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

[Kwan Khan]

OK guys. Let's not sound like total cheap asses here. We're already being badly poked at over in the steadicam forums.

Agreed

 

[Jeremiah Patton]

We just need a good deal for a capable product, so I'm stoked to see some of the reviews!

 

[Chris Poynton]

Do these knock offs have adjustable tension like real steadicams?

yes

Beg to differ... the Chinese arms will offer some "lift" adjustability, but nowhere near that of a real Steadicam arm.

Have been following this thread with great interest and I am a new RedUser member.

I have done basic testing of the generic heavy-duty Chinese arm (as used by Wondlan and very similar to Laing/CAME). If I turned the silver knobs for the "lift setting" about 10-15 times, the arm would rise or fall a very small amount ... approximatley 10cm. Takes forever and canes the wrist.

I compared it to an original Tiffen Steadicam Flyer arm (circa 2002 and rated to 15 pounds). With the Flyer arm, only about 5-6 EASY turns of the knob would raise the arm maybe 20cm.

This is "CHALK AND CHEESE" difference in performance ... providing vastly different ability to trim your lens height for a shot, and also limiting the range of weights that can be carried by the arm so that it will still float at the mid-point.

Testing by other users may reveal that the performance of Chinese v Steadicam arms (e.g. Merlin/Pilot OR Flyer) is a little closer than what I have described for a certian narrow range of sled weights. There is also some variation in the supply of springs with these Chinese arms too, which throws in a couple of curve balls and trimming possibilities.

However, the geometry of the arms (i.e. Chinese v Steadicam Flyer for instance) is very significantly different in terms of the "closure angles" of the arm, which affects all aspects of performance (incl. boom height, spring efficiency, etc).

I would also take the "rated weight" for these Chinese arms with a grain of salt. The key is that you should only be interested in the "maximum total sled weight" that will still allow the arm to float at horizontal (or very slightly above), and still allowing full booming range with a reasonably light lifting force.

The worst case scenario is that you might end up a big camera rig on an arm that sags down at 30 degrees and requires 7kg of human lifting force to budge it!

I am putting together a video/tutorial to explain how to compare Steadicam arms using "Lift Performance Curves" ... (basically charting the "boom height" v "Human lift required" for various combinations of load and lift setting. The shape of the curve is a visual representation of how easily and smoothly th rig can be boomed.) This sort of data is not circulated by manufacturers, so it is up to the current generation of consumers to compile this data as best they can.

Cheers, Chris Poynton (Victoria, Australia) www.YesYesMovies.com EMAIL: chris.poynton@gmail.com

 

[Zakaree Sandberg]

Just spoke to steadyproline and they are in CA now, Can someone please CHECK OUT THE GEAR AT LA, California (ASAP)

ill buy proline 10 seconds ago if its seriously 1200...

I coulda sworn i saw this system on ebay for 8-12k a few months ago

 

[Bob Gundu]

As Chris has pointed out, the quick screw adjustments for lift is definitely a huge plus. For when I had my Af100, I was using the steadicam pilot/flyer arm with the blackbird and I was always amazed how the tension could be adjusted so quickly with just a few turns of the knobs.

 

[Sebastian_A]

I found here a proline demo test. Looks good
steadyproline test small camera no hands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ySBidA8pSM

Can these systems be configured to shoot upside down ? With the camera close to the ground ?

 

[Kwan Khan]

CORRECTION....

Proline sent me following quote by mistake;

"Our Steady-Proline is on promotion now at $1200
It modular hybrid so u can use a broader range of cameras"

There official price is 10K, according to fellow user Zakaree S.

 

[Jay A. Kelley]

Getting poked on other stedicam forums? I do not care. this is becoming a very large group buy, and while the product will not have all the bells and whistles, it's exciting to see a business step up and want customers so badly. I have contacted a few of these higher end companies for various reasons, and some of them never even responded. Already plan to reward came by purchasing some HMI lights, will do in depth video reviews when I get them.

Jay

 

[Mark Schlicher]

That "test" doesn't show anything useful about how the system can work in practice.

It shows that the springs are strong enough to hold that camera, that's all. The isolation of the camera by the arm isn't all that impressive, by the way. If you saw footage taken during this "test", it would be bouncing all over the place. Any spring-loaded arm can do that. Says very little about the important factors in effective operation of a rig.

