We need a Hague vs. U-Flycam smackdown, delivered price is about the same (unless you're in the U.K. or India). The U-Flycam seems like it would support a heavier setup since it supposed to support bigger cameras. Seems that a HV20/HV30, wide angle adapter with hood, larger battery, and mic are well outside of the Hague's 1.75 pound limit. Anyone use both?
Note: I have been wrong before! - Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.I have no loyalties to anything I have to pay for!
I went to the cheap side and bought a Manfrotto Modosteady (160$ on eBay). It's a 3-in-1 : shoulder support, stabilizer and table tripod. Very nice design. Works for my HV20 with its Raynox WA.
u flycam, got it off ebay from india. $110. i'll post a pic and vid of it. hopefully i remember that i even visited this thread.
Thanks alot for the responses people!
I did a search on "flycam" on ebay, found this one from india:
http://cgi.ebay.nl/Flycam-Steadycam-...ayphotohosting
Don't know if it's the same one you said solomon but this one looks nice, also includes a body pod which takes the weight off your arms. Which would be ideal for long shooting sequences. I wonder if, when attached to a bodypod, you can get perfectly still shots like it's standing on a tripod...
i want to buy a steadicam merlin so bad. im thinking about saving up for one soon. anyone know any sites with online % off coupons to get it cheaper?
anyone know how the hague works with a canon wd-h43 wide angle lens and large battery? does the added weight affect the performance as I heard the hague is rated for lower weight.
No, that's a Flycam 3000, a copy of a Glidecam 2000, which is a copy of a Steadicam:Originally Posted by Breeze
Possibly pretty good as it does have a gimbal. Not a lot of regular user reviews and footage on them which is odd as they seem to sell a lot on ebay. Just saw a video on Vimeo where I think (it's not in English) there was question on the construction quality of the Flycam 5000.
Hassle with the name "flycam" is that it's also what those cameras that run on wires above stadiums, etc. are called (aka SkyCams, too). So a search can be a bit more difficult unless you add the model numbers 3000 or 5000 to it. Here's a YouTube search link for you. By the way, Garrett Brown, inventor of the Steadicam, had something to do with the SkyCams, too. Dude is amazing.
Getting them (Flycam, Glidecam, and similar) to perfectly balance is a chore initially. Have a look at this thread: http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=4880
Also, search here and the net for Glidecam and Flycam 3000 for more help before and after you get one. Indicam, who also makes copies of Steadicams (some of the nicer ones from what I can see), just put out a Stabilizer Basics DVD that's available from their site and ebay. There a review of the video here and customer comments here. Might be worth a look.
As for the body pod, it should help quite a bit in taking the weight off your wrist (read that a bowling or other wrist brace helps there, too) while you're stationary. So you may be able to get tripod-like steadiness while standing perfectly still, just keep in mind that a tripod doesn't fidget, breathe...
There's also a package that includes a wrist brace which should increase the time you can hand hold the unit:
The company goes by several names, DV-Shop23 is the ebay name and TheCineCity is one of their web names I think DVCity is theirs as well.
Something I've just noticed on ebay is some of their listings are "Make Offer" listings. Might be a way to get a better deal.
This is a U-Flycam, which I'm sure is a ball and socket unit, similar to the Hague and some others:
Good luck! If you get one, review it and show some footage.
Note: I have been wrong before! - Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
Haven't seen any good videos of it as a stabilizer. Going to post one?
Versatile little unit though. Fits in a pocket.
Note: I have been wrong before! - Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
Will do as soon as I have some time. Hopefully tomorrow
Glidecam put their videos online: http://www.glidecam.com/videos.php
Note: I have been wrong before! - Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
I use a Merlin with an HVX200 (5lbs) and I would reccomend it, but note that it takes practice...especially when working with a heavier camera.
I have this India Flycam from CineCity. I have modified head plate because we find is totally uselles. You cant switch from tripod to steady without disasemble headplate, and if you add manfrotto (or CineCity plate) long sliding plate your rig is way to heavy. So I have unscrewed original plate and put two manfrotto long sliding plates in crossed position. Now we can ballance the thing alot easyer (front-back and left-right) and it is compatible with tripods where we use 3rd long sliding plate. To balance it again you have put mark on a sliding plate head.
Those adons we found also useless. Arm brace make you sweet and dont give you enough support, full weight of your rig is always on your upper arm and this gives you even more weight. Body pod is too complicated to wear and if you want to switch to tripod you have nasty looking pipe that is coming from your belly. It is also hard to wear it for very toll people and in your footage you can see how you walking.
I have add softrubber tubes to a places where you handle it(those are from bycicle handles) so it is more confortable and better looking.
We have use it with bare HV20, with HV20+brevis+modified flip rods+Nikon 28f2.8, with bare Sony Z1&V1, and Canon A1. Footage is looking good with alot of practice and without any sudden moves and with alot of muscle.
Beware: If you dont fasten enough screw that hold rod with weights it can fall down and gravity will do nasty stuff to your camera if you not holding the stick with full power.
For 250-400$ its probably best you can get.
PS
I am going wright now to a shoot where we gona use it with A1 or V1...
Have any footage we can look at? b.soysal pointed out this "solution" in another thread, it's on a Glidecam 4000:
Heavy and expensive ($210).
Any pictures?So I have unscrewed original plate and put two manfrotto long sliding plates in crossed position. Now we can ballance the thing alot easyer (front-back and left-right) and it is compatible with tripods where we use 3rd long sliding plate. To balance it again you have put mark on a sliding plate head.
