Tag Archives: Steadicam

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craigslist-boot-camp

An image of a Z96 LED light on a Glidecam HD4000 + Steadicam Vest + Rode VideoMic + Canon 5D Mark II + Battery Grip + Zoom H4n shows up in the wild. Well it wasn't really that wild. Somehow an image of just a small part of my rig showed up on the BayCitizen.org website, as I was part of the video team covering the Craigslist Foundation Boot Camp event over at UC Berkely. I was the only one roaming with any type of Steadicam, let alone a Steadicam Vest and sure did get lots of attention and questions about the rig. It's smooth to fly, gets good audio from the Rode VideoMic shotgun + Zoom h4n (on the lower sled - not seen), and when cruising indoors I have the ability to switch on some extra LED lighting. It's a versatile setup that works for me, and I use this same setup consistently for many types of event coverage. It's change a little bit, but you can see more of the Steadicam + Glidecam rig I've assembled in this article.

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steadicam-gizmosteadicam-gizmo-diy

One of the most passionate DIY'ers tackling the Steadicam Merlin design and Gimbal handle with full rotation that I know about is WSCLATER. If you check out his website over at https://www.diycamera.com/stabiliser, you'll find years of logs refining a single Steadicam project. Yeah I think I would have given up by then. There's seems to be a very similar version showing up on eBay called the 'Steadicam Gizmo'. Personally there's some things I would clean up to finish up the little detail work, but looks really close to what WSCLATER has been working on. Four items sold just today for this Steadicam Gizmo, and parts can be purchased seperately. If you're not the DIY type, you might to check out the handle which uses the same design as wsclater, which might be a good improvement for that IndieHardware stabilizer as an upgrade. Check out the Steadicam Gizmo DIY stabilizer found on eBay auctions.

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(Note Video Error: I kept saying the arm mounts dead center in the 'Chest' What I meant was in the Stomach area.)

In this video i'm referencing the Varizoom DV Sportster Vest for some Steadicams, Flycams, and Glidecams. It's a cheap vest, and have heard slightly negative feedbacks about this particular item. Part of the fun in finding useful affordable tools is to get hands on and see what the true limitations are. Since there wasn't much information on the web about this product, I thought I would at least be a reference point for others who might be searching for information on this. I know, I know, I gave it a shot, but it's ok to leave comments saying 'Emm - I Told You So. What were you thinking? Why didn't you listen to us all...."

The problem isn't the build quality. It's very light weight and sturdy. The arm feels plenty strong to carry the Glidecam HD1000 DSLR Stabilizer that I did a video about. The problems I had with the vest was the ergonomics. Everything just felt like it was in the wrong place. Just after a few minutes of wearing it, I felt like grabbing some steel and fixing the design with my own. Just by relocating the arm to the side instead of dead center would have already been a huge improvement. A simple steel plate is all that it would take to get that situated. The back support is just straps, so it doesn't provide good relief from the weight. Everything just loads up on the back of your neck. So, it's lightweight, strong, fairly priced, but needs redesign in the Ergo department. Hey Varizoom..if you ever want guys like me to test and suggest for product design...Holla!

By the way - You can catch a bit of the studio i've been working on. Thanks to some local Photographer friends, they all pitched in to (literally) scrub the floors, lay down epoxy, tile the bathroom, change out the toilet, and move in some gear, but it's still a long way to go. Just brought in some couches and chairs, and there's still a whole lot of equipment not yet there. I can only pass by for an hour before I head home, and all my weekends have been booked with camera work. Someday this thing will have it's use....

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Tiffen iPhone Stabilizer
iphone-steadicam-stabilizer

Yeah you know Tiffen and Steadicam. The guys who make the Steadicam Vest and Merlin stabilizer I love so much. They got something going that includes a swap meet and special stuff you can't buy from Retailers. I'm hoping one of those items will be the Tiffen iPhone Steadicam Stabilizer called 'Smoothee'. I'm thinking that would be a hot product when the iPhone 4Gs comes out with HD video support.

Later on in the day it sounds like an educational experience. This is definitely something everyone should attend. Knowledge is power and an even like this hosted by the professionals doesn't come around too often. The event sounds like fun, and i'm sure there's going to be tons of DSLR gurus floating around. I just might take a trip down.

This information was copied from https://tiffen.com/swap_meet_2010.html Please refer the to Tiffen website for any possible changes that may occur after this posting.

Tiffen Pre-Cine Gear Extravaganza
The Tiffen Company and its Steadicam Division, invite you to its Pre-Cine Gear Extravaganza that will be held at the Tiffen-Steadicam Showroom and Manufacturing Facility, 6933 San Fernando Road, Glendale, CA on June 3rd, 2010.
Please RSVP by June 1st, for one or all of the following events by contacting Michael ([email protected]) 1-800-593-3331 x7917 or Kathleen ([email protected]) 1-800-645-2522 x3241.

