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

[Niko Pueringer]

The Proline rig is cool, but far out of the budget of most of the people that were interested in this buy from the beginning. L'aigle is the next best thing, but still twice as much as I was hoping for. Still, I check this thread everyday for updates and am curious to see where things go. I would personally still prefer a sub $2k rig.

 

[Brad Crawford]

Just did a quick count and as of now we have 161 people on the interested list. FYI

 

[David Kellermann]

Please refrain from posting prices or even vague implication of prices!

I promised that to the manufacturers, and I intend to keep my word.

 

[Sid Idris]

The L'Aigle was already well beyond what I was prepared to spend and what this initiative started with as a target. But the quality of the product was looking so good and innovative that I would have a hard time passing up the opportunity to purchase at the group buy price. Even the best possible scenario for the Proline (which probably won't happen, IMO) is substantially beyond the L'aigle, and I actually like the L'aigle better. I really like the way they decided to do the post and the wide channels for running cables as opposed to junction boxes, adding clutter, more interconnections for more cable expense, and more things to require repair. And I REALLY like the concept of the latex in place of springs. So I also don't understand why so many are thinking Proline is the offer to beat. IMO, that is clearly the L'aigle.

The t2000 supports 45 lbs while l'aigle only supports 26.4 lbs. Plus the latex band concerns me. How long do they last? Is the data out there?

im down for proline at 80+.

 

[Sid Idris]

I was really liking the L'Aigle. It seems like a good deal I can't pass it up.

What's the Proline going to do for extra money that the L'Aigle can't? I'm just curious why everyone's jumping ship so fast. I don't care if it's seventy kabillion dollars off MSRP, will the Proline be reliable? I don't mind spending that kind of money if I know ill make it back in the long run (and that it won't break on me...)

45lbs payload. Can you imagine a light 3d rig.

 

[Carey Lee Coffey]

I'm definitely out on this CAME/Laing rig. I have too many quality and customer service concerns. I sent them several emails over a week ago and got no reply. I don't see any investment value here. It's either the PROline or L'aigle for me.

 

[Owen Davies]

David. Thanks for all your hard work.

The L'Aigle seems the better option from my point of view. Although I'll reserve judgement until I see a render of the proposed product.

Adding shipping, duty and taxes to the pro-line would add a significant amount here in the UK (based 80+ sales). No taxes for items sold within the EU.

Is the demo from L'Aigle going to be with a 'comparable' rig - bearing in mind the Red User model will be custom made?

Owen.

 

[Norbert Jalitsch]

I sent everyone on the list a pm with a password to a blog where I post the offers and other updates.

hi david. would you add me to the list and send me a password as well?
i'm interested - austria.
best, norbert

 

[Brett Harrison]

David. Thanks for all your hard work.

The L'Aigle seems the better option from my point of view. Although I'll reserve judgement until I see a render of the proposed product.

Adding shipping, duty and taxes to the pro-line would add a significant amount here in the UK (based 80+ sales). No taxes for items sold within the EU.

Is the demo from L'Aigle going to be with a 'comparable' rig - bearing in mind the Red User model will be custom made?

Owen.

NO REFERENCE TO PRICE, either directly or indirectly.

Doing so jeapordises the deals.

 

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

The t2000 supports 45 lbs while l'aigle only supports 26.4 lbs. Plus the latex band concerns me. How long do they last? Is the data out there?

im down for proline at 80+.

I have no need or interest in a rig that can fly 45 lbs. For those who seriously see stereo in their near future, I can understand the attraction. But the aims of this initiative were considerably more modest. The L''aigle offers a two year overall warranty (as opposed to one for the Proline) and 10 years on the bands. They are representing that you can at any time within 10 years of purchase ask for free replacement of the bands, and they will do it, making your arm essentially new again.

 

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

David. Thanks for all your hard work.

The L'Aigle seems the better option from my point of view. Although I'll reserve judgement until I see a render of the proposed product.

Yeah, I just noticed David updated the blog with a new communication that adds a wrinkle in that they are not proposing the exact arm in the photo, that it will be folded and not CNC'ed with those sexy curves. Would also like to see a render or actual photo of a prototype before committing. But as long as it remains functionally equivalent and maintains quality in the craftsmanship, I'd still prefer the L'aigle.

 

[Daniel Chupinsky]

Inspiration ...

http://www.studiodaily.com/2013/03/the-art-of-steadicam/

 

[Note Suwanchote]

I'm definitely out on this CAME/Laing rig. I have too many quality and customer service concerns. I sent them several emails over a week ago and got no reply. I don't see any investment value here. It's either the PROline or L'aigle for me.

that's opposite of my experience
I emailed them and received prompt replies all the time
my package is shipped and should be here in a week.
got the 12% discount also

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

To correct some information posted by David.

As one representing Laing on this deal (not as reseller, but as management representative, to make it as fast and smooth as possible)

I’ll try to clearly formulate all things

First, Laing asked to place offer and deal details in the closed section of the blog or in PM. All details will be known as terms and price will be agreed upon and fixed. I see fierce resistance from David on this, yet he did same for L'AIGLE and other manufacturers already as they asked for exactly same. I see absolutely no point of resistance here as no one wants fuzzy terms that mislead members. Price must be removed as it is not clear that number of modifications make it to finished variant, hence it is same misleading number that has no meaning now.

