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Steadicam vs. Slider

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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287

So I'm trying to decide between a steadicam/glidecam and a slider for my next purchase.  i'm shooting with a dvx100a and will be filming pretty much anything so not limited to skiing.

obviously id love a steadicam for follows through the park, but will it be worth it for other work? and sliders are sweet, but i feel like you could really only use the effect occasionally in an edit/short.  other thing to consider is the cost- glidecam 4000 pro goes for $350 new while the indislidermini is only $99 new

Mar 9 2010 8:46PM
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ReedSkis~
Posts: 2122 - Karma: 98
I am going to get a slider for the following reasons:
1. It is a lot lighter than a steadicam thus making it more portable.
2. It is $250 cheaper
3. One can emulate a decent steadicam effect with just some software and a tripod (obviously not as desirable an effect, but with practice you can get pretty good at keeping the camera steady with what I call the flying tripod trick. This is pretty well known but essentially you extend the tripod legs as far down as they will go, so long that when you hold the tripod in the air the legs don't touch the ground. This puts more weight at the bottom, helping stabilize the camera (same concept as a steadicam)

Hope I helped!
Reed
Mar 9 2010 9:12PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,231
our you can make both yourself and save scrilla. I am planning on making a glidecam first then a slider, but my dolly can last me for now
Mar 9 2010 9:14PM
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eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,020
After using a glidecam, i have realize the amazing possibilities of it. A slider will let you move around a little bit but a glidecam lets you go anywhere in anyway you want.
Mar 9 2010 9:17PM
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Dr.NS
Posts: 640 - Karma: 19
making a good slider costs as much as getting one online from certain places.

check it:

http://www.thecinecity.com/tcc/product.php?productid=163&cat=250&bestseller=Y
Mar 9 2010 9:22PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,231
yea true that, but for the glidecam you can make a decent one (not that azn guy one) for barely nothing, I have a bunch of parts lying around I will probably use.
Mar 9 2010 9:26PM
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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287

u have the 4000 right? i know u have an hvx but do you know if the 2000 is enough for a dvx with wide angle?

also, im definitely not going the DIY route for either, i'd rather have professionally built stuff with good quality, especially if i ever get into paid work and stuff.  the indislidermini seems like such a good deal at only a little over $100 shipped, and it's portable enough to fit in one tripod holder on my backpack.  i really like the idea of a steadicam though just because of its versatility and awesome footage when properly used.

side note: anyone tried/heard of the steddiepod? saw reviews going both ways for it, and it's sort of an all-in-one thing, but it just doesnt seem that great.

im thinking for now, drop the money on a steadicam and learn to use it, hopefully pick up some cash towards the start of summer and then if i still want i could pick up a slider.

Mar 9 2010 9:39PM
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Trent_Palmer
Posts: 226 - Karma: 936
I have made a steadicam and then bought a real glidecam, I'll tell you right now dont waste your time making one, its not going to be the same.

As for slider vs steadicam, I have both and lets just say the slider never leaves my side. Keep it in my bag with my sticks and I never shoot without them, the slider is great because you will always get a clean subtle motion. In my opinion the steadicam stuff is great but it can get a little overwhelming to the viewer. At the end of the day there is a time and place for everything but I am going to say that the slider is a absolute essential.

My $.02
Mar 9 2010 10:24PM
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Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
has anyone here bought one from this site?
Mar 10 2010 1:05AM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,231
its legit, a lot of people buy from it over on DVXuser
Mar 10 2010 1:09AM
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Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
alright thanks. I've been thinking about trying to make one for a while, but I think buying one from here would be a better option.
Mar 10 2010 2:06AM
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ReedSkis~
Posts: 2122 - Karma: 98
^Here is an even cheaper option: http://www.indifocus.com/products_indislidermini.htm
Mar 10 2010 6:43AM
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CS_Films
Posts: 468 - Karma: 466
It all depends on what type of filming you plan to do. The glidecam is awesome for those fast pase days when you are running thru the park with allot guys. The slider is awesome for taking your time and setting up a shot. It all depends on what you want or what you will be filming more.
Mar 10 2010 7:22AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945

It is.  I have a DVX and I use the 2000, and it works just fine - I don't even need to overweight the bottom.  I used it a bunch in my last edit, check it out.  I've been very excited overall with this purchase and the 2000 is more than worth the 265 I paid for it on BH.

The slider seems fun though, but I could see it becoming a bit of a hassle when you're on the hill, scrambling to set up.  I feel like it would fall to the wayside and you would end up just using the tripod as is.

(For the record, the GC2000 breaks down small enough to fit into any bag if you want to swap out with tripod, or nothing, etc.)

I say glidecam, and slider later.  Besides, at least in the east its prime park season...follows galore.

Mar 10 2010 9:13AM
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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287

^that's good to hear because with the money i'd save buying the 2000 i could probably pick up the indislidermini as well. 

this is the last season i'll be filming skiing (and it was unfortunately the first) since i'm staying home for school next year, so that's why i was a little hesitant with the glidecam because i wasn't sure how much i would use it besides follows through the park.  but both the glidecam and slider seem cheap enough to make it worth it.

Mar 10 2010 10:23AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
I used my glidecam for longboarding last week, and it worked awesome.  There are definitely off-hill applications for it, you may just need to get a little creative.  Any situation where you'll be moving, holding a camera, in a fashion that does not allow for tripod or dolly?  Glidecam!
Mar 10 2010 7:27PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I am personally not a fan of the slider at all, for multiple reasons:
1. You can't track very well with them
2. They don't span very much distance at all, and only really work if you have something very close in the foreground.
3. You could get a better effect for cheaper by making a dolly using PVC pipes.

Steadicams are underrated in my opinion. The way they smooth camera movements is almost a necessity for any shot involving walking/skiing/kinetic mobility. Building your own is useless unless you take the time to integrate a gyro into the grip (which is very possible, and very time consuming).

Assuming you're doing run 'n gun style shooting (aka skiing), you're going to get WAY more use out of a Steadicam. A slider can only be used in certain applications, and even then it isn't very effective.
Mar 10 2010 10:53PM
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