Glide Cam & Steady Cam at DVinfo.net

Alan Doheny · July 2nd, 2007, 03:14 AM

Hello from the Emerald Isle guys,

I've been reading this forum for sometime now, I find it fantastic the way people with the same interest can discuss things, especially how the harden pro's will share info with us complete beginners!!

Basically I have just started out in the wedding business (before it was always doen as favours!! ahhh), I have purchased an XL2 with light, good tripod etc. I am looking into iRiver for sound as I can't afford wireless mics just yet.

I've seen some of your guys footage with glidecams & it's simply breath taking! My question is does anyone know where I could pick up a cheap stadycam or glidecam for the XL2 (used maybe??) or does anyone have any suggestions for someone on a really tight budget.

Cheers,
Alan

Jason Robinson · July 3rd, 2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Doheny

I've seen some of your guys footage with glidecams & it's simply breath taking! My question is does anyone know where I could pick up a cheap stadycam or glidecam for the XL2 (used maybe??) or does anyone have any suggestions for someone on a really tight budget.

I tried leaving the tripod attached to the camera, but then fold up the legs all the way. Then pickup the camera holding it by the top handle (if it has one).

The tripod will act as a pendulum a bit so you have to be careful but the net affect is to add several pounds to the camera weight and dampen sudden moves. It works reasonably well.... not great but decent. your range of motion will be severely limited, but you can move left, right, up, down, and do some forward walking (be sure to roll step to help eliminate movement).

jason

Alan Doheny · July 3rd, 2007, 02:55 PM

Hey Jason, thanks for the tip - it sounds like a resonable alternative. I know nothing can compare to the real glidecams, hence the price they are but at least know I can try some different shots.

Thanks again,
Alan

Wayne Greensill · July 3rd, 2007, 04:12 PM

Hi Alan

Take a look at this flycam.

I ordered it from the guy who is selling these on ebay and he is the cheapest I have found.

Yes he is based in India and I had it delivered to me in 4 days, I am based in England.

Click the link it will lead you to the flycam.

Regards
Wayne

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flycam-Steadyc...QQcmdZViewItem

Alan Doheny · July 5th, 2007, 06:12 AM

Hi Wayne,

Thanks for that link, it looks exactly like what I need & doesn't cost a bomb! Did you get caught for any import tax/fees? Also what camera are you using if for?

Thanks - Alan

Wayne Greensill · July 5th, 2007, 09:05 AM

Hi Alan

No import duties paid, just the price you pay on ebay.

I use the Sony DCRVX2100.

It's a pitty theres no quick release on it but you can buy it as a single item from the same guy.

I also recommend having the bodypod with it or the arm brace, it's a killer on the arm.

Regards
Wayne

Charles Papert · July 5th, 2007, 12:10 PM

Wow, that Flycam sure is an exact duplicate of a Glidecam, isn't it. Warts and all.

Alan, understand when you say "nothing can compare to the real Glidecams" that Glidecams themselves are knockoffs of Steadicam products...! And probably the biggest issue with this design is the camera mounting stage, which has exceptionally coarse control of fore-aft and side-side, which need constant adjusting and cannot be done with one hand as easily as with the Steadicam units.

Finally, that bodymounting system as shown on that page would relieve the weight but also introduce unwanted body motion into the system. The whole point of a handheld stabilizer is to use the operator's own arm to dampen vertical movement, which this mount would eliminate. Only systems that incorporate a spring arm can replicate the dampening effect. And with an XL2, you wouldn't be able to handhold it very long without Popeye-size forearms.

You might be truly delighted by this setup, but I would hate to see you get into a piece of gear that doesn't work for--it may be inexpensive, but if it doesn't achieve the desired effect, that's a lot of money for something you can't use. I would read through all of the archives in this section and see what other people are using. It is a reality that you get what you pay for, and if you are a dedicated businessperson sometimes you have to invest more money into the right gear instead of going for the cheapest and learning the hard way.

