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Stabilizer help (Canon 60d).

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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
So I'm upgrading my Canon XSi to a 60d (PM me if your interested in my XSi). I'm going to film a lot of lifestyle/people, skateboarding, and skiing. My question is, whats a good stabilizer. I know filming with an HD DLSR is awkward especially for skiing/skateboarding. I'm hopping to do a lot of follow cams, still tripod shots are boring to me.

My budget is anything is around $300, but I'd spend a bit more if its really worth it in the long run. I'm not dropping $2000, but at the same time, I know that a bit more money is worth the better results.

I know glidecams are popular:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/193812-REG/Glidecam_GL2000_2000_PRO_Camcorder_Stabilizing.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/579907-REG/Glidecam_HD_2000_HD2000_Stabilizer_System.html

Difference worth the extra cash? I don't think i'd need the 4000 but the 1000 seems a bit too light, a 60d only weighs around 1.4lbs no lens.

I've also heard of flycams and their only around $150.

Sparknotes: Are their any other cheaper alternatives to glidecams, that still provide the same results?

Thanks NS,
Zack.
May 15 2011 7:47PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,246
PM'ed you about a glidecam
May 15 2011 7:50PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
You can make your own for cheaper, but you need to put time and effort into it to make it come out well. And the GC1000 works perfectly fine with my friends 60d, and he even uses a Tokina 11-16mm (A pretty hefty lens IMO). And Flycams are great as well. Look for some test videos on youtube to see it for yourself.
May 15 2011 7:51PM
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SassySloth
Posts: 3753 - Karma: 2,095
I bought a flycam Nano for 150 off ebay and i lovee it.

works great!!

also here are test shots with it.

T2i w/ Tokina 11-16

May 15 2011 7:54PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
^Looks so sick. I want a tokina 11-16 so badly.

But it this way, I could get a fly cam for around $150, or 1337's glidecam 2000 pro for about $100 more. Worth the extra cash. Difference in build quality?
May 15 2011 8:01PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Glidecam HD-4000, Clarke is so good at filming.

5 Runs With Bobby from UA MTN on Vimeo.

May 15 2011 8:05PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,246
I think getting the glidecam over the flycam is a better desision, not just build quality wise, but the glidecam 2000 is rated for more meat of a dslr+lens+accessories if you choose to stack them on. From what I've read the flycams are easily over-weighted by adding just a heavier lens to your body, and you can't fly an unbalanced glide/flycam
May 15 2011 8:13PM
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SassySloth
Posts: 3753 - Karma: 2,095
I only picked up the Flycam because i didnt have much money to spend on a stabilizer.

go with 1337s
May 15 2011 8:15PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Dammit, 1337's is a great deal, a glidecam 2000 pro is like $400 in canada. I'll just have to think about it. I'd need to sell my XSi anyhow before i'd buy it, one of my friends is really interested in it though.
May 15 2011 8:21PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
glidecams have a better build and, in my opinion, look more effective. the HD is worth the extra money because it is easier to balance. the last thing you want is to take a chunk out of your day trying to balance the device. i'd go with the hd 2000 or 4000.
May 15 2011 9:04PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
HD series is worth the extra money.
May 15 2011 9:07PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
okay, why? differences between pro and hd?
May 15 2011 9:08PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
HD is all-around a better design. Easier to balance, contact points are in a better location, etc. Not to say the 2000 Pro won't do the job, it's just a pain in the ass and kind of cheap feeling.
May 15 2011 9:10PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
What about a Fig Rig or an Eazy Handle? I'm worried that a Glidecam won't work very well for skateboarding. Fig rigs look sick, and the DIY's actually work pretty well (like $30 to make). Eazy Handles look sick, but not sure how well they actually stabilize. What do you guys think?

Manfrotto:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/381894-REG/Manfrotto_595B_595B_Fig_Rig_Camera.html

DIY Fig Rig:


How to:



Eazy Handle: Like $300-350ish.


May 24 2011 4:13PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,110
Glide cam will be better,
May 24 2011 4:16PM
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B1kessk1s
Posts: 953 - Karma: 691
seriously, buy a glidecam. it takes time to have a good result, but it worth it !! 331$(shipping included) on b&h. really worth it !
May 24 2011 4:44PM
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.cam.
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 48
for only $30 make the diy fig rig and if you dont like it get a glidecam.
May 25 2011 6:32PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
I know jack about stabilizing, but I'm always really skeptical: can't you just make your own stabilizer? They always seem SO overpriced... Especially something like Fig Rig, can't that be made just as well by yourself?
May 25 2011 6:53PM
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skituner
Posts: 1162 - Karma: 127
just get a glidecam. i got my 2000 pro for under $200 on ebay, works great with my 60d, also make sure you get a quick release plate if you pick on up
May 25 2011 7:01PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,110
waste of time, you will never be able to make a glide cam as good as the real thing, period.
May 25 2011 7:07PM
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.cam.
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 48
I meant the fig rig and its summer. I dont see it taking more than an hour to make one so why not try?
May 25 2011 7:46PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Because those "fig rig" type mechanisms are gimmicks. They make the camera easier to hold at best, but don't stabilize in any way.
May 25 2011 8:26PM
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Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
This. It may help some with a smaller camera by adding weight to it, but nothing significant.

Don't get confused by that video posted above using the DIY fig rig . You can tell the guy used digital stabilization.
May 25 2011 8:33PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
idk i think they help, i made one and i get some pretty smooth results from it with my t2i, like this.

thats on a skateboard though, itd probably look a lot worse walking. still, most of my shots are on a board, so i'm content for right now till i have some more $$
May 25 2011 8:42PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
That wasn't remotely stable, especially for being on a skateboard. It wasn't full on shake, but that can easily be achieved with just a bare bones camera and some practice. And don't even get me started on top handles...
May 25 2011 8:44PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
its got to help somewhat, and it cant hurt considering it was free. and it gives my cam a little protection, but never actually bother to buy one. looking back though and focusing on the horizon or ground, it is pretty shakey. my bad
May 25 2011 8:49PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Good point. My philosophy is that less is more, and people who are quick to add tons of handy-yet-unnecessary accessories to their rig end up wasting time, effort, and energy. This is especially key when it comes to ski filming, where you often have to carry your equipment long distances. Also, the more complicated something is, the more likely something will go wrong. This can mean either parts malfunctioning or simply missing the shot because you were too busy fiddling with parts you didn't actually need in the first place.
May 25 2011 8:54PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
its simple and light enough, its just a pvc rectangle i painted and made a top handle (GASP) out of parts from my workshop, all i do is screw the camera in with a 1/4th inch bolt, theres not much to go wrong and its really light, so i use it. ive never tried it skiing as i just got the cam, so well see how it fares for that.
May 25 2011 9:00PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
My point is that you have to break it down to pack it away, and not getting much (if any) in return for this excess labor. Besides, how do you pack such a thing? Tie it to the side? It will surely break that way unless you're extra careful with your pack, but doing so costs time/effort.
May 25 2011 9:09PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
pvc takes a beating, i dont have a nice backpack so i put my camera bag in the main compartment of my backpack and the fig rig strapped in the board carrier thing, it works well and only takes a second.
May 25 2011 9:32PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I'm buying a glidecam 2000 pro, and then I'm going to build a fig rig (might as well cus it will only cost like $20 and I'm not going to be able to afford the glidecam for like a month or two)
May 25 2011 9:34PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Hehe suit yourself; I don't trust PVC for any task.
May 25 2011 9:49PM
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