Steadicam Solo

John C. Chu · September 8th, 2013, 07:21 AM

Looks like B&H is selling the upcoming Steadicam Solo for $499.

That is pretty darn interesting.

Yes, one can get the many assorted wannabe alternatives for less, but you don't get that proper, in my mind, gimbaled handle like the full size rigs.

That distinctive curved handle looks so much more comfortable to hold.

Steadicam Solo Stabilizer & Monopod SOLO B&H Photo Video

Ben Davies · September 15th, 2013, 05:11 PM

Hows this going to compare to the Merlin2?

John C. Chu · September 16th, 2013, 07:36 PM

I guess it comes down to preference. I would assume the Solo will support heavier cams.
I glanced at B&H and noticed the Merlin 2 is on sale for $399. [Big price cut.]

The Merlin folds up and takes very little space under your camera.

Jon Fairhurst · September 17th, 2013, 01:03 AM

When shooting tradeshows and the like, I use a monopod. I extend it to the floor for interviews, tuck it in my belt for the human tripod thing, or hold it like a faux steady rig for camera moves.

The Solo looks like the ideal upgrade. Extend it to the floor to take the load off. I'd imagine that I could rig a belt sling for longer, non-arm-burning, human tripod shots, and when it's time to fly, having a real gimbal should really improve the shot quality. Not having a proper vest is easy on the wallet and convenient for travel, but you can only hold such a thing for so long. The monopod function should really make it practical for lightweight event use.

Ron Little · September 17th, 2013, 08:46 AM

Can you use it with a vest and arm? If so which one would you use?

Jon Fairhurst · September 17th, 2013, 10:40 AM

According to Tiffen's Derek Hester, the Pilot...

Ben Davies · September 17th, 2013, 11:56 PM

Think its a good time to sell my Merlin2...

Jon Fairhurst · January 9th, 2014, 04:10 AM

FWIW, at CES the Tiffen rep told me that the Solo will ship in March or April. Sounds like the goal is to be shipping before NAB.

Melvin Feliciano · April 9th, 2014, 12:11 PM

I like that the retail price is lower than the original target, but it is taking so long to release. I mean, it was announced one year ago at NAB2013.

Jon Fairhurst · April 10th, 2014, 11:47 AM

At NAB, they claimed that it will be released in May.

The vest & arm price will be $995. It's almost identical to the Pilot vest & arm (the rep at NAB couldn't think of one difference), so I expect that it will ship as soon as the stabilizer/pod is available.

Phil Gosselin · June 16th, 2014, 10:52 AM

Do you guys know anything similar from another company?

I've been in touch with the guys at Tiffen and they seems completely clueless. I've just received a reply from someone there and it was : "Last I heard is possibly August".

I love Steadicam products but I can't wait any longer thus this post

Cheers

John C. Chu · June 18th, 2014, 07:16 AM

What timing-- I just saw that it is in stock online. Of course, I hope they aren't just taking preorders. I don't see it on B&H yet.

Jon Fairhurst · June 18th, 2014, 10:37 AM

FWIW, B&H says that it will arrive on June 30th.

Alan Auld · July 18th, 2014, 08:19 AM

I jumped on the B&H pre-order back in December 2013. Back then they said January delivery. Then February. Then WPPI in March, then NAB, then May, June and recently released today July 18. I go to the site today and once again, the release date is gone! They say they have no ETA.

To add insult to injury, when reading this thread last fall I listed and sold my Merlin back in February....why wouldn't I if they say it will be out by March. Now I'm without a stabilzer. I told Tiffen the story and the dilema I was in and they shipped me a demo Merlin to use for the summer. Great customer service. They did add that they thought it would be the end of quarter three before we see it though.

Jon Fairhurst · July 18th, 2014, 05:56 PM

Bummer. At that price, they must be working with Asian contract manufacturers. I would guess that they're having unexpected quality control issues.

If that's the case, then here is the good news: Tiffen isn't shipping poor quality stabilizers under the Steadicam name. It would be much worse if they hit their schedule only to deliver poor quality products.

What do they say? "Price, quality, and schedule: pick two." The price is announced. The brand demands top quality. The schedule takes up the slack.

Hopefully, we'll see high quality, $499 Solos shipping soon. I'd really like to get one before the year is out...

