GROUP BUY: CAME steadycam 2-15kg >1600USD

[Thanavorakit K.]

I'm in. Shipping to Vientiane, Laos.

 

[ALLSTAR]

I 100% agree.
There is more to a steadicam than an arm with springs. Steadicam, GPIpro, MK-V, Sachtler companies have been working on making the best tools for the job. Putting springs in an arm does not make it iso elastic.
If you are serious about using this for professional jobs, then don't buy this. You will feel the limitations of the tool and understand the need of a real steadicam rig, that is if the thing doesn't break before, and you will have waisted $1500 for nothing. Hire a steadicam operator instead, or take a workshop and learn how to fly for that money.

Also, I have seen many new operators trying to fly a Zephyr or else without proper training and thinking that the steadicam is not working and painful. It is not! Take a 2 day workshop, learn how to use it and you will be happier.

I totally agree with you. Steadicam isn`t like shoulder rigs, it needs very particularly manufacture. Now I have Zephyr and a $1450 "steadicam model". the $1450 steadicam is looking good but working badly, Zephyr is totally different. Anyway, I suggest people try it personally before you buy it.

 

[JD Holloway]

Given the numbers of people interested here, you begin to wonder if they (Came/Wondlan/Menbo/Proaim) can develop (quickly) a back-mounted
vest at a similar price point. Not one for 70+ pounds or anything, but one matched to the arm/sled capacity.
Maybe its not even necessary at this weight load level??? I'm just thinking that I'd prefer an upgraded/superior product, rather than a steep discount.

 

[Jay Kim]

Given the numbers of people interested here, you begin to wonder if they (Came/Wondlan/Menbo/etc) can develop (quickly) a back-mounted
vest at a similar price point.

I don't think they develop anything. They like to copy the product that someone spends so much effort and time.

Here is the best example from Movcam (pretty well known company now in US market selling Mattebox & FF) and they copied WK Back Mounted Vest a long time ago. I remember they also copied Tiffen's G-50 arm.
http://www.movcam.com/en/pro-max-a-overview/camera-stabilizers/pro-max-a/pro-max-a-vest.html

Here is the original vest from WK.
http://www.walterklassen.com/home-page/equipment-2/back-mounted-harness/

I don't mind testing it to see if it can be called at least a knock-off steadicam or just a Steadicam-Shaped Object.
However, asking them to copy a back-mounted vest is a different story.

Also, buying a steadicam doesn't make you a steadicam operator. You need to learn it from a good teacher and practice a lot like practicing a musical instrument.
If it is a steadicam-shaped object, then you can't even practice with it. So let's wait and see how it goes.

 

[Jay Kim]

And here is a picture of my beloved Walter Klassen (Designed by Daniel Sauve) Traditional Deluxe Vest #103 which I paid over $8,000 a quite long time ago.

Too sad.

 

[Michael AvMen]

Down for One... How much is it again for the GB?..

 

[JP Castel]

I'm in pending a review.

 

[David Kellermann]

Since there are already 70+ interested buyers, I could also ask for quotes from other manufacturers. Any suggestions for certain models?

 

[Les C.]

I'm interested in USA, pending reviews.

In all truth, I'd never consider trying to use a steadicam myself except for a non-paying pro-bono shoot, but ... there's a price where if I can get a comfort level with the equipment beforehand (understanding all the hundreds of hidden "gotcha's" involved in steadicams), I might purchase for my own personal use - or maybe to be used when blocking out shots.

But, I'd have to get my head around how it all worked, all the little details involved, and that will take some educational videos from the manufacturer or from somewhere?

BTW - for anyone thinking they could just buy one and become a bona fide steadicam operator instantly, I suggest you watch this 'making of' on a long steadicam shot from Hugo. There's no way in hell I could ever do anything like what this operator is doing (with stereo ARRI's no less), even if I studied for years.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...ible-Steadicam-shot-Behind-the-Scenes-of-Hugo

 

[Niko Pueringer]

There's a fair amount of people down-talking these steadicams because of their price and limitations. It also seems that these people are the ones with expensive rigs that make a living doing camera work. It's easy to forget there are many other people out there trying to realize a creative vision without the ability (or need) to hire a pro at all times.

It's exciting that film making tools are becoming more accessible, even if they aren't as good as top-of-the-line pro gear.

Count me in for one. USA. I'm fine with the $1495 price. If it's a good product, let them put some food on the table.

 

[Alain Vo]

Count me in. USA, California

 

[Peter Plevritis]

Interested. California.

I think we have the makings of a great flash mob of steadicams.

 

[Brandon J.F.]

I think we have the makings of a great flash mob of steadicams.

No doubt. And if this is really a good product the word of mouth generated by the 100 or so buyers here will be huge for this company.

Idea: If this gb happens how about a group buy for a monitor for the rig?

 

[david_winters]

I have one, it is very well made for the price. Arrived first week of January, mine is the $1300 Came model with the fixed position socket block.

My first experience with steadicam clones was in 1996, the Glidecam V16, flying a SR2 and Eclair ACL. The first gen V16 vest was painful, twisted under load and cut the circulation in my hips / legs. In the DVX100 years I had a Glidecam V8, same pain and issues as the V16, but more tolerable due to lighter weight.

The CAME vest does not have any pain or discomfort issues. I have a bad back and arthritis, after a full day flying a Scarlet w 11-16, I'm pain free. The gimbal is smooth, the arm is decent but not iso-elastic. Sled tilt plate and worm gear level adjustment are very coarse with too much backlash, but it does get the job done. Dynamic balance is possible, see the other "clone" thread on Reduser for a example video clip.

I have no plans to become a for hire steadi-op, but as a working Dir / DP this thing is totally worth it. I got it for the basic walk and talk shot that always comes up... The shot were we either burn time laying 20' of track, or I have to hack it hand held. Buy it, if it doesn't work out, sell it locally, worst case you'll be out a few $100.

 

[Shapour Daneshmand]

Interested. California.

I think we have the makings of a great flash mob of steadicams.

Im in. From Calfirnia.
count me in with the mob Peter.

 

[Layi B]

I vote that we not wait til March. Let's take a week to negotiate price then pull the trigger. I'm eager to shoot!
We don't need anymore reviews with an "actual" steadicam guy. A lot of people have already vouched for these rigs.

Thanks for all your efforts organizing this so far. Looks like you already got some bonuses thrown in: stand and hard case? Nice. Can you describe the stand?

 

[Dan Kanes]

Why you have to wait until march:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year

 

[Steven Blye]

Count me in as well, though I'd like an expert opinion from someone from Reduser.

 

[Peter Karlsson]

Since there are already 70+ interested buyers, I could also ask for quotes from other manufacturers. Any suggestions for certain models?

It seems in this pace you could as easily ask for 100 buyers since it seems that number will be reached within a week. No suggestion for other brands though, since I suspect the price would be atleast 3-5 times as much and it wouldnt be that interesting anymore Improve the current manufacturers steady based on testing would be nice though..

 

[Marc Berger]

It seems in this pace you could as easily ask for 100 buyers since it seems that number will be reached within a week. No suggestion for other brands though, since I suspect the price would be atleast 3-5 times as much and it wouldnt be that interesting anymore Improve the current manufacturers steady based on testing would be nice though..

With around 100 buyers it looks more like a Kickstarter project then a group buy. So, who is the manufacturer? Are Came, photolight , Laing, Wondlan only dealers or also manufacturer? It looks like they change all the time their design if you follow the different ebay shop´s. So it should not be a big problem to improve it based on testing...