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STEADICAM SOLUTION FOR GH2
  • 158 Replies sorted by
  • bwhitzbwhitz
    @pingpongcomputer "I just bought the glidecam hd1000"

    +1

    Me too! They're seriously the best. Glidecam is all I use. I had a Merlin, but it was garbage. It never balanced right, felt awkward, and the plate would always slide around... ruining the balance. Never again.

    Also, if you're thinking about the vest and arm... you don't need it. The only purpose the vest/arm ever had was for the weight of cameras like Red or film. With small cams like DSLRs you can easily hold it without support.
  • pingpongcomputerpingpongcomputer
    I just bought the glidecam hd1000, I'll post a review with the GH2 once I get balanced and practiced.
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    @mennofokma

    If you want to use Indian stuff, look for Ultralite model.
  • mennofokmamennofokma
    Can somebody tell me if a normal Flycam Nano suits the GH2 or that you'll need a more expensive DSLR Flycam Nano. Can't really find an answer. I see people using the normal version with the GH2. It depends on the weight of the camera the description tells. The GH2 seems to be 900g and will be used by me with different, not that heavy, lenses. I'm thinking about buying a normal but maybe need a DSLR. Would be nice to hear your experiences.
  • DancingCameraDancingCamera
    Just a note that I recommend the steadicam merlin.

    I've run the GH2 with both 20mm pancake and the 14-140mm, and have even run it with HPX170's for a few years and been very satisfied. Worksmanship is solid, generally precise machining, and a very smooth gymbal.

    The one drawback is that the piece interfacing with the gymbal seems a touch weak. Nonetheless, very pleased with it as a small, lightweight steadicam (one can pedestal/boom much more than a vested rig). Takes more sensitivity than a vest rig to operate, in my opinion, but a great kit tool. Looking forward to doing more with the GH2 as those 170's get awfully heavy after an hour+ performance.

    An example of the merlin is on pg 18 of the low GOP thread if you care to see it in action.
  • Mark_the_HarpMark_the_Harp
    @belfryman +1 on the Blackbird. Great service.

    @bezerk55 I think their Gyro thing has been under development for many years - not sure that's a serious product. However if you have plenty of money going spare you can buy individual gyros (eBay sometimes has them) - they're quite expensive and you need more than one to get good stabilization. Main maker is Kenyon at http://www.ken-lab.com and you can explore some great links to videos from there.
  • bezerk55bezerk55
    wondering if anyone has heard of this one http://www.camotionllc.com/gs2-a-81.html , being developed by the same company that does the blackbird, they are developing one with gyroscopic stabilisation. does anyone know if there is any other similar product on the market already?
  • belfrymanbelfryman
    I had one of the indian ones and the hague, both took an age to balance, sold both, got the Blackbird - very quick, well thought through and excellent customer relations, definitely worth a bit more money to have something that does what you hope it will.
  • APXmusicAPXmusic
    Yes Vitaliy. Sorry. It was very late and i had too much vodka. heh.
  • jfrojfro
    I have been playing with a merlin and steadicam pilot. Taking me a long time to get them working. I can use the pilot, but the merlin is still hit and miss. I'm guessing it's because it's much harder to get proper balance. I"m probably going to sell the merlin and look at something else for a hand held. I had an old glidecam before they had the better macro adjustment and will probably tgry them again for hand held.

    With the pilot, I added a 3 lb platter under my quick realease to add weight for the gh2. Works nice now.
  • fehafeha
    @Donnie88
    I had flycam nano and got tired spending every time a 30 minutes (8 bolts) on balancing (sold ...)
    than bought W Ares, it takes max 5 minutes to balance ...
  • Donnie88Donnie88
    @Vitaly - Ah right, will look into your recommendation, cheers.

    @feha - Damn, that's out of the question for me. The flycam Nano seems to be really good for it's price.
  • fehafeha
    @Donnie88
    Wondlan Ares2 costs about $310 USD ...
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    @APXmusic
    You mean Glidecam :-)
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    >Pretty good price, do you have any results using that steadicam in conjunction with GH2?

    Nope, all I see is good construction and good adjustable base plate.
    My steadicams have not good base plates, so I use slider usually, and they use offset design that strain your hand quite fast, so this is why I offered this link.
  • APXmusicAPXmusic
    I bought a Glidecam HD1000 for my GH2 and it works great. The GH2 is almost too light for it. (Even with the 7-14mm lens!)
  • Donnie88Donnie88
    @Vitaly - Pretty good price, do you have any results using that steadicam in conjunction with GH2?

    @feha - How much was Wondlan Ares 2? Anymore than $200, then it's out of the budget for me
  • fehafeha
    I use wondlan ares:

    works great
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    @Donnie88
    I am for this http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/386/interesting-stuff-stabilizer
    Or Glidecam HD if you need offset construction.
  • Donnie88Donnie88
    The flycam for the GH2 seems like it produces some great results.

    Just got my GH2 and have been practicing handheld shots, seems very hard to avoid jittery/shaky footage.

    What's the cheapest stabiliser you guys would recommend for the GH2?

    p.s. It seems in built stabiliser doesn't work - maybe because I'm using Nikon lenses with a mount.
  • Chris_MannChris_Mann
    I'm using a Steadicam Merlin with my GH1 - it works well, but as has been said you have to pay attention to the tutorial video to set it up correctly, and also practice a lot!

    There are some starter settings posted at http://www.merlincookbook.com/user.php for the GH1 / GH2.

    The rig is very light of course but this means you don't get so tired holding it. The Merlin is more expensive than competing products but you get what you pay for - this one was designed by Garrett Brown who created and developed the original arm-and-vest-Steadicam, and his experience shows in the product.

    The Steadicam Operator's Handbook (published by Amherst Media) is worth reading too - it mostly talks about the big Steadicam rigs, but it helps you understand all the principle involved, and many of the techniques apply to the Merlin as well.

    On the subject of software stabilizers - no, they are no substitute for getting steady footage in-camera, but they can help with removing small wobbles.

    The best one I have found is Lock'N'Load from http://www.coremelt.com/ - works with Final Cut Pro, Motion, or After Effects.
  • brianlucebrianluce
    How about the stabilizer you had once mentioned that's made by the teacher in Ankara? Is he still making stabilizers? I
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    >And the Lensse MidX? Does it also suck

    It uses same friction based concept :-)
  • brianlucebrianluce
    And the Lensse MidX? Does it also suck?
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    >I don't want to get into a situation where I'm eating up time trying to balance it. That's seems to be an big issue.

    This is why I suggested stabilizers with good top platform.
    Indian models are badly lacking in this aspect.
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