HELP Making A Steadicam Decision!

[Jesse Tunison]

A RED Camera mounted on a "Steadicam FLYER-LERED-C Flyer-LE Red One Camera Stabilizer System" or a "Glidecam X22AB Stabilizer with Anton Bauer Battery Mount." Both of these units are sold from B&H.com. I need help! Asking me to make this decision on my own is like asking the fat kid to guard the pies. If I had it my way I would want both units.

 

[Tim Morten]

I have a Flyer LE. A fully outfitted R1 can exceed its weight limit (depending on lens choice, wireless FF, etc) but by making careful choices the LE can suffice; for indies, I think it's a great solution. For higher end work, I suspect most would recommend a rig with more capacity: the next step up in the Tiffen line, or the ActionCam... either will let you fly more weight (at a higher cost). I have no experience with the Glidecam, so I can't comment there.

It sounds like both Epic and Scarlet will have reduced weight, so depending on your timeframe, that might have some impact on your choice.

Best,
Tim

 

[tj williams]

Jesse before purchasing anything take an operating workshop. Then you will know what you want and you will be able to make good shots with what you get!!!!
TJ

 

[Dave Weber]

Jesse,

TJ is correct.

I did some steadicam shopping around and would go with the Steadicam brand. They seemed to be the better of all the ones I tried.

 

[Nick Gardner]

I don't really think that either system is right for Red. Also, If you are not a steadicam operator, this is a huge commitment. Be prepared to spend a few years sucking at it. Most producers don't pay top dollar for guys who suck.

A used EFP or 3A system is pretty good for Red, and pretty cheap. A MK-V light system would also be a good choice. Definitely take a class, or befriend an operator. You should ideally be a top notch camera op before you even start screwing with steadicam.

Now, all that said, I am talking about learning the right way and being able to be a professional steadicam op. If you just want to be able to stumble around with a wide lens and keep someone in the movie, then thats a different story, but who wants to do that ;-)

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

Nick "spent too many years humping around a BL4 on steadicam" Gardner

 

[Tim Morten]

The "take a workshop" debate often seems to emerge when people talk about getting their first stabilizer.

For what it's worth, my take is as follows: It is harder than many people expect to get a smooth / well-framed shot on a stabilizer. If you are looking to start a career as a Steadicam operator, I expect that a workshop will save you a lot of time - professional operators are simply in a league of their own. That said, if you're just looking to get the odd stabilized walking shot on your own, you can almost certainly figure out how to do that by reading the manual and/or watching the vintage EFP training DVD. You might develop some habits that a pro would frown at, but as long as you're getting the shot you want, that's what matters. Some opine that you should never touch a stabilizer without taking a workshop, and though I have tremendous respect for the experience that comes with a workshop, that seems akin to saying that you should never release a shutter without first going to film school. Clearly, if you're looking to earn money for operating, training makes sense. If you're just looking to get a shot here and there, there's an argument for figuring it out yourself. Then, if you need a more complicated shot, hire a pro, and everyone wins!

Best,
Tim

 

[Leo Ticheli]

Don't forget the part about getting up every morning to run three or four miles before spending a couple of hours in the gym. And, the learning to love ibuprofen part.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo

 

[Stephen Pruitt]

I, personally, would love to take a class where I could bring my Actioncam and my RED in and have 'em show me the proper way to do things. Anyone know where I could find such a course? I do not want to work with a system that isn't my own.

Thanks.

Stephen

 

[lonny dill]

Action Products steady cam rig

Action Products steady cam rig

I, personally, would love to take a class where I could bring my Actioncam and my RED in and have 'em show me the proper way to do things. Anyone know where I could find such a course? I do not want to work with a system that isn't my own.

Thanks.

Stephen

We struggled with the ActionProducts Red Edition Action Cam so much at first, so we decided to hire Daryl from Action Products to come and teach us how to properly use our rig. After that, we loved the rig. We were doing so much incorrectly and the instruction video was only so helpful. If you are in the Reno NV area, I would consider offering training. It would probably be about a 5 hour session. As soon as we started using our Actioncam rig properly, our life got 10 times easier.

 

[ericyoung]

Just managed to modify my Steadicam Flyer (original 15lbs/6.8kg capacity rig) to fly a stripped down RED with Canon 17-55mm f2.8 lens, Birger mount, Red Drive and Red Battery - will save me having to hire Steadicams for my own Red jobs. If I replace the spare non-active battery, could also get a Teletest wireless transmitter and Redbyte Decimator downconverter on there. Woohoo!

[Edit: Sorry for the thread hijack, and not answering the OP. Just stoked at getting it to work!]

 

[Yevgeny Gultaev]

Vest -- Walter Klassen Dual mount
Arm -- Tiffen G50 (or G70 for 3D stereo shooting applications)

All other items -- as you like, from Tiffen Ultra2 or MK-V Alien.

:smiley:

Take a steadicam workshop anyway! (http://www.thesteadicamworkshops.com/scheduleEasternClassic.shtml)

 

[Ken Willinger]

The Maine Workshops hold Steadicam classes with topnotch pros. Excellent class (it's a week long). I've done it twice. Both times excellent. I brought my own steadicam rig the 2nd time. No problem bringing and using your own rig. I don't own or operate a steadicam any longer (I had an EFP). Personally I think it's one of those skills/arts that either you go in totally and that's what you do, or you leave it for others that have done that.

 

[Martin Stevens]

May I suggest you try the Glidecam X-22 system or a Glidecam V-25 System. Both work very, very well with Red and the price is the best value on the market. Glidecam sells more stabilizers globally than any other brand, and have been around for 17 years.

 

[hdcrew]

Courses are good and can teach you the basics, things like static and particularly dynamic balance of the sled/camera have to be mastered to give you a good chance of developing your operating technique.

I would also be cautious about overloading the arm for obvious reasons, another thing to consider with the Flyer is it's narrow centre post, if you load it up you will more than likely to generate vibration from within the components of the sled when the post flexes (most pro systems now use a 2" dia center post)

If you've got the money and intend on doing more Steadicam I would highly recommend buying a Walter Klassen back mount vest, I use one of these even when operating the Flyer.

I think either of the systems you are looking at are a good place to start, if you want to do more paid gigs then a larger rig may be more appropriate, be prepared to get the bug and spend lots of money on stuff you will never use!

Good luck