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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Steadicam Group Buy - Select your model

Steadicam Group Buy - Select your model

  • Total voters
    102
Zakaree Sandberg said:
i know a well known steadicam op who operates on a well known network series, using an OLD OLD OLD steadicam flyer...

these new prolines probably kick that flyers ass
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I wonder how all these rigs compare to the 1979/80 rig used on The Shining. I mean those shots were passable (cough).
 
Brett Harrison said:
I wonder how all these rigs compare to the 1979/80 rig used on The Shining. I mean those shots were passable (cough).
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A great question Brett! The early Model II Steadicam arm used on the Shining (BTS video) had a very narrow operating weight range like the Model I and they were both tuned to be very iso-elastic (according to Jerry Holway in The Steadicam Operator's Handbook).

The arms being offered to the group buy have not been accompanied by any data yet about how iso-elastic the arms are, and under what range of operating loads. The question is, even though these cheaper modern arms are more adjustable than the Model II, do they actually have a wider sweetspot of iso-elasticity? ... (Noted, iso-elasticity "ain't everything" when it comes to good operating, but the question was asked to compare the modern arms to the Model II and iso-elasticity is the key criteria in that question.)
 
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you cant compare oldies to the new rigs but dont forget that at the time they were the top, and so their operators too who put alot of practising and effort as well as various other technics to pull any kinda shot that was required.
but those days are gone..
 
roryhinds said:
Where are we with the ProLine offer?
It would be great to hear from L'Aigle too.
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Well, I would interpret the voting results in a way that people want to buy the ProLine. An other well known European manufacturer is sending me their offer hopefully today. L'Aigle wrote me, that they are not that interested in getting this group buy, since it's a lot of work with a small profit margin. That's probably the reason that they are not active here, waiting for the results of the election. But if anyone is in Paris, it would be great if we could get a review.

Luciano from ProLine is preparing the offer. I'll post it as soon as I get it. I think that we can open the group buy this weekend. It will probably stay open for two weeks.
 
David Kellermann said:
Luciano from ProLine is preparing the offer. I'll post it as soon as I get it. I think that we can open the group buy this weekend. It will probably stay open for two weeks.
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David, thanks for all your hard work. Does this mean that the price will be fixed at the 40-80 range price and be available for two weeks? If the buy reached 80 during those two weeks, would the price change?
 
Hey Bret.
the reason you cant compare oldies with new rigs, is because everything from bearing technology, to electronics has changes so much that certain things made for Mk1-2 weremade like this as those were the available options..
Everything at the time was rather big and heavy. Even tha machine used to make those rigs were way different.
now days we have very slim bearing designs, very lightweight monitors, very advanced electronics and a better rig can be build with out question. But dont forget also that at the very begining Garret use to operate with a weird arm vest design and a sled with an optical viewfinder mounted on his eye as monitoring film cameras at the time such as arri 2c was a problem.
so its all technology and its rapidly changing.
That doesnt mean that because the technology is here, companies can make a briliant rig.
Because Garret and his team, gave birth to this device, and worked arund its physics and operating so much, that whatever they advanced after that was folloing a wise path of huge exerience and creativity.
Now these days any chinese cheap factory that feels its a good idea starts on designing a rig, thinking that they had explained everything and they will make the best.
but this is not the case at all, and thats why you have so many devices that all lack one way or another from todays true innovators.
thanks
 
constantine Tirintzis said:
Hey Bret.
the reason you cant compare oldies with new rigs, is because everything from bearing technology, to electronics has changes so much that certain things made for Mk1-2 weremade like this as those were the available options..
Everything at the time was rather big and heavy. Even tha machine used to make those rigs were way different.
now days we have very slim bearing designs, very lightweight monitors, very advanced electronics and a better rig can be build with out question. But dont forget also that at the very begining Garret use to operate with a weird arm vest design and a sled with an optical viewfinder mounted on his eye as monitoring film cameras at the time such as arri 2c was a problem.
so its all technology and its rapidly changing.
That doesnt mean that because the technology is here, companies can make a briliant rig.
Because Garret and his team, gave birth to this device, and worked arund its physics and operating so much, that whatever they advanced after that was folloing a wise path of huge exerience and creativity.
Now these days any chinese cheap factory that feels its a good idea starts on designing a rig, thinking that they had explained everything and they will make the best.
but this is not the case at all, and thats why you have so many devices that all lack one way or another from todays true innovators.
thanks
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Thanks, great answer. I suspected as much. I have huge respect for Garret Brown as should everyone. I definitely understand the value of care and attention in the making of an instrument. There's still no such thing as a sweet-sounding cheap guitar, but there is such a thing as a great sound from a great guitarist using a cheap guitar, because as you point out it's always about the way the user interacts with the instrument.
 