Rick Steele · July 5th, 2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Greensill

Hi Alan

Take a look at this flycam.

I have seen one of these. If you own one, throw it out :)

Compared to the glidecam it's garbage IMO.

Richard Wakefield · July 5th, 2007, 02:20 PM

Rick, harsh words... (and actually i vaguely remember it was me that originally put wayne on to that)

what's wrong with them in your opinion? i think they're 100% fine, and i use it for every wedding i do

maybe u just had a bad one perhaps?

Buba Kastorski · July 5th, 2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Steele

Compared to the glidecam it's garbage IMO.

Compared to the Glidecam it's a half priced made in India duplicate ;
all works - pipe(sled), handle, bearing, platform and weights :)
The rest, is an art of balancing,
Cheers!

Charles Papert · July 5th, 2007, 02:40 PM

The only part of a system like that that is really critical is the gimbal: quality and type of bearings, linearity/centering etc. The rest just needs to be rigid. If the gimbal is sub-rate, the photography will suffer.

Alan Doheny · July 5th, 2007, 03:21 PM

Guys, I appreciate all the feed-back. I certainly do believe in "you get what you pay for". However, this alternative is hardly a give away at over 250 euro, that said I would not like to throw away my money and if I felt that this product was that poor I would wait until I had sufficent funds for the original.

I would be interested in hearing other thoughts on this, especially others who have used this cheaper alternative.

Decisions, decisions!!!

Wayne Greensill · July 5th, 2007, 04:38 PM

Well Alan

I'm still learning with it, as it needs a little practice but what I have done with it so far seems fine to me, like Richard has said 100% fine.

Marvellous

:o)

Wayne

Alan Doheny · July 5th, 2007, 04:52 PM

Excellent Wayne, can you post up a sample?

Joe Allen Rosenberger · July 5th, 2007, 06:47 PM

Alan, I suggest you go to the "stabilizer" section of dvinfo, you will get much better and informed responses. Guys like Charles Papert, Mikko and others will guide you in the right direction. There are a few decent stabilzer users around the wedding boards but not nearly as many as on the stabilzer boards who can give you the info you need. Stabilizers are not so much "wedding related" as they have their own threads regarding the use and general info of the various types out there.

Comments like "ive seen one", and you might as well "throw it away" are not the kind of responses you should be hearing. You need detailed info such has Charles P. posted.

I use a glidecam 4000 and smooth shooter but like Charles mentioned....it is merely a knock off of the real "steadicam" units. You can get decent results with a lot of practice......a lot!

July 2nd, 2007, 03:14 AM	#1
Alan Doheny New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 20	Glide Cam & Steady Cam Hello from the Emerald Isle guys, I've been reading this forum for sometime now, I find it fantastic the way people with the same interest can discuss things, especially how the harden pro's will share info with us complete beginners!! Basically I have just started out in the wedding business (before it was always doen as favours!! ahhh), I have purchased an XL2 with light, good tripod etc. I am looking into iRiver for sound as I can't afford wireless mics just yet. I've seen some of your guys footage with glidecams & it's simply breath taking! My question is does anyone know where I could pick up a cheap stadycam or glidecam for the XL2 (used maybe??) or does anyone have any suggestions for someone on a really tight budget. Cheers, Alan

