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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 :)

Anyone have any experience with the Chinese knock off Steadicams? Like this one?

Final business expense for 2012, just purchased the Came . I have a spare Anton Bauer battery plate which I'll rig to the sled base. I also have a spare Red AC power supply, which I can cut and run down the post to the gold mount.
 
I weighed the sled, 7 pounds. I also tested the arms load capacity at 33 pounds (total including sled and counterweights) with the arms tension springs adjusted to the max. It does hold, but the arm begins to sag a bit, but not all the way. I'm not sure how that will affect performance. Also if you are maxed out on weight because of the camera, this will affect your ability to adjust the camera height. It should support a Scarlet or Epic, and a small rig with no problem, but a RED one might be pushing it. Unfortunately I don't have a RED one to test.
 
how is the over all build quality? This thing definitely looks attractive. I can see it coming in handy with the scarlet and the price is right. I've flown EX3 rigs on a steadicam but it was their cheapest model and honestly for the price and build of the arm/vest it just isn't worth it. I'm excited to see an option that might actually support a scarlet on a budget. It's either this or a jib and I think I would get more out of this vs. a cheap jib.
 
suradtaylor said:
Thinking of these solutions to go with the steadycam for getting the battery to the base
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892797-REG/Laird_Telemedia_Laird_LDC_PV_XL4F_IDX_Style.html
and
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871479-REG/Laird_Telemedia_RD1_PWR6_05_12V_DC_Power_Cable.html

Question is, how to secure the battery plate to the base of the sled, and does any of you guys have experience with this setup?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Nice find! I think I found a cheaper solution.. Not sure if it will work though.

I bought this cheap v-mount plate..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170844880368?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

then to secure the plate to the sled, I bought this... essentially you can buy 2 of these. Mount one to the sled with 15mm rods and one to mount the battery plate. this way you can slide the battery plate on the rods for easier balancing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281028224347?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Now I gotta figure out how to power the cam... I could use red volts, but I just found this... You can power the cam through P-Tap
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...elemedia_RD1_PWR17_07_12V_DC_Power_Cable.html

What do you guys think?
 
Since P-Tap is not a secured connection as much as XLR, I'm nervous about including it in rental kit.
 
Two weeks when the rig gets here I'll wire it up and post images. Does anyone have a link to a vendor that sells just the Lemo connector? I hear the bigger Lemo is not as difficult as smaller sizes. I've made many 4 pin power hirose connections for ENG cameras, there is no way a large Lemo is more difficult. Right?
 
Great thread; thank you everyone!
 
suradtaylor said:
If there's a way to lock this down to the base of the sled, rather have it at the base than on the belt (or vest)...., BTW, do you have an idea how long the cable on this is?
Click to expand...

I will take the clip off, and the 4 screws out of it and screw a small cheeseplate onto it. Then it could be screwed onto the sled....that's my plan, at least.
 
I looked into the chinese steadicam knock-offs as well, but I've since turned my attention to an EasyRig solution. Still haven't pull the trigger yet, but they seem to be what I'm looking for. Any experience with EasyRigs here?
 
EasyRig and Steadicam are very different animals and are not in any way similar except for the fact that you wear them. EasyRig is a great way to make handheld camera work less strenuous by shifting the weight of the camera off of your shoulder and onto your hips. It does not make camera work smooth like a Steadicam. It is still handheld. It is really great for heavy rigs handheld though!

Steadicam is for creating smooth dollylike moves in places where a dolly can't be. Running a Steadicam requires a lot of training and practice. It is not easy. There are some great Steadicam training courses. If you'd like to run a Steadicam, it's highly recommended to take a course.
 
I have an easy rig. It's amazing, I love it and I'm on it all the time. But it's a different tool for a different job. The easy rig pulls the weight of the camera off of your shoulder and you can pull the camera down and 'shoot from the hip'. I don't even use a shoulder pad when shooting handheld with the easy rig, because it doesn't really put any weight on your shoulder. But when you walk with it, the camera bounces so it still looks handheld. It's not the smooth, floaty Steadicam look. But if you are shooting handheld full days, it saves your back and shoulder and if your walking is minimum, it will be beautiful footage. But still handheld.
 
steven moreno said:
I will take the clip off, and the 4 screws out of it and screw a small cheeseplate onto it. Then it could be screwed onto the sled....that's my plan, at least.
Click to expand...

Nice, do u have an idea how long the cable is? I have a feeling it might not be long enough to go through the sled and still have sufficient length to get to the camera
 
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