Steadicam (cheaper) alternatives

What exactly would that be a knock off of?

My steadicam works well, but have never really tried anything else. As for the link above I don't know how well it would work for follow cams, but Manfrotto makes great equipment, I haven't had any issues with Manfrotto.

the steadicam merlin, and to the post above me, thanks, thats helpful, any idea how this would work with a 5D, I'm thinking it may be too heavy, i don't really know much about glide cams

despite having a harsh learning curve and being a bitch to initially setup, the glidecam 2000 would be your best option IMO (assuming you're shooting on a DSLR or similarly sized camera)

I don't know what is expensive for you, but this is $300, but is an investment that will last you a long time. it can produce INCREDIBLE shots! especially for the price

Yea dude, this>glidecam.

This is like a full shoulder rig with rails and a hood and everything. This thing will last you a LONG and work great in comparison to a glidecam. It won't produce as "dreamy" shots, but it will be great for any follow cam type stuff off hill.

despite having a harsh learning curve and being a bitch to initially setup, the glidecam 2000 would be your best option IMO (assuming you're shooting on a DSLR or similarly sized camera)

I don't know what is expensive for you, but this is $300, but is an investment that will last you a long time. it can produce INCREDIBLE shots! especially for the price

depends what he is filming. there is no way I would give up my glide cam for one of those to shoot follow cams etc. this would be decent for doing interviews with managers and people to create a promo video. If you are shooting something run n' gun style, like a documentary or filming an event, where you don't have room for a tripod, but need to do longer shots or use different lenses etc, this would be good. Mostly, it just makes your camera look more impressive while providing some stabilization. Don't expect to use a long lens (I have heard somewhere around 70-85mm without is is the cutoff, depending on the rig and shot), don't expect it to be solid like a tripod, or flying like a glide cam. I would look for a used glide cam 2000 pro, then try one of these:



if you prefer the shoulder stock style, you can start with a baseplate and build up from there, but they are two very different tools

Yeah like this is what I mean, obviously he won't be getting the same look of a glidecam or tripod, because it's at a fixed hight, but it would for real good for any documentary stuff.

alright, just making sure.
Also to the op, all 3 of the variations of the sympla are close to $1000. You could get a glide cam hd2000 and a sachtler ace for barely more than that (assuming you don't already have a tripod). What attracted you to this rig?

what is "this"?

i used one at my film class at school, and really liked it, but i think I'm going to go for a glide cam hd2000 after looking at some reviews and videos.