Steadicam for Scarlet

[Jarvis Alston]

Hello All,

Happy new year first of all!!

Just after some suggestions on a steadicam rig that would be suitable for the Scarlet. Would prefer not to spend thousands and I've found the Teffen Merlin but it just seems like it would be much too lightweight for the scarlet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Jarvis

 

[Sergio Perez]

I own a GLidecam 4000 and used it with Panasonic HVX200, Canon XF305 as well as DSLR's. It should hold a Scarlet no problem. Of course, what lenses you'll be using, mate boxes, monitors, etc will add weight. I think it should work fine for a basic setup: scarlet, mate box, wide lens (SLR lens) side handle or belt battery clip .

 

[AJ Aguirre]

I'll test my steadicam pilot with it this week and see how it performs

 

[Trevor Meeks]

SEARCH....
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?66559-Steadicam-opinions

 

[Alan Rencher]

A merlin would be way too light, and couldn't even handle the body alone. A Steadicam Pilot would be able to handle the body and a light lens like a CP.2, but nothing else. You would have to at least get a used flyer, which would be the most economical option. Otherwise, a Steadicam Scout or Zephyr would be best. I own a zephyr, and I love it.

Remember, it's not just the camera that you will need to account for, but follow focus and other AKS, too. Put together a modest Scarlet set-up, and weigh it. Take that and look for a system that suits it best. Steadicam is the best, but Glidecam, action-cam, and sachtler work too if you don't have the money. Try to avoid knock-off brands. They are a waste of money.

But like I've said to many other people: If you have to ask these questions, you are not ready to buy a Steadicam. Take a class and rent for awhile. If you think it's something you want to do after that, you will have the knowledge needed to make this decision.

I hope this helps. - Alan

 

[Stefan Antonescu]

Jarvis, you can also shoot handheld and use After Effects Warp Stabilizer in post...
http://vimeo.com/23426777

 

[Mark Allen]

Jarvis, you can also shoot handheld and use After Effects Warp Stabilizer in post...
http://vimeo.com/23426777

We tested this some and found exactly what this video shows as well. It both works and doesn't work. There is some luck involved. Notice the end rotation where there seems to be some unusual shifts - like the world is bending a little bit (very inception-ish) - that happens. And sometimes, that doesn't happen. I think it might be based on the motion - a straight forward motion stabilizes well, but a rotating around the center does not. I do not know for sure, still guessing. But it's not super reliable.

 

[Stefan Antonescu]

We tested this some and found exactly what this video shows as well. It both works and doesn't work. There is some luck involved. Notice the end rotation where there seems to be some unusual shifts - like the world is bending a little bit (very inception-ish) - that happens. And sometimes, that doesn't happen. I think it might be based on the motion - a straight forward motion stabilizes well, but a rotating around the center does not. I do not know for sure, still guessing. But it's not super reliable.

I guess it's like everything. Test and find out the weaknesses and then try to avoid them.
A steadicam isn't perfect neither and it takes a lot of time to learn using it at its best...

Good news is that you have options. Choose the one that you like most.

 

[Michael Su]

I have flown the Epic during a test shoot on the Glidecam X-10, the balancing and set up was very easy and straight forward. I still had plenty of room to work on the spring tension of the rig, so you would be able to use more accessories if you needed to make the rig wireless. That being said, you would be able to use this set up for the Scarlet as well.