July 5th, 2007, 12:10 PM	#7
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Wow, that Flycam sure is an exact duplicate of a Glidecam, isn't it. Warts and all. Alan, understand when you say "nothing can compare to the real Glidecams" that Glidecams themselves are knockoffs of Steadicam products...! And probably the biggest issue with this design is the camera mounting stage, which has exceptionally coarse control of fore-aft and side-side, which need constant adjusting and cannot be done with one hand as easily as with the Steadicam units. Finally, that bodymounting system as shown on that page would relieve the weight but also introduce unwanted body motion into the system. The whole point of a handheld stabilizer is to use the operator's own arm to dampen vertical movement, which this mount would eliminate. Only systems that incorporate a spring arm can replicate the dampening effect. And with an XL2, you wouldn't be able to handhold it very long without Popeye-size forearms. You might be truly delighted by this setup, but I would hate to see you get into a piece of gear that doesn't work for--it may be inexpensive, but if it doesn't achieve the desired effect, that's a lot of money for something you can't use. I would read through all of the archives in this section and see what other people are using. It is a reality that you get what you pay for, and if you are a dedicated businessperson sometimes you have to invest more money into the right gear instead of going for the cheapest and learning the hard way. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 5th, 2007, 02:40 PM	#11
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	The only part of a system like that that is really critical is the gimbal: quality and type of bearings, linearity/centering etc. The rest just needs to be rigid. If the gimbal is sub-rate, the photography will suffer. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 3rd, 2007, 02:55 PM	#3
Alan Doheny New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 20	Hey Jason, thanks for the tip - it sounds like a resonable alternative. I know nothing can compare to the real glidecams, hence the price they are but at least know I can try some different shots. Thanks again, Alan

July 3rd, 2007, 04:12 PM	#4
Wayne Greensill Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: England Posts: 132	Hi Alan Take a look at this flycam. I ordered it from the guy who is selling these on ebay and he is the cheapest I have found. Yes he is based in India and I had it delivered to me in 4 days, I am based in England. Click the link it will lead you to the flycam. Regards Wayne http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flycam-Steadyc...QQcmdZViewItem

July 5th, 2007, 06:12 AM	#5
Alan Doheny New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 20	Hi Wayne, Thanks for that link, it looks exactly like what I need & doesn't cost a bomb! Did you get caught for any import tax/fees? Also what camera are you using if for? Thanks - Alan

July 5th, 2007, 09:05 AM	#6
Wayne Greensill Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: England Posts: 132	Hi Alan No import duties paid, just the price you pay on ebay. I use the Sony DCRVX2100. It's a pitty theres no quick release on it but you can buy it as a single item from the same guy. I also recommend having the bodypod with it or the arm brace, it's a killer on the arm. Regards Wayne

July 5th, 2007, 02:20 PM	#9
Richard Wakefield Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 680	Rick, harsh words... (and actually i vaguely remember it was me that originally put wayne on to that) what's wrong with them in your opinion? i think they're 100% fine, and i use it for every wedding i do maybe u just had a bad one perhaps?

July 5th, 2007, 03:21 PM	#12
Alan Doheny New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 20	Guys, I appreciate all the feed-back. I certainly do believe in "you get what you pay for". However, this alternative is hardly a give away at over 250 euro, that said I would not like to throw away my money and if I felt that this product was that poor I would wait until I had sufficent funds for the original. I would be interested in hearing other thoughts on this, especially others who have used this cheaper alternative. Decisions, decisions!!!

July 5th, 2007, 04:38 PM	#13
Wayne Greensill Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: England Posts: 132	Well Alan I'm still learning with it, as it needs a little practice but what I have done with it so far seems fine to me, like Richard has said 100% fine. Marvellous :o) Wayne

July 5th, 2007, 04:52 PM	#14
Alan Doheny New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 20	Excellent Wayne, can you post up a sample?

July 5th, 2007, 06:47 PM	#15
Joe Allen Rosenberger Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 419	Alan, I suggest you go to the "stabilizer" section of dvinfo, you will get much better and informed responses. Guys like Charles Papert, Mikko and others will guide you in the right direction. There are a few decent stabilzer users around the wedding boards but not nearly as many as on the stabilzer boards who can give you the info you need. Stabilizers are not so much "wedding related" as they have their own threads regarding the use and general info of the various types out there. Comments like "ive seen one", and you might as well "throw it away" are not the kind of responses you should be hearing. You need detailed info such has Charles P. posted. I use a glidecam 4000 and smooth shooter but like Charles mentioned....it is merely a knock off of the real "steadicam" units. You can get decent results with a lot of practice......a lot!