Event #1: Steadicam Factory Sale & Swap Meet (3:30– 6:30PM)

* Purchase Steadicam products as well as Tiffen items that are not normally sold through retailers.
* New, used, demo equipment, overstocks, discontinued items, samples, one-of-a-kind items.
* Great opportunity for students and professionals.
* Ideal for trade-ups, accessories, parts.
* Limited supply of “damaged in handling” Steadicam Operator’s Handbooks at ½ off cover price.
* Open Customer to Customer Swap Meet - This is a customer to customer exchange.
* Trade or swap your unwanted items for cash or product with other customers.
* Please note Tiffen claims no responsibility for customers' items bought or sold.
* Limited supply of Steadicam logo Caps, T-Shirts, Tool Kits, Sand Bags and more -No phone or mail orders will be accepted for these items.
* Items for sale are not available through Tiffen dealer business partners.
* If you’ve been putting off your purchase, this is your opportunity to “fly” your preferred Steadicam rig. Have an older Steadicam parts requirement? Send a detailed request list to Michael Craigs, [email protected] for first selection.
* Space available on first-come, first-serve basis.

Event #2: Tiffen Filter Experience (6:30pm-7:30pm)

* Presented by world renowned filter authority, Mr. Carey Duffy
* Educational seminar on what shooters want and need to know about filtration
* Light control solutions for the Canon 5/7D market
* Actual footage and stills
* Round and Square filters and the Matte Box
* Problem solution filters/The NEW Red Sensor
* "The Baked in Look" - Diffusion, Contrast & Color - WHY?
* Workflow of shooters in the field
* Dfx for Pre-visualization and Post Production
* Questions and Answers

Event # 3: Pre-Cine Gear Open House (7:30PM – 9:30PM)

* Featuring Tiffen products introduced at NAB 2010.
* Other products on display include our new Lowel equipment.
* Special guests include Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown and co-developer, Jerry Holway.
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Fun, Food and Light Refreshments will be served.

Be sure to visit Tiffen Booth 119 at the Cine Gear Expo on June 4th and 5th, 2010.

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Looks like many others are picking up on the idea of using the Steadicam Merlin/Pilot vest + Glidecam. I've received comments of other people already using the setup, but here's another DIY adapter video that was submitted to me today. This hybrid setup not only gives you professional results, it also saves you money using this combination. Just FYI, there's already a CAD design for a future adapter that is being made for this. The adapter will be available soon, sold exclusively from a company (keep comng back for that information. I'll post it soon).

Exploded View of new Adapter
steadicam merlin pilot vest glidecam hybrid adapter

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Me running with my Hybrid Steadicam Vest + Glidecam HD 4000

So even though i'm a DIY guy and make some really (bad) and Cheesy stuff, i'm still a buyer of expensive video and photography equipment. I had this tour set to private, but recently just made it public. You can see what i'm rockin' in one of the Videos, just so you know, i'm not all broomsticks and duct tape....

This was a test with the GoPro HD mounted onto my rig. The extreme fisheye shot simultaneously helped me get a better view of the smaller rooms. So basically I was flying two cameras at one time with two different perceptions. For the audio we used a wireless Sennheisser Lav + Body Pack transmitting into a Zoom H4n.

Here's a quick result of that tour

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Don't count out the Steadicam Jr.! This design might be old, but it's the same basic principle as the latest Merlin going for $800 dollars. I picked up the Steadicam JR as my first Stabilizer for around $118 dollars for my Canon 5D Mark II. Remember these things were designed to fly VHS Cameras (heavy). In fact, the Gimbal that is used on the Steadicam Merlin IS THE EXACT same Gimbal design on the old Steadicam Jr. You can find Steadicam Jr's at auction for dirt cheap if you look hard enough. Check out these Steadicam Jr's on eBay. Click Here.
steadicam jr merlin design

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These videos are related to a Hybrid Steadicam (Merlin) Vest + Glidecam HD 4000 video camera stabilizer. I had to create a DIY adapter to 'mate' the two different systems together, but very happy so far with the results.

First video is what it sorta looks like (to date).

Second Video shows the DIY adapter up close (and very personal).

Third Video shows some sample use of the rig (at home).

Video #2 was shot with my 7D + Tamron 18-270 (fun cheap lens).

Thanks for the questions and comments BTW, I'm glad people find some of the random stuff I do useful.

Question: Why not just get the Glidecam Vest?
Answer: I have already owned the Steadicam Vest + Merlin, and the vest works awesome. Very light, slim, easy to put on, and allows me to get through narrow doors. It's a 'beast' and other than getting the two to mate, there is absolutely no reason the vest COULD NOT fly this Glidecam.

AND!!!! The Steadicam dual arm Vest is way cheaper than the price of the Glidecam dual arm vest. This Hybrid configuration will save you big bucks and works awesome.

Steadicam + Merlin = 2300?
Glidecam X-10 Vest + 4000 Pro = 2300?

I'm using the Steadicam Merlin Vest + Glidecam HD4000.
Canon 5D Mark II, Battery Grip, Samson Zoom H4n Portable Recorder, and Rode VideoMic. I'm planning on mounting a shoulder rig with quick release for everything on top, and possible LCD monitor at the bottom. It feels like this vest config can hold alot more than it does today. ""UPDATE. I got an awesome monitor, check it out"""

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Here's some 'Flying' shots taken with a Tiffen Steadicam Merlin camera stabilizer. The difference with a Merlin type stabilizer is that the camera stays level the entire time. This is not a stabilizer in which you can change up/down angles with. The movement of flying straight and fluid is awesome though.

A Steadicam Merlin can be found here: