Varizoom or Glidecam
 

Looking for feedback on two different companies.

Orginally, we were looking to buy a Steaicam Merlin however, we are thinking about the future and bigger camera so the focus would change to a Arm/Vest system such as a

Varizoom Sportster w/ Glidecam 4000
or
Glidecam Smoothshooter w/ Glidecam 4000

Does any one have experience one, or both of these product combos?

I see invest some more money now instead of having of buying a production (Merlin) that can just be used with our first camera. Is this right logic?

Currently we are using a GL2 which would mean a Glidecam 2000 however i don't see there being a problem with using a 4000.

TIA
Tom

When and what camera are you planning on upgradeing to in the future? What sort of shooting do you do?
And what's your budget?

Varizoom vests, and especially the arms, are Crap.
Glidecam's vests are useable for many shots.

- Mikko

Mikko, was that you shooting the Only Fools Run at Midnight with the Glidecam vest?? I saw two guys there with XL-1s and one was using a Glidecam......looked like a neat way to get some good smooth footage.

Gabe Strong
G-Force Productions
www.gforcevideo.com
gabestrong@hotmail.com

Hi Gabe, Welcome to DVi

Yes that was me shooting Fools Run, but it was NOT with a Glidecam (make that a "Hell's no").

I own and operate genuine Steadicam equipment, a Merlin and an Archer.

Fools Run was shot by myself and another camera opearator (shooting handheld) each with a stock Canon XL1 camera.

We should meet up sometime, lunch or something, gimme a call. 321-8387



Appologies for the thread-jack everyone, carry on..

- Mikko

I heave heard about varizoom setups not being the best.

future upgrades include HD ... we would love to own a XL-H1 however a fear cost will keep us away from that for now. Sony offers a great HD product.

Im still new to shoting and learning as I go along (doing a ton of reading and watching demo footages from people)

We film weddings, locations shots (where flying is really needed), bridal shows, runway fashion shows and other smaller projects. Right now, HD is still growing but we did have a large high end clients would love to see us do HD content.

bugdet would work perfectly with the Glidecam/Smoothshooter setup ($2000)
Im not in charge of the budget but since i'm doing the shooter, boss is taking my comments seriously....

Are there other options?


-------

No jacking here lol, I like your site and demo's Mikko. You have great demo's on the site (which are hard to find). Im glad you hang around the boards and give great insight (you have answered serveral of questions of mine already)

Well... Personally I'd recomend the Flyer if you can afford it.
It costs more but well worth it in performance and features over the other rigs.

- Mikko

Nice outfit Mikko!

LOL.....sorry bout that....shows how much I know about camera stabilizer systems. Looked like a nice set up though. You do stuff for KATH right? I know Charlie Ellis over there, he's a good guy. I'll have to hook up with you sometime, there's not a whole lot of us around this little town....while there's a lot of people that do it for fun, but not too many that actually do it as their primary way of making money.
Is KATH going to air what you guys shot that night? I'd like to see how the footage from that steadicam rig looked!

Ok....threadjack is over.....back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Gabe Strong
G-Force Productions
www.gforcevideo.com
gabestrong@hotmail.com