The group buy will probably start next week and will be open for a week or two. Just waiting for the last details from Luciano at ProLine about lowering the required orders for the highest discount bracket, since I suspect the ProLine is only an option for many if the highest discount bracket is reached.

Also Action Prodcuts sent me an offer for their new system, the ActionCam Raptor. Check it out on my blog.
 
Iam not sure what the Group buy potential buyers number is, but in between the proline and the Action products raptor, I would 100% go with the raptor with not a doupt.
so if the prices for the group buy are close be sure the Raptor is the best choice.
thanks
 
constantine Tirintzis said:
Iam not sure what the Group buy potential buyers number is, but in between the proline and the Action products raptor, I would 100% go with the raptor with not a doupt.
so if the prices for the group buy are close be sure the Raptor is the best choice.
thanks
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+1
100% for actionproducts!
Wow, what a joy they joined in.
David, could you please add them to the poll.
Thanks for asking them.
Cheers
Marc
 
Action products is thumbs up for many reasons stated below:
1) brian and Darrel are doing this for over 12 years, Brian has been an active operator with real creative ideas and very original technics(look at history achievments under AP)
2) AP didnt copy paste or reverse engineering, they make their own arm design which is 100% original and having tested one at the past its silk smooth and rigid.
3) Theyare a respectable company and that means that your rig will not loose its value much.
4) they use the finest materials and harware with the best available presision and no compromises.
5) you will get to get a very proffessional rig at a fraction of the cost, and later when you add all the needed stuff as wireless lens control etc you will be able to even be accepted in bigger budget productions having a brand that is of good value.
6) the system is upgradable to what ever you want to take it too.
7) There is simply no comparisson over the previous competitors , AP is way up front.
 
Brett Harrison said:
what is ActionCam's website?

Did find this video though: https://vimeo.com/22816204
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This is the only Link until now where you can see the prototype. As far I know it´s finalized and tested since then by Darryl and Brian in real life situations, tv and feature films.
I´m not sure yet wether I´m buying any stabilizer or not, because I prefer visiting a workshop first, but if I´d buy one, I´ll buy one I could be sure it´s me and not the gear who made the bad move. How otherwise I can improve my skills?
That´s why I warmly welcome action products with their newly developed Raptor here. AP is a company (like steadicam, MKV, Sachtler Artemis, GPI PRO) respected by production companies who hire Steadicam OPs.
And another little remark about their gear: I bought a couple of stuff from them back in 2008 and 09 for my Red One (Shoulder mount, swappack, dovetail...) and it still fits and works like a charm with my SacrletX. I´m quite sure one or the other cable small grip, swap pack and so on will even work with the raptor. What I specially liked about the AP Rebel Red group buy back in 09 was that the people who bought it could fit the rig with the Red monitor, red battery cradle. Well that´s some thought´s about modularity and upgradeabilty of their gear.
I hope action products (Daryll, Brian, Justin) will post some photos soon about the raptor..
Marc
BTW: I forgot to mention actionproducts are in Switzerland and USA , so maybe this is another good reason.
 
constantine Tirintzis said:
http://actionproducts.ch/
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It looks we have more interesting options!

It should be nice to hear some feedback from people that were in the first group buy for a Red users customized Action Product Steadicam some time ago, and since they operate since then with the Action Product, a feedback from them should be like gold.
 
Marc Berger said:
This is the only Link until now where you can see the prototype. As far I know it´s finalized and tested since then by Darryl and Brian in real life situations, tv and feature films.
I´m not sure yet wether I´m buying any stabilizer or not, because I prefer visiting a workshop first, but if I´d buy one, I´ll buy one I could be sure it´s me and not the gear who made the bad move. How otherwise I can improve my skills?
That´s why I warmly welcome action products with their newly developed Raptor here. AP is a company (like steadicam, MKV, Sachtler Artemis, GPI PRO) respected by production companies who hire Steadicam OPs.
And another little remark about their gear: I bought a couple of stuff from them back in 2008 and 09 for my Red One (Shoulder mount, swappack, dovetail...) and it still fits and works like a charm with my SacrletX. I´m quite sure one or the other cable small grip, swap pack and so on will even work with the raptor. What I specially liked about the AP Rebel Red group buy back in 09 was that the people who bought it could fit the rig with the Red monitor, red battery cradle. Well that´s some thought´s about modularity and upgradeabilty of their gear.
I hope action products (Daryll, Brian, Justin) will post some photos soon about the raptor..
Marc
BTW: I forgot to mention actionproducts are in Switzerland and USA , so maybe this is another good reason.
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That'd be cool if we could use Red monitors with the Raptor (though it's not quite a daylight monitor by steadicam standards I guess)
 
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