OUCH! Thanks for the warning.Beware: If you dont fasten enough screw that hold rod with weights it can fall down and gravity will do nasty stuff to your camera if you not holding the stick with full power.
Note: I have been wrong before! - Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
Great, thanks for the info everyone!
Just looked up some info about the Steadicam JR, seems to be working good aswell for quite a low price. The little lcd monitor caught my attention, would it be possible to flip the monitor up side down so you can get rid of the upsidedown image you get when using a 35mm adapter?
Oh and for the mod who made this one a sticky, thanks!
One thing though, why is it moved to the DIY section? This topic is for the steadicams you can buy only, which, in my eyes, would make this an accessory..
The Steadicam JR was #1 on my list above, you could even get a Steadicam JR Lite (no monitor). I don't think you can flip the LCD without taking the entire thing apart, getting inside the monitor casing and then flipping it and putting it back together. It's not that swift of a monitor anyway. It's fine for seeing the framing and what's around the corner when the camera's LCD will be out of view. Other than that it's low rez, usually B&W but I have seen some color ones for sale.
To see a nice sample Steadicam JR (Lite) video by a member of this forum even, go here: http://hv20.info/yopu/Steadicam_JR_Lite.wmv Patience, it's a large file.
Note: I have been wrong before! - Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
Alright man, I'll check that out.
Thanks alot!
Just watched it after 45 min of downloading.
Looks really good! I've read you can also mount it on your shoulder.
I couldn't find any dealers selling the JR lite in my country (Netherlands) and there weren't many results when searching on ebay either.
Should I decide to get the JRlite I'd probably buy it 2nd handed.
For me the battle is between the JRlite, the flycam 3000 and the Glidecam 2000.
The merlin is too expensive and these are the three that got my attention. Leaning the most towards the JRlite. Now to find a cheap place to get it
Hey Breeze - My stabilizer budget (wife) wouldn't stretch to the Steadicam Merlin.
So my 1st port of call was the Ebay clone version of the hague, checkout the video: http://www.vimeo.com/998963 It seem to work better with my smaller lite weight camera than my HV30.
Loving all the gadgets, I started to add on the wided angle lens, hood and the extra battery power, the clone couldn't cope. I saw the link for the JR above and started checking out Ebay. Finally got the Steadicam JR at the weekend and took this test video: http://www.vimeo.com/1419870
The JR is a professional piece of kit that dates back to 90's. The gimbal will take some getting use to, I truly think I made a great investment...
Yes, this is heavy and too toll, and you dont need those kind of precision, sliding plates without this box under them and without another uncompatible quick release is just enough. I have measured that box under them is same weight as two long sliding plates. I will post picture of my setup tomorrow if you insist, but you can zoom in the picture that I posted earlyer and you will see same config of those sliding plates as on a picture you posted for Glidecam 4000 head plate.
Parts of this music video is shoot with it. Those are parts where camera is running behind girl (and down stairs...). They are short but usable for this kind of run and gun video. This is HV20+Brevis.
http://www.vimeo.com/1099807
Tomislav has shot another music video almost entire using this setup and I will ask him to post it on Vimeo.
I hope this help you.
I couldn't find the JR Lite either, I bought the JR with the monitoer and removed it.
You also can mount it to your tripod...
@scon, Hey, thanks for the response! The hague did cross my mind but after seeing several posts of people with an extra lens or 35mm adapter saying it couldn't stabilize it right with that much weight pretty much makes it a nono for me. The fact that you can mount the JR to a tripod is a big plus, couldn't stand the thought of constantly carrying the cam. Did you buy a used JR or a new one? And how easy is it to mount it to your tripod? Can you switch quickly between the JR and the tripod-JR?
@Igor Babic, That musicvideo looks really nice. Since I'm going to use the hv20 mostly for making musicvids, it's always interesting to see the possibilities with the hv20.
I'm eager to see the other music vid from Thomislav.
I'm not really handy with tools so a DIY steadycam wouldn't be wise for me to invest in.
I'm looking for a good pre-made steadicam that is both cheap, and worth its price (preferably alot more than it's price). The JR is close to being the winner at this moment.
Thanks alot for the response though!
If anyone else got something else to say out of experience, your opinion is welcome!
Last edited by Breeze; 2008 July 28th at 22:06.
Attached the Q/Release plate and its good to go... on the tripod or off...
Flycam music vid
You tube for now, vimeo soon...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2fnf...3252E&index=13
HV20+Brevis+Nikon28f2.8 and a lot of India Flycam footage.
enjoy...
The Steadicam JR has been discontinued for a while, the Merlin is what replaced it. You can still find some new JR's around, but they are selling for close to what a Merlin costs. Most JR's are used and on ebay with a few a week showing up. You can put a quick release on it to make switching back and fourth to a tripod quick.
Here's a easy to make one needing no tools: http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=14301. The results look pretty good, too: http://vimeo.com/1293691 You can stick it in your pocket.I'm not really handy with tools so a DIY steadycam wouldn't be wise for me to invest in.
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Note: I have been wrong before! - Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
I'd like to see that. Just purchased an older Glidecam that I'll probably want to adjust.
Nice video and good audio.Parts of this music video is shoot with it. Those are parts where camera is running behind girl (and down stairs...).
I'd like to see that one, too. Thanks.Tomislav has shot another music video almost entire using this setup and I will ask him to post it on Vimeo.
Note: I have been wrong before! - Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
Hey, that looks good. Well done.
Note: I have been wrong before! - Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
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