steadicam/glidecam reco’s

[Don Greening]

I’ve used the Glidecam 4000 with acceptable results with an EX3. It might be small enough to use with the 5D and EX1. It’s just a matter of proper counterweighting and setting the arm spring tension to match each device.

I don’t own a stabilizer system but want to try others out before I make a purchase. Or maybe you weren’t asking about a full on Glidecam/SteadiCam rig at all, but just a hand held stabilizer system. Can’t help you there.

– Don

[Clint Fleckenstein]

We have a Steadicam Merlin vest rig. The EX1 is just barely light enough to work with this system; throwing on a wide angle adapter or other accessory is a no-go. With just the camera, though, we’ve had fantastic results.

A stabilizer suitable for a 7 pound camcorder might not work that great for a DSLR, but if you have a battery grip and some L-series glass on that 5D I would bet you’re getting in a comparable range. One of our part-timers got the T1i when it first came out and ran around with the Merlin for a bit, but he found his camera was too light for the stabilizer to work properly.

Cf

[C. Kauffman]

Thanks guys. What’s the learning curve like with the Merlin and the Glidecam 4000? Looking for something that I can get comfortable with in about a day of testing and playing around

Sony EX1
Canon 5d mark 2
FCP 6.06

[Brian Moore]

One day? You better be a fast learner…

[Don Greening]

[Brian Moore] “One day? You better be a fast learner…”

You read my mind.

– Don

[C. Kauffman]

Probably over ambitious. Looking to rent for an upcoming shoot and buy if I like it, thus the compressed timeframe.
The problem is really focus, if I can’t go tight and get nice moves and good focus (especially with the no DOF 5D) then I might as well just upgrade my handlheld rig. Feel like it’s also a bad precedent to set with clients, doing complex camera work without a proper AC pulling focus.
Any handheld rigs you guys like? I have a Zacuto for my 5D that isn’t beefy enough for the EX1

Sony EX1
Canon 5d mark 2
FCP 6.06

[Clint Fleckenstein]

Not only are these things a soft science, they use all those little muscles you never ever use for anything. That means two days after the shoot you’ll feel it 🙂

Cf

[Thomas Vecsei]

I use the Glidecam 4000 Pro and the X-10 for both EX1 and 5D mk II. On the base plate I added one included plate to increase weigth and on top a Manffrotto-quick release.

With the EX1 I have to use 10 counterweight disks, with the 5D 4 of them. With this configuration I don’t have to remove / add 2 X-10 springs when switching between EX1 and 5D. In theory it would be better to use only 2 fully tensioned springs vs. 4 springs with low tension, but I don’t have simply the time for this.

With respect to image stability and operation for me there is no noticeable difference.

best regards
Thomas

Thomas Vecsei
info@eventfilm.at
https://eventfilm.at
http://www.facebook.com/eventfilm

[Brent Dunn]

I use the glidecam with the X-10 also for the EX1, but when I’m on the 5D or 7D I don’t need to use the vest. I can hand hold the 5D / 7D for a long time with no problems. The EX-1, wear’s me out even with the vest…(I’m not getting any younger).

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Video.com

Sony EX-1, V1U
Cannon 5D Mark II
Cannon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut Studio

HP i7 Quad laptop
w/ Adobe CS-4 Production Suite, After Effects
& CS-5 Production Suite. Window’s 7

Manfrotto Tripod’s & Heads

[Don Greening]

[Brent Dunn] “The EX-1, wear’s me out even with the vest…(I’m not getting any younger). “

I plan on living forever. So far so good.

– Don