidecam 2000 which I use with a Sony PDX-10 (~2 lbs, maybe less without the XLR box and mike). I think this makes good sense because the handheld stabilizers would be a real workout with a camera like a PD-150, and I can't even imagine using one with an XL-1s. The only issue is that they are very tricky to balance. It took me literally hours to get this right, and you won't need very many of the included weights. It might be easier to fine tune the balance with more weights and a heavier camera. But the payoff will be that you can "keep it up" for much longer with a smaller cam. ;-) Let's see if Charles Papert chimes in on this. When I was asking around here awhile ago he was not a fan of the SteadyTracker because it doesn't have a gimbal (IIRC).

November 17th, 2003, 05:26 AM	#4
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	They say the Flowpod is quicker/easier to balance than the other devices such as Steadicam JR. And it has a gimbal. Suppose to be solidly built.

December 2nd, 2003, 10:19 AM	#8
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Hollywood Lite has a tiny little stabilizer with a "partial" gimbal. Check their website. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

December 2nd, 2003, 10:22 AM	#9
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	Charles: Thanks. I forgot about Hollywood Lite. I didn't realized they added to their product line. __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com