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Pricy Camera Equipment

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Gooskin
Posts: 138 - Karma: 1,633
Is it fair to say that camera equipment is overpriced? My friend made me a steadicam out of PVC pipe and weights, while big name companies like Glidecam sell theirs for like $300. I get that there are grips and follow focus controls on them, but for the basic concept of smooth action, equipment should not be that expensive. Don't you agree?
Apr 5 2013 11:18PM
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steezysteeze
Posts: 1739 - Karma: 1,012
Although some things may seem overpriced, you are paying for a quality that simply cant be matched otherwise. You may be splitting hairs compared to some cheaper options but for that extra little bit better that the top of the line product is, the money spent on the satisfaction of reliability and true quality is worth it in the end. It's buying the nice stuff that makes you want to use it over and over again, and not leaving you striving for more.
Apr 5 2013 11:29PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
you get what you pay for in the photo world
Apr 5 2013 11:52PM
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uni-corn
Posts: 13846 - Karma: 651
Click for larger image
Apr 6 2013 2:34AM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Unfortunately this is true at least 99% of the time
Apr 6 2013 2:51AM
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eheath
Posts: 61604 - Karma: 123,113
Is this a troll? 1 post?

For real, that plastic piece of shit your friend built will fall apart, my glidecam has been solid for 4 years and ive beat the fuck out of it
Apr 6 2013 3:31AM
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Gooskin
Posts: 138 - Karma: 1,633
I am 15, so I don't exactly have incredulous amounts of money
Apr 6 2013 11:24AM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
yea, because everyone else does......
Apr 6 2013 12:09PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
we all started where you are now, it takes a long time to build up your gear
Apr 6 2013 12:48PM
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4ReeL_
Posts: 3187 - Karma: 1,563
Moooo Money = Moooo Quality.
Apr 6 2013 1:00PM
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hollygrove
Posts: 7845 - Karma: 93
Yeah money buys you quality, but at the same time the amount of gear whoring on NS is pretty fucking ridiculous hahaha. More time should be spent shooting than reading specs on the internet!!
Apr 6 2013 3:40PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
You do realize that materials expense is only a tiny part of the cost of producing a product? R&D, licensing, packaging, advertising, etc... I'd say under $500 is pretty fair for a Glidecam.
Apr 6 2013 3:54PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
That has nothing to do with the fact that your PVC rig probably can't even compare to the quality of a glidecam
Apr 6 2013 4:23PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Which doesn't take away from the fact that 500$ is a shit ton of money. Especially if you're 15...
Apr 6 2013 6:23PM
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90053
Posts: 2565 - Karma: 3,728
that said they don't have many competitors
Apr 6 2013 6:48PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
"Overpriced" compared to what? Compared to the fact that 15-year-olds generally don't have much money, or compared to the cost of production?

In the camera realm $500 is not very much money at all (relatively speaking). Just because you don't have the money to afford something doesn't in itself mean it's overpriced. It simply means its out of your price range. It could be overpriced, but to base that claim only on the fact that you simply cannot afford it is dumb.
Apr 6 2013 7:24PM
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SKIWAGEN
Posts: 497 - Karma: 313
is the follow focus still functional?
Apr 6 2013 7:25PM
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eheath
Posts: 61604 - Karma: 123,113
What? Glide cams don't come with follow focus'?
Apr 6 2013 8:48PM
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Jwenz
Posts: 8893 - Karma: 7,633
if anything id say the price for quality has reduced in the past 7 or so years. I mean the kids starting filming now can swoop a t2i with kit lens and decent tripod/stabilization setup for under a 1000. When I started...I used my parents hi-8 shitty camera then upgraded to a gl2 (which was 1600 at the time). If you are looking to get into stuff now consider yourself lucky. Unless you're looking for something like a fs-100 or 700 the cost to get started isn't all that much. However if you want good things...ie nice tripod and/or camera you are looking at a few thousand dollars to get going
Apr 6 2013 9:07PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
that's the joke, look at the op you goon
Apr 6 2013 9:16PM
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the_armidilo
Posts: 189 - Karma: 1,488
the person who wrote this thread is a major cheap ass and should go shoot up heroine with a pengin.
Apr 6 2013 11:49PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Solid first post. Alias?
Apr 6 2013 11:59PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
No way is it overpriced - especially considering the amount of affordable used gear out there that's still in very workable condition.

PVC setups will be hardpressed to last a few months, much less years on end of constant work. I have a few DIY PVC pieces that might work and look 'okay' but they are merely backup if anything. Not only that, but I would never take anything PVC to a professional set unless I had absolutely no other choice... IE: something breaks, and you have to make a run to Lowe's, ACE, or Home Cheapo...

Apr 7 2013 10:10AM
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