EDIT: having said that, the rig does look like it's been more carefully designed and fabricated than the Chinese systems. Proline is apparently an Argentine company. I would, however, be extremely wary of a discount from 10K to $1200. And the claim on their website that their arm can lift from one to 45 pounds defies physics. No one set of arm springs can do that. So, another caution flag.

I found here a proline demo test. Looks good
steadyproline test small camera no hands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ySBidA8pSM

Can these systems be configured to shoot upside down ? With the camera close to the ground ?

 

[Bob Gundu]

I think they were offering $1200 off.

That "test" doesn't show anything useful about how the system can work in practice.

It shows that the springs are strong enough to hold that camera, that's all. The isolation of the camera by the arm isn't all that impressive, by the way. If you saw footage taken during this "test", it would be bouncing all over the place. Any spring-loaded arm can do that. Says very little about the important factors in effective operation of a rig.

EDIT: having said that, the rig does look like it's been more carefully designed and fabricated than the Chinese systems. Proline is apparently an Argentine company. I would, however, be extremely wary of a discount from 10K to $1200. And the claim on their website that their arm can lift from one to 45 pounds defies physics. No one set of arm springs can do that. So, another caution flag.

 

[Mark Schlicher]

Well, that makes more sense!

I think they were offering $1200 off.

 

[Zakaree Sandberg]

EDIT: having said that, the rig does look like it's been more carefully designed and fabricated than the Chinese systems. .

newsflash.. steadicam.. the brand.. manufactures their steadicams in china

 

[Mark Schlicher]

Newsflash #1: I compared the Argentine system to "the Chinese systems" because this thread has been discussing specific...Chinese systems. Not intended as a comment on all things Chinese.

Newsflash #2: Steadicam...the brand...engineers their systems in the Steadicam factory in Glendale, CA. Many of their systems are manufactured there. I have no idea whether some of their lower-end systems are built in China. But it's not relevant to whether or not the CAME system is worth a crap.

From the photos, the CAME system appears to be a rather poorly-designed and executed stabilizer copy that rips off design elements of both the Glidecam and Steadicam. This remains true no matter where it is made. Is it worth buying and trying? Personally I wouldn't spend $1200 on any piece of equipment sight unseen. But to each their own.

 

[Sebastian_A]

That "test" doesn't show anything useful about how the system can work in practice.

I posted the link because I thought it's better to see a video showcasing a product than to see nothing at all. Many times you see a product and it's difficult to decide if you should buy it because you only see some pictures and no reviews if it's a new product.
Ideal would be to buy the product based on reviews by some knowledgeable users.

 

[Jay A. Kelley]

For the record, regardless. Of those that put down whatever brand.. I a very grateful for David putting in all this work. and I am very interested in the tests and outcome.

Jay

 

[Zakaree Sandberg]

I posted the link because I thought it's better to see a video showcasing a product than to see nothing at all. Many times you see a product and it's difficult to decide if you should buy it because you only see some pictures and no reviews if it's a new product.
Ideal would be to buy the product based on reviews by some knowledgeable users.

example...

RED ONE circa 2006 (when deposits were made)

 

[Kwan Khan]

Is it worth buying and trying? Personally I wouldn't spend $1200 on any piece of equipment sight unseen. But to each their own.

Thanks for your input, NOW would you please allow us to test this crap Chinese thing called CAME (LOL).

Mark, Lets explore this as a student point of view, If these fellow users want to learn how to use steadicam on under $1500 (Keep in mind we in 2013 all totorial on You tube), I can guarantee this system is way better then $3000 Glidecam x-10+HD4000.

Off the topic (& no hard feelings):
Please don't even start with me this copy and rips off definition. Once our Academic Freedom Protected instead of fast growing, highly profitable Student Loan Scam then every student will understand what is copy and rip-off mean (lol).

So instead of buying 10K rig let these revolutionary students buy this Chinese crap and make it work (lol). let them save $8,500 so they can pay their past student loan. Once their scam loan is paid-off then they can go back to school for their 2nd major (lol).
Juz' jokin'

 

[Layi B]

Kwan friggin rules. That is all.

 

[Alex Kornreich]

example...

RED ONE circa 2006 (when deposits were made)

And the viewfactor wireless ff system that redusers raved about? That worked out well...

 

[JD Holloway]

Pass through power and video is pretty essential AFAIK 2x ideally.
One for camera the other for bartec or other focus power.
HDMI would be a good addition too if possible for some setups.