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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

alternative to Steadicam

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David Quinn Carder

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Can anyone recommend any affordable alternatives to Steadicam? My priorities are silent operation (I don't know if gyroscopic systems make any noise) and portability (not bulky and as unobtrusive as possible). If there's nothing affordable worth recommending that excel in these areas, how about a not-so-affordable alternative?

We'll be using Bomb EVFs, not LCDs, if that makes a difference.
 
Anders Holck said:
What do you want to achieve?
Click to expand...

I guess you could call it a travel documentary? That's not the best description but should give you an idea of what we'll be dealing with it. I can't be boarding trains and buses or squeezing into a kaiten-zushi restaurant with a Steadicam rig, and I don't think it's designed to be worn for the majority of a few months anyway! We'll be using fixed-lens Scarlets.

If you need specific information just ask. Thanks.
 
typically you would use a display with a steadicam... what about a shoulder mount rig?

like the gunner... :) it's my favorite. very well designed. and perfectly balanced. they have some others as well that we should see soon...

gunner.jpg


that's RED's but you can get something like that elsewhere pretty cheap as well.

or you can go to the hardware store and build your own.
 
Can't imagine you are really looking for something like a steadi-cam, as all stabilizers like it are probably going to be somewhat bulky and obtrusive; certainly nothing "stealth" about it. By the time you add a vest and an arm to something like even a Merlin, you are talking about a pretty obvious and relatively cumbersome rig (at least for what you are describing).

Sounds like you are really just going to be shooting handheld and/or shoulder mount. You can always steady the camera on whatever surface is available or lean against solid surfaces to steady yourself or use a monopod if a tripod is to clumsy; all the usual tricks for smoother shooting. But those won't help much with moving shots. Be interested to hear where you go with this. :confused1:
 
Well you could try a fig rig or Constantine Tyrintzis, a fellow reduser, has been developing his Running Rig for a while you might want to give him a PM to get some details.
 
Like the others suggested, a good shoulder rig is what you are looking for and a monopod could be ideal at some point. A gyroscopic systems, where you put a separate(s) gyro(s) on a camera (like KS-6 or KS-8 from Ken-Lab), only smooths things out a bit. And they do make noise ! It is mainly used for adding inertia to a steadicam system. In handheld use you would miss the dampening system of the steadicam arm when walking anyway.
A good handheld rig would be the best option I think.
 
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David Quinn Carder said:
I can't be boarding trains and buses or squeezing into a kaiten-zushi restaurant with a Steadicam rig, and I don't think it's designed to be worn for the majority of a few months anyway!
Click to expand...

Mmmm ... not sure .... Check out Brian De Palma's "Carlito's Way". http://reduser.net/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Beautiful, incredible work from Larry McConckey ;)
 
At the end of the day it's a choice:
1. hand held doco look
2. Steadicam

the other stuff just really doesnt work all that well. If you are thinking to do this with Scarlets maybe light steadi rig like flyer? If you are going to operate minimum take the workshops first!!!!
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I'll respond in full when I've had time to review the recommendations and do some more research.

One quick question in the mean time: are there any Steadicam rigs that are nice and compact and portable when not actually being used?
 
Neil, who is prob the best stuntman / actor over at the community college, built this rig. We're going to test my RED on it this Thursday. I'll let you know how it works.

XO4wt.jpg
 
Gotta say there is nothing more impressive than working with and reviewing the work of very skilled camera operators who excel in hand-held camera work. They are the stabilizer. If you are going for unobtrusive, and using Scarlets, then this seriously should be considered. There is nothing discreet about any steadicam type rig, Easy-Rig, Kenyon gyros, home-brew Fig Rigs made in Timmy's garage or whatever.
Hire a veteran camera op who has the skills acquired over a long career of service. Pay special attention to documentary shooters and ENG guys - they live on this style and man can they deliver.

Another thing you might consider... is your final product intended for a cinema release or a 1920X1080 HD master? If the latter, you have an awful lot of room for repositions and possibly some post stabilization.
 
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