Second, I just asked how Reduser community see group buy terms now (payment methods, process, etc), so they will have them open and clear for every participant. You had some discussion about this, but I need to know view of most members. I’ll discuss terms with Laing management. It’ll be normal and open process so terms will be agreed upon by all sides.

Third, I ask you to make new voting in group buy topic. Representing all modifications from the list, to see how many people support each of proposed modification.
I made some preliminary discussions upon most modifications already and many, as engineers said, require additional details provided.
After voting will be finished we could make necessary sketches. And will discuss each modification, including viability and additional cost involved (if any).

To conclude, you are dealing directly with manufacturer who fully support this deal contrary to some information posted here. We also fully respect all other options from other manufacturers as belive that every member must choose best option that suits him.

 

[Sebastian_A]

I for one am interested in the Laing system and judging by the majority of the votes in the poll, so do others. Especially if they are willing to make at least some of the discussed changes like slightly stronger springs and others.

But I'm willing to pay more for another system (Proline or other) if reputable reviewers would demonstrate that a more expensive system can shoot a much much better footage.

But seeing that several people here have already bought from Laing and had only good words about it, I think we would need some serious testing/demo/proof to consider/justify the other systems. And the rubber band system even more so since the technology is also new untested, unheard of, so any new problems that could arrive are yet unknown.

 

[David Kellermann]

Some updates from Luciano at PROline:

I asked him if it would be possible to add special RED cables, so that we can directly connect our RED one or Epic / Scarlet camera to the sled.

Yes we can do the wires, no problem, but I'll need the samples to make exactly the same cables. We also will customize parts and accessories to suit the needs of the majority of red users, creating a red-user special edition...what do you think?

Also 6pin cables which pass on the battery charge information should be possible.

No problem about the center post cable. We can do it. We'll need more info about the configuration for our technician. Can you give us some details?

 

[David Kellermann]

I for one am interested in the Laing system and judging by the majority of the votes in the poll, so do others. Especially if they are willing to make at least some of the discussed changes like slightly stronger springs and others.

But I'm willing to pay more for another system (Proline or other) if reputable reviewers would demonstrate that a more expensive system can shoot a much much better footage.

But seeing that several people here have already bought from Laing and had only good words about it, I think we would need some serious testing/demo/proof to consider/justify the other systems. And the rubber band system even more so since the technology is also new untested, unheard of, so any new problems that could arrive are yet unknown.

One experienced operator already contacted me, I hope some more will join him in testing the PROline rig.

Please don't expect any resemblance in the quality of the LAING rig in contrast to the L'Aigle or PROline rig. The PROline rig is completely CNC machined and quite refined. While the L'Aigle rig is not fully CNC machined, it's still a proven system. The latex bands system exists already for quite a few years and got good results. While there are mixed reviews about OLDER systems by L'Aigle, the negative aspects where mainly about tension adjustment (solved) and the battery solution (also solved). This doesn't suggests that you can't get good results with the Laing system. At this price point, it's definitively the best solution. But given the huge discount we're getting from PROline and l'Aigle, I do personally favor these systems.

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Please don't expect any resemblance in the quality of the LAING rig in contrast to the L'Aigle or PROline rig. The PROline rig is completely CNC machined and quite refined

.

Yet you did not saw them

As far as I see ProLine is represented by one man - Reverberi Luciano. He has account on ebay, I see few attempts to sell steadicam rig for about $9500 last year and see that web domain was registered at end of February 2013.
Address of company is CA, Vimeo account with videos is from Argentina, domain registration address is in Florida.

I am sure that he is making very good rigs despite this odd things, but you need to pay a visit to manufacturer first.

 

[David Kellermann]

.

Yet you did not saw them

As far as I see ProLine is represented by one man - Reverberi Luciano. He has account on ebay, I see few attempts to sell steadicam rig for about $9500 last year and see that web domain was registered at end of February 2013.
Address of company is CA, Vimeo account with videos is from Argentina, domain registration address is in Florida.

I am sure that he is making very good rigs despite this odd things, but you need to pay a visit to manufacturer first.

Welcome on REDuser, Vitaliy. Well, I didn't tried out the Laing rig myself, but Kwan organized a test in NYC a week ago, so I had a chance to get trusted feedback on the Laing rig. The results are all available on this forum.

Discrediting other manufacturers is not a good way to sell a product of a company in which you are involved. Details on the company PROline are openly available, for example on the steadicam forum (I posted a link earlier).

I'm looking forward to technical comments on the list of suggestions we made.

 

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Discrediting other manufacturers is not a good way to sell a product of a company in which you are involved. Details on the company PROline are openly available, for example on the steadicam forum (I posted a link earlier).

In fact it is not discreditation of other manufacturer, all I did is referenced open and easy to find data. I am not discussing their products. And, in fact, my comment was in very positive tone. Laing welcomes any other options from all manufacturers.

All I suggested is to visit manufacturer.

I'm looking forward to technical comments on the list of suggestions we made.

We'll go to this soon, but I specially posted Laing approach. If you read it carefully you'll see few simple things that must be done before we go into technical details for each modification.