Steadicam Solo - $499

Andrew Maclaurin · October 19th, 2014, 08:26 AM

Rickey, what's the mono cam like? Any good?

John C. Chu · November 23rd, 2014, 05:04 PM

Do my eyes deceive me? It looks like this elusive Steadicam Solo is finally in stock, (but for shipping only) at B&H.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/980426-REG/steadicam_stedicam_solo_stabilizer.html
I liked this guys review:

And the footage here:

Phil Gosselin · November 29th, 2014, 01:21 PM

HI John,

How did you achieve the low-mode shots?...because I wasn't aware that the Solo had a Low-mode

Thanks for your videos

Noa Put · November 29th, 2014, 05:51 PM

That test footage looks very decent though it looks quite heavy to hold for longer periods, in my country it's available for 500 euro

John C. Chu · November 29th, 2014, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Gosselin

HI John,

How did you achieve the low-mode shots?...because I wasn't aware that the Solo had a Low-mode

Thanks for your videos

I didn't shoot these. However, I believe the unit can be used upside down. The gimbal looks really nice. Just flip the image in post.

David Payne · February 25th, 2015, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Maclaurin

Rickey, what's the mono cam like? Any good?

Same question here.. What's the monocam like for a third of the price?

I don't really want to pay £500 for the steadicam solo as I'm convinced the lack of fluid tilt will cause problems for me

Paul Lindqvist · April 19th, 2015, 04:09 PM

It's a nice affordable system to try out a steadicam like rig. But for any serious work (meaning holding up for professional use), it simply won't hold up. The components along with the gimbal is not of any higher quality.

For example the counter weight which you thread on at the bottom of the post, will make the post shift a 1-2cm so the weights is no longer parallel to the plattform. So i constantly had to check that.

Having owned the monocam (CP pro version) for over a year and then compare to the Solo... well it's really no contest. The build quality of the Solo is superior in every way. Sure it's heavier and by quite a bit, but it's so much easier to balance, as the gimbal is much more precise and consistent.

For the monocam i always had to bring a tripod or a clamp with a spigot so i could balance it once on location.

The Steadicam solo i simply note the markings for a given setup and it's rarely off balance once i mount it. For the small adjustments i need to make it's very easy to hold it with one hand while adjusting.

Monocam is a bit fiddly to assemble, while with the Solo you simply unfold it and you'r up and running.

So if you need a steadicam frequently for paid gigs can highly recommend the Steadicam Solo, can't say the same about the Monocam.

John C. Chu · August 11th, 2015, 07:28 PM

I noticed B&H is selling the Steadicam Solo for $299 (down from original price of $499.). That's a pretty awesome deal.

Tempted.

John C. Chu · August 14th, 2015, 09:21 AM

I just got a used (like new) Solo from B&H for $260 shipped. As with all Tiffen-Steadicam products, it is nicely packaged with a detailed instruction manual. The build quality is excellent.

The biggest issue for me– and something I wanted to overlook compared to using a Merlin– is that one can realistically fly this for short periods of time before ones wrists give out. I think to really get the most out of this thing, investing in the arm and vest is required.

Andy Wilkinson · February 2nd, 2016, 02:34 AM

Just watched Rick Young's new 30-minute video review of the Steadicam Solo (on his well known and respected moviemachine.tv site - I won't post a direct link here out of respect to Chris).

Shows him filming all around central London with a JVC LS-300. Well worth watching if anyone is considering this device. Not sure what my wrist would feel like after extended use - especially with a camera on it near its top end weight limit.

However, for the price it looks great!... Much less than I paid for my, now little used, Steadicam Merlin - and a LOT less than I recently paid for my Letus Helix Jr. Mind you, the Letus is a fantastic bit of kit!

The Solo sure looks like a very well designed/engineered Steadicam for anyone on a tight budget and has the added flexibility of that built in monopod too. Nice!

Tom Van den Berghe · August 20th, 2016, 12:41 PM

I have a steadicam flycam HD-3000. So what could be the advantage of this steadicam solo to another steadicam?

