Steadicam arm for Letus Helix?

[Scott Pultz]

I was wondering what steadicam arms people are going to use with the Letus Helix?

I currently do not own a steadicam arm and have seen them priced between $500-$10,000 or more.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Came/Liang?

 

[Scott Pultz]

Came/Liang?

I am tempted by these cheaper Chinese models just to have a starting place. However I am skinny and I hear that the vests don't fit skinny people. Time for another beer to help that out!

 

[Terry VerHaar]

I purchased a Zolinger unit awhile back on the advice of a fellow REDuser. It's a double arm unit with a very solid vest. I plan to try both the 1-axis module on the sled and the 4-axis with the vest and arm.

 

[Nick Morrison]

I purchased a Zolinger unit awhile back on the advice of a fellow REDuser. It's a double arm unit with a very solid vest. I plan to try both the 1-axis module on the sled and the 4-axis with the vest and arm.

Zolinger? Never heard of it? How you liking it?

 

[Terry VerHaar]

It's Swiss. Very well built. Seems very much like a Glidecam in terms of design. They've changed it in the last year but it is pretty much the one in this video.

http://zolinger.com/xt2000-steadicam/

I don't have a broad swath of experience with stabilizers; sort of took a flyer based on recommendation from Chris McKechnie. Turned out well.

 

[Peter Corbett]

The Zolinger stuff look real nice. Just wondering if they sell the arm and/or vest separately?

 

[Terry VerHaar]

The Zolinger stuff look real nice. Just wondering if they sell the arm and/or vest separately?

No idea. I think the guy that distributes in the US is in the Pacific Northwest - Portland or Seattle. They were pretty helpful in working with me to upgrade the arm after I bought the unit. You might contact them to see.

 

[Scott Pultz]

The Chinese arms have weight ratings usually in the 1-7.5kg or 2-10kg area. Does anybody know if this weight range is supposed to be sled+camera or just camera?

 

[Zeb B]

Any Steadi help you can give me on my thread over here is appreciated:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...IN-Group-Buy&p=1361848&viewfull=1#post1361848

 

[Marc Berger]

The Chinese arms have weight ratings usually in the 1-7.5kg or 2-10kg area. Does anybody know if this weight range is supposed to be sled+camera or just camera?

Very difficult to answer, because it varies from company to company. A logical answer-and most companies do so- would be: weight of camera and sled. Better to ask them before your purchase.

 

[Marc Berger]

I was wondering what steadicam arms people are going to use with the Letus Helix?

I currently do not own a steadicam arm and have seen them priced between $500-$10,000 or more.

A good arm is not just holding the sled up in the air, it is the first part of the steadicam every operator chooses with care. Its the part of the steadicam I would invest the most money at first, if I would have to build up a decent rig step by step. The arm isolates your body from the sled (Movi, Helix..) and must be able to eliminate your footsteps. Not sure I explained it well, but test it first and choose it well. It is very frustrating to buy and then see how bumpy it is and you can see on the footage every step you make.
I´m working with a Raptor arm (actionproducts). I´m very happy with it, great professional quality at a reasonable price.

 

[Peter Lan]

FYI, the zolinger stabilizers are more less a rebranded Laing p-04 set with gold trim. Yet they are asking for twice if not three times the price. I saw it in person once and compared it to my buddy's Laing and it is pretty much the exact same thing.

The laing is a really good bang for your buck if you guys are looking for something to use. Though the vest is not as comfortable for long durations of operating.

 

[Scott Pultz]

Very difficult to answer, because it varies from company to company. A logical answer-and most companies do so- would be: weight of camera and sled. Better to ask them before your purchase.

I sent the people at came-tv an email. I'll let you know if they respond.

 

[Scott Pultz]

Some of the arms have two springs while other advertise four springs. Is one inherently better than the other? Still no response from came-tv

 

[Nick Fury]

Some of the arms have two springs while other advertise four springs. Is one inherently better than the other? Still no response from came-tv

Very dependent on payload. Action Products-Raptor, for example offers user changeable (easy) lighter and heavier duty springs. Of course, YMMV. Within that apring choice, adjustments are permissable, allowing quite reasonable gradations of control. without the the gizzmo flying to the sky or vice versa.

Thank you very much

Fury

 

[Marc Berger]

Very dependent on payload. Action Products-Raptor, for example offers user changeable (easy) lighter and heavier duty springs. Of course, YMMV. Within that apring choice, adjustments are permissable, allowing quite reasonable gradations of control. without the the gizzmo flying to the sky or vice versa.

Thank you very much

Fury

+1
Action Products-Raptor is a great smooth top-notch arm. I strongly recommend it, you will not be disappointed. In connection with the back mounted Action Products vest, it gives me the all over feeling of a 5kg setup with a 13kg camera/sled combination. Action Products Rigs are not just copies, they are developed from scratch, engineered from someone who works with it every day on set. Like all the big brands in this business: GPI PRO, STEADICAM, MKV...This made a huge difference and will continue when you mount a gimbal instead of a sled IMHO.

 

[Marc Berger]

Some of the arms have two springs while other advertise four springs. Is one inherently better than the other? Still no response from came-tv

The amount of springs does not make the difference. They are fantastic arms with only two springs (GX-70, GX-50, GPI PRO Atlas...and others with four or more, like Action Products)

 

[Scott Pultz]

I have not doubt that the Raptor setup is amazing. However at around $15k for the arm and vest, it is way beyond my budget.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

A few folks in another thread wanted to see the Helix on an arm/vest. Sorry for the poor focus but this one does at least show the set-up more clearly.