September 8th, 2013, 07:21 AM	#1
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	Steadicam Solo - $499 Looks like B&H is selling the upcoming Steadicam Solo for $499. That is pretty darn interesting. Yes, one can get the many assorted wannabe alternatives for less, but you don't get that proper, in my mind, gimbaled handle like the full size rigs. That distinctive curved handle looks so much more comfortable to hold. Steadicam Solo Stabilizer & Monopod SOLO B&H Photo Video

September 15th, 2013, 05:11 PM	#2
Ben Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Birmingham, England. Posts: 61	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 Hows this going to compare to the Merlin2?

September 16th, 2013, 07:36 PM	#3
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 I guess it comes down to preference. I would assume the Solo will support heavier cams. I glanced at B&H and noticed the Merlin 2 is on sale for $399. [Big price cut.] The Merlin folds up and takes very little space under your camera.

September 17th, 2013, 01:03 AM	#4
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 When shooting tradeshows and the like, I use a monopod. I extend it to the floor for interviews, tuck it in my belt for the human tripod thing, or hold it like a faux steady rig for camera moves. The Solo looks like the ideal upgrade. Extend it to the floor to take the load off. I'd imagine that I could rig a belt sling for longer, non-arm-burning, human tripod shots, and when it's time to fly, having a real gimbal should really improve the shot quality. Not having a proper vest is easy on the wallet and convenient for travel, but you can only hold such a thing for so long. The monopod function should really make it practical for lightweight event use. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

September 17th, 2013, 08:46 AM	#5
Ron Little Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pensacola Fl. Posts: 627	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 Can you use it with a vest and arm? If so which one would you use?

September 17th, 2013, 10:40 AM	#6
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 According to Tiffen's Derek Hester, the Pilot... NAB 2013: Steadicam SOLO - YouTube __________________ Jon Fairhurst

September 17th, 2013, 11:56 PM	#7
Ben Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Birmingham, England. Posts: 61	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 Think its a good time to sell my Merlin2...

January 9th, 2014, 04:10 AM	#8
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 FWIW, at CES the Tiffen rep told me that the Solo will ship in March or April. Sounds like the goal is to be shipping before NAB. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

April 9th, 2014, 12:11 PM	#9
Melvin Feliciano New Boot Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 10	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 I like that the retail price is lower than the original target, but it is taking so long to release. I mean, it was announced one year ago at NAB2013.

April 10th, 2014, 11:47 AM	#10
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 At NAB, they claimed that it will be released in May. The vest & arm price will be $995. It's almost identical to the Pilot vest & arm (the rep at NAB couldn't think of one difference), so I expect that it will ship as soon as the stabilizer/pod is available. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

June 16th, 2014, 10:52 AM	#11
Phil Gosselin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 211	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 Do you guys know anything similar from another company? I've been in touch with the guys at Tiffen and they seems completely clueless. I've just received a reply from someone there and it was : "Last I heard is possibly August". I love Steadicam products but I can't wait any longer thus this post Cheers

June 18th, 2014, 07:16 AM	#12
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 What timing-- I just saw that it is in stock online. Of course, I hope they aren't just taking preorders. I don't see it on B&H yet.

June 18th, 2014, 10:37 AM	#13
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 FWIW, B&H says that it will arrive on June 30th. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

July 18th, 2014, 08:19 AM	#14
Alan Auld New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Thunder Bay Posts: 6	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 I jumped on the B&H pre-order back in December 2013. Back then they said January delivery. Then February. Then WPPI in March, then NAB, then May, June and recently released today July 18. I go to the site today and once again, the release date is gone! They say they have no ETA. To add insult to injury, when reading this thread last fall I listed and sold my Merlin back in February....why wouldn't I if they say it will be out by March. Now I'm without a stabilzer. I told Tiffen the story and the dilema I was in and they shipped me a demo Merlin to use for the summer. Great customer service. They did add that they thought it would be the end of quarter three before we see it though.

July 18th, 2014, 05:56 PM	#15
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Steadicam Solo - $499 Bummer. At that price, they must be working with Asian contract manufacturers. I would guess that they're having unexpected quality control issues. If that's the case, then here is the good news: Tiffen isn't shipping poor quality stabilizers under the Steadicam name. It would be much worse if they hit their schedule only to deliver poor quality products. What do they say? "Price, quality, and schedule: pick two." The price is announced. The brand demands top quality. The schedule takes up the slack. Hopefully, we'll see high quality, $499 Solos shipping soon. I'd really like to get one before the year is out... __________________ Jon Fairhurst