Any sub $3000 options at DVinfo.net

Luke Hill · April 14th, 2007, 08:03 AM

Much thanks for all the responses to my previous post - sub $1000 options. I've just landed a big contract with a new client, so I've upped my camera stabilizer budget to $3000. Again, I have a Canon XHA1 w/ the Redrock M2 lens adapter, and Varizoom 7" 16:9 LCD, so all in all, a bit heavy. Any consensus on what would be the best product for the money?

Thanks in advance,
Luke

Mikko Wilson · April 14th, 2007, 11:24 AM

How do you plan to control focus during your shots?

- Mikko

Ben Winter · April 14th, 2007, 12:07 PM

Hey Luke,
At a budget <$3000 there's a good chance you won't be able to fly the rig with your M2. A remote follow focus (cheapest is the Foveas at http://www.foveas.com/rff.html ) is more than $1k and with all that equipment I don't think there's a sub-$2k stabilizer out there that will meet the load requirement. Besides that, flying a rig and pulling focus is a two man job, so if you work alone...it's a no go.

Luke Hill · April 14th, 2007, 08:35 PM

Sounds like it's a lot more involved than I realized. If I can match the lens adapter footage with stuff shot without it, perhaps I could just get a rig to fly the XHA1 and not use the adapter for stabilizer shots?

Ben Winter · April 14th, 2007, 11:24 PM

That would be the best bet, yes.

Mikko Wilson · April 15th, 2007, 01:02 AM

Definatly much easier (and a better idea if you ask me) to leave off the 35mm adapter.

When you adapt to 35mm lenses, you have to be prepared to take on all the responsibilty/trouble of the 35mm format, not just the benefits. And focussing 35mm is bear - especially on a Steadicam.

So.. for just the XH-A1 (you don't need to fly the monitor either - the camera's LCD is just fine for framing) I'd recomend the Steadicam Merlin, and then the Merlin Arm and Vest when they are available later this year. The Merlin is 800, and with the Arm and Vest you should still be well under your $3k budget, and you'll have the best system available!

- Mikko

Luke Hill · April 15th, 2007, 07:31 AM

Thanks so much! I don't know what I'd do without all of you! (other than make a lot more mistakes and waste a lot more money)

Cheers!

James Binder · April 16th, 2007, 11:10 PM

I am very curious to check out the Merlin vest and arm -- but until then, this is a great option for the dollars:

http://www.glidecam.com/product-smooth-shooter.php

1500.00 + 500.00 for the 4000 Pro

Diogo Athouguia · April 18th, 2007, 05:56 AM

Take a look at this one http://fsprostabilisateur.com/index.htm. I have ordered one for me, I can't find a better solution for the same price.

Mathieu Kassovitz · May 11th, 2007, 03:37 PM

Same opinion here. It is a bargain.

George Ellis · May 11th, 2007, 04:04 PM

Terry is always very quiet trying not to run afoul with the rules. You should really look at Indicam too. http://www.indicam.com/

Terry Thompson · May 11th, 2007, 11:16 PM

Hey, what rules are foul?

Yes, We have to rely on customers to make recommendations unless someone ask us specific questions.

Our customers are our greatest advertisements and we try hard to make and keep them happy.

Thanks George.

Tery
Indicam

George Ellis · May 12th, 2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Thompson

Hey, what rules are foul?

Chris' very appropriate advertiser links rules :D

And Terry being shy :D

April 14th, 2007, 08:03 AM	#1
Luke Hill Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 76	Any sub $3000 options Much thanks for all the responses to my previous post - sub $1000 options. I've just landed a big contract with a new client, so I've upped my camera stabilizer budget to $3000. Again, I have a Canon XHA1 w/ the Redrock M2 lens adapter, and Varizoom 7" 16:9 LCD, so all in all, a bit heavy. Any consensus on what would be the best product for the money? Thanks in advance, Luke

April 14th, 2007, 11:24 AM	#2
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	How do you plan to control focus during your shots? - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

April 14th, 2007, 12:07 PM	#3
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Hey Luke, At a budget <$3000 there's a good chance you won't be able to fly the rig with your M2. A remote follow focus (cheapest is the Foveas at http://www.foveas.com/rff.html ) is more than $1k and with all that equipment I don't think there's a sub-$2k stabilizer out there that will meet the load requirement. Besides that, flying a rig and pulling focus is a two man job, so if you work alone...it's a no go. __________________ BenWinter.com

April 14th, 2007, 11:24 PM	#5
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	That would be the best bet, yes. __________________ BenWinter.com

April 15th, 2007, 01:02 AM	#6
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Definatly much easier (and a better idea if you ask me) to leave off the 35mm adapter. When you adapt to 35mm lenses, you have to be prepared to take on all the responsibilty/trouble of the 35mm format, not just the benefits. And focussing 35mm is bear - especially on a Steadicam. So.. for just the XH-A1 (you don't need to fly the monitor either - the camera's LCD is just fine for framing) I'd recomend the Steadicam Merlin, and then the Merlin Arm and Vest when they are available later this year. The Merlin is 800, and with the Arm and Vest you should still be well under your $3k budget, and you'll have the best system available! - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

April 14th, 2007, 08:35 PM	#4
Luke Hill Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 76	Sounds like it's a lot more involved than I realized. If I can match the lens adapter footage with stuff shot without it, perhaps I could just get a rig to fly the XHA1 and not use the adapter for stabilizer shots?

April 15th, 2007, 07:31 AM	#7
Luke Hill Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 76	Thanks so much! I don't know what I'd do without all of you! (other than make a lot more mistakes and waste a lot more money) Cheers!

April 16th, 2007, 11:10 PM	#8
James Binder Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NY, NYC Posts: 367	I am very curious to check out the Merlin vest and arm -- but until then, this is a great option for the dollars: http://www.glidecam.com/product-smooth-shooter.php 1500.00 + 500.00 for the 4000 Pro

April 18th, 2007, 05:56 AM	#9
Diogo Athouguia Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portugal Posts: 282	Take a look at this one http://fsprostabilisateur.com/index.htm. I have ordered one for me, I can't find a better solution for the same price.

May 11th, 2007, 03:37 PM	#10
Mathieu Kassovitz Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: paris Posts: 289	Same opinion here. It is a bargain.

May 11th, 2007, 04:04 PM	#11
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	Terry is always very quiet trying not to run afoul with the rules. You should really look at Indicam too. http://www.indicam.com/

May 11th, 2007, 11:16 PM	#12
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	Hey, what rules are foul? Yes, We have to rely on customers to make recommendations unless someone ask us specific questions. Our customers are our greatest advertisements and we try hard to make and keep them happy. Thanks George. Tery Indicam __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com