Those steadycams looks all the same to me. A 3 axis gimbal looks a way step up from what I already have.

October 19th, 2014, 08:26 AM	#31
Andrew Maclaurin Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 396	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 Rickey, what's the mono cam like? Any good?

November 23rd, 2014, 05:04 PM	#32
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 Do my eyes deceive me? It looks like this elusive Steadicam Solo is finally in stock, (but for shipping only) at B&H. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/980426-REG/steadicam_stedicam_solo_stabilizer.html I liked this guys review: Steadicam Solo [ Hans on Review ] English ver. - YouTube And the footage here: Steadicam SOLO Test Video 2014 - YouTube Last edited by John C. Chu; November 23rd, 2014 at 07:11 PM.

November 29th, 2014, 01:21 PM	#33
Phil Gosselin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 211	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 HI John, How did you achieve the low-mode shots?...because I wasn't aware that the Solo had a Low-mode Thanks for your videos

November 29th, 2014, 05:51 PM	#34
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 That test footage looks very decent though it looks quite heavy to hold for longer periods, in my country it's available for 500 euro

April 19th, 2015, 04:09 PM	#37
Paul Lindqvist Tourist Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Stockholm/Sweden Posts: 1	For those interested in the monocam It's a nice affordable system to try out a steadicam like rig. But for any serious work (meaning holding up for professional use), it simply won't hold up. The components along with the gimbal is not of any higher quality. For example the counter weight which you thread on at the bottom of the post, will make the post shift a 1-2cm so the weights is no longer parallel to the plattform. So i constantly had to check that. Having owned the monocam (CP pro version) for over a year and then compare to the Solo... well it's really no contest. The build quality of the Solo is superior in every way. Sure it's heavier and by quite a bit, but it's so much easier to balance, as the gimbal is much more precise and consistent. For the monocam i always had to bring a tripod or a clamp with a spigot so i could balance it once on location. The Steadicam solo i simply note the markings for a given setup and it's rarely off balance once i mount it. For the small adjustments i need to make it's very easy to hold it with one hand while adjusting. Monocam is a bit fiddly to assemble, while with the Solo you simply unfold it and you'r up and running. So if you need a steadicam frequently for paid gigs can highly recommend the Steadicam Solo, can't say the same about the Monocam.

August 11th, 2015, 07:28 PM	#38
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 I noticed B&H is selling the Steadicam Solo for $299 (down from original price of $499.). That's a pretty awesome deal. Tempted.

August 14th, 2015, 09:21 AM	#39
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 I just got a used (like new) Solo from B&H for $260 shipped. As with all Tiffen-Steadicam products, it is nicely packaged with a detailed instruction manual. The build quality is excellent. The biggest issue for me– and something I wanted to overlook compared to using a Merlin– is that one can realistically fly this for short periods of time before ones wrists give out. I think to really get the most out of this thing, investing in the arm and vest is required.

February 2nd, 2016, 02:34 AM	#40
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 Just watched Rick Young's new 30-minute video review of the Steadicam Solo (on his well known and respected moviemachine.tv site - I won't post a direct link here out of respect to Chris). Shows him filming all around central London with a JVC LS-300. Well worth watching if anyone is considering this device. Not sure what my wrist would feel like after extended use - especially with a camera on it near its top end weight limit. However, for the price it looks great!... Much less than I paid for my, now little used, Steadicam Merlin - and a LOT less than I recently paid for my Letus Helix Jr. Mind you, the Letus is a fantastic bit of kit! The Solo sure looks like a very well designed/engineered Steadicam for anyone on a tight budget and has the added flexibility of that built in monopod too. Nice! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production Last edited by Andy Wilkinson; February 2nd, 2016 at 04:00 AM. Reason: typos/adding info

August 20th, 2016, 12:41 PM	#41
Tom Van den Berghe Major Player Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: BELGIUM Posts: 405	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 I have a steadicam flycam HD-3000. So what could be the advantage of this steadicam solo to another steadicam? Those steadycams looks all the same to me. A 3 axis gimbal looks a way step up from what I already have.